Mishneh Torah, Foundations of the Torah 1

Insight

Parenting, friends, is a masterclass in managing chaos. One minute you're mediating a sibling squabble over a Lego brick, the next you're deciphering a cryptic toddler request, all while trying to remember if you packed the dairy-free snack. It's a beautiful, overwhelming, fragmented dance. And in the midst of it all, we're called to instill a sense of Jewish identity, faith, and connection in our children – and ourselves. How do we find the bedrock, the "foundation of all foundations," when our own ground feels perpetually shifting?

This week, our ancient text offers us a profound, yet incredibly practical, anchor: the concept of God's Oneness, as presented by Maimonides. When we hear "God is One," our minds might jump to complex theology or abstract philosophy. But for busy parents, this isn't just a spiritual truth; it's a deeply grounding, perspective-shifting insight that can bring a sense of profound unity and resilience to the most fragmented days.

What does it really mean for God to be "One" in the context of your overflowing laundry basket and never-ending to-do list?

Firstly, it’s a radical call to see unity in the chaos. Our lives as parents are often compartmentalized: there's work-you, spouse-you, parent-you, friend-you, Jewish-you, self-care-you (if you’re lucky!). It can feel like we’re constantly juggling separate, often conflicting, demands. Rambam teaches us that there is one "Primary Being who brought into being all existence," and that this God is "unified in a manner which surpasses any unity that is found in the world." This isn't just about God Himself; it's a reflection of how the world, despite its apparent divisions, is fundamentally interconnected. For us, this means recognizing that all these "yous" are sustained by one source, are part of one holistic life. Your dedication to your children, your commitment to your partner, your work, your moments of personal reflection – they are not disconnected tasks, but threads in a single, divinely woven tapestry. This perspective can alleviate the mental load, transforming "I have to do all these things" into "I am living my one, integrated life, sustained by a singular, unifying force." It helps us step back and appreciate the overarching narrative of our existence, rather than getting lost in the granular, often overwhelming, details.

Secondly, God’s Oneness reminds us of His omnipresence and transcendence, and how this impacts our ability to connect. Rambam emphasizes that God is not a body, not limited by space or time, not "up there" or "over there." He is the truth of all existence. This means that sacred connection isn't reserved for special moments in synagogue or during elaborate rituals. It's available everywhere, always. The divine spark is in the sticky hands reaching for a hug, the frustrating tantrum demanding patience, the quiet breath you steal before bed. You don't need to carve out an extra hour to "find God"; God is the foundational truth of the very moment you are in. This empowers parents, freeing us from the guilt of not "doing enough Judaism." Your "good-enough" tries – the quick Shema before bed, the blessing over a meal, the simple act of showing up with love – are sacred precisely because God's truth is embedded in the mundane. We are not trying to reach God; we are simply recognizing His presence that already is within and around us.

Finally, embracing God's Oneness fosters trust and resilience. When we acknowledge that "there is a Primary Being who brought into being all existence" and that "all the entities require Him and He... does not require them," we tap into a deep well of cosmic trust. It’s the understanding that there’s a fundamental order, a sustaining force, even when our personal universe feels like it’s spinning out of control. This doesn't mean life won't be hard, or that we won't face challenges. But it means we are not alone in navigating them. There is an ultimate reality, a singular truth that underpins everything, giving purpose and meaning even to the moments of struggle. This trust becomes a wellspring of resilience, allowing us to bless the chaos, embrace the mystery, and keep showing up, knowing that our efforts, however imperfect, are part of something infinitely larger and profoundly unified.

So, as we explore this profound idea, let’s remember: you don’t need to fully comprehend the infinite to experience its grounding power. Your role isn't to perfectly "explain" God to your children, but to model a life imbued with a sense of wonder, interconnectedness, and quiet trust in the ultimate Oneness that holds us all.

