Where’s the beef? In the potential or the actual?

Once, Rabbi Levi Yitzchok of Berditchov was asked. Why was a holiday instituted for the victory of Chanukah over the Greek/Syrians  in 150 BCE, and the miracle having overcome Haman on Purim 400 BCE, and no holiday was instituted for the miracle of the war against Sisra 1350 BCE mentioned in the book of the prophets, or the defeat of Sancheriv 700 BCE?

The Rabbi explained. There are miracles that happened, and at that time they were truly huge supernatural revelations of G-dliness. However, those revelations and influences did not extend to future generations. Then, there are miracles where the G-dly light and energy shined not only for the people then. This miraculous energy that took place at that time, once infused in the day, is renewed every year, and such is the miracles of Chanukah and Purim.

This is the deeper meaning of the blessing, “(G-d)… who did miracles for our forefathers in those days (which are repeated) in these days “. The miracle of Chanukah that happened then, repeats itself and shines also today, for those who connect through the practices of the Holiday, and receive the blessings in these days.

In the Talmud there is a dispute between the house of Shamai, and the house of Hillel, how to light the eight candles that commemorates the miracle of the oil that lasted for eight days.

Shamai says, the first night of Chanukah we light eight flames and reduce the number the following nights, to seven, six etc. The house of Hillel says, we begin on the first night with one flame and increase our count every night.

This legal disagreement has its roots in a much deeper divergence of world view perspectives, between the two. In life, is it the concrete, tangible, and actual that has greatest significance and value or, do we attribute equal value to potential and what’s hidden inside?

Shamai says, as we begin the Holiday and have all eight days before us, on the first night, there is the potential to enjoy and draw blessings from all eight days, so we proclaim and express that, in lighting the eight candles.  Hillel says, what matters is actuality. On the first night, we only have one day, we therefore can only light one candle.

Why and how can Shamai give any credence at all to the potential, when in actuality it’s not there.

If I have a seed, with the potential to grow into a fruit bearing tree, can I celebrate the harvest or eat any fruits before it has grown into anything?

Shamai and his followers were so elevated, they saw the world from G-ds perspective where the potential is always there and faces no obstacles in manifesting itself.  It’s only from a natural physical standpoint that events have a time delay, and a risk factor, between potential and actuality. From Shamai's perspective, potential is actuality. His faith was so deep, potential and actuality is a present moment reality.

Hillel was more pragmatic, in this world, from a more worldly down to earth point of view. Torah was not given to angels, but to humans living to a degree with the confines of natural rules. The objective of Torah, is not how it is in the Heavens, but its actual influence on people, and in this world.

In the Hebrew letters of Chanukah our sages point out, they represent the acronym, “eight days and the law follows the house of Hillel”.

The miracle of Chanukah came about because of the actual down to earth self-sacrifice of the Maccabees.  The response of the Jews in those days to the threat of Hellenization wasn’t Judaism in the heart or spirituality only in the Synagogue. The response was a practical rededication of the Temple down here in this world.

Action and more action today, is where the beef is.

The HUGE power of the Chanukah LIGHT.

The Baal Shem Tov was very fond of light, and said, "Or (light) is the numerical equivalent of raz ('secret'). Whoever knows the 'secret' in everything can bring illumination." It is also true, whoever has  light, will recognize the secret of each matter. “A candle is (the performance of) a mitzvah – spiritual good deed, and (the study of) Torah - G-ds wisdom, is light.”

We are coming up to the holiday and festival of lights, Chanukah. Chanukah begins December 16th until the December 24th 2014.

All Jewish holidays that commemorate miracles and super natural events are connected with light. The triumph of light over darkness. In Egypt, while the Egyptians were subject to darkness and an even denser form of darkness which immobilized them, the Bible tells us, “and for all the children of Israel there was light”.

Regarding the Holiday of Purim when the wicked Haman decreed annihilation of all the Jewish people, “nothing new under the sun”, the book of Purim the Megillah says, “And to the Jewish people there was light and Joy.” Where there is light and clarity, there is joy. “There is no greater joy, than the untangling from doubt.”

Add off course when it comes to our Holiday Chanukah , the entire holiday revolves around the miracle of a small jug of pure oil, discovered in the Holy Temple and  was meant to last one day, instead miraculously lasted for eight days.

