Design underlies all of creation, presupposing both intent and a Grand Designer. The surface of the world is represented by the number seven – natural law. The number eight represents quantum change where the seeming impossible is achieved, even beyond natural design. Each one, through their soul, can achieve the impossible in their lives.
The 8th day of Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, is a day for a more intimate celebration of Sukkot between G-d and the Jewish people. It is also the day we complete the year ago, at this time, I shared with you the mysterious demise of Aaron’s, the Kohen Gadol’s, two sons Nadav and Avihu, which is…
he number seven represents the natural sequence of life. There were seven days of creation, and hence seven branches of the Mishkan Menorah, and we curl Tefillin straps seven times over the forearm to represent the seven Sefirot (creative energies), and seven weeks of personal growth between Pesach and Shavuot, and seven spiritual shepherds of…
The me-generation seeks pleasure for pleasure’s sake – a self-titillating experience – perhaps to escape a cruel world or simply out of boredom. There are truer pleasures of sharing, contributing, and assisting. Nadav and Avihu’s actions of getting ’high’ in the Holy of Holies was a more subtle, but nevertheless an act of supreme selfishness.…
Aaron’s sons did not die from alcoholism or an overdose. They had an out-of-body experience but chose to stay in an ecstatic state. Yet alternate states of consciousness are not the purpose of creation. Our goal is to work at the coal-face of the material world and transform it – not to escape it.
Nadav and Avihu entered the Holy of Holies and died from an ecstatic experience. The purpose of life is not ecstasy or spiritual enlightenment. These are stepping stones to an even higher purpose – the ordinary and mundane Working here on earth with the ordinary and mundane to elevate these to a higher plane is…
The meaning is 8. 7 is the natural order and 8 is beyond. How do we rise beyond ourselves?. People who carry out amazing feats when needed –mother lifts car off her child; soldier fights on not realizing he has been shot. Mitzvot are the links between 7 and 8. Rise beyond yourself and do…
