Twins in the Womb

This Email is dedicated to our fallen brothers of Israel, Eyal Yirfrach, Gilad Shaar, and Naftali Frankel

Imagine twins living peacefully in their Mother's womb. They're happily enjoying their 9 month vacation, being fed via the navel, every need accounted for. The whole world, to these twins, is the interior of the womb. As they grow They begin to wonder: “Surely if this continues, we will exit this world one day. What will happen after we leave?”

 

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The first infant tells the other: “I think that after this, there will be a new and great world. We will experience so much more! We will see amazing wonders over great distances, we'll hear through our ears and taste all types of foods with our mouths, we'll walk with our feet and think up endless ideas with our brains!"

The second child looks skeptically at his twin: “You’re crazy! You have a great imagination, but you have no proof. You are looking for something to calm your fear of the unknown. There is only this world that we experience. If you ask me, I think when we leave this environment, we will sink into oblivion. Nothing. A black void. An end to consciousness. This may not be comforting, but it's the logical outcome.”

Suddenly, the water inside the womb bursts. Upheaval & Turmoil. The optimistic twin exits to the sound of shouts from loving family members and friends. The second twin bewails and bemoans the tragedy - Why him?

This analogy pertains to our lives in this physical world, where a spiritual reality isn't readily apparent. However, unlike the twins in the story who had very little access to perceiving a greater reality than they're own, we have endless opportunities and insights int the spiritual, from the infinite complexities and beauty of our universe, to the wisdom of the Torah and the miracle which is the land of Israel.

As we mourn the loss of our loved ones, may we be comforted in the knowledge that there is more than what we see, and that those who leave this world, move to a better reality, greeted by loved ones.

Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem!