The parsha brings us to consider the paradox of being Created in the image and likeness of the Creator (G~d), yet being inherently different than G~d. Our general understanding of the One G~d, Creator of the Universe, is a perfect, completely sublime being, incomprehensible to mortals. How can the perfect One create something imperfect, that is the Universe? At the same time, how can the One create something perfect, that is another One, thus there would be Two, not one?
Thus at the very foundation of all questions there is Paradox. Which came first the chicken or the egg? And of course we want specific answers. Parents give us the first commandment NO! We as the first question WHY?
WHY?
- Why am I here? Alive? For what purpose?
- Why are there limits?
- Why should I obey seemingly arbitrary rules?
- Why is there evil?
- Why do I (or the rest of the world) mess up?
This leads to questions of control, lack of love, isolation, loneliness, injustice. Invariably we all end up looking for a higher power, the source of all things, or rejecting the possibility of a source, and striking out on our own.
The older we get, the more we realize our imperfections, and look for the big reset button, to connect with the One.
The reset button is contained in the Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Universally, for all cultures, a time to somehow RESET the bad and reconnect with the One.
Are there barriers to meet with the One? What are they? Doesn’t G~d talk with everyone?
It seems to me that the One is teaching, training al mankind to grow up and live meaningful and caring lives. The model is Israel living Torah, and the overflow is the rest of humanity changing from self-centered to mature, balanced, honest life. Somewhere in the mix are the prophets and the Messiah, but that is for another discussion.
The barriers are inside us! How do we reconnect with the One? Take a look at the notes and ask some more questions about what holds you back from the One?
Picture from Custom Harmonicas by Andrew Zajac
Here are some study notes: