Baltimore Blizzard 2010 – A Torah Perspective on the Snowman
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Loading ...Many people recall all of the great childhood memories related to snow. The fun, the feeling, the magic…. Was it just the school cancellation, or was it perhaps something more…..
The Hebrew word for snow is Sheleg (שלג). What is fascinating is the fact that the numerical value of this word is 333. The three letters that comprise it are the three letters which represent the number 3 in ones, tens and hundreds (ש=300, ל=30, ג=3!).
The Vilna Goan writes that the word Bechor (בכֹר), firstborn, is numerically equal to 222. The reason for this is because a firstborn son inherits a double portion. Hence, his name and essence is 2. What is the lesson to learn from the Sheleg which is three?
The Midrash (Pirkei D’R’Eliezer 3) tells us an esoteric fact. Hashem created Earth by taking snow from underneath His throne. What does this mean?
Finally, why do people love to build a snowman?!
To understand all this, we must review the creation of the world. Rashi (Bereishis) tells us that Hashem saw that the world could not stand on Din, strict judgment, alone and therefore He combined Chessed, kindness, and created the world with the composite of Rachamim, mercy. Hashem thus brought together opposite components (Din and Chessed) in order to allow the world to exist. Our job as well is to combine opposite elements and to make peace. We have a physical body and a spiritual soul. Our mission is to utilize them effectively together and to elevate the body.
This is the lesson of the snow. Snow is a paradoxical balance of opposing forces brought together for a united goal. It is not solid or liquid, it is a balance between the two. Snow also paradoxically serves as a protection against the cold upon the earth as it protects crops by insulating and keeping in the earth’s heat! Also, large bodies of water store heat that results in significant temperature differences between the water surface and the air above. This contrast brings the warmth and moisture upward which then condenses into clouds that produce snow showers! Snow represents balance, peace and tranquility.
The number three is this exact balance. One is singular and alone. Two is opposing views. Three is the balance and resolution. This is why Yaakov Aveinu was the Bechir SheB’Avos, the chosen of the forefathers. He was a resolution between the two opposing attributes of Avraham’s Chessed and Yitzchak’s Din. He was Tiferes, beauty and tranquility.
With this, the pieces now come together. The word Sheleg (שלג) is the ultimate expression of peace and harmony, it is the epitome of three!
Hashem created the world with harmony and thus it is referred to by the Midrash as the use of snow.
The snowman building and all of the good feelings associated with snow stem from a deep spiritual recognition that man’s job is to become the Adam HaShalaim (Perfect and Complete Man). This ultimate man is one of harmony, congruency and simplistic truth. He is to be the perfect “snow (congruent) man”!
In the Torah, the two times that we find snow mentioned are in regards to the Metzorah, leper, who is inflicted with Tzaras which appears on his skin in the color of snow. Now we understand why! The Metzorah sinned by speaking evil slander; he needs a strong reminder about being harmonious with other people! And so it comes in the shade of snow.
The bride dresses in white, This is because she is the Kallah (כלה) which is the same letters as הכל, everything. She will be the woman of the house, who as in times memorial, has always been the one that unified and brought the home together!
I will leave you off with a story that I believe illustrates the power of snow’s harmony. Last night we had a block get-together. One of the neighbor’s cars got stuck and would not budge. Over of the course of the forty-five minutes that it took for us to push him to safely, we were joined and reunited with neighbors whom we hadn’t socialized with in ages! Almost every house on the block had at least one representative outside. It was absolutely heart-warming to behold!
Snow binds and brings hearts together. I hope you and your family enjoy!
Categories: Hashkafah, Inspiration Snow Lesson, Torah Perspective Snow
I just linked this d’var Torah. It’s great.
Reply to Neil Harris
I loved the story on snow and the significance of white for the bride who becomes the central figure of marriage.
Reply to Josehine Giorgi