Beresheet / The Taller The Building www.raymondbeyda.com In his classic work Shaare Kedusha, the great Mekubal Rav Haim Vital Zt'l deals with this problem in depth from the standpoint of Kabbalah. We can understand the essence of his reply on a simple level through a parable. A rich man went to contract with a builder on a magnificent0 multi-story mansion-like condominium building in an exclusive resort. The legalities attended to in a formal fashion through their respective attorneys, the excavation was begun. Shortly thereafter the builder approached the client with a bill for excavation and laying of the foundation for several hundred thousand dollars--over and above the price agreed to in the contract. His claim was based on the fact that he said the foundation was not included in the price. The client shocked and angered asked, "Did you ever build a building without a foundation? How did you expect such a tall structure to stand? Of course it is included in the total price!" Even one who has never built a building knows that a structure needs a foundation and the taller the building the more solid and deep the foundation must be. In order to build a life of Torah observance one needs a foundation. That foundation is not made of concrete and steel it consists of a person's character traits. A person must dig deep to excavate and remove the weak and negative traits with which one was born and then fill in the character with positive traits of a refined personality. Only then will one be able to hold up the very tall superstructure--our holy Torah. May we all succeed in this difficult task as we prepare ourselves for another year of Torah study and each of us should work on making our learning a matter of behaviorial progress. Everyone should try to develop into a Torah personality - a person of sterling character and fine manners. Shabbat Shalom. WOULD YOU LIKE TO DEDICATE A MESSAGE IN HONOR OR IN MEMORY OF A LOVED ONE? REFUAH SHELEMA? Click Here to go to the 'Donations' area, or E-mail your dedication to RBEYDA2000@AOL.COM . You can Mail your check for: $101 - Shabbat And Holidays $52 - Weekdays Mail To: Raymond Beyda 408 Avenue O Brooklyn, NY 11230 |