arrow_backBack

A Stick and A Snake

Author:

Rabbi Schusterman

Date:

January 11, 2024

Tags:

Challenges, Holidays, Israel


A roller coaster of emotions. It doesn't seem to end. The list is endless and other than going into hibernation, we have to attempt to make some sense of it all or we will lose our sanity. Such is the nature of the body/soul partnership.

While I won't attempt to explain why, we could and are taught to explain what. What is the mechanism of the concealment in this world?

For starters, concealment is the underlying cause. Because G-d is concealed and hidden in plain sight, there is the capacity for darkness to flourish. (That's part of the Masterplan.)

How did darkness get to flourish?

Through a process of the concealment of the Divine light. As G-dliness descends into this world through a process of descent called Tzimtzum, the light becomes so concealed that the negative force called Klipah, can appear to ignore and deny the existence of Hashem.

If this spiritual descent had a shape it would be shaped like a stick.

If the Klipah was a creature, it would be a snake or serpent. Because like the original snake, its agenda is to get us to believe that the concealment is real and that there is no Divine force or light within.

Is this ringing a bell?

In this week's Parsha, Moses is instructed to take the snake and throw it on the ground so it turns into a snake. Then he is instructed to grab the snake and turn it back into a stick.

The message is strong and clear...

Be aware that all snakes are merely a concealment of Divine light. It's the arrogance of the Klipah that allows for it to rise up and seem to be in control and in power.

In truth it is but a smoke screen. Explode the truth, the origin, the Divine light and the snake immediately becomes a stick again.

***

It is difficult these days to look past the arrogance of the Klipah, but if we wish to stay anchored we must. We must look to the Source and recognize it is merely a concealment.

So YOU be the Light, let your own Divine light shine forward and in doing so, we will eliminate the arrogance of the snake and cause it to cease.

This is not a new story, it's as old as Egypt.

Praying for Israel. Good Shabbos!




Enjoying what
you've read?

Here's more.