The sun represents the ideal, the ultimate source of light and warmth, while the moon represents the vessel, the recipient of that light. Originally, both the sun and the moon were created as equal sources of light, each with their own greatness. However, when the moon questioned its role and status, it was diminished to serve as a vessel for the sun’s light. This parallels the concept of the three stages of creation – the ideal, the fall, and the return to perfection through earned effort. Just as the moon had to undergo a transformation to fulfill its role as a vessel for the sun’s light, we too must undergo a transformation to reach our full potential and fulfill our purpose in this world.
Conclusion
The recurring pattern of describing creation in one way before presenting a contradictory depiction serves to teach us an important lesson. We are shown the ideal, the perfection we strive to achieve, before being placed in a position where we must work towards that perfection ourselves. The journey from the initial stage of inspiration to the final stage of earned accomplishment is the essence of our existence. By understanding and embracing this process, we can fulfill our true potential and become the best versions of ourselves.
The goal of a vessel is to fully and loyally contain and project the essence within it – to serve as the medium of revelation for its inner content. A light bulb does not block the light within but loyally projects it out into the world. This is the ideal as well for the body in its relationship to the soul; the body must carry the soul and serve as its enabler, allowing the spiritual self to manifest correctly into the world. The entire physical world as well should ideally serve as the perfect projection of its spiritual source.
This ideal is modeled in the creation of the sun and moon. While the moon was never equal to the sun in size, it was originally able to fully reflect the light of the sun. The moon destroyed this through the sin of ego, a projection of self that prevented it from fully and properly reflecting the light of the sun. When you assert yourself and your ego, you are unable to reflect anything higher than yourself. As a result, the moon “shrank” and was no longer able to fully reflect the light of the sun.
This same theme applies to the human body as well. Originally, the body was a clear reflection of the soul. The Midrash explains that when you looked at Adam, you did not see his body, you saw his essence, his soul. When you look at a light bulb, all you see is radiant luminescence; only if you look really closely can you make out the vessel which contains the light. This is what Adam’s body was originally like. Once Adam sinned, however, the body fell to its present form – a vessel that hides the soul, not one which loyally projects it.
Every time we say Birkas HaChodesh, we daven for Mashiach, where the moon will once again fully reflect the sun, where the physical world will fully reflect the spiritual, where the body will fully reflect the soul. As the Ramchal explains, in the times of techiyas hameisim (resurrection of the dead), the body will return to its perfect state, where it can fully reflect all the light and spiritual greatness of the neshama (Derech Hashem 1:3:13).
Trees Tasting Like the Fruits
A fruit represents the end goal, the destination, the result of a process. A tree represents the process, the stage of growth and becoming. The ideal is for the process, the tree, to be as enjoyable and euphoric as the destination itself, the fruit. However, the world was created in such a way that we do not naturally enjoy the process. Most people do not want to undergo the process of becoming great; they simply want to be great. This impatience causes many to give up on their journey toward greatness.
This theme touches upon something very deep. Olam Haba is a place of being, a place of endpoint, where you enjoy everything you’ve built and become in this world. The consciousness and person you create in this world is what you will enjoy in the World to Come. This world (Olam Hazeh), however, is the place of becoming, the place of process, where you create yourself. The goal is to learn how to enjoy the process itself. When you realize that you are creating your eternity, you are able to enjoy the building process as well. This is what it means for the tree to taste like the fruits. The process is just as important as the destination, because you only get to the destination by building your way there. [From this perspective, one can actually enjoy the process just as much as (if not more than) arriving at the goal itself.] Every part of the process is fundamental; every moment spent correctly becomes eternal. When you know this, you get to live in Olam Haba while still in this world!
Genuine happiness comes from enjoying the process of becoming. You’ll never be perfect, but you can always become more perfect. Happiness comes from enjoying the process of becoming your best self, fulfilling your unique purpose in life. The ideal is for the process (tree) to be every bit as sweet as the end result (fruits), but in this world, we must work toward that ideal; it is not a given. It takes choice and willpower to enjoy the journey toward greatness.
The Process of Life
This is the process of life. The ideal is revealed, taken away, and then remains as our goal as we journey through life, trying to recreate that ideal. The key is to be inspired by the goal, not discouraged by the struggle. We must understand that our goal is to become G-dly, fully reflect our higher selves, create oneness, and enjoy every single step of the process!
To regenerate means to restore, renew, or revive something that has been damaged or lost. It can refer to the process of growth and renewal in living organisms, or the restoration of something to its original condition. In a broader sense, it can also mean to bring about positive change or improvement in a situation or system.
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