{"id":75451,"date":"2020-06-01T10:50:37","date_gmt":"2020-06-01T07:50:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/?p=75451"},"modified":"2020-06-01T10:50:37","modified_gmt":"2020-06-01T07:50:37","slug":"seeing-with-new-eyes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/seeing-with-new-eyes\/","title":{"rendered":"Seeing With New Eyes\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[281],"tags":[],"acf":{"old_id":"75451","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":66417,"related_cahpter":"493","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content":{"description":"Valuing the unique perspectives of newcomers\r\n\r\n","content":"

Many years ago as I began to explore Jewish life, I would often sit quietly as those around me engaged in prayer or study. I was entering a new world full of words, rituals, and laws. I needed people to explain Jewish practices to me before I could really see and understand what was happening around me. I did not know how I was supposed to behave \u2013 I needed to be shown.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Over time, I began to find my voice in the Jewish world. Stumbling over my words, I started to engage more in communal life. Slowly and awkwardly, I began to share my perspective on Judaism with others.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ezekiel 41 begins with the angelic figure from Chapter 40 continuing to measure the dimensions of the future temple and show them to Ezekiel. Ezekiel is not the subject of this action, but an object. He does not see anything \u2013 instead, it is shown to him.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, in verse 8, something shifts. The verse states, \u201cI observed that the Temple was surrounded by a raised pavement\u2014the foundations of the side chambers; its elevation was a rod\u2019s length, or 6 cubits.\u201d Rather than Ezekiel being shown structures and dimensions, he sees them for himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why does it take so long for Ezekiel to begin to see and not simply be shown? Perhaps he is overwhelmed both by his angelic guide as well as his surroundings. I know that if an angel were giving me a tour of the Holy of Holies, I would keep my mouth shut and passively let them show me whatever they wanted to as well! Only over time can Ezekiel begin to relax and observe for himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rashi and other commentators note that the complete dimensions of the raised pavement are not explicitly stated here. Ezekiel\u2019s observation is not as precise as the explanations of the angelic figure guiding him. However, Ezekiel will go on to write down this entire account \u2013 both what was shown to him by the angelic figure and what he saw for himself. Ezekiel\u2019s perception may have been imprecise, but it was still deemed essential enough to be included in the biblical account handed down to us.<\/span><\/p>\n

The same principle here may be true for those who are new to Judaism. People need to be shown Jewish practices before they can see them and understand them. However, we must also appreciate that these newcomers may go on to make essential contributions to the Jewish world with the unique perspectives that they bring. Their observations, even if imprecise, may prove necessary for building a Jewish community where God can dwell among us.<\/span><\/p>\n","image":{"ID":75452,"id":75452,"title":"ez41-eye","filename":"ez41-eye.jpg","filesize":0,"url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/ez41-eye.jpg","link":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/seeing-with-new-eyes\/ez41-eye\/","alt":"","author":"7","description":"","caption":"","name":"ez41-eye","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":75451,"date":"2020-06-01 07:50:14","modified":"2022-05-18 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