ACACIA WOOD

Dear Family,

I hope that everyone is well.

Wishing Yechezkiel ben Ester a refuah shleimah

Mazal Tov to Baty on her birthday which is tonight. Wishing you a wonderful and blessed year Baty, with achievements in both the material and spiritual, all in good health and much happiness!

This week on the 10th of Shvat, was the yohrtzeit of the Frierdike Rebbe, and we have been learning the last Maamar that he composed called Basi Legani.

It is a very powerful Maamer and explains how every aspect of the Mini Temple (the Mishkan) and the Temple, its construction and its Services, all relate to our own personal selves.

This being to refining our material natures, and materiality in general, which brings about elevation of Man and the world, and transforming darkness to light.

I thought to share just one element of the Maamar as an example.

The Mini Temple was made of ACACIA WOOD (shittim in Hebrew)

The root of this word is shitah which means to deviate (from the middle path)

The same root also implies shtus which means foolishness, for foolishness is a deviation from knowledge and wisdom (representing the middle path)

This deviation could be:

• Towards materiality (the folly of unholiness) - bearing in mind that there is nothing wrong

with materiality if used properly

Too much materiality can cover over and obscure the revelation of Divine light.

And it is this darkness which allows a Jew to sin.

Because the very nature of a Jew is that he neither wants to , nor can he consciously separate himself from G-d.

This spirit of folly deadens a persons spiritual sensitivity, and he no longer feels the pleasantness, sweetness, good, and value of fulfilling the Mitzvos.

But deep down the G-dly soul is yearning for G-dliness and searching to create channels for G-dliness, to escape from the grip of the animal soul.

• Towards greater spirituality (the 'folly' of holiness) - it is still a deviation from the middle

Path, and goes beyond logic

This has the capability to correct the folly of unholiness, and can be put into action by any Jew. It basically involves doing acts of holiness (as prescribed by Torah) against ones regular habitual ways. For example within one's busy day, and enjoyments, to establish fixed times for Torah study

Because the Divine Service of the Mini Temple (and Temple) was to transform darkness into light, therefore it was made of acacia wood (atzei shitim)

The implication is that it embodied the transformation of folly that is lower than reason, to the extent that it becomes 'folly' that transcends reason.

Then, in the same way that G-ds presence dwelt in the Temple, it will also dwell within each and every individual Jew, through his or her own self-refinement, transcending logic.

Gut Shabbos to all!