בס”ד
By Rabbi Moshe Goodman, Kollel Ohr Shlomo, Hebron
The Sanctuary of Balance and Divine Harmony
In these days of mourning over the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash, we return to our study of R’ Nachshon’s paintings, which serve as a powerful lens through which to contemplate the mysteries of the Holy Temple and our service to the Almighty.
The Central Balance of the Shin
At the heart of this artwork sits the letter Shin, representing the Divine Presence as manifest in our Tefillin and Mezuzot. Above the Shin, seven angels and seven green dots appear, reflecting the seven kings of the Kabbalah and the process of raising the sparks that fell during the breaking of the vessels. The color green, associated with the Sefirah of Tiferet (Beauty/Harmony), acts as the point of balance, harmonizing the opposing energies of right and left. This is the essence of the verse, “the sanctuary, O Hashem, which Your hands have established.” The sanctuary is the place where all disparate forces—the twelve tribes, represented by the six trees on either side—are brought into perfect unity.
Rectification through Service
The seven fiery leaf-birds remind us that our service in the Mikdash is a process of rectification. We are tasked with uplifting the “fiery” sparks of holiness scattered throughout our world. This work is cyclical; the fish in the painting recall the month of Adar, when we read of the Mishkan and the joy of the half-shekel, reminding us that true joy is sourced in the Mikdash, as it is written, “then shall our mouth be filled with laughter.” In contrast, the month of Av, when the Temple was destroyed, marks a decrease in joy—a measure-for-measure response to our loss.
The Root of Unity in Hebron
The secret of the Mikdash, however, is not bound to a single time or place; it pulsates wherever we serve Hashem with unity. This finds profound expression here in Hebron at the Maarat HaMachpela. As the gate of Heaven, it serves as the root of our unity and eternity, much like the Mikdash itself. Just as the Mikdash united the twelve tribes, Maarat HaMachpela unites the powers of our souls, standing as an anchor of longing for the rebuilding of the Third Temple.
May it be the will of the Almighty that through our mourning and our contemplation of these secrets, we merit to harmonize the energies within our own lives, rectify the sparks of our reality, and witness the consolation of Zion and the rebuilding of the Third Temple, speedily and in our days. Amen.