We’ve all been there. You’re starving, you see some delicious food just out of reach, and you start imagining what it would be like to eat it. But does imagining that tasty meal actually satisfy your hunger? Not at all. In fact, the more you think about it, the hungrier you get. This simple idea is at the heart of a profound teaching from the Baal Shem Tov, as relayed in Noach, Comment 138. It’s a lesson that applies not just to your stomach, but to your spiritual life as well.
In this teaching, the Baal Shem Tov uses a parable to explain a common spiritual pitfall. Imagine someone who sees a delicious meal placed high on a shelf, far beyond their reach. Instead of figuring out a way to actually get the food, they just stand there, imagining what it would be like to eat it. They picture the flavors, the textures, the satisfaction—but at the end of the day, their hunger only grows, because nothing can substitute for the real thing.
Now, the Baal Shem Tov isn’t just talking about food. He’s talking about people who aim for spiritual heights that are far beyond their current level of understanding or capability. These are people who attempt lofty, complex mystical practices, but their minds aren’t equipped to fully grasp them. Just like the hungry person imagining the meal they can’t reach, these individuals end up more spiritually hungry, more frustrated, and less fulfilled than they were before.
So, what’s the takeaway here? The Baal Shem Tov is urging us to be realistic about where we are on our spiritual journey. It’s great to aspire to greater heights, but if you try to reach too far, too fast, you might end up missing out on the nourishment you need right now. Instead of focusing on practices or ideas that are beyond your grasp, it’s better to work with what you can understand and fully integrate into your life.
This doesn’t mean you should stop striving for growth—far from it. But spiritual growth, like any kind of growth, needs to be rooted in reality. You wouldn’t start lifting weights by trying to bench press 300 pounds on your first day at the gym. You start with what you can handle and build from there. The same goes for your spiritual life. Start with the practices, prayers, and teachings that you can truly connect with, and let your understanding and capacity grow over time.
There’s also an important lesson here about humility. It’s easy to get caught up in the allure of lofty spiritual practices or advanced mystical teachings. But true spiritual wisdom comes from knowing where you are and working from that place, rather than trying to jump ahead to where you *wish* you were. The Baal Shem Tov’s teaching reminds us that it’s okay—actually, it’s necessary—to take our time on the spiritual path. There’s no rush, and there’s certainly no benefit in pretending to be somewhere you’re not.
And let’s be honest: we live in a time where it’s easy to get caught up in the superficial. Social media is filled with people presenting a perfectly curated version of their spiritual lives—just like with everything else. But this teaching is a reminder that real spiritual growth isn’t about how you look on the outside or about projecting an image of enlightenment. It’s about the quiet, steady work of nourishing your soul with what it can truly digest and absorb.
The Baal Shem Tov’s parable is a call to focus on what’s real and attainable in your spiritual life. If you try to skip steps or reach beyond your grasp, you might end up more frustrated and disconnected than when you started. But if you take the time to truly engage with the practices and teachings that resonate with you, you’ll find that your spiritual hunger is gradually, deeply satisfied.
In the end, Noach, Comment 138 is a gentle reminder that spiritual growth is a journey, not a race. It’s about being honest with yourself about where you are and what you need right now. As you continue on your path, trust that by focusing on what’s within your reach today, you’re laying the groundwork for reaching even higher tomorrow. And that’s the kind of spiritual nourishment that really lasts.
This blog is in the zechut of Miriam bas Gisa Gisa bas deba leeba. HaShem help her attain all her hearts desires speedily with complete emuna as well as klal Israel.
In my book Pick Me Up HaShem, you’ll find many prayers that explore how HaShem is constantly drawing us closer to Him, inviting us into a deeper relationship through prayer and reflection. These prayers are designed to help you connect with the divine presence in a way that transcends mere requests and taps into the true purpose of prayer.
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