Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai revealed to us that when all the outer layers of Torah are peeled back, what emerges is one basic yesod: H”kbh’s deep, profound ahava for Clal Yisrael (The Zohar writes that were a person to be aware of H”kbh’s great love for him, he would have no choice but to run towards H”kbh with open arms. Any other response would be impossible). All of Torah flows from this root. As Rav Miller once explained to me, this is the fundamental teaching of all of Toras HaSod.
This paradigm is true of people as well. If we can find a way to peel back all the outer layers of a person, to navigate through the intricate web of features that have accumulated closer to the surface, we will discover an inner, vibrant self that is an inexhaustible fountain of love. We catch a small glimpse of this love as we see it manifested in those who appreciate the fire of Lag Ba’Omer, a day when Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai penetrated deeply into himself in order to link his loving soul with the source of all love, Avinu Shebashamayim (a title we have from the teachings of his rebbe, R’ Akiva, Yuma 85b).
In the coming days and weeks, I would like to explore this inner goodness/love and a possible way to find it within ourselves.
Shkoach Reb Dovid!
ReplyDeleteI have found the following exercise to be very helpful: When in a large group, for example, just sit on the side and look at people as souls - as conscious people with a whole inner world, an inner Torah - instead of just seeing the "chitzonius ha'Torah." When one is misragel b'kach it becomes natural to view people as PEOPLE.
Yona,
ReplyDeleteThank you for this very practical and relevant suggestion. The problem though, as I have experienced it, is that when you look at a soul, what do you see? Do you get a visual (as one might expect, given that our minds work with tziyurim - Rav Yerucham)? What is its nature: Is it closed up or looking outward? Perhaps the question could be phrased differently: When the essential nature of a person is revealed (neshama), what does it look like?
Why does one need to see?
ReplyDeleteYou should see an amazing piece in Shiurei Daas (Rav Meir Bloch) on being dan l'kaf zchus. He speaks about the importance of seeing the inner good, but at the same time not being mezayef the reality of the (chitzoni) evil. I think that it's a balance that is very important and very difficult to find. I saw someone quote an Iggeres from Rav kook who wrote that if he would see enough Torah leaders engaging in the "yamin mekareves", he would engage more in "yado docha", becauuse the latter too is an important element of avodas Hashem. In today's world, many people choose one or the other.
ReplyDeleteI have heard someone suggest two exercizes, and I pass often pass these down to mys students who complain of being too critical of others. First of all, choose a person of whom you are somewhat critical (but not too critical), and find one good midah per day, every time you encounter that person.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, choose one person of whom you are critical, and have a mental conversation with that person. Present that person's best side. Listen carefully what he says. I have found great insights into myself and others through these exercizes.
There are so many kochos in mans subconcious that contribute to his acting the way that he does (see alei shur "daas atsmaino" where he speaks about mans bechira, eitz pri (mans cochos pnimios), and shmonah prakim (possibly the fifth perek but not sure) where the Rambam explains that man is born neither a baal maala or baal chisaron (although he is born with netiyos) and the extent to which the sviva contributes to mans personality), that if we're able to be misbonain on where others are coming from and the Kailim that they're working with, being dan lekaf zchoos becomes a little bit easier. (I do not mean to be kofer in bechira ח"ו , (see alei shur, chalek sheini, bechira, in maareches haadam), but rather to understand where ones nekudas habechira lies and why)
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