Every Shabbat, we recite the verse “Taste and See that G-d is Good” (Psalms 34:9).
Taste is an interesting thing.
My kids ask for a taste of the Manischewitz wine at our Shabbat dinner table each week. My wine connoisseur friends politely decline and reach for the Cabernet.
Simple tastes are easily perceived as good. Think of a child reaching for a candy. Or an untrained ear enjoying a simple melody.
But to enjoy music that is complex, like a symphony, one must first acquire a taste and appreciation for it. The same goes for the flavors of a sophisticated dish or aged wine.
While simple tastes may be easily perceived as good, sophisticated taste takes education, maturity, and effort to attain.
Perhaps then, the verse “Taste and see that G-d is good” (Psalms 34:9) is a call to each and every one of us to educate ourselves, mature, and exert effort to refine our spiritual palettes.
Every Mitzvah is precious; every minute of Torah study a priceless gem. But perhaps, we are ready to take our appreciation for Torah and Mitzvot up a notch. Perhaps we are no longer the child eagerly eyeing the gummy bear or sparkling grape juice.
Perhaps we are ready for a more in-depth Torah study routine? Perhaps we are ready to taste the Jewish holidays with some new observances in our home? Are we ready to designate time each day for focused meditation and specific prayers from our liturgy? Perhaps we are ready to take on the first steps of keeping a kosher kitchen? Are we ready to taste, find pleasure, and really enjoy these elevated soulful experiences?
And of course, Rabbi and I are here to help and guide you throughout the journey.
Reach for the symphony playing in your soul; the spiritual Cabernet waiting to be sipped. Let’s keep refining our "Neshama" pallettes!
(Based on an idea heard from Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz)