The Blogs: 'Rigshei Kodesh' - To experience Kedusha | Ariel Galian

“Rigshei Kodesh”- to experience Kedusha

Recently, I had the great zechus to study the introduction of ‘Ben Melech’ on Shir Hashirim by the late Rabbi Leib MInzburg, the leader of Kehillat Masmidim. Rabbi MInzberg was a very interesting person. On one hand he was very conservative in accordance with his Yerushalmi upbringing. However, his works are filled with creativity, fresh insights and quite a nice amount of open mindedness. In his introduction to Shir Hashirim ( 69-73) he has a few, very interesting pages of tips on how to feel kedusha. Here is a short summary with some additional insights. Enjoy!

The importance of feeling in Avodas Hashem

On one hand, we are obligated to keep the mitzvot of Hashem even if we don’t feel like it. The eternal importance of the mitzvot transcends any fleeting emotions. However, it is very clear from many places in the Torah that Hashem wants us to connect to Him with “all our heart” as it says in Shema or in the words of the Psalmist צמאה לך נפשי , ” My soul thirsts for You!” Not only is ‘feeling’ an essential part of keeping the mitzvos with ‘shleimos’ ( perfection), it is also vital for the performer. As in any relationship, the feelings are what create the glue that keeps us connected even in difficult circumstances.

Feeling close to Hashem means feeling His holiness-that fills the entire world, but can still be hidden from us at times. Each one of us was born with a very holy neshama ( soul) that is programmed to resonate deeply with Hashem’s essential kedusha ( holiness). However, at times there are blockages that can inhibit this natural connection. Rabbi MInzberg provides us with some tips on how we can reconnect to our inherent holiness and feel more of the kedusha of Hashem in our lives.

1.) Tikkun Hamidos ( working on one’s character): Unhealthy character traits are the main factor that prevents one’s neshama from experiencing the innate kedusha that should be so natural to it. Anger, excessive lightheadedness and being pulled in a dangerous way by one’s base lusts are all factors that can, so to speak, cut off our ‘spiritual antenna” . Any form of excessive, unhealthy involvement in the physical world and its many temptations removes from us our higher level divine consciousness which is naturally programmed to connect to the world in a deep way and experience profound kedusha. By refining our character we not only remove something undesirable but we also acquire the priceless gift of feeling close to Hashem and His holiness.

2.) Music: This one may be a surprise for some. However, there is nothing that can elevate one’s soul to feel closer to Hashem than listening intently to good music. We know that the prophets used music as a tool to help them achieve the prophetic state ( cf Kings,2, 3:15). Why is this? Because, good music has almost the instant ability to catapult one’s soul to a higher dimension. One of the great gifts that Hashem has given our generation ( perhaps in order to balance out some of the challenges) is the unprecedented accessibility to good music that literally is available for most people at any time they want. Our ancestors back in the shtetl only listened to music when they went to a wedding. However, today with just a few clicks we can listen to the most beautiful inspiring music wherever we are. If one listens to music in the right way it can help him feel very close to the Creator. Recently, I read an account about the well known Israeli singer, “Shmuel”. In the account, he mentions someone, who in their words ” had not prayed in 30 years”. However, after listening to Shmuel’s incredibly beautiful work “Ten li Tefilla” -the person started to pray again. Shmuel says that music is the rope of salvation for our generation.

3) Torah Study: By studying our holy Torah and immersing one’s mind in its profound wisdom, slowly but slowly the great holiness of the Torah begins to soften one’s heart and develop one’s soul to achieve much higher level divine consciousness ( ‘mochin degadlus’) and be able to experience more easily Hashem’s kedusha. While listening to good music is a fast, short term tool to feel inspired-learning Torah consistently and deeply is a profound long term tool to develop one’s natural spiritual sensitivities and begin to experience kedusha in a more consistent way. The type of divine closeness that is achieved through Torah study, may not wrap one up the same way listening to a good nigun can. However, it penetrates the soul with a deep internal feeling of connection that may seem subtle to the naked eye, but in truth fills the student with an ocean of divine connection. Even the seemingly small details of the physical world, when they are connected to Torah study, become portals for great divine light.

May we all be zoche!

This divrei Torah is dedicated as a zechus for the neshama of my dear friend and cousin, Rabbi Yehoshua Refael ben Yocheved Polonsky whose 9th yahrtzeit is this Shabbos, the 20th of Cheshvan. With his very positive demeanor and profound insights he helped bring many people closer to each other and Hashem. He is deeply missed. Yehe Zichro Baruch!