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| Chukat: Speak to the Rock |
What is the significance of God's instruction to Moses to speak
to the rock? Do rocks have ears?
The short answer is — yes! Nature and all of its laws are
listening. They listen for the call of redemption. They yearn for
the messianic light that preceded the creation of the universe.
When this unifying light is revealed to all the divided factions
of the world, whether visible and hidden, the universe is connected and
bound to its foundation.
As Moses approached to speak to the rock, all of creation was listening.
Tragically, Moses hit the rock. The waters, meant to
revive and nourish the people, became "Mei Merivah", the Waters of
Dispute, bringing agitation and dissonance into the world. In his
anger, Moses established the current framework of violence and
force, debasing the universe. The world was no longer suitable to
the greatness of listening to the infinite. The paradigm shifted
from speaking to striking; from receptive listening, to coercive
force.
A World That Hears
This tragic discord will be healed through the Godly spirit that
beats within the wisdom of Israel. Every Jewish soul shares a part
in revealing this wisdom. It will arise powerfully, enabling the
word of the living God to penetrate and encourage. The return to
patient communication will awaken the underlying listening of the
universe in all its splendor.
We yearn for a world with open ears, ears capable of hearing the
inner call. We aspire for a world where our inner truth, the light
of the Life of the worlds, is expressed, not by force and coercion,
but by the word and the book. "With the staff of God — that is the
pen" (Tikunei Zohar). Moses' staff, used to strike the rock, will
be transformed into a tool of communication and dialogue. The
wisdom of literature will flower and bloom, redeemed from its
waywardness.
(adapted from Shemonah Kevatzim, book VII, section 28)
Copyright © 2006 by Chanan Morrison
"You have opened for me ears; You have not asked for burnt and sin
offerings. Then I said, 'Here I have come in the scroll of a book
written about me.'" (Psalms 40:7-8)