Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Why is this Night?
During my first year in Israel, our Yeshiva took a tour of the Kotel tunnels guided by Esther Schlisser. She's a native Yerushalmi who is very passionate about the importance of the land. She relayed a Medrash to our group which describes Gd holding a cup, filled almost to the brim with tears. It is this special cup, Esther relayed, that will ultimately bring the redemption of the Jewish people. When the cup is finally overflowed with just a few last tears of the Jewish people longing for their Redeemer, Moshiach's hand will be forced.
What is the magical secret of this cup? To me what was so poignant about this Medrash was specifically that it wasn't esoteric. Moshiach isn't waiting for a collision of the cosmos, and he isn't waiting for a miraculous feat of spiritual accomplishment. He's just waiting for somebody to care. Just one. One person to cry out of a real understanding of what Moshiach is.
But crying doesn't come easy. I mean, we can cry over many things, but to cry for something selfless, that's unique. But very attainable. It just requires being able to tap one's inner emotions using one's intellect. Difficult for the one who reasons away faith, and difficult for the one who feels away all rationales, but just one step removed from everybody. We just have to cry.
During the Passover Seder, we dip numerous items in salt water, ostensibly to remind us of the tears suffered by the Jews enslaved in ancient Egypt. But the Seder night, we are told, isn't just a history lesson, but a night of living renewal. We are each commanded to taste the freedom of redemption from Egypt, but also slavery's bitter tears. It's not enough to tell the story, but each one of us must put ourselves into the storyline.
The secret to becoming first-hand participants in the story of Passover? To allow our senses, emotions, and intellect to unite. So too if we want to merit the ultimate redemption, all we are called upon is to make it real. One tear is all it takes.
May we merit to bring the Passover offering this year in the rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem. A Chag Kasher V'Sameach to everyone! In accordance with the tradition of avoiding unnecessary writing during the Holiday, I will plan on returning after Pesach, unless of course I come upon some inspiring words to share!
What is the magical secret of this cup? To me what was so poignant about this Medrash was specifically that it wasn't esoteric. Moshiach isn't waiting for a collision of the cosmos, and he isn't waiting for a miraculous feat of spiritual accomplishment. He's just waiting for somebody to care. Just one. One person to cry out of a real understanding of what Moshiach is.
But crying doesn't come easy. I mean, we can cry over many things, but to cry for something selfless, that's unique. But very attainable. It just requires being able to tap one's inner emotions using one's intellect. Difficult for the one who reasons away faith, and difficult for the one who feels away all rationales, but just one step removed from everybody. We just have to cry.
During the Passover Seder, we dip numerous items in salt water, ostensibly to remind us of the tears suffered by the Jews enslaved in ancient Egypt. But the Seder night, we are told, isn't just a history lesson, but a night of living renewal. We are each commanded to taste the freedom of redemption from Egypt, but also slavery's bitter tears. It's not enough to tell the story, but each one of us must put ourselves into the storyline.
The secret to becoming first-hand participants in the story of Passover? To allow our senses, emotions, and intellect to unite. So too if we want to merit the ultimate redemption, all we are called upon is to make it real. One tear is all it takes.
May we merit to bring the Passover offering this year in the rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem. A Chag Kasher V'Sameach to everyone! In accordance with the tradition of avoiding unnecessary writing during the Holiday, I will plan on returning after Pesach, unless of course I come upon some inspiring words to share!
# posted by Josh : Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Comments:
<< Home
wow, made it to first place again. josh, you just hit on one of the most basic concepts- on that is repeated over and over again in chassidus, and indeed, we find that the Rebbe said many times that if we would just say ad masai, and mean it, Moshiach would have been here a long time ago....it just takes ten people, or even three, or even one, the Rebbe sais, to say ad masai with an emes.....MOSHIACH NOW! (which, as well all know, but just btw, is the ultimate pesach geula....)
can't a lubovitcher ever comment on something without mentioning chassidus or the rebbe?
