![]() Gold is a symbol of the mundane, self-oriented life, the symbol of selfishness and idolatry. How then can we ever expect to break out of our material confines how can we even attempt to overcome the struggle between physical survival and transcendence how can we hope to fuse spirit and matter? ![]() Materialism, by its very nature, is dead and inanimate – antithetical to spiritual vitality. We can maneuver here and there, but we always remain locked in a prison of restricted parameters, limited by a predetermined script – never truly able to transcend the margins of our fixed existence. The consequences of this dilemma are far-reaching its implications affecting every aspect of our lives.Īs mortal creatures, dependent on a multitude of factors to survive, the argument can be made – as it has been driven time and again into our brains by nay-sayers, scientists and skeptics – that we are ultimately narcissistic parasites, feeding off the fat of the land and off of each other.Įven when we overcome some of our base survival instincts and act with virtue, we have severe limits as to how far we can reach as finite beings. ![]() When he heard that the Menorah, with all its complex design, was to be made out of one piece of gold, he was plagued with the paradox: How do you carve details out of an indivisible unit? How is it possible that the indivisible G-d should extend and be one with the complex diversity of existence? How can we ever bridge the inherent divide between these two diametrically opposed realities: The absolute infinite and undefined Divine with our finite and absolutely defined universe? As such, Moses understood that like all the Temple’s vessels, the Menorah and its need to be shaped, with all its details, out of a single piece of gold, manifested a deep secret: the underlying unity embedded in all of existence. All the configurations of the Mishkan and its vessels – were meant to align with the human psyche, which is a microcosm of the larger universe, with its Divine source. “Build for me a Sanctuary and I will rest among you:” The Sanctuary channeled the Divine presence into our lives. The entire Mishkan (Sanctuary) was a prototype of the spiritual infrastructure of the cosmos. What concerned Moses was a far deeper issue than the physical architecture of the Menorah He was perplexed by the internal architecture of existence itself and its relationship with the Divine. The mystics explain (8) that the Menorah – with its multi-faceted, ornate design, all carved out of one piece of gold – carries the “deep mystery” of Divine unity, an indivisible force that encompasses all the intricate details of existence. Even if he needed some Divine guidance, why was he troubled to the extent that this is one of only three instances that G-d Himself had to intervene and point with His Divine finger to a Menorah made of fire?! Moses surely understood that there were skilled individuals who could get the job done. ![]() As difficult as a task the construction of the Menorah may have been, the intelligent Moses could have researched and consulted craftsmen who knew the art of sculpting gold. Thus, G-d showed him how to build the Menorah.īut this explanation is lacking. How is it possible, Moses wondered, to build the complex Menorah out of a single piece of gold? (7). He (the craftsman) beats it with a mallet and cuts it with craftsman tools, separating the branches to either side… The craftsman draws the parts of the menorah out of the solid block of gold.” Rather, it should all come from a single piece. As Rashi explains: The Menorah was not to be made “of sections,” nor should “its branches and lamps be separate pieces that are connected afterward in the style of metal-workers which they call ‘solder’ in Old French. Despite its elaborate and intricate structure, all the Menorah’s components – its base, stem, decorative cups, spheres and flowers – had to be hammered out of a single piece of gold all an integral part of a single gold Menorah (6). What disturbed Moses about the menorah, that he needed G-d to show it to him (as a menorah of fire (4))?Ĭommentaries explain (5) that the challenge of the Menorah was in the requirement that it had to be built out of one piece of pure gold (“ miksha achas”). Today we will focus on Moses’ troubles with the Menorah. ![]() The problem Moses had with the “creeps” (creeping creatures) will be addressed in a future column. Moses’ difficulty with the new moon was discussed a few weeks ago in this column. The Talmud tells us (1) that “Moses found three things difficult (2), until G-d showed them to him with His finger: Menorah, HaChodesh (the new Moon) and Sherotzim (creepers)” (3). ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |