3 Stages of Love

The 3rd and last major holiday on the Jewish Calendar, Shavuot, was celebrated this past week. Commemorating the giving of the Torah, Shavuot is often likened by our Sages to a wedding between G-d and the Jewish People. Our entire nation stood at Mt. Sinai (the wedding canopy), as G-d (the groom) wed His bride (the Jewish People), and Gave "her" a ring of betrothal (the Torah) - making vows that we would always be loyal to one another.

Let's take a deeper look at this analogy of a wedding & the giving of the Torah. One could perhaps divide the relationship between a man & woman, a couple, into 3 stages. The 1st stage is the early days of their relationship, the courting process. Here the 2 may feel very much in love. Each person is showing the other the best side of themselves, putting on a "show." In this stage, each one appreciates the other's qualities, and is attracted to their talents, personality and capabilities.
In the 2nd stage, however, after marriage, this feeling of being "madly in love" may not stay on a high. But the relationship still grows, as each person helps the other, beginning to also appreciate what the other person does for them. All of the kind support and caring that a supportive spouse offers. In the 3rd stage, the couple have ceased looking at just what the other offers or at the great talents of their mate. They are now one. Think about when you see an elderly couple together. You may not see an "exciting" relationship, a burning passion between them. However, they are deeply bound. Each knows, instinctively, what are the needs of their spouse.

So too have there been 3 stages in the relationship between G-d and the Jewish people. First, G-d performed miracles for us in Egypt & at the sea, "sweeping us off of our feet."We were madly in love with one another, proclaiming: "na'aseh v'nishma - we will do & then we will understand." Undying devotion to the G-d Who appeared, in one word, to be Awesome. But this was a temporary excitement. After our marriage at Mt. Sinai, we disobeyed and rebelled, leading almost to a divorce. But the relationship still grew, as we began to do things for our Mate, performing Mitzvot.
But as history has progressed, the connection between G-d & His People Has moved into the 3rd stage - our becoming as One. Knowing instinctively what the other wants. This is seen in the Halachot & Minhagim (customs) developed by all strands of Jews worldwide over time. The laws of the Sages represent this, as it says: "The Torah is not in heaven" - meaning it is up to us to decide amongst many of the rulings and customs (see here for more).

May we work toward & merit the time soon when our relationship with G-d, and the entire world's relationship with Him, is openly revealed as being in the 3rd stage - as one.

Shabbat Shalom!

-Daniel

Descending Revelation

This Tuesday Night, June the 7th, Jews worldwide will celebrate the festival of Shavuot (see here for more written on the subject), which commemorates the most monumental event of our history - the Giving of the Torah, where G-d Said Hello to all of mankind. 10 commandments were spoken at Mt. Sinai - the 1st 2 by G-d, the other 8 by Moses. These 10 commandments are said to represent the entire Torah; all of its great Divine Wisdom encapsulated in the 620 words of these 10 commandments. It's interesting to note that there are 613 Mitzvot throughout the Torah, as well as 7 that the Rabbis instituted, equaling 620. (Or some say the 7 Laws of Noah given to all humanity to follow).

Innumerable amounts of ink have been spilled by the Sages throughout history to explain the deep meaning behind the 10 commandments. But let's focus here on one idea. The 1st of the 10 commandments is:
"I am Hashem your G-d, who took you out of the land of Egypt."
Interestingly, the word used for "I" here is "Anochi" & not the usual Hebrew word for 'I' - "ani." The Midrash explains that anochi is actually not a Hebrew word - but an ancient Egyptian one! What??
For the 1st word G-d Used to Communicate to the Jewish people, why Use the language of the most materialistic, unholy nation of that era?

Perhaps we are being taught something about the nature of Torah and of what being a Jew is all about. G-d Desires, not only to relate to the sacred, spiritual aspect of our lives (represented by Hebrew, the holy language.) He Desires to Affect, to Reach the material "Egyptian" dimension of our psyches as well. The Torah & its Mitzvot that were given to us, are thus designed to elevate and refine our "Egyptian" sides. That is the whole purpose of Mt. Sinai. Hence the use of "anochi." G-d Doesn't Want holy beings to do holy things. For that He Could Have Given the Torah to Angelic beings, or to souls without bodies. G-d Wants unholy beings to do holy things.

Imagine if a paper fell from the heavens tonight, with a message from G-d to you! Well, that's what happened thousands of years ago, and is happening every day since then. "One should accept the Torah anew every day as if it was given on that very day." (Midrash)
Let's celebrate this amazing gift we were given, this coming Wednesday, where the 10 commandments will be recounted at a synagogue near you!

Shabbat Shalom!

-Daniel

The King's Letter

In a kingdom far away, there once lived a King and his beloved son, the prince. One day, it dawned on the king that there was a difficult, but necessary lesson his beloved son needed to learn. And that was, to understand the people of the kingdom. How could the prince ever be expected to one day rule a kingdom properly, if he had never met or spoken with those he would be governing?

So with bags packed, the prince tearfully but obediently left the palace, travelling to a very distant province of the kingdom. Dressed like a commoner and acting as such, the prince began to mingle with the people of the city. As time passed, he really began to understand the common people and their needs. But all the while, the prince longed for his home, and for his father - the king.

One day, a letter arrived, addressed to the prince's name. Excitedly he opened it, revealing a letter from his father, the king! Incredible!
The prince was so overjoyed he couldn't contain himself. He began to dance and sing with great emotion. But the beggars and commoners next to him looked at him like he was crazy! And understandably so. "How could they", thought the prince, "ever hope to understand how I feel right now? They could never dream of receiving such a letter!"

So the prince devised a plan: "I will be sponsoring a massive feast!" He shouted. "Everyone to the tavern!" As the masses swarmed to the tavern with joy, and food and drink were passed around, everyone began to dance and sing with reckless abandon, the prince included! But there was one major difference: The commoners celebrated because of the food and drink, while the prince was celebrating the letter he had received from his father, the king.
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Food and drink, Challah & fine wine, fish and meat, are all major components of Jewish celebration of holy days.
"...And you call the Sabbath a delight." (Isaiah 58:13)
We sing and dance in joyful celebration of Shabbat and the holidays we were given by G-d, our King. But as we know, we are made up of 2 parts: A body, and a soul. On these holy days where a special G-dly Light Shines, our souls intrinsically sense this light, and desire to celebrate wholeheartedly! But alas, our souls were placed in physical bodies that only know of physical things. So what can the soul, the King's child, do to celebrate? It gives the body a pleasure that it can understand and relate to, much like the commoners of the town in the story. But while the body is celebrating the food and drink, the soul is celebrating the "letter from the king" - the holiness of the Shabbat or holiday. A letter of connection sent from G-d, our Father and King.

Shabbat Shalom!

-Daniel