I have never been a fan of roller coasters, but many people enjoy the thrill and excitement. Recently we have heard of a number of tragic accidents with resulting fatalities that occurred on roller coasters and other amusement park rides. As of 2014, the chance of being killed on a roller coaster in the United States was 1 in 1.5 billion. The average death toll per year is four. While these accidents are rare from a statistical perspective, we are reminded about the risks that we take even when enjoying ourselves.

There is always a personal risk assessment that we make as individuals before we engage in any activity. Sometimes these are relatively quick, even seconds, when we decide if we are to engage in a dangerous or high-risk activity. There is a sense of safety that we seek, and that sense is relative to each person. Some of us are more risk takers than others. In the beginning of Parshat Eikev, Moshe tells Bnei Yisrael that if they listen to and follow Hashem’s mitzvot, they will be rewarded. Just as Hashem safeguarded His commitment and covenant to our people in the past, He promises to do so in the future if we follow the correct path of Torah and mitzvot. Rav Moshe Lev of Sasov, zt”l, explains the first pasuk of Parshat Eikev as an instruction for a person to listen and contemplate before acting. When one performs their own assessment as to whether they should be participating in a given activity, they should ask themselves if it is the will of Hashem that they proceed. In essence, we are instructed to make a careful analysis as to whether Hashem would be happy with the particular action we engage in or not. Just as we contemplate the safety of an activity from a physical perspective before proceeding, we are encouraged to contemplate the spiritual risk involved in our potential behavior. As opposed to physical safety, which has its consequences rather immediately, the consequences of our actions on a spiritual level may have a longer-term effect. While we may not see a negative result as we engage in the action, the consequences may conflict with our value system and cause us regret in the future. As with every action in life, it’s the consequences that are the result. As the summer winds down and we get in our last couple of days of vacation, let us make sure that safety is our top priority.

Rabbi Eliezer Zwickler is rabbi of Congregation AABJ&D in West Orange, NJ, and is a licensed clinical social worker in private practice. Rabbi Zwickler can be reached at [email protected].