Jewish tradition has a place for you: the "average-ones," the beinonim. But what happens to them? What hope do they have?
The Tikkunei Zohar, that mystical companion to the Zohar itself, wrestles with this very question. It paints a picture of a Divine judgment, a moment where the fate of these average souls hangs in the balance. It's a powerful image, isn't it? We all know what it's like to feel… average.
According to the Tikkunei Zohar, the Holy One, blessed be He, initially declared that "the merit of the Patriarchs has finished" for these average individuals. What does that mean? Well, the idea is that the righteousness of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob serves as a kind of spiritual inheritance for their descendants. It's like a cosmic bank account that can be drawn upon. But, crucially, the Tikkunei Zohar adds a condition: this merit only applies if they return in repentance, if they do teshuvah. Otherwise, it's as if they're no different than the completely wicked. Ouch.
You might be thinking, "That sounds pretty bleak." And it could be, except for one crucial detail: the intervention of Moses.
Think about it. Moses, the leader, the lawgiver, the one who spoke to God face to face. He steps into the breach for these "average-ones." The Tikkunei Zohar tells us that Moses worried, "Should the world say that I am like Noah, who did not request mercy upon his generation?" That’s a heavy burden to bear. Noah saved his family, but what about everyone else? Moses refuses to let that be his legacy.
So what does he do? He submits himself, pleads with God on their behalf. It’s right there in Exodus 32:32, that incredibly powerful verse: "...and if not, wipe me out please..." He's willing to sacrifice himself for them.
Wow.
Moses is willing to put his own soul on the line. He refuses to let them be written off. He sees the potential for good, the spark of divinity that still flickers within them. And that, perhaps, is the most important lesson of all.
The story in Tikkunei Zohar 108 reminds us that even when we feel stuck, even when we feel like we're just "average," we are not beyond redemption. The merit of our ancestors, the possibility of repentance, and the unwavering advocacy of righteous leaders like Moses – these are all powerful forces working in our favor.
So, the next time you feel like you’re stuck in the middle, remember Moses. Remember his willingness to stand up for those who might otherwise be forgotten. And remember that even the "average-ones" have the potential to become extraordinary. What will you do with that potential?