A Story: Breaking Barriers Through Faith
In this short article, we look at a powerful story, shared by R. Baruch Gartner that highlights the power of not giving up in the battle for spiritual growth.
There are days when the evil in the world can be overwhelming to process. Selfishness, corruption, and apathy can give the appearance that the world is thoroughly moving in the wrong direction.
While some traditions encourage us to escape or deny evil in the world, the Biblical tradition encourages us to confront the darkness, and—when possible—elevate it¹.
Nevertheless, we can study all the right books and do all the right things, but amid staggering darkness, doubt² can still gain a momentary foothold.
These dynamics test our determination and can even cause us to question the extent of what we can achieve through our individual efforts.
Does our progress really make a difference in the world?
If you have ever had these feelings, I want to share a powerful and inspiring story from Rabbi Baruch Gartner's book, "Living Aligned."³
ONCE UPON A TIME, THERE was a great city, and it was surrounded by an insurmountable wall. Every king wanted to conquer this city and each one tried with all his might, but none succeeded. Their forces fell victim to the arrows shot from the city's wall.
Later, a very wise king came to examine the wall itself. He understood that if his best troops were to drive against the wall in a rush, they could take it down. Nevertheless, all of his troops fell from exhaustion. He sent wave after wave of fighters, but each one retreated after battering themselves against the obstacle. The king remained alone.
He walked around the wall to see if it had sustained any damage during the attack, and it had. The inner wall was almost down, and the outer wall only appeared whole; in reality, it was riddled with cracks.
The king realized that if he were to call up even the elderly, the ill, the weak, and the children, they would topple it completely.
The king immediately gathered together everyone left to him. An army of the frail and tired rushed the wall... and broke it down completely.
Together, they conquered the city.
The Parable
We may all find different lessons in this parable, so comment below with your thoughts. 👇
For me, it teaches that our generation is the last group called to attack the wall. The walled city represents enlightened consciousness and elevation—and even the messianic kingdom.⁴
On a personal level, it might also represent the present struggles we face in our individual lives. These are the small battles we face every day and the quiet victories we achieve through perseverance.
The story teaches that looks can be deceiving. Though the obstacles we face can seem insurmountable, and our efforts ineffectual, our persistence will have its effect in time.
Our responsibility is then, not to finish the work⁶, but that we never give up.
Want to Learn More?
The Hidden Orchard
The Hidden Orchard
The Hidden Orchard
Notes:
¹ Elevating the Sparks, and Tikkun Olam
³ Living Aligned. R. Baruch Gartner
⁴ The Davidic Messiah - Signs of the Times. Part 1
⁵ The Preexistence of the Soul
⁶ Avot 2:16
