A CHANGE IN FORM, NOT IN SUBSTANCE
In 1973, with the whole world on edge in the greatest global conflict of the 20th century, the Global Positioning System was born. It took only twenty years for America’s greatest strategic weapon of the Space War to be a force of public good. Where would we be today without GPS?
One of the promises of the Prophet Zechariah (13:2) relates to the status of evil in the time of Moshiach:
And I will banish the impure spirit from the land.
The Ohr Hachayim (Rabbi Chaim ibn Attar, an 18th century biblical commentator and Kabbalist) notes this verse when interpreting the story of Creation:
It is known that the kelipah, i.e., the force of impurity, actually draws its lifeforce from the realm of holiness, and aside from this, does not have any life of its own. Therefore, when G-d will separate the light—that is, the holiness—and the bad will remain separated, it will not have a source of life to draw from, and it will automatically be null. This is the meaning of what the verse says [Zechariah 13:2], “And I will banish the impure spirit from the land.” It is similar to a chopped-down tree; removed from its source of nurture and its root from which it draws life, it will dry up. Similarly, the forces of impurity will not flourish any longer. Nothing will remain but the light of goodness.
Two Domains
Gefilte fish and sushi, prayer and cheering, Torah and science—G-d created a world split between two forces. The first, the one that is loosely described as “good,” is called kedushah—holiness. This term applies to everything that is wholly for G-d, while the opposing force is all that is not holy.
At the time of the future Redemption, all sorrow, hardship and hostility will vanish, and all will live in peace and harmony. The world will be reborn, a result of the prophet’s promise that the spirit of impurity, Force Number Two, will be forever banished.
According to Jewish mystical teachings, however, “impurity” is not so simply defined as the opposite of good. The second force, diametrically opposed to the first, actually includes everything else—both the bad and the neutral.
This classification can be drawn from the word that defines the opposing force: kelipah, a shell. Just as a shell covers the life-sustaining food contained within, so too, kelipah obstructs the revelation of G-dliness in this world while it is sustained from its Divine core within.
Everything in this world is sustained either by kedushah or kelipah. Kedushah serves as the conduit for G-dliness, and everything it enlivens is a clear manifestation of G-d’s presence. Whether a physical pair of tefillin or the spirit of a kind gesture, kedushah is defined by selflessness and surrender to the Divine.
Kelipah, on the other hand, is anything that is not centered around G-d. Any mundane activity or object that is not pervaded with G-dly consciousness falls into this category. Skiing and ice cream, thumb wars and the Super Bowl—these are all there to challenge each person to rise above their imaginary independence from G-d. It creates a counterpoint, a balance that makes choosing the holy and the good a worthy accomplishment.
But what will be the fate of these mundane things when Moshiach comes? Is the familiar world, daily human experiences of pleasure, wonder and joy, going to be relegated to history in the times of Moshiach?
The Meaning of Mundanity
The world consists of holy ideals and mundane routines, lofty goals and crass materialism—much like the human being itself, composed of body and soul. What is the future of physical life and what G-dly purpose does it serve?
The Shaloh negates the notion that all mundanity will disintegrate in a future time. He teaches a foundational lesson on the nature of kelipah: it is only unholy in its constructed form. Consisting of a G-dly kernel within, it is a mix—a generally neutral substance that can be pulled further away from its source, or, with human effort, actually transformed into holiness.
Metals can be made into murdering machetes, and money can be laundered. Bacteria and viruses are capable of sending someone to the hospital, and ambition can drive an entrepreneur to mislead investors or neglect their loved ones. But iron, gold, and silver will be used in the Holy Temple of the future, billions of dollars are donated to charity annually, gut bacteria keeps us healthy, and technology improves quality of life.
The spirit of impurity that will be eradicated in the times of Moshiach is the corrupt form of corporate and cultural life. The essential character of the world will remain—indeed the purpose of creating the physical world and sustaining society is to elevate it to a Divine consciousness. Thumb wars and ice cream will persist, but they will reflect a higher G-dly life.
The mundane is not evil, and is ripe for transformation into revealed good.
Kelipah is only unholy in its constructed form; with human effort, it can actually be transformed into holiness.
Infuse your ordinary routine with a G-dly flavor.
Your work and home life should be viewed as opportunities to execute a Divine mission. Indeed, your most challenging traits and most severe hangups can be a conduit for growth and greater spiritual sensitivity. Find a way, just once this week, to make what normally brings you down into a boost-up in your life.
SOURCES & FURTHER READING:
- Rambam, Hilchot Teshuva, 9:1
- Rambam, Hilchot Melachim 12:5
- Kesser Shem Tov, Siman
- Torat Menachem, Sicha of Acharei Mot 5744
This paper contains words of Torah and should therefore be treated with respect after use.
Dedicated by Yossi and Yael Michelashvili In memory of his father R. Avraham ben R. Eliyahu 25 Elul, 5780
