Friday, November 17, 2006
Chayei Sarah - Parsha - Weekly Torah Portion
Chayei Sarah - Parsha - Weekly Torah Portion: "I am a stranger and a resident amongst you (23:4)
The Jew is a 'resident' in the world, for the Torah instructs us not escape the physical reality but to inhabit it and elevate it. At the same time, the Jew feels himself a 'stranger' in the material world -- his true home is the world of spirituality, holiness and G-dliness from which his soul has been exiled and to which it yearns to return.
Indeed, it is only because he remains a 'stranger' that he can maintain the spiritual vision and integrity required to reside in the world and sanctify it as a 'dwelling for G-d.'
(The Lubavitcher Rebbe)"
The Jew is a 'resident' in the world, for the Torah instructs us not escape the physical reality but to inhabit it and elevate it. At the same time, the Jew feels himself a 'stranger' in the material world -- his true home is the world of spirituality, holiness and G-dliness from which his soul has been exiled and to which it yearns to return.
Indeed, it is only because he remains a 'stranger' that he can maintain the spiritual vision and integrity required to reside in the world and sanctify it as a 'dwelling for G-d.'
(The Lubavitcher Rebbe)"
