Go South
Although we have two directions in life, there are times when on need not go in both directions to get the benefits of both. Making the right turn can give us the benefits of both directions. . TERUMAH TERUMAH
Prayer Directions
The Mishkan (portable Temple built by Moses in the desert — the central theme of this week’s Torah portion), contained several key components. In addition to the ark that contained the tablets, the Miishkan also contained a Menorah (golden candelabrum) a Table (with bread on it) and a golden altar for incense.
Every detail that related to the Temple was obviously significant. Even the positioning of the objects is explained by the Talmud to be relevant.
The Menorah, which symbolized enlightenment and wisdom, was located on the south of the sanctuary. This, the Talmud states, suggests that wisdom is associated TERUMAH with the south.
The Table, symbolizing material wealth and prosperity, was situated on the north side of the sanctuary. This, in turn points to the association between wealth and the north.
The Talmud therefore states:
One who wishes to become wise should face the south. One who wants to become rich should face the north.
Rashi, explains that this is a reference to the direction one faces while one prays to G-d.
(The Talmud explains, though, that one must face the Holy Temple (east in our country) when praying. One should merely tilt his face slightly northward or southward, depending on whether one’s objective is wisdom or wealth.)
What, we may ask, is so important about the physical direction we face during our prayers. And why is “north” associated with wealth, while “south” associated with wisdom?
North is Symbol of G-dly concealment
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The further north we go — from the vantage point of Israel — the colder it gets because less sunlight reaches the earth. Indeed, the Hebrew word for north – tzafon – means “hidden” indicating that the sun is hidden.
The further south one goes, conversely, the hotter it becomes, because the sun shines more brightly there.
Our sages tell us (based on the Psalmists expression “For the sun and shield is the L-rd G-d“), that the brightness of the sun is a metaphor for the radiance of the Divine presence in this world. North and south, therefore, are representative of concealment of the Divine presence and its revelation, respectively.
When we want true wisdom, we must direct our prayers “southward,” towards the goal of experiencing G-dly light. This means that our desire in prayer should be directed towards getting closer to G-d, rather than desiring G- d to do things for us. True wisdom can only be realized when a person has a close relationship with G-d. As the Psalmist states, “The beginning of wisdom is the fear [or:
TERUMAH reverence] of G-d.” The ultimate wisdom is to be aware of our source of life and existence.
When people are obsessed with the desire to satisfy their material needs, it is an indication that they face the north, and do not have the desire to see G-d exposed and revealed. Their relationship with G-d is not to get closer to Him, but to have G-d provide for their selfish needs and wants. And although, this too, fulfills the objective of prayer, because it demonstrates one’s belief that all material goods come from G-d, it does not focus on the desire to become more G-dly, the primary goal of prayer.
Having Your Cake and Eating it Too
Does that mean that one may not express desire for material matters?
If that were true then why do we ask for the material matters in our prayers?
The answer lies in the continuation of the discussion of north and south in the Talmud:
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Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi says: “A person should always face the south, because as a result of acquiring wisdom, one will also become rich.”
The suggestion here is that true wealth is not necessarily associated with G-d’s concealment. By heading south, by craving the light of G- dly revelation, one can also be given material wealth, because it too can be utilized for serving G-d. Indeed, the very purpose of creation is to take the material resources of this world and transform it into something holy.
Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi is suggesting that there is no dichotomy between G-dly revelation and material wealth. The dichotomy between the physical and the spiritual is a superficial one and is determined by one’s mindset.
In reality, the closer we get to G-d, the more we can appreciate the purpose for which wealth was created.
Removal of Dichotomy in Messianic Age
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When will we see the total removal of any barrier between wealth and wisdom? This will occur in the Messianic Age. In Maimonides’ words, at the very end of his Mishneh Torah, In that time (the Messianic Age) there will be no hunger…and all delights will be as plentiful as the dust of the earth.. And the entire world’s preoccupation will be to know G-d exclusively.
In the Messianic Age, the physical and material things will be seen for their true G- dly value. Physicality and spirituality will be seen as two sides of the same coin, not as opposites.
TERUMAH
TERUMAH
From the book Light from the Future: Parshas Terumah by Rabbi Heschel Greenberg, published by the Jewish Discovery Center.
