Recently, I had the privilege of sitting down for a meaningful conversation with my friend and colleague, Rabbi Neil Fleischmann. Our dialogue centered on a question that feels increasingly relevant: How can we cultivate faith, courage, and spiritual resilience in times of adversity?
Rabbi Neil shared a beautiful insight rooted in the Book of Numbers—Bamidbar, “in the desert.” Citing Rabbi Avraham Arieh Trugman, he noted that Bamidbar contains the Hebrew root ד-ב-ר, which relates to speech or communication— from the Hebrew ledaber, “to speak.”
The connection between “desert” and “speech” suggests there is more here than meets the eye. We often imagine the wilderness as isolation; this teaching hints it can also be revelation. In the quiet of the desert—away from distraction— we can better hear (and perhaps even speak) with both ourselves and with God.
As Rabbi Neil put it, “Going outside, to quiet places, is a way to restore our faith.”
I find profound truth in this. Judaism has long taught that nature is more than scenery; it is a spiritual landscape. Many prophets encountered God not in bustling cities but in solitude—in quiet outdoor spaces—where they heard what tradition calls the “still, small voice,” the Divine presence speaking to them.
Stepping Beyond Ourselves
We also explored why so many of us—despite modern comforts—at times feel spiritually depleted. Rabbi Neil observed: “My grandparents, I don’t think they ever thought about themselves much. Today, a lot of us, myself included, spend much of our time focused inward, analyzing every feeling. Paradoxically, this inward focus, intended for self-improvement, sometimes leaves us feeling emptier.”
His corrective is simple and powerful: step beyond ourselves into the natural world. “Going outside,” he said, “detaching from our phones and our anxieties, connects us deeply with our humanity and, by extension, with God.”
Nature as a Jewish Spiritual Practice
In our Jewish tradition, we find countless examples of nature as a transformative force. Abraham encountered God beneath an open sky, Moses received revelation in the wilderness, and Elijah found clarity in the desert’s solitude.
For us today, reconnecting with nature might mean regular walks without distraction, practicing hitbodedut (personal, solitary meditation) outdoors, or simply dedicating time each week to sit in a quiet park or garden—intentionally tuning in to the subtle rhythms of creation.
Shabbat: Our Weekly Wilderness
Rabbi Neil also spoke about the wisdom of Shabbat—our weekly sanctuary in time, designed for disconnection, rest, and spiritual replenishment. “Thank God,” he said, “for giving us this one day a week to step away, to pause, and find quiet again.”
As we grow older, many of us naturally feel a pull toward reflection and deeper connections—with ourselves, our community, and our faith. Reclaiming moments of solitude in nature or embracing the quiet peace of Shabbat can transform the mundane into the sacred and allow us to reconnect with our deepest selves.
A Path Toward Deeper Connection
If there’s one message I took away from my conversation with Rabbi Neil, it’s this: the path to deeper faith often starts in the quiet of nature—in moments of disconnection—and in returning to what is most essential.
Try something simple: step outside without your phone. Sit under a tree. Take a walk with no destination in mind. Listen for the silence that speaks. Whether through a weekly walk, a quiet moment outdoors, or a more mindful Shabbat, we each can create space to rediscover and reconnect with our spirituality.
In a world that overwhelms us with noise and demands, these small acts aren’t escapes; they are a way to return to oneself.
Rabbi Dr. Morey Schwartz is the International Director of the Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning.
