Who is Seeing Who: Part Two: Marc Gafni

Perceived upon entry!

To be ‘seen before God.’ The word “before” as we have seen derives from the same root as face and inside. So the Pilgrim comes to experience himself as on the ‘inside of God’s face.” In the ecstasy of the festival he reaches the consciousness which moves him to cry out “If I am here all is here.”

The Zohar explains — If I who am the Shehina is here then all is here. The description is one of virtual unio mystica where the shift in perception takes place in which the individual leaves their isolating identify behind and imagines themselves as part of the divine body.

This results not in a loss of self but in the total re-invigoration of self as an infinitely unique reflections of God’s face. When the Pilgrim feels seen and loved he is then able to open his heart and let it overflow in joy.

That joy, writes Medieval sage Maimonides, must express itself in acts of kindness which he in turn does for others.

marc gafni
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