5.11.08

elections are very turbulent times

Months ago I noticed a day was going very roughly. Not in the sense that bad things were happening, just that many trying oppurtunities arose to test my mettle. Later that day I realized it was the day of the Kadima primaries, and it became clear that because of the tummult the vote was causing, because everything was hanging in the balance to see what happened, that's why there was so much din, so much challenge on that day.

Yesterday and last night were the same. Sleeping was very difficult and the day was very trying, all manner of irrelevant things popping up to try and frustrate. At four in the morning I awoke for a few minutes, to settle the baby, and I said, if I'm awake and I'm sleeping so fitfully anyways, I might as well learn something. (it's always good to learn some Torah if you awake in the middle of the night)

I opened the Hesed L'Avraham to the lesson I was up to, and there he spoke first about Bnei Yisrael and HaShem, explaining that Shir HaShirim is a parable for the relationship between Bnei Yisrael and the Shechinah. Then he goes on to explain different marriage permutations, and what the ideal form of marriage is, as well as other details on this topic. The basic marriage is where the man represents hesed and the woman gevurah. If these roles are reversed or if they both represent gevurah it leads to trouble. However, if they both represent hesed then an even more ideal marriage can take place. 

Next, I opened up the Netiv Mitzwotecha to the lesson I was up to, and there the Komarna Rebbe explained that the reason why the six 'kings' originally radiated in the creation of the world failed to receive the divine light and were shattered instead. They weren't able to love one another and join together in the task, instead each on wanted to rule on his own.

Only when I returned to sleep did I realize what it was I was learning about on a deeper level: (I had completely forgotten about the election) Even though Edom is marrying Yishmael, (America chose a muslim as its president) their wedding is founded on gevurah (Edom is the klipah of gevurah) choosing hesed (Yishmael is the klipah of hesed) which is the worst kind of marriage, as delineated by R' Avraham Azulai.

Furthermore, their lack of ability to jointly work together (Edom and Yishmael) is why they aren't able to receive HaShem's light, HaShem's Torah. (as hinted to by the Komarna Rebbe)

On the other hand, Bnei Yisrael and the Shechinah are both rooted in Hesed, so they form the highest kind of union, the most ideal marriage. (R' Azulai didn't mention this as a summary, but it was implied from the seemingly irrelevant inclusion in the beginning of the lesson.)

I fell asleep wrapped in the comfort of the knowledge that HaShem doesn't sleep and always protects His people. That our relationship is an endless one, and the one being forged that night will not last. 

The most important thing for us to do is to grow in Ahavat Yisrael, for one-ness of the Jewish people is what allows us to receive HaShem's countenance.

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