Rabbi Doniel Staum, LMSW
Rabbi, Kehillat New Hempstead
Rebbe/Guidance Counselor – ASHAR
Principal – Ohr Naftoli- New Windsor
STAM
TORAH
PARSHAS
TERUMAH 5775
“BEYOND
THE CURTAIN”
Every now and then a story will circulate
that no one really knows its authenticity. The following story falls into that
category. Despite whether it actually ever happened or not, its poignant message
is unquestionably true:
There were once two terminally ill elderly
men – Moshe and Chaim – who were roommates in an old aged home. Moshe was so
weak that he could not even sit up on his bed.
Chaim, who was not quite as weak, had the bed next to the window.
Taking advantage of his situation, Chaim would
sit up on his bed and gaze out the window. He would animatedly describe to the
very attentive Moshe all the sights he could see: Children frolicking on the
nearby playground, couples walking leisurely by the road, the beautiful sunsets,
and trees and flowers in full bloom. There was even one child who Chaim named
Zevi who came to play each day. Chaim would tell Moshe, “Oh Zevi is wearing a
new coat!” or “Looks like Zevi caught a cold.” Moshe, who could see nothing
other than the closet facing him, loved hearing Chaim’s long-winded
descriptions.
One morning Chaim did not wake up. After
his friend’s body was removed, Moshe requested that he be moved near the window
where Moshe’s bed had been. As soon as he was near the window, he pushed the
button to hoist up the top of his bed. He was shocked by the sight that greeted
him. Through that window, aside for a small hint of sunlight, one could see
nothing but a brick wall!
-----------------------------------------
The Mishkan (Tabernacle) was to be
constructed exactly as G-d instructed Moshe.
In order to achieve its purpose of being a place where G-d’s Divine
Presence could descend, as it were, the building had to be constructed
according to the parameters, and utilizing the materials, that G-d Himself instructed.
The sanctuary itself was composed of one
large room, divided by a curtain. The bigger half of the room – the “Holy”
comprised the golden Menorah, Shulchan (Table), and Incense Altar. On the other
side of the curtain was the “Holy of Holies” which housed the Aron - the holy
Ark, which encompassed the Luchos (Tablets of Law).
“And the curtain will separate for you
between the Holy and the Holy of Holies[1].”
There is an important lesson about
personal growth that can be gleaned from the structure of the Mishkan[2].
Often a person will strive to accomplish certain levels of spirituality. He
will expend great efforts and time to meet those self-imposed goals. If he is
able to meet his objectives, he justifiably feels very accomplished, and allows
himself to bask in the ‘holiness’ that he has achieved.
One must never lose perspective of the
fact that for every “holy” there is a “holy of holies”. In other words, no
matter how much one has accomplished spiritually, he should never allow himself
to be satisfied with it. Rather, he should recognize and appreciate what he has
achieved, and then he should strive for even greater heights.
Why is it that many people do not take
the next step? Why is it that they settle for lesser levels of greatness than
they could truly achieve? Because from the “holy” one cannot see the “holy of
holies”. It seems too far in the distance. The prevailing thought is, “For such
a jump, I am not ready.” We think if we
go beyond the holy we will encounter the proverbial brick wall. In reality however,
it is only a curtain that must be traversed.
It is often said that what motivates
the great educator is his/her ability to see a child for what he can be, not
necessarily what he is. Educators with that level of foresight relate to their
children in a different manner, and the child senses it.
“Children do not become what we think they
can become. Children do not become what they think they can become. Children
become what they think we think they can become!”
The truth is that this idea is not limited
to children. So long as we are alive, we have the ability (and obligation) to
strive for higher and greater levels. But we must believe in ourselves! If we
can have the requisite foresight to see ourselves beyond the obscuring curtain,
we can hope to one day get there. But if we see the curtain as a ‘glass
ceiling’ that is as high as we will go.
During the unfolding of the events
prior to the Purim miracle, the Jewish people felt lost and abandoned. The
entire nation had literally been sold out and they had nowhere to escape to.
They truly felt they had hit a brick wall. But Mordechai prevailed upon them
that they could still persevere. The decree was not yet completely sealed in
heaven and there was still hope. The incredible wave of repentance that unified
the nation was indeed potent enough to “push aside the curtain”. From that event,
the great holiday of Purim was created.
The Arizal explains that Purim day is
tantamount to Yom Kippur, the holiest of all holy days. So in a sense this
‘holiest of holy days’ was truly created because the Jews went ‘beyond the
curtain’.
The holiday of Purim represents the
eternal sanguinity of the Jewish people. Even in the worst of times we are able
to hope for a better and brighter future.
But in order to achieve that level of
optimism we have to be ready to adopt the attitude of Esther, “And so I will
enter to the king without permission.” She was willing to enter “unchartered
territories” at the risk of her life, when she entered the chambers of
Achashveirosh uninvited. In order to achieve anything significant one must be
willing to take that first daunting step.
“And
the curtain will separate between the Holy and the Holy of Holies”
“What we think we can become….”
0 comments:
Post a Comment