Hi,

Hope all is well.

And that you’re enjoying what’s left of the summer.

… We recently spent a few days in beautiful Door County.

And one of the things I love to do there?

Go jogging along Lake Michigan.

It’s absolutely breathtaking.

(I don’t mean the jogging! 

I mean the view!)

And I started thinking.

About what?

Isn’t it obvious?

The Garden of Eden!

… Adam is placed in the Garden of Eden.  Spiritual Paradise.

We’re told that G-d planted trees in the garden.

“Trees that were pleasant to look at and good to eat.”  (Genesis: 2:9)

It’s interesting.

Trees that produce fruit?  That makes sense.

Even in the Garden of Eden you need to eat!

(And Jews always want to know what’s on the menu).

But trees that were pleasant to look at?  Nice scenery?

What are they doing in the Garden of Eden?

Is G-d an interior decorator?

… It’s a very important message.

Beautiful trees do belong in the Garden of Eden.

Because beauty in the world serves a spiritual purpose.

G-d could have created a very boring world.

Could have made every day look like a cloudy day in London!

But He didn’t.

He surrounded us with amazing beauty.

Whether it’s a sunset or a starry sky.  The ocean or the Grand Canyon.  Or even a flower.

When we look at them we have a certain feeling.

It’s spiritual. Our soul is moved.

We see the harmony and beauty in the world.

And we sense that there is a Creator.  A G-d.

That the beauty that surrounds us is a special gift from Him.

It’s like He’s hugging us!

… Hopefully you’ll have a chance to get out and enjoy the beautiful day.

And here’s something else to think about.

It’s true. G-d does want us to think of Him when we enjoy the beauty around us.

But there’s something else He wants.

G-d wants us to do something.

Especially when we feel uplifted.

He wants us to emulate Him.  To try to be G-dly.

By lifting the spirits of someone else!”

All the best,