UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE OF MIRACLES
Who would welcome extending the workweek by three days? Well, it’s been attempted before. During the French Revolution, the calendar was temporarily altered by instituting “décades,” 10-day weeks, in order to break away from the religious tradition of a Divine day of rest. However, the system was unpopular and impractical, and after just twelve years, the seven-day week was reinstated. The natural rhythm of the human clock proved too hard to alter.
Jewish Music
Music plays a vital role in Judaism, serving as a powerful tool for spiritual expression and connecting with the Divine. From the Psalms of David to the melodies that accompany prayer, music is woven into the fabric of Jewish worship. This form of service was especially highlighted in the Holy Temple. During the offering of sacrifices and other rituals, a choir of Levites—the tribe chosen for religious duties—would sing praises to G-d accompanied by a variety of instruments. Along with flutes, cymbals, and trumpets, the lyre, similar to the modern harp, was a prominent feature.
The harp in the Temple had seven strings, in line with the seven natural musical notes. These seven notes form the foundation of all music from simple melodies to the most complex compositions.
Rabbi Yehuda taught that in the days of Moshiach, a new note will be introduced, entirely unique and supernatural. This eighth note will be the most beautiful of all, perfectly harmonizing with the existing seven notes. Much like the human eye cannot see beyond the visible light spectrum, the new eighth note's sound is unimaginable. But the harp that will be played in the third Temple will have eight strings, designed to accommodate this extraordinary addition to the musical scale.
The Connection Between Moshiach and the Eighth Note
Rabbi Yehuda Lowe, known as the Maharal (Talmudist, philosopher and Jewish leader who lived from c. 1512 - 1609), discusses the significance of the number eight to Moshiach in his text Netzach Yisroel, which discusses exile and redemption:
One should contemplate: no number is fitting for Moshiach other than the number that is after seven. This is because Moshiach’s level is above this world, and this world is founded on the number seven.
For this reason, the harp in the Temple was made of seven strings, because the harp was conveying the joy of this world, specifically the joy resulting from perfection. Having many distinct elements come together makes one complete and perfect. Since this world was founded on the number seven, the harp, which conveys the joy resulting from perfection, was made from seven strings.
However, the world in the days of Moshiach will be a level higher than this world during exile. For in the days of Moshiach, all the many elements in this world will be united through Moshiach. Therefore the harp at that time will be eight stringed. Because eight corresponds to the unity accomplished by the coming together of those seven distinct elements of this world.
Natural Transcendence
The world was created through words and numbers, Kabbalah teaches, so they contain profound holiness and significance. An entire discipline called Gematria studies the numerical values of letters, words, and their meanings.
“One,” or the first Hebrew letter Alef, represents G-d, who is one, only, and matchless. But this number represents a state of G-d that can leave no room for anything “other,” including the universe. In his commentary on the harp of Redemption, the Maharal offers a different number, and another angle, on G-d’s transcendence that acknowledges the existence of the world.
The number seven is connected to the process with which G-d created the natural world in different ways. Seven corresponds to the Divine middot (attributes) that are reflected in the seven days of Creation. This basis is also found in sensory perception—like the examples of seven musical notes and the range of wavelengths for visible light rays. Time itself is divided into sevens: the seven-day week, the seven years in the Shemitah cycle (ending with the agricultural Sabbatical of the Holy Land), and Yovel (the Jubilee year of freedom that follows seven Shemitah cycles). Major Jewish holidays, such as Pesach and Sukkot, were established in the Torah as seven-day festivals.
While G-d established the world and the laws that govern it, He is not bound by it. At times, He suspends the natural order, allowing for such exceptional occurrences as prophetic visions and splitting seas.
Certain Jewish rituals that are connected with Divine transcendence are therefore associated with the number eight. For example, the brit milah is performed on a baby boy’s eighth day of life, signifying the bond between the Jew and G-d that runs deeper than human nature. The holiday of Chanukah, which commemorates the supernatural victory of the Maccabees over their Greek oppressors, is celebrated over eight days with an eight-branched menorah.
So it is possible to conceive of a world that does not vanish when this transcendence is revealed. Instead every element of the world is uplifted and united with the infinite. Moshiach will be a time when the miraculous will be mundane, a harmonious elevation of the natural world to its Divine origin. The harp in the Temple of the future will symbolize this transcendence with its eight strings.
Practical Application
Find someone in your life — whether a family member, friend or colleague — who doesn’t have a menorah and give them one. It doesn't need to be costly; even a simple, disposable menorah will do. Offer them the chance to experience the transcendent light of Chanukah.
Sources & Further Reading
- Sefer Hachinuch, Mitzvah 330
- Teshuvot HaRashba Pt. 1, Siman 9
- Kli Yakar, Beginning of Parshat Shmini
- Lekutei Torah, Tazria 21:4
Moshiach is connected to the number eight, that which transcends and uplifts the natural order of sevens.
Moshiach will be the time when the miraculous will be mundane, a harmonious elevation of the natural world to its Divine origin.
Dedicated by Yossi and Yael Michelashvili In memory of his father R. Avraham ben R. Eliyahu 25 Elul, 5780
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