What is the significance of God's instruction to Moses to speak to the rock? Do rocks have ears?
The short answer is - yes! Nature and all of its laws are listening. They listen for the call of redemption. They yearn for the messianic light ("oro shel mashiach") that was formed before the universe. When this unifying light is revealed among all the divided factions of the world, both visible and hidden, it binds and ties the universe to its foundation.
As Moses approached to speak to the rock, all of creation listened intently. But Moses hit the rock. The waters meant to revive and nourish the people became "Mei Meriva" (the Waters of Dispute), bringing agitation and dissonance into the world. The framework of violence and force became established, and the universe was debased. The world was no longer suitable for the greatness of listening to the infinite. The paradigm shifted from speaking to striking; from receptive listening to coercive force.
This tragic discord will be healed through the Godly spirit that beats within the wisdom of Israel. Every Jewish soul shares a part in revealing this wisdom. It will arise powerfully, enabling the word of the living God to penetrate and encourage. The return to patient communication will awaken the underlying listening of the universe in all its splendor.
"You have opened for me ears; You have not asked for burnt and sin offerings. Then I said, 'Here I have come in the scroll of a book written about me.'" (Psalms 40:7-8)
We yearn for a world with open ears, ears capable of hearing the inner call. We aspire for a world where our inner truth, the light of the life of the worlds, is expressed not by force and coercion, but by the word and the book. "With the staff of God - that is the pen," (Tikunei Zohar) the wisdom of literature will flower, redeemed from its waywardness, blooming in the fragrance of water.
[Based on Shmoneh Kevatzim, book VII, section 28]
The short answer is - yes! Nature and all of its laws are listening. They listen for the call of redemption. They yearn for the messianic light ("oro shel mashiach") that was formed before the universe. When this unifying light is revealed among all the divided factions of the world, both visible and hidden, it binds and ties the universe to its foundation.
As Moses approached to speak to the rock, all of creation listened intently. But Moses hit the rock. The waters meant to revive and nourish the people became "Mei Meriva" (the Waters of Dispute), bringing agitation and dissonance into the world. The framework of violence and force became established, and the universe was debased. The world was no longer suitable for the greatness of listening to the infinite. The paradigm shifted from speaking to striking; from receptive listening to coercive force.
This tragic discord will be healed through the Godly spirit that beats within the wisdom of Israel. Every Jewish soul shares a part in revealing this wisdom. It will arise powerfully, enabling the word of the living God to penetrate and encourage. The return to patient communication will awaken the underlying listening of the universe in all its splendor.
"You have opened for me ears; You have not asked for burnt and sin offerings. Then I said, 'Here I have come in the scroll of a book written about me.'" (Psalms 40:7-8)
We yearn for a world with open ears, ears capable of hearing the inner call. We aspire for a world where our inner truth, the light of the life of the worlds, is expressed not by force and coercion, but by the word and the book. "With the staff of God - that is the pen," (Tikunei Zohar) the wisdom of literature will flower, redeemed from its waywardness, blooming in the fragrance of water.
[Based on Shmoneh Kevatzim, book VII, section 28]