Project Mind Foundation
|
by: David S. Devor
There is a word for ambush (Arav) in Hebrew but the unique use
of the word "Zanvu" (Zanav=tail) emphasizes that it
was the weak and the old who were picked off and plundered. This
is the best biblical illustration I know of portraying Darwin's
principle of "natural selection" through "survival
of the fittest." It, indeed, represents what we commonly
know as the "natural order" in which all life must struggle
to nourish itself ("by the sweat of your brow").(2)
According to the teachings of Rabbi Yehuda Leib Ashlag, z"l,
who follows the Lurianic system of Kabbalah, the "natural"
process implies "giving-in-order-to-receive," or in
modern language, "working-in-order-to-eat." Eating,
surviving and reproducing ("in sorrow") appear to be
the very essence of nature, and working (effort) the means to
attain them.
But Judaism, in general, and Kabbalah, in particular, point to
what is called "Me'al HaTeva" (above nature) which is
also associated with the Sabbatical Millennium and the reign of
the Mashiach (messiah). This implies a reversal of the natural
order whereby we "receive-in-order-to-give," i.e., channel
blessings into this world from above. This translates into "eating-for-the-purpose-of-working"
and presumes that we were designed for work and that eating is
only a means to that end.
Working-in-order-to-eat (giving-in-order-to-receive) implies a
materialist paradigm in which existence is seen as being substantially
physical and its resources limited. It implies a "dog eat
dog" world, "red in tooth and claw," in which all
facets of life are conditioned by economic considerations and
governed by hierarchies of power that regulate the distribution
of scarce resources. It is a world where we end up either as wage
slavers or as wage slaves. This is the order of Amalek that is
ever with us.(3)
The eating-in-order-to-work paradigm, on the other hand, implies
a "miraculous" (Nissit) order in which the creative
vision of mind (Mochin) assiduously assails the restrictions of
the natural order which, for the moment, enslaves us by means
of our body's physical needs combined with our ignorance of nature's
secrets. This messianic paradigm presumes that, as creatures made
in the "image" of our Creator, we are unlimited in our
creative potential (Hashapa'a) implying our potential for revealing
the sacred and eternal within matter and nature through unlimited
material abundance (Shefa).
We are still some way from recognizing this but trends in science
and technology (including nanotechnology) are beginning to point
in this direction. Only ignorance and confusion separate us from
higher knowledge and possibilities. The coming abundance is prefigured
in miracles with water, oil and bread performed by the prophet
Elisha (Kings 1), including reviving the dead. It is also hinted
at in the myth of the "white donkey" (Chamor Lavan)
destined to convey the Massiach. "Donkey" (Chamor) is
code for matter (Chomer) and "white" (Lavan) indicates
purification or transmutation (Loven Elyon). Material transformation
is clearly the instrument of abundance.
The influence (Hashpa'a) of unlimited abundance (Shefa) is needed
to overcome the restriction of mind and spirit imposed upon us
by the materialist paradigm of Amalek. Once material need is eliminated,
the natural order, desire-to-give-in-order-to-receive, will be
likewise eliminated since, with material possessions completely
devalued, there will be nothing of a material nature left to cling
to or fight for. Pockets, drawers and cupboards will become obsolete.
"Replicators" will materialize the objects of our need
and then recycle them. The natural "dog eat dog," "survival
of the fittest" process will be defunct.
The messianic paradigm will reveal the many levels and dimensions
of spiritual need and our unlimited human desire will, by default,
attach itself to spiritual values as we discover that physical
matter is only the crust of reality. The desire-to-receive knowledge
(Da'at), understanding (Binah) and wisdom (Chochma) for-the-sake-of-giving
(sharing) will reign universally. Tikkun Olam (world emendation)
implies a paradigm shift, a transformed world order, a revolution.
What was, will no longer be.(4)
It is often asked, how can we eradicate the memory of Amalek if
we are commanded to "remember"? Amalek represents the
natural paradigm of "natural selection." Once the supernatural,
metaphysical, messianic paradigm takes hold, the old materialist
paradigm will be forgotten like a bad dream. The cruel world of
greed, separation and conflict(5) will be swallowed up and Amalek
will vanish forever.(6) In the face of the ecstasy of this higher
existence, the importance we presently attribute to suffering
will fade like a candle in sunlight. As hard as it is for us to
believe now, we shall remember that suffering, in gratitude, as
one of the necessary links in the chain of the miraculous, metaphysical
birth granted us by the all-merciful Creator. We shall remember
the miracle and the blessing; we shall forget the pain and confusion
the experiential basis (including memory) for which, will have
been eradicated.
References:
Isaiah 11:7 The cow will feed with the bear, their young will
lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
Isaiah 11:8 The infant will play near the hole of the cobra and
the...
Isaiah 11:9 young child put his hand into the viper's nest. They
will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the
earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters
cover the sea.
|
