Listening to Life's Messages - Part 11

00:00 The Hamshach in continuation to the earlier installments where we discussed that one can and needs to derive lessons in life by listening to life's messages and incorporating or internalizing them in one's personal service to the Creator. Now begin a new topic referred to as the arts, elaborating on additional messages in life as they were articulated in the talks of the Rabbeim. The first title will be Art. Many pieces of fine art involve an interplay of light and shadow key elements in the composition of almost every artistic work. At first glance, a shadow appears to be something that conceals light. However, according to the teachings of Torah, everything Hashem created was for his glory. This must apply to the shadow equally as to the light. Indeed, properly executed and skillfully placed, a shadow can also provide an important effect. Though the shadow's quote-unquote illumination is of a different nature than the revelation and effect of the light, its appropriate application can actually enhance and highlight the effects of the light. From this, the Rebbe continues, we can derive an important lesson. Whenever we encounter dark times and in our times when spirituality is less visible, these dark times may seem more numerous than the good. We should use the negative in a positive way so that every spiritual quote-unquote shadow should come to be recognized as a quote-unquote setting which highlights the glory of the Creator. When this goal is achieved, not only will our appreciation of the light be enhanced by contrast with the darkness,

02:16 but in many situations where a person is confronted with quote-unquote dark matters, he will realize his ability to transform darkness itself into light. Quote-unquote, the sorrow into happiness. This is a letter from the Rebbe on the 25th of Sivan, 1977. Printed in Likutei Sichos, Volume 23, page 341. The next title is Artist. The Rebbe writes in a letter, the essential quality of an artist is his ability to detach himself from the superficial appearance of the image he is working with. He must be able to penetrate the true essence of the object and transform his impression into a picture with physical dimensions. This artistic production reveals to the viewer that which he could not recognize on his own, an essence that was obscured by superficial layers. Only an artist has the skill to reveal the inner dimensions of an object, thus enabling the observer to see it with a different perspective and to realize the limitations of his previous awareness. In short, one who is divinely gifted, whether in sculpture, painting, or another artistic endeavor, has the privilege of being able to convert inanimate objects such as paint, brush, and canvas into a vital form. In a deeper sense, this implies the ability to transform the material into the spiritual, especially in cases where the production involves a rendering of living creatures. This transfiguration truly comes into its own if the artistic medium is used to advance ideas that reflect Torah and mitzvahs, thereby raising artistic expression to its highest level. This discussion is closely related

04:32 to one of the key characteristics of a Yid's spiritual aspirations. As explained in the esoteric teachings of the Torah, the entire creation emanates from and is constantly sustained by the word of Hashem. However, because of the process of divine concealment, his word is hidden and only the material substance is visible. Therefore, the challenge as well as the goal is to become aware of the godliness extent in all objects. And in so doing, to minimize the concealment of the true godly reality in this world, we must take care not to allow extraneous matters to obscure the real purpose of our creation. Even when we encounter difficulties and tests in life, we should see them as a vehicle to bring out our potential and help us in our spiritual growth. Keeping this perspective in mind will strengthen and inspire a person to cope with life's inevitable challenges and setbacks. The letter is from the Igris Kadesh series of the Rebbe, volume 4, page 223. Now we go on to the third title, which is Paintings. The story is told how the Rebbe, the Rebbe Rashab, Rab Shalom Teiber, was shown three paintings. The first painting depicted a war and its accompanying horrors. It showed a wide battlefield with many soldiers in combat. The officers were observing the soldiers through a telescope. The scene evoked tremendous fear. There were streams of blood as well as wounded and dismembered people everywhere. The second painting was of a planted field with stalks growing. It had a pleasant ambience. The sun

06:39 shone brightly and a small bird stood on top of a stalk. Many art experts were impressed by the scene because it was captured so brilliantly as to appear real. A simple farmer who viewed the painting commented that it did indeed look real except for the bird on the stalk. Although the bird was small, the weight of its body should still have bent the twig on which it was standing. And in the picture, the twig stood tall as though surrounding it. The stalk did not look any different than all of them around her. The third painting depicted a courtroom scene from an earlier era. Both the prosecutor and defendant were present. The prosecutor demanded the death penalty for the defendant. The defendant's son was shown entering the room to proclaim his father's innocence. One could discern two expressions on the defendant's face. The fear that gripped him and the pleasure that he felt as his son tried to save his life. Rebbe Rashab drew valuable insights from each of the scenes. In the war picture, we can see a depiction of the internal spiritual battle which each person has with his evil drives. The scene of the field teaches a profound lesson. One's divine service can look beautiful and give the impression of being alive. However, if it is lacking the ability to quote-unquote bend in submission to Hashem's will, it ceases to be real. True goodness can be achieved only by setting aside the limitations of personal ego. Finally, the courtroom painting shows that when

08:43 a person is being judged, if he even once performed a good deed for another Yid, this gesture of kindness acts as a defender, a character witness. The pleasure he feels as a result of this defense is great indeed.