KabbalaOnline.org "Make Bricks" [Shemot 5783]

 KabbalaOnline.org "Make Bricks" [Shemot 5783]

ASCENT OF SAFED, P. O. BOX 296, SAFED 13102, email: director@ascentofsafed.com The week of SHEMOT 5783 This Torah teaching is dedicated in loving memory and for the merit of YEHUDA ben AZIZ ז"ל May his soul have a great elevation above and continue to be a faithful advocate for JOEY ESFANDI and sons, MICHAEL, DAVID & JONATHAN שי'   This week we begin the second book of the Torah, Shemot. This book begins with the enslavement of the Jewish people by the Egyptians. The backbreaking labor of our forefathers in Egypt started with making bricks. The Torah tells us, “They [the Egyptians] made their lives bitter with difficult work, with mortar and bricks, as well as all kinds of work in the field” (Bereishit/Genesis 1:14). The Talmud (Sotah 11b) takes note of the order of the words. Initially the work was with mortar and bricks, later all types of field work was added. Similarly, the Midrash on the verse, which describes the beginning of the enslavement in more depth, also ties the enslavement to making bricks. At first, Pharaoh enticed the Jewish people to start working willingly. It was a “national effort”. Pharaoh took a bucket and a clod of earth and himself made some bricks while saying to the Jewish people, “Come, help me out as a favor”. When the Jews saw the ruler doing the work himself, they joined and worked with all their strength. Then, at day’s end, Pharaoh commanded, “This is what you have to produce every day!”. The Torah, G-d’s will and wisdom, is the blueprint of the world, of all reality. Every detail in the Torah reveals deep hidden teachings. When we study the Torah we are searching for secrets. What are we supposed to take from this, that the enslavement was to do with making bricks? What is unique about making bricks compared to other work? In general, a Jew’s mission in the world is to build a dwelling place for G-d, as in the verse, “To make for Him [Who is in the highest realm] a dwelling in the lowest [realm]” (Midrash Tanchuma, Naso, 16). A house can be made from stones, like the holy Temple that was required to be made from stone.  However, a house can also be made from bricks. What is the basic difference between a stone and a brick? A stone is created directly by G-d. To use a stone, true, a person has to be proactive, to quarry the stone and shape it. Still, you can find a stone anywhere. Bricks are something else altogether. When we take earth, mix it with straw, and bake it in an oven we are actually making a completely new thing, with new potential and options - a brick. The spiritual efforts of a person can also be placed into these two categories. Sometimes we use the world that G-d created in order to serve Him. This is akin to making a house from stones. We take the stones (that G-d made) and make a Sanctuary, a holy Temple. However, there is a higher level. This is achieved when we are not satisfied with using the creation itself alone to create holiness. Rather, we innovate! We make something completely new from within the confines of the world. He or she literally transforms the mundane, even evil, into to something good and positive. Turning darkness into light. This is the inner concept of making bricks, something new that never existed in the world before, that comes into being when we use our strength to transform. Here is the inner lesson of the bricks. We are taught that they were at the very beginning of the very first exile. The Torah is hinting to us that the main work in these times of exile, when Divinity is hidden, is that instead of thinking that our lives are controlled by mundane factors and forces, we realize and understand that G-d runs the world. “Making bricks” is when we transform the evil to good and the darkness to light. Not only is this the secret to our own personal success and redemption from the challenges that distract and limit us – this attitude will lead to something even greater. “Making bricks” is especially the fitting preparation to bring what the Torah promises - the final redemption with Mashiach that we have been waiting for, the transformation of the world. Now it is a place of darkness and klipah, things that conceal the true holiness. In the future, specifically here in the lowest plane, the Holy One Blessed Be He will be revealed and dwell in His fullest glory, honor and essence.  “Night itself will shine” (Tehillim/Psalms 139:12). How will all this happen? By our efforts with mortar and bricks in these times as a preparation for the coming of Mashiach soon in our days. [Adapted from Shulchan Shabbat. Volume 2. Page 109] The heads of the Lublin community gathered to discuss a matter of saving lives. During the discussion, the participants said that they did not see how, with their limited abilities and resources, they could act on the matter. Rabbi Meir Shapira, head of the Chachmei Lublin Yeshiva and the founder of Daf Yomi, said, "The Midrash teaches that when Pharaoh's daughter saw Moshe’s basket floating in the Nile, she reached out her hand towards it, and G-d performed a miracle. Her hand lengthened until she was able to reach it. What could Pharaoh's daughter have been thinking when she reached out her hand towards what was so far away [and seemingly impossible to reach]?” "The Torah is teaching us here that it is our duty to reach out our hand and do everything that is required of us, even if the goal seems far from our reach. When we do our part, G-d will do His part." Shabbat Shalom, Shaul DIFFERENT LEVELS IN STUDYING TORAH Rabbi Shaul Leiter’s class on the teachings of the Ba’al Shem Tov from Keter Shem Tov Monday, January 16, 2023 Israel 8PM/ UK 6PM/ NY 1PM/ LA 10AM Please use the following link: https://ascent-co-il.zoom.us/j/81906073996?pwd=ZUk4SlR6N1kvUldIUUh0WTB1VVNUQT09 Meeting ID: 819 0607 3996 Passcode: 068582 Find your local number:  https://ascent-co-il.zoom.us/u/kd1BQirK3D

 

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