# posted by 
: April 12, 2006 4:20 PM
: April 12, 2006 4:20 PM
Incidentally when it comes to the topic of Moshiach, for a Lubavitcher, nothing is more relevant than Chassidus and the Rebbe. Those two items make Moshiach a reality for the Lubavitcher.
josh- i just wanna say that if u anaged not to type OR write the entire pesach, pat yourself on the back. i tried very hard not to write, but i HAD to type- and it didnt even measure up. kol hakavod.
dg- if ur going to say 'may we merit moshiach now'- looking at us, that could take years, ch"v. so we say moshiach now!- whether or not Hashem ssems to want to bring him now, we're going to 'force' it, we're not going to wait, we're saying it HAS to happen now- and its like when a bais din down here decrees something it kvyachol, 'forces', Hashem to do the same...and since we know that Hashem only made this world in order for moshiach to come, it must be that He's just waiting for us to finish it off...so moshiach NOW!!! (btw- does that make sense? cuz if not, just know its 4am, and im not thinking so rationally...)
dg- if ur going to say 'may we merit moshiach now'- looking at us, that could take years, ch"v. so we say moshiach now!- whether or not Hashem ssems to want to bring him now, we're going to 'force' it, we're not going to wait, we're saying it HAS to happen now- and its like when a bais din down here decrees something it kvyachol, 'forces', Hashem to do the same...and since we know that Hashem only made this world in order for moshiach to come, it must be that He's just waiting for us to finish it off...so moshiach NOW!!! (btw- does that make sense? cuz if not, just know its 4am, and im not thinking so rationally...)
C - I guess some of the basics of Chassidus are so obvious even litvaks can find them. We just have different terms, I guess. It's a shame, though, that when it comes to actual sincerity and rational emotion, we are all so lacking on such a basic level. Unfortunately, it's a lesson with no easy answer, and that's why we've been wandering for so many years.
Anon - For the record, C's comment was on topic for my post. And why would it be a surprise that a Chassid would talk about what is most important to him?
N - I think what surprises most people about Lubavitchers is not that the Rebbe and Chassidus are the sources of their faith in Moshiach, but that these sources and this concept have surpassed many other important tenets in Judaism within the Chabad world.
S - Hope you had a good one too!
EC - It is that raw emotion that you can't plan for or anticipate, but just those bursts, that move me most. Maybe that's why I gravitate towards people with high emotional IQs, hoping some of it will influence me. All I can say is I wish I was at that Seder.
DG - It's amazing how most Shiurim don't feel original, but some strike you differently. It's been awhile since I went to a shiur that affected me like the one you describe. But that is amazing that you were able to walk away with such a tangible feeling. So many people turn to rock and roll and drugs to find that "spark", so you are lucky that you find it in Torah. As far as Moshiach, I think whatever language makes us feel the need for Moshiach is best.
C - I didn't avoid writing or typing completely. I had to sign a few things at work, and I just decided not to type when it came to blogs, but I did email/AIM. I took upon myself not to blog since I felt that was writing that could be put off. As far as Moshiach, I know we'd like Moshiach now, but is it necessarily productive to force his hand? Are we really on the 49th level of Tumah that we need him now? Or are we just like a child trying to open up his birthday present on the day before his birthday, impatient to get the goods we know are coming? It would seem that Gd will judge whether Moshiach must come now, or whether we deserve him. I would think that we should focus on deserving him, and not throwing up our hands in despair.
Anon - For the record, C's comment was on topic for my post. And why would it be a surprise that a Chassid would talk about what is most important to him?
N - I think what surprises most people about Lubavitchers is not that the Rebbe and Chassidus are the sources of their faith in Moshiach, but that these sources and this concept have surpassed many other important tenets in Judaism within the Chabad world.
S - Hope you had a good one too!
EC - It is that raw emotion that you can't plan for or anticipate, but just those bursts, that move me most. Maybe that's why I gravitate towards people with high emotional IQs, hoping some of it will influence me. All I can say is I wish I was at that Seder.
