Do not have other gods before Me
What motivates human beings? Considering that behind every action there is a motivation, it’s the engine that drives us to do absolutely everything. Surprisingly, the subject is not discussed or taught more; primarily, how to motivate ourselves. Understanding what motivates us is complex because we might be motivated by many things simultaneously, and some of them might even contradict each other. Furthermore, our motives are internal, and we are often unsure of them or even unaware of them.
How does God motivate us?
Perhaps not surprisingly, in many ways. He offers us a lot of extrinsic motivation in the Torah – keep the path I am showing you, and I’ll bless you. He also provides intrinsic motivation – keep the path I’m showing you, and you’ll find true fulfillment.
When we think about the underlying truths of each diber, “Do not have any other gods,” reveals the truth about our ultimate fulfillment. We are tempted to serve other gods because we sense that we will better satisfy our needs and wants with them than we will with God. Stated positively, our true fulfillment rests with God.
What does “Our true fulfillment rests with God” mean to you? What is one step this week you can take to live more in alignment with this truth?
Set your intention for the day by reciting The Aseret Affirmation: Ten for Ten first thing in the morning.
Wishing you safety and strength,
Nitzan Bergman