Growing

By Rabbi Joshua (gradually known as The Hoffer) Hoffman

The mishkan and the mikdash were the locations on earth where the Almighty’s presence was most intensively felt. It was there that a person could reach the potential of his spiritual capacity. Rav Yosef Chaim Schwab has suggested that the ramp leading up to the outer altar serves as a model for this growth. One who reaches for the heights must do so without steps, but rather with a ramp. It must be done gradually, in a well planned manner so that it does not end in reverse. Each person slowly rises at their own pace, based on their own needs, and eventually reaches the height appropriate for him.

We can add that the Torah says that we should not ascend to the altar on steps, so as not to reveal one’s nakedness upon it. The midrash derives from this verse the principle of kavod haberiyos, respect for others. If we care about the dignity of stones, we must certainly care for the dignity of a fellow human being. What this means in light of the above interpretation, is that when we are in a process of spiritual growth, we should not employ an approach that makes others feel uncomfortable.

An interesting example of this can be found in parsha Va’eira. When Pharaoh tells Moshe and Aharon that they should worship God in Egypt instead of the wilderness, they answer that to do so would be an abomination in the eyes of the Egyptians, who worship the cattle that they would be slaughtering. Rav Yaakov Moshe Charlop explained, that despite the intensity of the Jew’s belief, they felt that they did not want to blatantly affront the Egyptian’s religious sensibilities. In the end, we know that the Jews found grace in the eyes of the Egyptians. Perhaps this sensitivity contributed to that grace.