DG - It's amazing how most Shiurim don't feel original, but some strike you differently. It's been awhile since I went to a shiur that affected me like the one you describe. But that is amazing that you were able to walk away with such a tangible feeling. So many people turn to rock and roll and drugs to find that "spark", so you are lucky that you find it in Torah. As far as Moshiach, I think whatever language makes us feel the need for Moshiach is best.
C - I didn't avoid writing or typing completely. I had to sign a few things at work, and I just decided not to type when it came to blogs, but I did email/AIM. I took upon myself not to blog since I felt that was writing that could be put off. As far as Moshiach, I know we'd like Moshiach now, but is it necessarily productive to force his hand? Are we really on the 49th level of Tumah that we need him now? Or are we just like a child trying to open up his birthday present on the day before his birthday, impatient to get the goods we know are coming? It would seem that Gd will judge whether Moshiach must come now, or whether we deserve him. I would think that we should focus on deserving him, and not throwing up our hands in despair.
Josh, we need Moshiach now. There is nothing wrong with being hasty about that. This is not and ideal world and if you think it's cool to stick around here, it is problematic. You ask Hashem for Moshiach at least three times a day and yet you feel content being here? That's pretty foolish if you ask me.
DG- Ditto what I said to Josh- I don't think it's worthwhile to stick around and merit Achishena. Meaning to say that it doesn't really matter if Moshiach is going to come on clouds or on a donkey. Let's just have Moshiach now, one way or the other. As important as it is to merit it, and of course that was our entire purpose in exile, it's not detrimental for us to have Moshiach now, deserving or not. Leave the calculations and the feeling right and good about it to Hashem.
DG- Ditto what I said to Josh- I don't think it's worthwhile to stick around and merit Achishena. Meaning to say that it doesn't really matter if Moshiach is going to come on clouds or on a donkey. Let's just have Moshiach now, one way or the other. As important as it is to merit it, and of course that was our entire purpose in exile, it's not detrimental for us to have Moshiach now, deserving or not. Leave the calculations and the feeling right and good about it to Hashem.
BTW, I am quite aware the Achishena comes before B'ito, and when I said "stick around", I certainly didn't mean in time. Just a figure of speech.
josh- we need moshiach now, and we daven for him to come 3 times a day...all Hashem is waiting for is us to show in our actions that we want moshiach
dg- i also dont feel so ready, but the avoda is to bring moshiach, so i guess through working to bring moshiach we get ready...but should the world be kept waiting, should Hashem be 'kept waiting' because WE aren't ready? that's our problema nd we gotta fix it....but we cant hold moshiach up bc of it
dg- i also dont feel so ready, but the avoda is to bring moshiach, so i guess through working to bring moshiach we get ready...but should the world be kept waiting, should Hashem be 'kept waiting' because WE aren't ready? that's our problema nd we gotta fix it....but we cant hold moshiach up bc of it
DG, Chani, and Nemo - I think I'm with DG here (DG are you Lubavitch?). When should Moshiach come? Of course now. But how? We know there are two possibilities, because we've earned it, or because without him we're lost. So we don't have a choice. We have to do what we can to improve the world and bring Moshiach. Maybe the world is in such dire need of Moshiach. But that is a call for Gd to make. In the meantime, we have to do our best to bring Moshiach through improvement. We can't just scream "we're bankrupt, we have no chance, Moshiach now, the world is a failure." I mean, we can, but it doesn't accomplish anything. What do we gain by telling Gd we need Moshiach now? Moshiach will come at the right time. In the meantime focus on your tafkid in the world.
Shosh, Chan, MH - I listen to you guys, and I end up going from one controversy straight to another. Oy. Shalom Al Yisroel.
Shosh, Chan, MH - I listen to you guys, and I end up going from one controversy straight to another. Oy. Shalom Al Yisroel.