To commemorate this fantastic miracle, our sages instructed us to light the candles every night for eight days, and publicize to the public, the great power in faith, and in light over darkness. For this reason, the proper time for lighting the candles is just when it begins getting dark and we might be tempted  to surrender to darkness,  we are reminded and through the lighting we are given the strength, never to submit  and capitulate to the darkness outside, that many times  seems irresistible and over powering.

It was a small group of dedicated people, unwavering and determined who waged war, with the motto, “who is like G-d amongst the strong” and were able to overcome the terrible decrees against the observance of their faith by a much larger and better organized army.

Our sages dedicated these days, for praise and gratitude.

It’s important to recognize the good in our lives, and say thank you. Thank you is an expression of acknowledgement and a type of passive surrender to the good granted to the individual many times way more than was deserved.

In addition to gratitude we are expected to, praise. Praise requires an individual effort to internalize personally and understand the reason, why praise is necessary. Our sages wanted, that during this holiday we shouldn’t just play dreidle, eat latkes and doughnuts, and sit back, but much more than just that kind of fun.

This holiday is a very auspicious time to put on the light and wisdom, internally, to see and discover new secrets about our own lives. By taking the time to intellectualize and understand the dynamics of the miracle, the power of faith on the one hand, and on the other hand, the reality of the constant threat against the Jewish people and light, by the forces of darkness, and the ultimate victory of light and good over darkness.  From this position, praise is genuine.

On Chanukah even those oils and wicks that are unacceptable to use for the lighting of the Shabbat candles are acceptable for this holiday.  Because, what Shabbat is not able to reach with its special strength of light, this holiday goes even further to impact and influence. Notwithstanding the very low standing of the Jewish people at that time, G-d kicked in with this huge miracle.

Chanukah is indeed a powerful opportunity to generate more light into our lives and into this world.

Mystical secrets to a successful marriage

I recently read an article, on a major internet news outlet, written by a clinical psychologist, on the most overlooked threats to a marriage.

My purpose for sharing these vulnerabilities is to point out how the traditions and practices that comprise Jewish observance, have built in, the antidote for all these problems. Our Holy Torah tells us, “taste and see that G-d is good.”

Don’t marry someone for who they are, but because of who they are determined to become. Spend a lifetime joining each other in becoming.

One of the beautiful explanations why a groom and bride get married under a Chupah- canopy is because, by being enveloped by a spiritual higher purpose and common goal in their marriage, it is possible, to successfully keep two very opposite genders of male and female, together.

Don’t expect marriage to take away loneliness, marriage will not change this human condition. Marriage is intended to be a place where two humans, share and deepen the experience of loneliness.

The most important rules in marriage are the rules of family purity. This practice, is the golden hidden secret to the significantly lower numbers of divorce within the circles of families who observe these laws (properly).

Basically, every month, for a period of 12 days, physical intimacy is forbidden between the married couple. There are many benefits to this practice. Psychologically, emotionally, and physical well being.

Everyone needs time for themselves, individually. It is impossible and ultimately will wear out any person, who is constantly available for others. Time for oneself without the stress and anxiety placed by a partner, while still very much within the confines of a fall back, is the healthiest and most secure safe place, covering all bases.

Having time to be alone is the best occasion for both partners to pull back slightly, a chance for each to gain perspective of each other, and the relationship. A time to renew the novelty and interest, again, in each other.

Ego is a wall that separates. Mysticism teaches the most powerful tool for being receptive, is submission. Putting one’s own self aside, for the sake of the other in the relationship. It is no wonder the great codifier of Jewish law, Maimonides, teaches, “A husband must respect his wife even more than himself.” “A wife should see her husband like a king”. Both of them, committed to each other, and, to the relationship.

Marriage is more a matter of grace than of power, forgiveness than of vengeance, and vulnerability than of strength. Instead of pointing fingers we must start intertwining them. Blameless, a couple walks through life together.

The hope in marriage, is as is expressed in the blessings when getting married, that it becomes “an everlasting edifice”. It doesn’t matter who made the hole in the boat, if both are committed to keeping the boat from sinking.

Hidden power struggles, whether it’s a matter of who is more important, the children or the marriage, and/or the tough negotiations around the level of interconnectedness between husband and wife is settled by the ingenuity of Jewish law and the wedding contract entered between the two parties.

By law, there is a duty to fulfill marital intimacy. If he is respecting her, more than himself, and she is respecting his place and role in the home, and, they each have their own space within this relationship, the balance between the obligations to each other and the space for everything else is already there, by design. The only thing left, is a genuine interest and commitment to the program that has worked for thousands of years.

