There Is More Than One Way to Come Close to God | 10@9 | 2026.08.12

Rabbi Menachem Shach once told a young man who had lost his way a remarkable story from his own life. Something that seemed terribly wrong at the time ultimately saved his life. R. Shach had learned what it means to place yourself wholeheartedly in God's hands - even when you cannot understand where God is leading you. That is one understanding of the Torah's command, Tamim Tihyeh Im Hashem Elokecha - "Be wholehearted with the Lord your God." Ramban understands it as wholehearted trust in God. But R. Aharon Lichtenstein points to two very different interpretations, from Ibn Ezra and Rambam, revealing more than one authentic way to fulfill this extraordinary command. And perhaps that is precisely what some of us need to hear. There is more than one way to come close to God. We do not all need the same religious personality or the same spiritual path. But we do need to find and cultivate the paths that allow us to reach toward God - with trust, commitment, and our whole heart. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Faculty of Law. ADATH is a modern orthodox synagogue community in suburban Montreal, providing Judaism for the next generation. We take great pleasure in welcoming everyone with a warm smile, while sharing inspiration through prayer, study, and friendship. Rabbi Whitman shares his thoughts and inspirations through online lectures and shiurim, which are available on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5FLcsC6xz5TmkirT1qObkA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adathmichael/ Podcast - Mining the Riches of the Parsha: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/mining-the-riches-of-the-parsha/id1479615142?fbclid=IwAR1c6YygRR6pvAKFvEmMGCcs0Y6hpmK8tXzPinbum8drqw2zLIo7c9SR-jc Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3hWYhCG5GR8zygw4ZNsSmO Please contact Rabbi Whitman ([email protected]) with any questions or feedback, or to receive a daily email, "Study with Rabbi Whitman Today," with current and past insights for that day, video, and audio, all in one short email sent directly to your inbox.