A Thought on Parshios Matos-Masaei
A Thought On Parshios Matos-Ma'asei
"...u'migrash le'arim sviv'oseihem titnu la'levi'im..."
"...and give the Levites a rim of pastures around their cities..." (35:2)
The Torah consigned a network of cities for the Levites to occupy and supervise. Our verse instructs that each city be surrounded by a meadow serving as a common ground or spacious perimeter. Beyond that were fields and vineyards for planting
The Ralbag offers a perspective on this intriguing detail: we know that the Levites were given the tithes in exchange for their devoted service to HaShem and to His people. Some of this was described in our Parsha Thoughts for parshas Korach. A lesson we derive from this is that the Levites, by being supported and nourished by the tithing of food and produce, were free to immerse themselves in serving HaShem. By being given cities to dwell in, without the burden of having to labor in construction and building and other aspects of land development, they were further freed to pursue their study of the sacred. Through their labor in Torah, they could fuller divine the secrets of the cosmos and of the universe. They were able to elevate themselves intellectually and spiritually.
This can all take place in-doors, where such study can be done without interruption. However, by beautifying their surroundings with empty pastures and natural environment, their psychospiritual experience was further enhanced. A pleasant scene, a breathtaking and pristine setting, calm the mind and soothe the soul. Such an external climate creates an internal atmosphere of clarity and insightfulness. This opens up the mind and the soul for a richer and fuller grasp of the wonders of HaShem's Torah.
At times, we confuse the distractions of the esthetic realm with the inherent splendor which can be found by those who trace beauty to its Source. The sages relate that the world was created with ten shares of beauty. Jerusalem took nine of them. There is a beauty which is linked to the sacred, and it is there for those who seek it. Just as the Levites were offered a stunning pastoral view in order to raise their consciousness and enhance their spirit, we can learn to appreciate the beauty around us in order to find inspiration, insight and greater awe as we pursue our study of Torah and our devotion to HaShem.
Good Shabbos. D Fox
"...u'migrash le'arim sviv'oseihem titnu la'levi'im..."
"...and give the Levites a rim of pastures around their cities..." (35:2)
The Torah consigned a network of cities for the Levites to occupy and supervise. Our verse instructs that each city be surrounded by a meadow serving as a common ground or spacious perimeter. Beyond that were fields and vineyards for planting
The Ralbag offers a perspective on this intriguing detail: we know that the Levites were given the tithes in exchange for their devoted service to HaShem and to His people. Some of this was described in our Parsha Thoughts for parshas Korach. A lesson we derive from this is that the Levites, by being supported and nourished by the tithing of food and produce, were free to immerse themselves in serving HaShem. By being given cities to dwell in, without the burden of having to labor in construction and building and other aspects of land development, they were further freed to pursue their study of the sacred. Through their labor in Torah, they could fuller divine the secrets of the cosmos and of the universe. They were able to elevate themselves intellectually and spiritually.
This can all take place in-doors, where such study can be done without interruption. However, by beautifying their surroundings with empty pastures and natural environment, their psychospiritual experience was further enhanced. A pleasant scene, a breathtaking and pristine setting, calm the mind and soothe the soul. Such an external climate creates an internal atmosphere of clarity and insightfulness. This opens up the mind and the soul for a richer and fuller grasp of the wonders of HaShem's Torah.
At times, we confuse the distractions of the esthetic realm with the inherent splendor which can be found by those who trace beauty to its Source. The sages relate that the world was created with ten shares of beauty. Jerusalem took nine of them. There is a beauty which is linked to the sacred, and it is there for those who seek it. Just as the Levites were offered a stunning pastoral view in order to raise their consciousness and enhance their spirit, we can learn to appreciate the beauty around us in order to find inspiration, insight and greater awe as we pursue our study of Torah and our devotion to HaShem.
Good Shabbos. D Fox
posted by Rabbi Dr. Fox at 1:40 PM
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