EXPLORING THE GARDEN
Parashat Terumah
6 Adar 5773 / 15-16 February 2013
Torah: Exodus 25:1 - 27:19
Haftarah: 1 Kings 5:26 - 6:13
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Exploring the Garden
"And you will make curtains of goats’ hair to be a covering of the sanctuary; you shall make eleven curtains.” Exodus 26:7
Rabbi
Yitzchak Nissenboim offers the following comment: “All the beauty of the
sanctuary was inside – gold-covered beams, blue and scarlet curtains, gold
vessels with precious stones, etc. But outside was a covering of simple goats’
hair. This is to teach us that one’s principal beauty should remain
inside, with no conspicuous display of one’s wealth, so that jealousy and
hatred will not be aroused.”
It
is curious that he sees wealth as a form of beauty, although both wealth
and physical beauty can be the objects of jealousy and hatred. What I see
here is something a bit different. There is the idea that what lies
within a person is the true essence – if physical beauty (or plainness or ugliness) is only
skin deep, then looks can be deceiving. Outward appearance
gives no indication of the depths of personality, intelligence and character - they
do not manifest themselves on the surface.
As
with people, so also with the Torah. We may read verses about the design
of the sanctuary and wonder what any of this has to do with us in our modern
world. Not every verse of the Torah is immediately uplifting. The
externalities, the plain meaning of the text may do little to motivate us, or
charge our spiritual batteries.
The
Rabbis used the word “pardes” (a Persian for "paradise", a walled garden) as an acronym to
describe the Torah and its depths – p’shat (simple or obvious meaning), remez (hint, allegory),
derash (drawn out, homiletic) and sod (secret, mystical). Peeling away
the layers (the method used above) allows one to explore and enjoy the
complexities of Torah – and of our fellow human beings!
The
inner beauties can be found – if we dig deeply and long enough. And getting to know more on the way is just as enjoyable and rewarding.
Have a wonderful Shabbat!
Mishenikhnas Adar Marbim Simchah -
With the beginning of Adar we increase joy!
HaRav HaGaon HaTzaddik Abba Reuven
Ben Menachem Mendel Flom Sh’lita
Der Heileger Burbanker Rebbe
Av Beis Din Chelm
Purim Reveler
Slivovitz Taste Tester
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