Chela’h : Résoudre l’Oubli

Publié le: June 7, 2023

Il existe une vieille méthode pour ne pas oublier quelque chose : faire un nœud. La tradition juive dit que les ministres de Pharaon l’ont fait, ainsi que les sages de la Michna. Aujourd’hui encore, les juifs font des nœuds tous les jours pour se souvenir. Pourquoi un nœud empêche-t-il l’oubli ? D.ieu l’a-t-il fait Lui-même ?

There is an old technique to help remember things: to tie a knot. Jewish tradition says that Pharaoh’s ministers did so, and so did the sages of the Mishnah. Even today, Jews tie knots every day in order to remember. Why does a knot prevent forgetfulness? And did G-d do so Himself?

Lesson Contents:

A. Tzitzit

This week’s Torah portion gives us the mitzvah of wearing tzitzit, which remind us about G-d. (Source 1-2-3).

B. Tying Knots

A story in the Zohar and a midrash about the story of Joseph point to an ancient memory device: tying knots (Source 4-5-6). But why are specifically knots used to help remember?

C. The Ultimate Forgetfulness

Physical phenomena reflect a spiritual reality (Source 7). The mitzvot of tzitzit and tefillin, with their knots, serve the purpose of reminding us of all of G-d’s mitzvot.
In our Divine service, forgetfulness is the source of the sin, and remembrance removes the possibility of sin. Sin is only a possibility when one forgets that G-d is constantly creating the world.

D. Overcoming Forgetfulness

We can prevent forgetfulness by tying a “knot”—recommitting ourselves by adding to our mitzvah observance. The more such “knots” we tie in the cord of our connection to G-d the stronger our relationship will be (Source 7-8).

E. G-d’s Personal Demonstration

When G-d granted the Jewish people forgiveness for the sin of the golden calf, He appeared wearing tzitzit and tefillin. These mitzvot serve the purpose of strengthening our memory of G-d, which prevents sin from occurring.

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