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Share(ליקוטים יקרים ד"ט ע"ב, אור תורה רמזי תהלים דמ"ח ע"ד).
It is known that the Forefathers corresponded to the sefirot of Chesed, Gevurah and Tiferet. Abraham embodied the quality of Chesed – loving-kindness. He loved and showed generosity to the entire creation, and tried to instill in them faith in God, and a desire to serve God; because the trait of Chesed corresponds to love. Through Abraham’s great dedication to this trait, he came to recognize and comprehend the Creator, and realize that God runs the entire world.
Isaac learned and received this approach from Abraham; however, he still wanted to come to his own understanding of God. This is as the verse says: “Know the God of your fathers,” (I Chronicles 28:9). One should not merely accept this by tradition alone, as a human commandment from studying it. Therefore, Isaac devoted himself to the trait of awe (evoking Gevurah - strength). And out of his great care, he came to know and comprehend God for himself, besides what he received from his father.
Now, Jacob realized that there must be a middle way in the operation of the world, that mediated between Chesed and Gevurah, because the world could not survive if it can only function according to one of these two extremes. Therefore, he devoted himself to the trait of Tiferet - splendor. Through this, he arrived at a deeper perception of God than his fathers, and is called the “Chosen of the Forefathers.” He saw that the world could not exist in unmitigated judgment, and so tempered it with the trait of Compassion.
Likutey Yakarim, p. 9b
Read below longer list of Biblical guests (ushpizin) some "invite" into their sukkah. The list attributes characteristics to each figure. The source after it adds females figures and slightly different characteristics to each. Which characteristic appeals most to you in your leadership? Which characteristic do you think you embody most?
Another important aspect of the tradition is that each Ushpizin guest represents a different characteristic of God (a sefirah):
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First day: Abraham – Chesed (חסד, "loving-kindness")
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Second day: Isaac – Gevurah (גבורה, "strength")
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Third day: Jacob – Tiferet (תפארת, "splendor')
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Fourth day: Moses – Netzach (נצח, "eternity")
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Fifth day: Aaron – Hod (הוד, "glory")
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Sixth day: Joseph – Yesod (יסוד, "foundation")
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Seventh day: David – Malchut (מלכות, "sovereignty")
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Welcome Abraham, welcome Sarah. You parented a faith together in Haran and carried your beliefs wherever you traveled. May we, like you, be models of faithfulness and fortitude in all we do. Welcome Isaac, welcome Rebecca. You carried forward the foundation laid by your forebears, and prospered as you passed on their legacy. May we. like you. honor the wavs of our parents and cause their inheritance to flourish. Welcome Jacob, welcome Leah, primary progenitors of Israel. Through you did Israel grow in size and might. May we, like you, overcome all obstacles to ensure a strong and confident future. Welcome Joseph, welcome Rachel, nurturers of generations past, caretakers of generations to come. May we, like you, merit blessing through compassion, vision, hope, and our dreams. Welcome Moses, welcome Miriam. You brought Israel out of Egypt, and led her in singing "This is my God" at the Sea of Reeds. May we always rejoice in our freedom: may we always sing songs of praise to God, our Redeemer. Welcome Aaron, welcome Deborah. You shaped Israel's destiny, one with words of peace, one with a call to battle. May we have the wisdom always to strive for peace. but never lack the courage to oppose injustice. Welcome David, welcome Ruth. You represent the living legacy of Israel, the future as well as the past. As you embraced God with all your being, may we too live in dignity and honor, a source of pride to God and to our heritage. Welcome Solomon. welcome Esther. You each exercised royal judgment in the interests of Israel's well-being. May we, in tribute to your example, live with wisdom and determination for the preservation and betterment of our people. |
Explore the text below in which Rabbi Grossman finds characteristics in our foremothers as she winds her tefillin strap 3+4=7 times. What characteristics inspire you and/or do you wish to practice embodying in your leadership?
"May you imbue me with wisdom," as you filled Sarah with wisdom, for she was your prophetess with whom you did speak; "and let me serve you with all my actions," as did Rivka, who ensured that your will was followed in determining who would next lead Israel; with "all my intellect," as did Leah, whose eyes, according to midrash, were weak, weak from studying so hard, and you assured that she was blessed according to the values of the society in which she lived; and with "all my emotions," as does Rachel who weeps and pleads before you for mercy on her children, us, the people of Israel.
