Presence

While lying in bed late last night, contemplating the constant revisitation of the theme of eating in Parshas Shemini, I had a germination of an idea as to the topics, or themes if you will, of the latter three Books of Moses.

I have, for a while, assumed that Leviticus corresponds to Kohanim, Numbers to Leviim and Devarim to Yisrael. Not in the sense that the content of each is applicable only to the associated group, but in that each book details the essence of the contribution of each of the groups to Man's overall concioussness vis-a-vis his relationship to God's Presence.

While I still believe this to be true, my thinking regarding the overall function of each book has evolved somewhat. After drawing a connection between the eating in Shemini to the original sin in The Garden (cf. Medrash Vayahi Ba'yom HaShmini, in case you think I'm crazy; the rest of Vayikra is constantly referring back to Bereshis, e.g. start of Tazria), I began to see Leviticus as the story of Man's restoration to a Garden State, exemplified by the Kohen Gadol, the singular individual who is granted access to the Divine Presence. Ancillary to this, but related, is the focus on the dimension of Time.

Bamidbar, then, details the extension of this Presence to physical space, first through the encampment, and finally through the Land itself. This is facilitated by the Leviim; the dimension of focus has shifted from Time to Space (much as Numbers are the imposition of the mind on physical space).

Devarim extends the Presence even further, beyond the encampment, which permeates to the family level, into the individual, the Yisrael. The ideas of Man's personal, day-to-day relationship with God's Presence is fleshed out in detail, from personal prayer to the implementation of a system of interpersonal justice. I'm not sure what dimension we associate with this book. What's left after Time and Space? I'd need more time to think about it, but I would propose some form of Mind/Soul/Conciousness.

Just some unorganized thoughts. If you have thoughts on who I should be reading, by all means, let me know.