Of Trunks and Branches – Part 2

Per a recent comment on the previous post Of Trunks and Branches. 

A group of hikers was being led through the wilderness by a guide. On the third day, the hikers realized that they had been travelling in circles.

"We're lost!" one of the hikers complained, "and you said you were the best guide in the United States..."

"I am," the guide answered, "but I think we may have wandered into Canada."

***

Chassidus speaks of four domains: Inanimate, Plant, Animal and Human. They differ from each other in appearance, nature, etc., yet share a common denominator: the laws that govern the nature and life of a specific domain, are tailored for the specific domain and the individual Tafkid of the beings in that domain.

It follows that the laws that govern one domain do not apply to another domain. And while applying laws and rules from one domain to the other may achieve similar or pleasant results, true and meaningful existence that maximizes the G-d given potential inherent in each being is possible only when each being follows the laws of his respective domain.

For example: while sprinkling water on an animal sitting in the sand may be refreshing on a sunny day, the animal will not grow in the way a plant would under the same conditions. Similarly, feeding worms to a pebble will not cause it to grow, and no amount of growling and chest-pounding will frighten a stray branch from encroaching on a neighboring flower patch.

The Torah teaches us that abilities of each being are tailored to their specific Tafkid. In addition, inasmuch as each domain has its unique needs and limitations, the Tafkid of any given being is completely possible to accomplish within the parameters of the nature and limitations of his domain. For example, Hashem does not expect a bird to serve him by creating a judicial system, and He expects more from a human than to act like a blade of grass and sit on a hill all day.

Of course, the Yetzer Hara will try to convince us that the laws that govern the world make it impossible for us to complete our Tafkid. But we know that just as Hashem ensured that the laws that govern one domain do not impede the ability of beings from another domain to fulfill their Tafkid, the laws that govern the world cannot impede our ability to fulfill our Tafkid. 

***

By nature of its design (and domain of Medaber from which it originates and is tailored for), modern psychology stagnates at serving the human "Me". It does not focus on Hashem and His purpose in creating the world.

Therefore, even when Torah condones the pursuit of modern psychology to help a Yid heal from emotional or other limitations, we must remember it is not the "final destination" or authority on what is considered well-being. We must remember to keep reaching higher and beyond the domain for which modern psychology was created.

To do so, a Torah authority should be consulted to ensure that the secular advice, instructions, exercises and experiences never come in conflict with Torah and Mitzvos.

With this understanding and clarity, we can ensure that even when we need to venture into the secular world for help, we do not to get stuck there. We remember that we are from "the United States", and how easy it is to wander into "Canada" and go around in circles there...