fall...get up..celebrate

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Rosh Chodesh Nisan was the day that the Mishkan (tabernacle) was erected in the dessert, and it was cause for great celebration at the time.
If one steps back and views the broader picture it would seem odd that this was be cause for joy.
Just weeks earlier the Jewish people accepted the Torah on Mt Sinai and reached a level of perfection that the world had not seen since before Adam sinned. The entire world was the Holy of Holies and death was conquered.
Then came the Golden Calf and the ensuing colossal spiritual collapse.
Suddenly all that was gone.
It would seem that the Mishkan should be a reason for sadness and regret. For reflecting on what was just lost.
What kind of consolation is that?

I think a beautiful idea lies here.

If someone suffers a spiritual fall, it's very easy for that person to get discouraged and to dwell on what was or what could have been. In reality this is self defeating behavior, because the ultimate goal is to find God and one can find Him no matter on what level he may find himself.
We understand that if someone thinks and schemes about committing a theft but never goes ahead with his plan then there are no consequences to contend with.
But if someone actually commits a theft, no matter how much true repentance and remorse is present, there will still be consequences because of his actions.
It is up to the person to embrace these consequences and gain a sense of freedom and redemption through them.
Accepting a new reality, instead of regretting the loss of what was.

When the Jews sinned with the Eigel they were suddenly faced with a new reality.
Instead of the Shechina filling the world, she was to be confined into a finite dwelling.
But ultimately Hashem showed us that even in this new reality I'm giving you opportunities for you to find me and cling to me. This was a cause of great celebration.
The message to us was and is...
Forget what was..dont miss a beat..the mission has not changed an iota.



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