Text Snapshot

Here are a few lines from Rambam's Mishneh Torah, Foundations of the Torah, Chapter 1, that encapsulate this profound idea, reminding us of the ultimate unity and transcendent nature of God:

• "The foundation of all foundations and the pillar of wisdom is to know that there is a Primary Being who brought into being all existence." (Mishneh Torah, Foundations of the Torah 1:1)
• "This God is one. He is not two or more, but one, unified in a manner which [surpasses] any unity that is found in the world." (Mishneh Torah, Foundations of the Torah 1:7)
• "The Torah speaks in the language of man." (Mishneh Torah, Foundations of the Torah 1:12)
• "You shall see My back, but you shall not see My face." (Exodus 33:23, quoted in Mishneh Torah, Foundations of the Torah 1:10)

Activity

"One Big Family" Connection Web

This activity aims to help your family visualize and feel interconnectedness, mirroring the idea of God's Oneness as the foundational source of all existence. It’s a simple, sensory way to explore a complex concept without needing deep theological explanations. It takes less than 10 minutes and requires minimal setup.

Goal: To experience the unity and interconnectedness within your family, and gently connect it to the broader idea of all existence stemming from one source.

Materials:

• A ball of yarn or string (any color!).

Setup:

1. Gather your family (even just two people works!) and sit in a circle on the floor or around a table. Make sure everyone can see and reach each other.

Instructions (5-7 minutes):

1. Start the Web: You, the parent, begin by holding the end of the yarn. Take a moment to think of one thing you love or appreciate about your family, or one specific thing that happened today that made you feel connected or grateful.
   • Example: "I'm so grateful for how we all helped clean up dinner tonight, it made it so much faster!" or "I really loved hearing about everyone's day at the dinner table."
2. Pass the Connection: Still holding onto the end of the yarn, gently toss the ball of yarn to another family member across the circle.
3. Continue the Pattern: That person catches the ball. They hold onto a piece of the yarn that connects them back to you. Then, they say one thing they love or appreciate about the family, or something that happened today that made them feel good or connected. After they share, they gently toss the ball of yarn to another family member who hasn't had a turn yet.
4. Build the Web: Keep going until everyone has had a turn, and you've created a beautiful, intricate "web" of yarn connecting everyone in the circle. It will look a bit messy, but that's part of the beauty!
5. Reflect (Micro-win connection): Once the web is formed, pause. Look at the yarn connecting everyone.
   • You might say: "Look at this amazing web we made! Each of us is unique, and we all said different things, but see how we're all connected by this string? It shows how even though we're individuals, we're one big family, connected by love and shared experiences. In our Jewish tradition, we learn that God is the ultimate source of all connection, the 'Primary Being' who holds everything together – not just our family, but the whole world! We can't see God, just like we can't see the air that connects us when we talk, but we know He's there, sustaining everything, making everything one."
   • For younger children, simplify: "See how we're all connected? That's how God makes the world, connecting everything and everyone!"
6. Optional Extension (if time allows): Gently tug on your piece of the yarn. Ask everyone to notice who else felt the tug. This reinforces the idea that what one person does affects others.

Why this activity works for busy parents:

• Quick & Simple: Minimal preparation, takes only minutes.
• Engaging: Kids love yarn and the interactive nature of passing it.
• Concrete: Makes an abstract concept (Oneness, connection) tangible and visual.
• Empathetic: Focuses on positive family connections, fostering warmth.
• No Guilt: It's about experiencing, not lecturing. Even a "good-enough" try with a few family members creates a connection.

Script

Answering the "Where is God?" Question

Kids are naturally curious, and they often try to make sense of abstract concepts by relating them to what they know. When they hear about God, their minds will inevitably try to picture Him, to locate Him in space. "Where is God?" or "What does God look like?" are common, innocent questions. Rambam's text directly addresses this, explaining that God has no body or form, and that "the Torah speaks in the language of man" when it uses anthropomorphic descriptions. This provides us with a beautiful, child-friendly way to respond.

Here's a 30-second script for those moments, designed to be kind, realistic, and foster wonder rather than confusion:

Question: "Mommy/Tatty, where is God? What does God look like?"

