|
A
Connection Deeper Than Natural
Translation and commentary by Moshe-Yaakov Wisnefsky,
for "The Chumash of the Lubavitcher Rebbe"
In the exodus from Egypt, G-d did not force the Jews that did not want
to leave to do so, but since by choosing to remain in Egypt they denied
the purpose of their existence, their lives lost meaning and had to be
ended. In contrast, in the future redemption from the present exile, even
those Jews who will not want to be redeemed will be taken out of exile.
The Jews of the exodus were able to choose
not to be redeemed because the only connection between G-d and the Jewish
people at that time was a "natural" one, similar to the natural
connection between parent and child. This is as G-d told Moses to tell
Pharaoh, "My firstborn son is Israel, and I am telling you to send
forth My son."(Ex. 4:22-23) By exercising their free choice and opposing
this connection, those Jews could override it, just as a child can rebel
against its parent.
But when G-d gave the Torah, He established
a connection with us that transcended the previous, natural connection.
When we exercise our free will and choose to do something against our
natural predilections, we thereby reveal our essence, which transcends
our nature. Similarly, when G-d chose us of His own free will and gave
us the Torah, He did so not because He was bound to do so by any natural
connection between Him and us, but because His essence transcends this
nature. He thereby rooted us in His essence, deeper than we were rooted
by virtue of the natural, parent-child connection.
Therefore, it is now impossible for a Jew
to really oppose his connection with G-d, since this connection has become
part of his essence. Of course, he can go through the motions of opposing
his own essential connection to G-d, but this is only superficial. Sooner
or later, his deep, inner essence will surface, and thus he will be worthy
of being redeemed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Copyright 2001 chabad of california / www.lachumash.org
Rabbi Moshe Yaakov Wisnefsky is a scholar,
writer, editor and anthologist. Originally from Los Angeles, he moved
to Israel in 1977, and currently lives in Jerusalem. While living in Tsfat,
he was one of the three founders of ASCENT in 1983.
|
