Rabbi Benjamin Sharff
I am always searching for new metaphors to add to my arsenal in preparation for the Yamim Noraim. During the time of Covid, this endeavor has required more creativity as there are fewer physical places to explore. Hence, to my surprise and delight, I found inspiration from my refrigerator of all places.
Now bear with me, it is not so much what is inside the refrigerator, but an external indicator light. That light goes from green to yellow to red informing me that the water filter needs to be changed. The purpose of this filter is to separate out all of the undesirable particulates that can be found in the water supply.
In this way, the water filter can serve as a metaphor for our souls. We start off during the New Year through the rigorous process of prayer and introspection to purify ourselves thus creating a ‘green’ soul, if you will. Over time, as we live our daily lives, schmutz begins to cloud our souls moving it from ‘green’ to ‘yellow’ and ultimately, to ‘red.’ Once again reminding us of the need to begin the process of purification all over again.
Yes, I know the metaphor is a little silly in part because we can’t just take out an old soul and replace it with a new one. The work is much harder than that, and it should be a daily activity not just an annual one.
But as we spend less time out in the world, and more time at home with our loved ones and away from our places and people of inspiration; one can’t help but ask, where and how can we find the metaphors that will help prepare ourselves during this challenging time?
No comments:
Post a Comment