הואיל והשבת לא מצאתי התיחסות לפרשת השבוע, אני מצרף סיפור חסידי. סיפורים חסידים מהווים עבורי מקור לinsights פסיכולוגיים משמעותיים. עמכם הסליחה על כי הסיפור מובא באנגלית. לא היה לי זמן לתרגם אותו.

From Without to Within

They shall make for Me a sanctuary and I will dwell amongst them. (Shemos
25:8)

Intersecting the same time zone within these next few weeks we have the
holiday of Purim and the building of the Tabernacle.  Is there any
commonality between these two subjects or are they merely coincidentally
occupying the same space if even temporarily? There is an oft repeated
question that might help jumpstart the discussion. The verse should have
read; I shall dwell in "it". Why does is say, I shall dwell "amongst
them"? 

I recently heard a moving story about a certain Rebbe that had many
followers that came to him for advice and blessings. His personal
attendant was a particularly devoted servant who gave selflessly to the
Rebbe all his days and nights. This servant suffered from a leg problem
that caused him to limp noticeably and only with great effort was he able
to move about. In spite of his obvious handicap his heroic dedication was
unyielding.

One day the Rebbe approached this servant and launched a complaint. He
told him, "I don't think you believe that I am a truly effective Rebbe!"
The attendant was shocked and inquired as to where he had fallen short in
his service. The Rebbe explained that many people come to ask advice and
receive blessings for all kinds of personal and practical matters and that
his loyal attendant had never asked him what to do about his own personal
health issue. Obviously he didn't really believe that the Rebbe can be of
any help.

The attendant realized the truth of his Rebbe's words and asked what he
should do.  The Rebbe invited him to join in the meal to be eaten
immediately after Shabbos. At that meal, where it is customary to tell
stories of great people the Rebbe called on his loyal servant and asked
him to tell a story.

The servant looked at the Rebbe reluctantly and declared, "I'm no story
teller! I only know one story that my father told me about how the Baal
Shem Tov danced." The Rebbe insisted he tell the story. In the telling of
the episode the servant became very animated and started to dance.  By-the
time he had finished the telling of the story he was walking and moving
about normally!

The point here is not to tell about "faith healing" or anything nearly
miraculous.  What made this man better? He merely emulated, however
superficially, the actions of a great person. In doing so he became
improved. The "Path of the Just" states an important psychological
principle, "Outward movements awaken a corresponding internality!"

Similarly the "Duties of the Heart" declares, "Thoughts are shaped by
speech!" As one speaks or acts so the corresponding inner world is
created. These are potent tools for shaping our very beings. Although, it
may seem at first inauthentic or disingenuous, results are guaranteed.
Also what might be authentic to the external part of our being may be
incongruous with our deepest and truest inner yearning.

Therefore, we need not be surprised that the process of building a
Sanctuary actually builds the inner world of its builders. With regard to
Purim as well, although the name of The Almighty is conspicuously absent
His presence is palpable in deed.  Through the animated reading of the
Megillah, by describing actions of greatness in the story of all stories,
life's most powerful lessons are imbibed like an extra-fine wine and we
are all automatically improved from without to within.


אשמח לקבל התיחסיות לאור ההשתמעויות התיאורטיות שעולות מהסיפור.