Humans like choice, and boy, do we have choices today. The world's advanced connectivity and digitalization have created an environment that caters to our every whim. With so many options at our disposal, why does humanity seem so insecure rather than empowered?
The answer lies in this week's Torah portion, Vayikra. G-d tells Moshe to offer the Jewish people an opportunity, a real choice, to transcend a menial physical existence and get closer to Hashem. "When a person will offer from themselves a sacrifice to G-d." The Korban, or sacrifice, represents someone giving their resources to a higher purpose and, through this action, redefining their raison d'etre as something more than material pleasures. This choice stands in stark contrast to the myriad of options you have at the ice cream store. While Tequila Sunrise and Mac and Freeze might be incredible flavors to try, they won't be life-changing events no matter what the marketing might say. On the other hand, if you sacrifice some of your comforts to help others and to live more Jewishly, you will find yourself strengthened to live life not restricted and encumbered by what society says but instead empowered to be the person G-d destined you to be.
Not all choices are equal, and not all of them move your life forward. We need to use the Torah as our guide to determine which ones matter and which ones not as much. Let's stop stressing over the small ones and start embracing the big ones. While sacrifice can be challenging at the moment, it is an incredible gift of empowerment, allowing us to transcend the limitation of our physical world and channel divine energy as a light unto nations.
Mission: Stop stressing over meaningless choices, and embrace the tough ones that demand sacrifice. When you start to feel it in your gut, you'll know you're getting closer to the divine.