Complacency

In פרשת ואתחנן, Moshe Rabbeinu gives a clear warning against complacency. He speaks of a time when עם ישראל will be living peacefully in the land for a few generations. The Torah says, “כי תוליד בנים ובני בנים ונושנתם בארץ.” When you will give birth to children, and children’s children, and you will become old in the land.

Moshe is telling the people not to allow themselves to kick back, relax, and take things for granted. Such complacency leads to becoming passive in the observance of Mitzvot. This can lead to outright transgressions, and ultimately, being banished from the land.

Complacency is a dangerously negative character trait. It causes us to take people, and life itself, for granted. It also diminishes one’s enthusiasm in handling our daily affairs.

We need to find a way to keep ourselves motivated. We are to remind ourselves that everything we have is an undeserved gift from Hashem.

We must give gratitude for what we have and appreciate (especially in COVID times) every breath we take each day.

Studying books of Mussar helps keep us on the right path. The ספר הישר, attributed to Rashi’s grandson, Rabbeinu Tam, tells us that major things happen to people, good or bad. We should take pause each day, and give thanks for each day that passes uneventfully. This helps put our thought process in the right frame of mind. Always be grateful and never give in to complacency.