Once, the Yetzer Horah swapped clothing with God. "God" became the force of restriction, inhibition, & self-annihilation. "Yetzer Hora" became the force of exuberance, expression, & self-development.  Our generation is in the process of returning the appropriate clothing to the Yetzer Hora and reclaiming God’s clothing for Himself.  And for us…

 

Rav Kook writes (Orot HaTeshuva 5:21), “The attempt to destroy the natural flow of life itself in an attempt to become a person who does not sin… is the biggest sin of all!” He says (5:3), “Woven into the nature of reality, the world is being brought to a full and whole Teshuva. The world does not remain static, in one state. Rather it is constantly advancing and developing. And in its authentic and full development, it will certainly be fully healthy and wholesome, both materially and spiritually. And it brings along with it the living light of Teshuva.” He says (Shmona Kevatzim 2:226), “Everything in the end, is in a state of ascending, sweetening, and holifying…”

Something magnificent is happening in our generation. People are becoming themselves.  What was once possible for a select-few of the bourgeoise is now more and more mainstream. I am not referring to material wealth, technological and medical advancements, or the ease of world travel.  But simply what it means to be human. Self-development. We are discovering our Souls. Embracing our identities and taking bold steps to define and transform our lives in ways that allow for us to become magically remarkable human beings.  We are becoming a new breed of human… We are channeling God’s “Ohr” in ways history has never seen.  We are becoming more of who we are than ever before.

 

The holy Ba’al Shem Tov suggests that when God said “נעשׂה אדם or Let us make man”, He was speaking directly to man, saying “Let us, together, create the person you are, the person you are meant to be. I will give you the potential and you will actualize it. Join Me, in the creation of you.” God calls to each of us. I think I can hear Him calling to me. Calling to each of us, without exception. Here is what I hear Him gently whispering: 

 

I purposely created the world with empty spaces.  Instability, brokenness, chaos, and the sense that I am indifferent and apathetic to the world. And that sometimes it seems like I am hellbent on destroying it.  That sometimes you wonder where I am or whether I exist.  That’s intentional.  Faith means that you relate to all that is ambiguous, to all that is missing, and to all that is empty.  Will you be swallowed left in the wake of my actions, or will you read my hiddenness as an invitation?  An invitation to fill in the blanks left in My sentences.  You, my dear human being, will fill the void of My absences through your reactions to suffering. Will you be compassionate and caring?  Will you honor your own pain and the pain of others, or will you be crushed by what it seems like?  How will you rise to meet your shortcomings?  Will you be defeated by them, or will you take the time to honor what I have purposely left blank inside you?  In the contours of your character defects?  I made you as are and within you there are pages that read “This space left intentionally blank” and “For office use only”.  What will you do?  Will you create in those spaces or slip into the vacuous oblivion of the blank emptiness? Faith means that you are brave. Brave to stare into the abyss of all that plagues you, of all that pains you and all that seems empty.  That you see where I leave you, nay invite you, to create.  I am here for you.  For help, guidance, clarity and all the energy you need to transform yourself as I see you to be.  Just ask me. Use My energy! But I won’t do it for you. I want you to be brave. To be bold. To have faith. That I have always been here. That I am hiding from you, so that you create alongside me. Will you join me in creating My world?