There is no contradiction between demanding of Hashem that we need Moshiahc, and putting in our own effort. Our entire purpose in exile is to better the world. However, we don't have to be perfect for Hashem to redeem us, we have to be ready and working. And more specifically, we have to work at bringing Moshiach. Implicit in that is constantly reminding ourselves what the true Kavana of all Torah and Mitzvos is- L'Taken Olam B'ol Malchut Shakkai- in other words, Moshiach.
I always quote this Perkei Avos, but it's always so relevant to life- Lo Alecha Hamelacha Ligmor- We aren't culpable that the work of fixing the world might not be finished in our hands. We're not necessarily going to be perfect for Moshiach to come. Aval Lo Atah Ben Chorin LiHivatel Mimena- But we are not free from continuous work.
We NEED Moshiach, it is indisputable. It is central to Yiddishkeit. Why don't you just beg Hashem for Moshiach {As you do {yodim oh d'lo yodim} three times daily when you say Lishuasecha Kivinu KOL HAYOM. Let Hashem decide if we're worthy or not, but at least let him know that we want him!
But don't rest on your laurels, keep striving and improving.
I always quote this Perkei Avos, but it's always so relevant to life- Lo Alecha Hamelacha Ligmor- We aren't culpable that the work of fixing the world might not be finished in our hands. We're not necessarily going to be perfect for Moshiach to come. Aval Lo Atah Ben Chorin LiHivatel Mimena- But we are not free from continuous work.
We NEED Moshiach, it is indisputable. It is central to Yiddishkeit. Why don't you just beg Hashem for Moshiach {As you do {yodim oh d'lo yodim} three times daily when you say Lishuasecha Kivinu KOL HAYOM. Let Hashem decide if we're worthy or not, but at least let him know that we want him!
But don't rest on your laurels, keep striving and improving.
Also, "Achakeh Lo B'chol Yom Sheyavo" cannot be reasoned as a passive waiting otherwise it would be superfluous for the Rambam to have written it.
Nemo - I completely agree that the active desire to have Moshiach arrive tommorrow (today?) is fundamental to Judaism. But while we can work towards making the world ready for Moshiach and letting Gd know how much we need him, we can't tell Gd that he must come. I can have a headache and yell at the doctor all I want that I need Tylenol, but if he is of the opinion that it isn't right, what's the point of screaming?
Um, Ain Hamoshol Dome Lihanimshal- We're not dealing with a doctor who is not responsible for causing the headache and can only help minimally. We're dealing with the one who created the headache, Hashem, who can take it away as easily as he wrought it on.
Shemos 2:23-24- The Jews sighed and cried to Hashem over their situation and that is what breached the Heavens and caused Hashem to listen.
Shemos 2:23-24- The Jews sighed and cried to Hashem over their situation and that is what breached the Heavens and caused Hashem to listen.
Hah, silly me... It's Pesach Sheni tonight...
The Jews DEMANDED of Hashem, "Lama Nigarah?"- why should we be left out and not be able to bring a Karban Pesah?
If they could DEMAND from Hashem over one Karban, we must make the demands over all of the Karbonos which we don't get to bring.
{I'm gonna write up a piece on this!}
The Jews DEMANDED of Hashem, "Lama Nigarah?"- why should we be left out and not be able to bring a Karban Pesah?
If they could DEMAND from Hashem over one Karban, we must make the demands over all of the Karbonos which we don't get to bring.
{I'm gonna write up a piece on this!}
Nems - I'm not against crying out to HKBH. By all means, if all Klal Yisroel turned to HKBH out of their plight and recognized the need for Moshiach, I think that would be a valid Tayna. But to put around bumber stickers that Say "Moshiach Now" and get people to say something they don't mean in order to force HKBH, that is silly. We can educate people to the need for Moshiach. But there is still no qualitative comparision between my suggestion that we claw ourselves up from our current level of Tumah towards Tahara and force Moshiach, and yours that that we should tell HKBH that we are lost on the 49th level of Tumah. Sorry, but I'm an optimist.
Post a Comment
<< Home
