Black & blue; gold & white, and HaShem’s hidden hand

rafi andrusier
Rabbi Rafi Andrusier

By Rabbi Rafi Andrusier

LA MESA, California — Did you hear? What color is the dress? Black and blue or white and gold? I am still enamored by the stark difference.  (Here’s a link to the phenomenon:https://www.yahoo.com/tech/explained-why-people-cant-agree-on-the-color-of-112191281639.html# )

How is possible? When I saw it recently, I said it’s black and blue. But some of my family in New York were saying white and gold. I exclaimed: “are you kidding?!” Is this for real? Are we really viewing the same picture and disagreeing on the colors? Can so many people be colorblind? Or, am I colorblind? Well, Chaya agrees with me so I’m not the only one.

Then what is it?

This question has taken social media by storm. Everyone is seeking to figure out what is going on. A plethora of theories are all over the internet.

The Baal Shem Tov teaches, that all that happens in world is a lesson for us in the service of G-d.

What is the lesson here?

While the dress is a certain color (black and blue, folks), our perception is not always in tune with the reality of the situation. We can even go so far to say that black and blue somehow appear as white and gold! That is a vast distinction.

Esther from the story of Purim comes from Hebrew word אסתיר, which means concealment. Throughout the story, G-d’s hand appears hidden, almost as if the whole miracle and salvation occurred without His involvement at all! G-d’s name is not mentioned even once in the whole megilah! But the truth is G-d was ever so present to protect His people. The lighting was bad, so our initial perception didn’t recognize Him.

So let’s take a look at some of the realties that occur in the world and in our own personal lives. We allow our subjective perception to define what reality is – even though reality can be truly different. The Tanya teaches us that everything that happens in the world- even the minutest detail is for the good. Many times we don’t feel that inherent good, because the packaging tells us otherwise.

The Land of Israel will stay safe in spite of her enemies. G-d’s protection is there.

We need to be sure we see the true colors, the goodness of G-d. Don’t let the lighting change anything. Then your true colors can show and become a happier and better person from it.

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Rabbi Andrusier is spiritual leader of Chabad of East County.  Your signed comment (first name, last name) may be posted in the space provided below or sent to rafi.andrusier@sdjewishworld.com