Paradise On Earth
Somebody once wrote "He who aspires to paradise should learn to deal with people with kindness".
Avraham Avinu was basking in the glory of G-d. Hashem had appeared to him and he was experiencing [according to the Mekubalim] the bliss of the world to come. What is the world to come if not the infinite pleasure of being in G-d's presence and basking
in his glory.
But then he notices that some guests are coming his way. "WAIT G-D" says Avraham, "I will be back soon but first I must attend to my guests". From here we learn that is greater to attend to guests than to receive the Face Of G-d [Gedola hachnosos orchim yoser mayhakbalas pnei hashechina].
Receiving the Face of G-d is SIMILAR to Paradise. Receiving guests and doing chesed IS Paradise.
This requires much elaboration - but I will leave it to the intelligent reader to think about it.
Good Shabbos Sweetest Friends!!
Avraham Avinu was basking in the glory of G-d. Hashem had appeared to him and he was experiencing [according to the Mekubalim] the bliss of the world to come. What is the world to come if not the infinite pleasure of being in G-d's presence and basking
in his glory.
But then he notices that some guests are coming his way. "WAIT G-D" says Avraham, "I will be back soon but first I must attend to my guests". From here we learn that is greater to attend to guests than to receive the Face Of G-d [Gedola hachnosos orchim yoser mayhakbalas pnei hashechina].
Receiving the Face of G-d is SIMILAR to Paradise. Receiving guests and doing chesed IS Paradise.
This requires much elaboration - but I will leave it to the intelligent reader to think about it.
Good Shabbos Sweetest Friends!!
I believe that there is a difference between prophetic confrontation with G-d and receiving the Face of G-d through prayer. When involved in the latter one is not permitted to attend to guests.
"Receiving the Face of G-d is SIMILAR to Paradise." This world is a gateway to Paradise. Man is put in this world to do Mitzvot which happen to be the vehicle for receiving the best of Olam Habah. Paradise itself is experienced only in Paradise.
Therefore, receiving guests, doing a mitzvah, is greater than receiving the Face of G-d. For receiving the Face of G-d in this world is only a taste of what a mizvah in this world will produce in the World to Come. (Therefore if one is davening to G-d, which itself is a mitzvah, one may not pause to receive guests.)
Shabbat Shalom
Posted by
Yaacov P |
11:10 AM
"He who aspires to paradise should learn to deal with people with kindness".
The person who is responsible for this quote is Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him. He was the Prophet's closest friend and ally.
I agree that there is a difference between prophetic confrontation with God and receiving the Face of God through prayer.
Posted by
Yusuf |
6:24 PM
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