There are certain concepts, phrases, historical events that are repeated throughout Torah to remind us of our connection to Hashem. These repetitions are about keeping the Shabbat, celebrating the festivals, making the sacrifices, and this one repeated here in Behar-Bechukotai.
Vakira 25: 38. I am the Lord, your God, Who took you out of the land of Egypt, to give you the land of Canaan, to be a God to you.
This is repeated here as a reminder to remember that when in bondage, in doubt, places of uncertainty or in situations of chaos Hashem is there. The 'land of Egypt' represents the consciousness that has fallen into patterns of negativity. The 'land of Canaan' is that state of being where unity is the central theme brought about by focusing our attention upon Hashem.
Consider for a moment that Israel without Hashem as its central focus ends up in chaos. Once that focus is turned around towards Hashem then Israel prospers. Israel then symbolizes our consciousness as a whole.
Every part of Israel has to turn towards Hashem and follow his commandments. What this means is that all of our decisions have to be centered from this place of right doing. Every decision that takes place in mind stands at the crossroads of choosing Hashem or chaos. This is the teaching of Moshe and the Jewish people as they sojourn there in the wilderness of Sinai.
Further along in this same portion we have another repetition along the same lines as the quote above with something added for good measure.
Vayikra 25:55. For the children of Israel are servants to Me; they are My servants, whom I took out of the land of Egypt. I am the Lord, your God.
Remember that Israel represents the whole of consciousness seeking unity within itself. The children of Israel are the offspring of this consciousness. For example we start thinking about building a house. We see the house in its entirety and then we start seeing the bricks, the mortar, the wood, the floors the ceiling, etc. All of these thoughts that come out of this initial focus are the offspring of that focus.
What this means is that in a sense what the 'children of Israel' serve is the unity of that focus that is known as Hashem. This is referring to the higher sense of meaning coming from the upper levels of Kabbalah in those places known as Arich Anpin and Atik Yomin where the influences of higher thought are transformed into practical thought so that the flowing of blessings into this world may be on a super conscious level.
This super conscious level is by definition self aware of its eternal connection with Hashem first as a unity and then as a servant of that connection.
This concept is further expanded in the Zohar Behar (77)
'For as long as man knows the Holy One, blessed be He, in a general way, he is called 'a servant' who does as his Master bids him, but has no permission to look into the treasures and the mysteries of His House. When he knows the Holy One, blessed be He, in a particular way, he is called 'His beloved child,' like the child who is looking at the hidden, at all the mysteries of His House.'
The above passage speaks to a progression of holiness wherein we are able to engage in the holy conversation with Hashem via Torah. When we follow Torah we partake of that connection but when we study Torah we get inside of that connection and begin to see the wonderful hidden 'mysteries of His house. '
B"H
For LOCAL INFO on Kabbalah, Torah and a local events calendar click here.
Comments