Subject: In Memory of Baruch Yitzchak ben Yirmiyahu (Barry Pessin) |
From: Heath Berkin <heath.berkin@gmail.com> |
Date: 1/19/2018, 1:57 AM |
To: Heath Berkin <heath.berkin@gmail.com> |
BCC: menachem@alonsystems.com |
We are in the middle of the Torah Portions that deal with the Exodus from Egypt. The Exodus is one of the major foundations for our belief in G-D and His sovereignty. The openly miraculous nature of the entire exodus was a clear expression of G-d's control over the world and everything that goes on within it. This was primarily a one time occurrence whereas we don't live a continued life of seeing open miracles. This was to ingrain into our minds and hearts that everything we see that is "just nature" is in fact not, it is G-D running the world but in a more hidden fashion.
To illustrate this R'Elimelech Biderman told the following story, there was an expert sculptor who decided he would make a sculpture of a horse. This sculptor was so good that the horse he sculpted looked like a real horse. He was so proud of his work of art he decide he would prominently display it in the busiest thoroughfare in the city. After placing the horse there he waited to see the reaction of people as the would pass by and marvel at his perfect piece of art. He waited and waited but people just keep passing by without even noticing the horse. The sculptor was distraught until someone approached him and asked what he was so upset about. The sculptor told him the story and the man laughed. He said to the sculptor of course nobody marvels at your artwork because it looks just like a real horse, everyone thinks it is real and therefore there is nothing to stop and look at because there are horses everywhere. If you want people to appreciate your talent and your sculpture take a saw an cut the horse you sculpted into half, then place one half on on side and another half on the other side of the street. Then everyone will stop and see a horse cut in half but still living. Then they wiil see how talented you are as a sculptor.
So too the natural occurrences we see all day we assume they are natural, in order for us to come to a realization that there is a sculptor behind the beautiful world we see, G-D performed supernatural miracles to grab our attention and make us realize that He can break the laws of nature because He created them and sustains them.
Shabbat Shalom,
Heath