Rav Kook explained that this Talmudic discussion revolves around a
fundamental question regarding our principle aim in life. In what
way do we fulfill our potential? How do we achieve perfection?
According to Maimonides, human perfection is attained though the
faculties of reason and intellect. Our goal is to gain
enlightenment and knowledge of the Divine, through the study of Torah
and metaphysics. This is also the viewpoint of Rabbi Yehoshua. By
hiding his face at the burning bush, Moshè lost a golden
opportunity to further his understanding of the spiritual realm. If our
fundamental purpose in life is to seek enlightenment, Moses'
demonstration of humility was out of place.
The author of Chovot HaLevavot ('Duties of the Heart'), however, wrote that our true
objective is the perfection of character traits and ethical
behavior. This concurs with the opinion of Rabbi Yochanan. What
Moshè gained in sincere humility and genuine awe of Heaven at the
burning bush outweighed any loss of knowledge. Since the overall
goal is ethical perfection, Moshè' action was proper, and he was
justly rewarded with a radiant aura of brilliant light, a
reflection of his inner nobility.
(Gold from the Land of Israel, pp. 101-102. Adapted from Ein Eyah vol. I, p. 32)
No comments:
Post a Comment