And one last, most important point.

“I am G-d your G-d. You shall have no other G-ds before me.” The first two commandments of the big ten. In a marriage, there is only room for a total interest and focus on the one person we are married to. If our thoughts and attention are distracted from this focus, we have undermined the very foundation of everything that follows.

TRUE EVERLASTING JOY.

There is only one way for a person to experience a joy that once attained is forever, and that is by being a soul person.

The kind of joy and happiness that knows no limits, must be connected to the energy that has no limits and is infinite i.e. the soul, G-dliness. Living with soul, identifying with the spark of G-d within, liberates a person from the vicissitudes of an ever changing world and the limited existence of the physical.

G-dliness is spiritual, but for many people spirituality doesn't necessarily mean G-dliness.

For many people spirituality is anything they can’t see or touch with their five senses. To be sure, intellect and emotions are spiritual but many times they are not G-dly.

G-dliness, is the state of connecting with and emulating, living by the standards of the creative positive force that is the credit to this existence.

The Talmud says a story that once a fellow by the name of Nachum was traveling to Rome. On his way at an inn, the innkeeper emptied his box of diamonds and jewels he was bringing as a gift to the Caesar and exchanged them for stones and dirt so he would not immediately realize what happened. When he came to the ruler and presented the gift, the Caesar wanted to kill him for being offensive. Nachum’s reaction was not focused on the surface of what was going on, but he already trained his eyes and heart to see deeper, to the source that makes everything happen and he thought, “this too (all that happens and is orchestrated by G-d) is for the good”.

The Talmud continues, the stones and earth turned into a valuable resource for the king, miraculously.

Mysticism explains that because Nachum lived on the level of the soul, his own and that of the world, he always saw G-d in everything and was not fazed by surface appearances. He was able to connect with the spark of goodness that is in everything and through this attitude draw out the good to the surface.

A G-dly person understands that there is more to life than what meets the eye. Life is not about money and more cars and a bigger home. These can only bring skin deep, surface and limited, finite happiness.  Yes a car can serve the purpose of G-dliness, but the pleasure of a car in itself is hollow and empty.

A G-dly person understands, life is not of the body. Living on the level of a body he would be no different than an animal. Life, is living in a body, to enhance the experiences of soul.

A person who is G-dly manifests and exhibits the G-dly character traits of humility, kindness, care for others, a desire to improve and make things better for others and a clear understanding of right from wrong. A person of this sort, strength and joy is his lot. There is meaning and purpose to everything, which brings deep self confidence. This person knows and feels, “ G-d is with me and I shall fear nothing”. This, is true Joy.

Life is a small moment in time, to make an eternal difference for ourselves, and for the world around us.

Life is a small moment in time, to make an eternal difference for ourselves, and for the world around us.

The Bible doesn’t speak in riddles, it means exactly what is says, literally. In addition to the very simple meaning, when someone is speaking or writing a book, there is always, what did he intend and what motivated him to say those words. G-d in the Bible chose specific stories in our history, and recorded specific aspects of those stories, to include in His eternal book of instruction, because, only these stories and those aspects have deeper meaning applicable to all times and to all people.

“Sarah passed away in the metropolis of four, which is (called) Chevron (Hebron). Abraham came to eulogize Sarah and cry for her. Abraham paid Efron 400 Silver coins for the plot of land.”

The Zohar, the seminal book of mysticism explains this story on a deeper level. Sarah is a metaphor for the body and Abraham for the soul.

There comes a time for the body (Sarah), essentially made of four elements (metropolis of four) – fire, water, earth and air or nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen, to cease its work here in this world. While the body was functioning and alive all these elements that comprise the body, are all attached and connected to each other and to the soul that animates it from within. (Chevron in Hebrew is etymologically related to the word “connected”)

The word (name) Efron in Hebrew is related to earth and dust. The one that is humble, unpretentious and self-effacing, is bestowed by Abraham the soul, 400 measures of yearning and connection to G-dliness and spirituality. In Hebrew, the word Kesef –silver, is related to yearning and attachment.

Abraham, the soul, at that point of death, cries over its loss, the body, in which it operated throughout its lifetime here in this physical existence.

So we have a marriage of sorts between the soul and the body, Abraham and Sarah and when it falls apart there are tears on the part of the soul for the body!

