In this week’s Parsha,
the amazing secret of how to find true love AND how to perpetuate it is revealed!
Rabbi Jay Marcus points out the interesting juxtaposition of the elaborate Priestly
garments, between the commandments to light an ever-lasting light, “ner tamid”,
the twice daily sacrifice “olat tamid, and the daily incense offered, “ketoret tamid.”
The service of the Kohen is a living example to the Jewish People, which we are
meant to emulate. The Avoda was enthusiastically done with unqualified dedication
and commitment to properly worshipping Hashem.
When contemplating Marriage, some tend to approach it with a “shopping list of needs”,
says Rav Yitzchak Kirzner z”l. Within some of us, there is a pervading sense of
emptiness that we think can be filled through marriage. Perhaps, this is what has
caused the artificial and detailed list of requirements for a prospective spouse:
it is a way of trying to fill the void.
However, Marriage is the arena to reach my goals with another who shares those goals.
In dating, we must be clear about the difference between needs and goals. Unless
I feel full and whole from within, from that healthy place, possessing the “need
to give,” I can never be truly satisfied. It is not possible for any human being
to fulfill all of another’s dreams and wishes at all times!
We learn from the Kohen’s Garments, that not only do the clothes make the man on
a physical level, but also the symbolism of each item is permeated with importance
of working on our midot. The Gemara in Arachin 16a lists the midot of idolatry,
bloodshed, immorality, financial wrongdoing, haughtiness, gossip, brazenness and
immoral thoughts. The Torah is teaching us that the inside must reflect the grandeur
of the outside. Purity of soul and core are what we must strive for.
Dating has begun to sound more like a job interview than a search for a life partner:
what does he/she look like? What does he/she do? What schools did he/she attend?
Etc. We focus a lot on externals, instead of on the core values of the person. The
notion that we “fall” in love is unJewish and relates to fleeting emotions that
we have no control over.
Love is a choice and we ought to choose to love the other’s goodness, the character
traits that we admire and would like our children to emulate. These lie at the depths
of a person’s being and continuously become revealed throughout Marriage causing
love to grow. The Jewish view of a satisfying Marriage is how much are you prepared
to give (ahava) without compensation and the notion that we “grow” in love through
the cooperative building of our own private Mishkan.
(It is sometimes difficult to view Marriage this way is a world of “gimme.” And
“what’s in it for me?”)
The common denominator of the three “tamids” mentioned above, the light, the sacrifice
and the incense, come to teach us that to bring Hashem’s infinite light into our
lives, we need pure olive oil “squeezed” for the light. The “work” that comes after
Marriage is what lasts and brings us closer to building a “bayit ne’eman. The “olat
tamid” is all about the sacrifice! To the extent that I am willing to sacrifice
for my spouse without a sense of entitlement of being repaid, is the everlasting
satisfaction that I will feel at consistently moving closer to my goal of being
a true “eved Hashem.”
Interestingly enough, the modern day Hebrew word for locomotive is Katar, (from
the word Ketoret) which is the part of a vehicle that produces power to make the
vehicle move. So too, the dedication to work on our own midot, and the ability to
work continually toward the Infinite Light, with the ability, commitment and resolve
to give and sacrifice “tamid,” (always)we will enjoy and be blessed with a loving
and lasting relationship!
Biography:
Sherrie B. Miller is a Jewish matchmaker on SawYouAtSinai
and a dating coach in Jerusalem. She received her counseling degree from the Michlala
in Jerusalem and an M.A. in Jewish Education from Touro College. Sherrie is certified
by Midreshet Emunah and is accredited by the Rabbanut of Israel, to be a pre-marital
couple’s counselor and Kallah teacher.
This Jewish Dating Column is brought to you by SawYouAtSinai, the Jewish Matchmaking
service. Articles are often written by Jewish matchmakers, to help Jewish singles
connect.
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PARSHAT NOACH: HARMONY IN DIVERSITY
PARSHAT KI TAVO: SELF-NULLIFICATION
PARSHAT RE’EH: CHOICES!
TU B’AV: THE JEWISH VALENTINE’S
DAY!
TISHA B’AV: MOURNING THE DESTRUCTION
OF OUR TEMPLE
PARSHAT BALAK: UNITE OR UNTIE:
IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE “I” (EYE)!
PARSHAT CHUKAT: CONTROL ANGER
BEFORE IT CONTROLS YOU!
PARSHAT KORACH: “IF YOU SPOT
IT, YOU GOT IT!”
PARSHAT SHLACH: THE ATTITUDE
OF GRATITUDE
PARSHAT B’HAALOTCHA: LEARN TO
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SHAVUOT: ” NA’ASSE V’NISHMA”
COMMITMENT COMES FIRST!
Parshat Behar: Dating Etiquette
PARSHAT EMOR: A LEAP OF FAITH
THE POWER OF SPEECH: PARSHAT
TAZRIA-METZORA
PASSOVER: “A STORY OF LOVE”
PURIM: FINDING TRUE HAPPINESS!
JEWISH DATING: THE ART OF LISTENING
FOR JEWISH SINGLES
JEWISH DATING: INNER BEAUTY
IS THE REAL BEAUTY
Finding Your Beshert
The Rise, Fall and Subsequent
Rise of the Jewish Matchmaker, otherwise known as The Shadchan
“OnlySimchas” for Jewish Singles
Dating
Jewish Singles: Challenges for
Jewish Singles Dating today
Jewish Dating 101: You reached
the age for “Jewish Dating” for marriage, now what
Love and Beauty
Make your profile count
In The Ballpark
Are You in Love with Love?
How to Find Your Soul Mate:
Secrets from the Kabbalah
The Silent Revolution of the
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To "Settle" or Hold Out for
Happily Ever After
‘My Matchmaker Ignored Me!’
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Cliffs Notes for the Jewish
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The Ten Commandments of Dating
