Parashas Balak: "The Nut and The Rabbi"

The article on Soulmazal Blogspot, (https://soulmazal.blogspot.com/2014/07/and-pinchas-flying-in-air-parashas-balak.html) "Parashas Balak: The Nut and The Rabbi" by Rabbi David Katz is an exploration of a narrative in the Torah that is said to be largely overlooked within Jewish circles. 

The narrative focuses on the events surrounding Pinchas, the son of Aaron, who eliminates Zimri and Cozbi, who were encouraging improper behavior among Jews and new Gerim. The narrative unfolds as a clash between sorcery and Torah existence, but perhaps, it is suggested, it needs a deeper examination.

The story is shrouded in the tactics of two agents, Balaam and Balak, who conspire to curse Israel's existence. But each of their intended curses on Israel bizarrely ends up being a blessing. There isn't much attention paid to understanding the true nature of these antagonists, but delving into it may lead to surprising insights. The key to these insights is said to lie in an obscure passage in the Talmud's Chagigah referred to as "the nut and the rabbi."

According to mystic "The Arizal", the two narratives (Balak and Pinchas) can be connected through the numerical value of "453". This numerical value is also associated with "King Messiah" and a verse from the Song of Songs 6:11 which speaks of going down to a garden of nuts. This association is made clear in the commentary by the Vilna Gaon.

In his commentary, the Vilna Gaon further explores the symbolism of the nut and its deep significance. The nut, containing something holy and pure inside, is compared to the nations while the rabbi symbolizes a Jew who has the tradition of Torah. As with the nut, the inner holiness of the rabbi remains a mystery until it is revealed. The analogy concludes that both the rabbi and the nut can get dirty, but their inner purity remains unspoiled, and when cleansed, their holiness can shine through.

In this context, the "nut" and "rabbi" represent the potential and process of spiritual evolution. The nut symbolizes the initial, undeveloped state of spirituality, which is hard and protected by its shell. In contrast, the rabbi represents the process of spiritual growth and the potential for enlightenment. The nut, like the rabbi, has the potential to sprout into a tree of life, realizing its full potential.

The "three headed letter shin" represents three types of Jews or rabbis - the wise man, investigator, and the one who seeks to fulfill commandments. As such, God "goes down" to the garden of nuts, which represents the world full of potential Gerim, who with the help of the rabbi, can climb the ladder to reach their full spiritual potential. They start with following the commandments, then studying the Torah, and eventually, they realize their true spiritual identity. 

This leads to the final idea: that the rabbi and the Ger, once they discover their true identities, can then start to connect with their Creator, as "brothers sitting as one". This perspective of unity and shared spiritual journey is the real essence of the Parasha Balak narrative. And it is through the interpretation of this narrative that the Messiah's light will shine the brightest, for it is a process of purification, like the waters of the Red Heifer,  purification ritual in the Torah.

Through exploring the deeper meanings of these narratives, we realize that our spiritual journey isn't a contest but a challenge amongst brothers to realize their dreams. In this context, Pinchas serves as a symbolic path to spiritual transcendence (Kruv) for all mankind. He became Elijah the Prophet, who doubles as the Messiah himself – something only possible through spiritual transcendence. The idea is that there's more to each of us than we can imagine, and Pinchas serves as a reminder that it is possible to realize our true spiritual potential.

Shabbat Shalom

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