Many people think that in order to connect with G-d or to be a more “spiritual” person the correct approach would be to remove oneself from the mundaneness of this world and pursue “more lofty” heights such as fasting, meditating and being in seclusion. The world however was not created so that we should abandon and runaway from it and it’s inhabitants, rather G-d wants us to find him within this seemingly mundane world. It was once asked of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi. “what is more important, love of G-d or love of one’s fellow?” He replied “the love of one’s fellow, for then you are loving what your loved one loves.” He was saying that love of one’s fellow and love of G-d are one in the same. Since G-d loves all of his children and all of his creations, when you show love and concern for your fellow, you are displaying your true love of G-d. Spirituality is attained not by abandoning this world in order to find transcendence, rather we must find the transcendent within the immanent. We must not make the mistake that G-d is “out there” in the unreachable heights but rather he is right here all the time encouraging us to become connected to him by helping out one of his children. There is certainly no place devoid of Him, therefore we should reveal him through acts of pure kindness.
