Patina. That is my word for this week. Translation:
We don't have adequate appreciation for old things. We have this urge to polish them and make them shiny. But removing the Patina has dire consequences of acutley devaluing the objects. Patina protects from further corrosion; in this way, the patina acts as a protection. When one removes this coating, they will unavoidably also remove some of the very fine details that lay underneath. Patina does not shine, rather, it reflects the authenticity and genuine nature of a rare and ancient piece.
Judaims has a thick layer of patina that surrounds it. It has been formed by centuries of experience, tears, devotion, love and awe. Underneath this patina is an ancient work called Torah. It is G-d's gift to the Jewish People, and through them, to all of humankind. It is delicate in its refinement, and precise in its symmetry and beauty. The crastmanship is beyond comparison and its ancient message is pentrating and profound.
We may sense this inner beauty of the Torah and have the urge to polish off the patina. We can make the Torah sparkle and shine so that all can see. We can rub off that film that people may not appreciate, we can scrub off the coarse signs of age that seem to conceal what is underneath. Rule #1 of dealing with antiques tells us an important and counter-intuitive idea: Don't touch the patina. Move yourself to appreciate the rare gift and the dull patina that surrounds it. You will find the authenticity curiously refreshing.
Antique Dealer wrote...
Ed