The Bible tells us in an earlier portion, “all that Sarah tells you listen to her voice.” How is that possible to understand in light of what we just explained? Should the soul who by nature yearns for G-dliness and holiness listen and follow the voice of the corporeal body that lusts for physical and materialistic pursuits?

Isn’t the goal, for the spiritual to overcome the coarseness of materialism, and not the other way around?

“The patriarchs and matriarchs lead the way for all their children.” What they did is a sign post that shows us the way, and here lies a great secret of truth.

People are distracted many times by the external attraction of beauty and the appeal of vanity. Truth is hidden and difficult to find. The temptation of the body and the hedonistic lifestyles are a great diversion, like a strong hurricane pushing our minds and lives in the opposite direction of anything worthwhile and meaningful.

To fulfill the will and yearnings of the soul one must pull the last strengths from deep down inside. Many times we think and feel, what’s the purpose for all this??

The answer is. The process and the constant challenge and battles, are the purpose.

Every time a person holds back the urge to do the ungodly, and the unholy, he/she pushes back and suppresses this force and fills the space with holiness. With self-control and discipline. Every time we are faced with a challenge from the world of deceit and falsehood and we draw inner strength out to the front to deal with these hardships, the soul becomes enriched, bigger than it was before.

Only when it comes the time for the eternal soul to leave the body, does it realize from its new perspective, how much was gained for itself, and cries, over the loss of these opportunities.

Life is a small moment in time, to make an eternal difference for ourselves, and for the world around us.

“What is to give light, must endure burning.”

 

Great life lesson from this story.

A young man began his return journey back to his spiritual roots and asked Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe, "Rabbi, why is it so difficult? Why do I have constantly hardships, difficulties coping…?"

The Rebbe replied: "We are not angels, we are human beings. Angels have no tests and temptations; they worship the Almighty without any difficulty. But we, have been given trials and tribulations to use them as ladders, to climb and to rise."

The young man did not really understand what the Rebbe meant, and instead of explaining, the Rebbe asked him, "What do you like best? What are your hobbies?” I love art, especially paintings," he said.

"Who is your favorite artist?" Asked the Rebbe. "Picasso," he said. "And what Picasso painting do you like best?" The Rebbe continued. The guy described the painting "Sunset," his favorite painting in the world.

"In the painting one sees the beach. The sun is setting, a couple of kids are playing in the sand, and an old couple is walking in their direction. Sunset tells me a lot. It has a lot of meaning. The symbolism of the sun going down and the hope that tomorrow it rises again, the kids play and do not even relate to the elderly couple walking beside them. A generation goes and a generation comes. This gives me a lot of thoughts and feelings. "

"And how much is this painting worth?” Asked the Rebbe. "Right now it sold at a public auction at Sotheby’s for eight million dollars," the fellow said.

Asks the Rebbe: "If as Picasso painted, there was someone with a camera and just simply snapped the magnificent picture, at sunset, children, the elderly - what do you think would be more accurate? The painting by Picasso or the picture from the camera?” “Clearly the picture," the young man said.

"And how much do you think the picture would be worth?" The Rebbe continued to ask. The young man answered immediately: “they sell postcards of similar pictures for twenty-five cents."

The Rebbe said to him: "Tell me, how is it that for the painting people are paying millions of dollars, and the picture barely fetches twenty-five cents?"

"You know why?" Said the Rebbe, “a camera cannot make mistakes. It's a machine. Humans on the other hand can make errors and mistakes and that is why his creations and his works are worth eight million dollars.

When a painter paints, he invests his entirety into the painting. He gives his feelings, his perspective. You can see and feel his soul, the experiences he went through, because he puts himself in the picture. But the camera when it comes down to it, is just a robot.

In the same way, the Almighty G-d has billions of angels, they never make mistakes, but they are not as valuable as human beings exercising free choice. The prayers of Angels are not worth the same like that of a person’s  prayer who says , "acknowledge G-d, proclaim His name, make His deeds known,…sing to Him, chant to Him, speak of all His wonders…”

The Rebbe concluded: "All the failures and tribulations you described are not meant to knock you down, but to gratify you even more. Because, every time you fail you are reminded that you are a human being on a mission and on a journey of improvement. If one time you could not pray properly, then the next time you exert yourself your prayers will be better. You, will have enhanced your own self. Your failures make the light! ".

Let me conclude the article with this saying. “What is to give light, must endure burning.”