From something to nothing
By zevi770 · June 12, 2014
There is a well know Chassidic teaching from the Alter Rebbe, the first Chabad Rebbe, one of the greatest Jewish spiritual minds, “God turned nothing into something, so we can turn something into nothing” (well I sort of paraphrased it).
Besides the very dust of the earth – which is for another discussion – I believe this applies to us.
Yes, you!
God turned truly nothing – imagine the world before Adam existed – well he didn’t exist! – and he made him into a something, but the goal is, for us to return to being nothing!
What does this mean?
Adam had a fault – sorry grandpa, it’s sort of like a known secret by now – he had an ego.
Adam saw himself as being great – well you couldn’t blame him, his wisdom was greater than the angels, his light more bright than the sun, and by being a something, he couldn’t be a nothing.
Now, that’s a real pity!
For why would God create something, to turn it into nothing?!
There must be a payoff.
Some kind of benefit.
The answer, simply – unity.
Unity ensues when many somethings that turned into nothing, get together.
When we all are full of ourselves, we cannot unite.
But when we are humble, there is nothing more natural than unity.
Watch children gather.
Within seconds they begin to play.
Watch adults gather, depending on the society, best-case scenario it takes a while to establish rapport and even then…