Smoke Alarm

Existence is a union between space, time and energy. The acronym for these three components is ashan-smoke. Mount Sinai was engulfed in smoke. The purpose of Torah was to clear away the smoke that obscures the Divinity within space, time and energy. PIKUDEI PIKUDEI

Where there is smoke there is fire

This week’s Torah portion Vayakhel commences with the narrative of how Moses gathered all the Jews to convey to them the instructions he had received concerning the observance of the Sabbath and construction of the Mishkan, the portable Sanctuary in the desert. According to Rashi, this occurred the day after he returned from Sinai with the second set of Tablets.

To understand why Moses’ return from Sinai commenced with his gathering of all the Jews to discuss with them the themes of Shabbos and the Sanctuary and to better appreciate the dynamics of this historic event, the following introduction is in order.

Sefer Yetzirah, one of the oldest works of Kabbalah, states that all of existence can be PIKUDEI divided into the three dimensions of: Olamworld, shanah-year and nefesh-soul. Translated into more contemporary language this means that everything is either in the realm of space, time or consciousness.

The acronym of these three Hebrew words, olam, shanah and nefesh is oshan, which means smoke. The implication of this is that all of the components of existence contain a paradoxical feature. On the one hand, “where there is smoke there is fire,” as the saying goes. The components of existence reflect the Divine energy that is likened to fire. When one looks at the grandeur of the universe, the enigma of time, and the majesty of the soul, one cannot help but to see the Divine presence. On the other hand, smoke is a metaphor for obscuring and concealing, as the expression “smoke-screen” implies. We can look at the universe and fail to see G-d’s hand and presence.

Thus, when G-d descended on Mount Sinai to give the Torah, the mountain was engulfed in ashan-smoke. This imagery was intended to convey the message that the very objective PIKUDEI of Sinai was to enable the world to see through the smoke. When we perform a mitzvah with an object that occupies space, or that is limited to a specific location, the realm of space becomes a medium that reflects the Divine. G-d who transcends the parameters of space and who simultaneously “resides” within that space.

When we observe the Shabbos and Holidays or other time related Mitzvos, time itself becomes sanctified. The limiting nature of time then reflects the timelessness of G-d.

When we invest our consciousness in the performance of a Mitzvah, it removes the soul’s inhibitions and empowers it with the infinite nature of G-d. Our finite being becomes a sanctuary for G-d’s infinite consciousness.

Where Consciousness, Time and Space Converged

When all the Jews united under the direction of Moses, the most super-conscious person to have ever lived, the full potential of their PIKUDEI consciousness was realized. The sheer power of Moses and the collective power of the Jewish nation, combined to unleash the most powerful state of consciousness.

Likewise, on Shabbos, the holiest day of the week, the potential of time is at its peak, because it is the day that comprises, unifies and allows us to tap into the spiritual energy of the other days of the week.

Similarly, the Sanctuary, the single most hallowed place in the realm of space, was where all of the spiritual energy of all of space converged. Thus when Moses gathered all the Jews to discuss the Shabbos and the instructions for the building of the Sanctuary, Moses sought to tap the most potent combined energies inherent in space, time and consciousness.

We can now appreciate why Moses’ first call to action upon descending from Sinai was to gather all the Jews and instruct them concerning the Shabbos and the Sanctuary. As was stated, the very objective of Sinai is to remove the “smoke-screen” in all the three PIKUDEI areas of space, time and consciousness. This was accomplished by gathering all of them (unity in consciousness) and introducing them to the Shabbos (unity in time) and the Sanctuary (unity in space).

In truth, whenever Jews gather under the direction of an ideal Jewish leader in a synagogue or house of study, particularly in a holy time, we have the capacity to unleash the greatest spiritual potential.

Indeed, our Sages taught that Moses then instructed future Jewish leaders to gather Jews on the Shabbos for the study of Torah.

When we study Torah in a group setting, we unify all the diverse souls that participate in the class. The fact that it is during the Shabbos enables us to enjoy the cumulative energy of all components of time that is unleashed on the Shabbos.

When we study in a synagogue or in a House of Study, it unifies and reveals all the spirituality within the realm of space of that community. The cumulative force of group study in a synagogue on the Shabbos clears PIKUDEI away the smoke that clouds the world’s spiritual potential.

Partly Cloudy?

In the present period of Galus-exile, the weather can always be described as mixed. While there is much sunlight that we can be thankful for, most of our day fits into the proverbial “partly cloudy” forecast. We often find it hard to see the fire in the smoke, because of the concealment of G-d’s presence and energy.

All this will change in the Messianic Age. The change will be caused by or will be reflected in the realization of the ultimate union of all Jews in the Bais Hamikdash (Holy Temple) in Jerusalem under the direction of the Moshiach.

The entire Messianic Age has also been described as the Sabbath of creation. All the three elements will then converge to form a threefold force that will generate the G-dly “fire” that will encompass all of existence PIKUDEI with its light and warmth, but, without the smoke.

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From the book Light from the Future: Parshas Vayakhel-Pikudei by Rabbi Heschel Greenberg, published by the Jewish Discovery Center.