בס''ד
Parshat Emor
15 Iyyar, 5773
April 24th,
2013
30th Day of the Omer
A lot of Torah
is learning how to see.
I suppose this
is true for any area in life requiring depth; doctors, lawyers, teachers, parents,
artists, judges, professors, analysts, marketers, actors, writers – all learn to
see what is before them in light of their concerns: are these symptoms a
disease? Is this action legal? What does this child need? Why was that historic
event significant? From learning to look well, they gain an added measure of
usefulness and worth.
And when their sight
is especially clear and exceptionally penetrating, we share their vision with
the rest of the world, and record their names in the annals of the great.
Paradoxically, the
first step towards clear sight is learning what to ignore. “Do not be led
astray after your hearts and your eyes, which you prostitute yourselves by
following after them.” (Numbers 15) The verse is obviously true – all of
reality television is a testament to its wisdom.
But there is a deeper
meaning: when it comes to human beings, sometimes one must look beyond a whole
lot of external detritus to see the goodness of the soul underneath.
This ignoring-in-order-to-see
is a mitzvah: “See – today I am setting before you blessing and curse.” (Deut.
11:26) “…and choose life, so that you may live.” (Deut 30:19) It is a wise
requirement, for there is great pain waiting for those who can only see the
shmutz in those around them.
It’s also damn
hard. We all present plenty of distractions to the people in our lives –
reasons why they should not see the goodness in us. Some days, those
distractions are very hard to ignore.
Luckily, in my
life, I have my colleague and friend, Rabbi Shira Stutman.* If there were ever
a master of the choice to see the good, it would be her.
So choose for
yourself a sighted companion, someone who can guide you in the art of seeing
well. It is the secret to a blessed life.
*Rabbi Shira is
also my supervisor. She was recently voted one of the Forward’s most inspiring
rabbis in America. For these gifts and talents, I have taken it upon myself to torture
her mercilessly. It’s my special way of showing affection and appreciation.
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