Descent for the Sake of Ascent

To become a bigger something, you gotta be a nothing in between.

Why are we here? The answers fall under two general categories: for ourselves (to enjoy life, realize our potential, achieve transcendence . . .); or in service of something greater than ourselves (society, history, G‑d . . .)

The precious jewels had been scattered to the farthest reaches of the globe. How would the king recover that which was most dear to him?

On the essence of lunar time

Last week's Parshah concluded with the epochal exchange between Moses and G-d over the mystery of human suffering, in which Moses protested, "My G-d, why have You done evil to this people?" The opening verses of this week's Parsha contain -- we assume -- ...

As she stands above, before her descent, the soul steps higher each day. And that is a prison, because the soul is G-dly and G-dly means infinite and for a G–dly being, stepping higher each day is standing still. But the soul is blind to her own prison. ...

A desert decree revoked . . . a marriage ban lifted . . . 600 survivors go wife-hunting . . . roadblocks to Jerusalem removed . . . Betar dead buried . . . What is the connection between all of these events?

A mystical interpretation of the law of the "beautiful captive"

Like the moon, your child may be lovely, but he is a reflector. You assert, she believes. You decide, he accepts. You give, she takes. Then comes the chaos of adolescence . . .

When you stay connected above, you never really fell below.