01 May Parshas Emor; Making Room in Our Hearts for G-d
Making Room in Our Hearts for G-d ;
Tshuvah, Recovery and Filling the Void
inspired by the teachings of Harav Yitzchak Ginsburgh and Rabbi Moshe Genuth
“There is nothing as whole as a broken heart” …The Kotzker Rebbe
Our heart may break, only to be resurrected more rectified than before…. bringing us closer to completeness.
Back in our school days our science teachers used to tell us that according to the laws of nature; ‘nature abhors a vacuum’. Upon closer inspection we can see that the ‘laws of nature’ are in fact the ‘Laws of G-d’ that begin in the spiritual realm, then manifest to act within, and become the physical or ‘natural world’.
Parshas Emor reveals this principle as it relates to both the spiritual and physical realms;
21:6 “You shall not desecrate My Holy Name, and I shall be sanctified in the midst of the children of Israel, for I am God that sanctifies you.”
(Emor-Vayikra/Leviticus 22:32).
This is considered to be an extremely important and unique verse in the Torah. How it can be understood is a machlokas (controversy, a difference of opinion) between the great sages Maimonides and Rabbi Saadia Goan .
Maimonides sees the seemingly opposing ideas of ‘shall be holy’ and ‘shall not desecrate’ as two separate commands. This makes sense in a pluralistic world of physical and spiritual as the idea of opposing forces are the structure of our universe. This would then incorporate the opportunities to have a mindset of both situations.
Rabbi Saadia Goan however says that the phrase is not two commands but one. This might then speak to the understand that in the highest real there is only the resolve of plurality, there is only Oneness.
Both are correct. Not one or the other. Perhaps we can find some resolve in understanding that plurality of this world is a tool that exists to achieving a rectified oneness in an elevated existence.
This verse further teaches us that simply by refraining to ‘fill ourselves’ through/with a negative act we create a void to be filled with Holiness… If I don’t do something, I will get something. This reveals a positive effect from a prohibitive (negative) mitzvah.
Tshuvah and Recovery
This concept of creating and filling a void is integral and applies 100% to the process of tshuva; to return to a pure state of being or to recovery from various maladies (it can be substance abuse, illness or behaviors deficiencies et al). In order to elevate oneself from a state of deficiency, a person must make room (create a void) within himself (his physical and spiritual vessel) to receive G-ds healing. That may be to simply avoid a negative action (as in the negative or prohibitive mitzvot like the one described earlier), or through the actions of a proactive or positive action (as in the positive mitzvot). In short, the decision to ‘not’ do something or to ‘do’ something in order to elevate oneself in a appropriate way is likened to creating a new reality by creating a void or vacuum within oneself that can be filled with G-ds Light. The process of nullification and humility ‘to receive His goodness’ is of coarse key.
Nature abhors a vacuum.
As it is in science it is in Torah. As it exists in the physical realm it first exists in the spiritual realm. Where a void exists in a person, it can be filled with G-ds positive Light to cause a person to become elevated, or a person can fill himself with darkness or counterfeit experiences and become deficient (fall). Whenever something is ‘removed or absent’, the void must be filled with Goodness. A void must not be left ‘unattended’ or it will surely cause the soul (and body) to fall into a deficient state. Whenever we ‘take something away’, we must replace the void with something positive…His Goodness.
Addiction and other ‘blemishes’ et al.
The concept of creating a vacuum to create positive change applies to rectifying addiction as well as any type of physical or spiritual ‘blemish’. We look to remove, to ‘circumcise’ or separate out that which is impure and create a the space or vacuum that can be filled with goodness. The mitzvah of Brit Milah is just that. Where for example substance or behaviour (as in addictions) is being removed, something positive must be put in its place in a holistic program that includes a good spiritual foundation.
Some examples of creating a vacuum… a void;
This concept is integral to tshuvah and tikun and is found throughout the Torah. We can see it in the following; rectifying the emotions of the Heart, rectifying the speech of our Mouth, the things we see with our Eyes, the things we hear with our Ears and of course the brit milah. We experience it whenever there is growth be it evolution or transformation (Baal Shem Tov).
There are places in our prayers where it is customary for some (rather than striking ones heart) to use a cutting-motion (hand-to-heart) so as to appear to ‘cut away’ the impurities of the heart…. to ‘circumcise’, thus allowing G-ds Light, His Goodness to fill the void. This method perhaps helps create a greater consciousness for more meaningful prayer and change.
The Mitzvot are guidelines to righteous conduct. They are indeed a mechanism to separate out the mundane from the holly, the past and present reality to help us create a new and more rectified reality.
On Shabbos we separate out from much of the physicality of the 6 days of the week thereby creating a vacuum to receive the spiritual kedusha of the 7th day, Shabbos.
Not to be overlooked, is the concept of creating a vacuum for positive change and the powerful effect that this mechanism has on creating rectified relationships such as those between Man and G-d, Man and Man , and of course Husband and Wife.
A basic principle of finding balance and harmony in ourselves and the Universe is that whenever we take something away, we fill the void with goodness as Nature; Hashem Elokim, abhors a vacuum.
Lawrence (Leib Getzel) Lax
Addictions and Counseling (Hnrs)
http://www.lawrencelax.com