The Lonely SEED.
by Jay [w/ E’s insights below]
In this week’s Parasha –chapter 11, verse 37 – 38. It talks about a seed and how it is or is not contaminated by a carcass, depending on if water has been placed on the seed prior to the carcass.
There are two main areas worth further exploration – seed and water
Water –
Water is an essential part of life – without food you can still survive but without water there is no chance. Water is Torah, our spirituality and our meaning. Water is clear and tasteless. Water over a long enough period of time can cut through rock or stone. It is also used to clean – both physically and spiritually, like when we go to a mikvah.
The Seed –
If I were to ask what the most important part of a plant or tree is – would you also answer, as I would – the seed. If we didn’t have seeds – we wouldn’t have the world we have and know today. Seeds contain the essential ingredients for growth and development – for potential. Yet they are housed within a hard outer shell – that protects them until they are needed. We, the Jewish people are referred to as the seed of our Patriachs – Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Now here is where I have a problem – if water is used to make clean what was contaminated, how can a seed, which has itself, been watered, be contaminated. Without the water on the seed – the seed is nothing but untapped potential and is not contaminated if a carcass falls on it. This is what is troubling me – it seems to be the opposite.
If water is Torah and a seed is us – then this sentence can be read and understood differently:
If a contaminate were to fall (come into contact) on a person – who has no Torah in their life, then no harm can come from it as the person is unaware but also still housed within a strong outer shell
If however a contaminate were to fall on a person who is aware and has been opened up by Torah then the risk and the impact of such a contamination can negatively affect the person and would require a process of further cleaning or making pure.
We are all seeds, all at various points of development – as we look to take on more water, we need to be conscious in terms of the contaminates that are around us – everyday, and scrupulously avoid coming into contact with them.
–Thank you and Shabbat Shalom, J
E’s insights:
The little lonely SEED.
Water is what makes a non-Jew, Jewish in the first place, as in the Ritual Bath (Mikvah). The water (i.e.: Torah) is what enables the tough outer shell of the seed to be shed. If we remain devoid of Torah there is nothing that enables us to grow, no matter how many other nutrients and sunlight are around us. And nothing will ever grow unless that shell is shattered. The shell is what we use to protect ourselves. It is our ego. Nothing can be let in while our defenses are up in arms. Only by breaking down ourselves (our ego, our shell) can we let the infinite in. Moshe was the prime example. He humbles his self to the point that the divine was able to flood (water reference) him throughout. Impurity ONLY has a ramification IF there is PURITY in the 1st place! That is why a seed does not get contaminated until water is introduced.
A seed (person) can be stepped on and smashed into the ground. Then once in place, the seed must shed that shell (sense of arrogance, pride and self). And that is the most painful process. It requires a death; a breaking, shriveling, and withering. It seems cruel, harsh, and extremely painful – and it is. It hurts to get Re-Molded during every moment of the shaping. However, then, the roots start to take place true growth begins. What becomes of it is a beautiful glorious tree with most magnificent delicious fruits. This person now shines when connected (by his roots) to the Ultimate Infinite. He can now use his body to work and produce (the fruits being:) amazing acts of Kindness, Selflessness, and Children who will grow up more brilliant and beautiful than anyone could have ever imagined.
The irony is that the more selfish a man is in wanting everything for himself, the more limited and less-gainful he becomes. Family and friends do not appreciate it and want to do less for him when he always wants more. G-d turns away from an individual if he denies any entrance or room. By riding of the ego and wantingness, he gains more than he could ever have! Now friends and family give everything because he gives himself utterly and completely back to them. G-d now FILLS him with infinite everything which is way more than anything physical could ever bring him.
May we always rid ourselves of arrogance and ego (a trait that the RAMBAM says we should never have any trace of), connect ourselves to our roots and produce the most magnificent fruits and bring happiness, health, and LOVE to everyone and everywhere.
