Diamonds In The Rough
A quick Yom Kippur thought
When it comes to the days of awe, they do exactly what it says on the tin. Of course, they are nerve-wracking; why wouldn't they be when we are being judged and put under a microscope, as it were? Yet, underlying all the doom and gloom, there is a more positive implication to be uncovered as well. And this message is not just a silver lining in an otherwise bleak picture. Actually, it's an idea encapsulating everything these days leading up to Yom Kippur have been about.
In several places, the Maharal emphasizes that the very fact we are capable of repentance testifies to the goodness at our core. Something inherently soiled can never be cleaned; only substances that are essentially pristine can be restored. No matter how enthusiastically you polish coal, it will remain filthy black. An infinite amount of L'Oréal conditioner will fail to render a mop head silky smooth. Conversely, a diamond, however mired in filth, will always remain an unblemished gem. It might demand enormous effort and meticulous attention, but nothing can erase the stone's inherent value or brilliance. When you finally flush away the mud, the diamond will sparkle again. It has to, because its essence was always pure.
The Jerusalem Talmud teaches that God included His name in Israel to ensure their preservation. Our Sages over there provide the following metaphor. A king holds a singular key to a glittering palatial palace. He constantly worries about losing his only access to this treasure, so he secures it to himself with a sturdy chain. Similarly, God feared Israel could be swallowed by the powerful forces around them. In order to ensure their endurance, He placed His name upon them.
Reb Chaim Volozhin applies this teaching not only to the collective Jewish nation but also to each individual’s soul—specifically their Nefesh, Ruach, and Neshama. Jewish thought understands the soul in layers, embodying different dimensions of our attachment to God. The Nefesh is the life force animating our physical existence. It is the Ruach that drives our emotions. The Neshama is the spark of the Divine within, the seat of intellect and spiritual consciousness reaching for transcendence.
He explains that we are all compared to keys as we open or block spiritual channels in both the higher and lower worlds through our deeds. God, as the 'master of keys', realised that if a person disconnects himself by slipping into the lower aspects of their nefesh and impurity, they might never return. To prevent this He built a 'chain' within each person, a cascading thread joining the Nefesh, Ruach, and Neshama. Each level is linked: the upper aspect of one soul level is bound to the bottom of the next level up. This chain structure guarantees that the Nefesh, even after devolving into sin, can still be lifted and restored by returning to the Ruach. The same principle applies to the Ruach, which can be revived through its affinity with the Neshama if it falters.
What all of this shows is that when a person digs deep enough into his core self, he finds himself pure.
Underlying the Days of Awe stands a message of hope. Despite life's inevitable trials and errors, God fashioned each soul with an inexhaustible inner spark of holiness. Approach Yom Kippur with trepidation, yes. But let's also remember God trusts we have what it takes to truly succeed.
Keep Pondering, and Have A Meaningful Yom Kippur!
If you liked reading this, feel free to click the ❤️ button on this post so more people can discover it on Substack 🙏
This was a very good post! Thought provoking and needed during the days leading up to Yom Kippur. Gratitude.
This post is "brilliant!" :)