Your 30-second Answer: "That's such a great question! You know, God is so big and so amazing, that He doesn't have a body or a face like we do. He's not 'in one place' like a person in a room, or like a toy on a shelf. Think of it like this: You can't see the air, but it's all around us, letting us breathe, right? God is everywhere, and He's the source of everything – the sunshine, our love for each other, the trees, the whole world! When our holy books talk about God's 'hand' or 'eyes,' it's just helping us understand how powerful and caring He is, because those are words we know. But God is much, much bigger than any picture we can imagine, connecting all of existence."

Why this script works:

• Affirms the child's curiosity: "That's such a great question!" validates their thought process.
• Directly addresses the "no body/form" concept: Explains God's transcendence simply.
• Uses relatable analogy: The "air" example is concrete and accessible for children.
• Highlights omnipresence: "God is everywhere" directly reflects the text's idea of God as the truth of all existence.
• Explains anthropomorphism: The "Torah speaks in the language of man" is simplified to explain why we use human-like terms for God.
• Fosters wonder: Shifts the focus from a limited physical image to an expansive, awe-inspiring concept.
• Time-boxed: Delivers a meaningful answer quickly, fitting into a busy day.
• Empathetic: It acknowledges the child's cognitive frame ("words we know") without dismissing their understanding.

Remember, you don't have to give a philosophical treatise. A quick, loving, honest response that opens the door to wonder is a huge micro-win.

Habit

"One Breath of Awe"

This week, your micro-habit is designed to help you, the busy parent, subtly connect with the foundational idea of God's Oneness and His role as the "Primary Being who brought into being all existence." It’s a moment of intentional pause, a tiny spiritual anchor in your day.

The Micro-Habit: Once a day, for 60 seconds or less, find something simple around you – a child's face, a leaf on a plant, the steam rising from your coffee, the pattern of light on the wall, or even just the sensation of your own breath.

Action:

1. Pause: Stop what you're doing for just a few seconds.
2. Observe: Look at that chosen object or phenomenon with fresh eyes.
3. Breathe: Take one deep, conscious breath.
4. Acknowledge: As you breathe out, internally acknowledge the sheer wonder that this thing exists. Just the simple fact of its being. Allow yourself one small, silent "wow" or "thank you" for the miracle of existence itself, knowing it all stems from the One, the "Primary Being."

Example: You’re stirring dinner. You look at a carrot. Instead of just seeing a vegetable, you pause, breathe, and think: "Wow, this carrot is. It came from a seed, grew from the earth. What an amazing chain of existence, all from one ultimate Source." No need for elaborate theology; just a brief moment of appreciative awareness.

Why this micro-habit works for busy parents:

• Extremely Quick: Less than a minute, easily integrated into any part of your day.
• No Preparation: Requires no special tools, space, or setup.
• Flexible: Can be done anywhere, anytime – at the grocery store, while waiting for water to boil, during a quiet moment before bed.
• Subtle Reinforcement: Gently embeds the idea of God's omnipresence and the miraculous nature of everyday existence without demanding deep thought or additional time.
• No Guilt: There's no "right" way to do it. Just noticing something is the win. If you miss a day, just pick it up the next. You're simply aiming for a "good-enough" try at cultivating a moment of awe.

Bless this chaos, dear parent. May these tiny moments of awe bring you a deeper sense of connection and peace.

Takeaway

This week, we've explored the radical simplicity and profound depth of Rambam's teaching: God is One. For busy parents, this isn't an abstract theological puzzle, but a powerful lens through which to view our fragmented lives.

Our takeaway is this: God's Oneness is a unifying force that grounds our chaos in connection. You don't need to fully comprehend the infinite to experience its grounding power. Instead, embrace the micro-moments. Find comfort in the knowledge that all existence, including your beautiful, messy, loving family, stems from and is sustained by a singular, ultimate Source. This perspective helps us see the sacred in the mundane, find unity in our many roles, and build resilience through a foundational trust in the ultimate truth of existence.

Bless the chaos, dear parent. Embrace the mystery, and know that every "good-enough" try to connect with this profound truth is a powerful step in your family's spiritual journey.