Here is a story by Moses Schreiber (1762-1839) known to his own community as Moshe Sofer, who was one of the leading Orthodox rabbis of European Jewry in the first half of the nineteenth century.
A world-renowned sculptor was commissioned to design a statue that would be placed in the city square. After much reflection, he decided to pay tribute to the nobility of the horse. He worked with zeal and dedication for many months, paying attention to the smallest detail of his bronze stallion, to sculpt a lifelike replica of it.
Finally, after two years the statue was complete. The sculptor presented it to the city officials who were stunned by its magnificence. They immediately placed the bronze stallion in the city square, where people, much to the dismay of the sculptor, completely ignored it. No one gave his horse a second glance let alone provide the least acknowledgement to this great work of art. In despair, the sculptor shared dejectedly with his friend,
‘I cannot believe how people pass by without even giving my work of art a second glance.’
His friend responded that the problem lay in the fact that the horse was too perfect.
‘People think it is a real horse, so what would be so special to merit them to pause and admire it?’
The sculptor appealed to his friend for advice on the matter.
‘Here is my advice,’ replied his friend. ‘Make a crack in it, and then people will realise that it is not a real horse, but a grand piece of art.’
With a heavy heart, the sculptor heeded his friend’s counsel and chiselled a split across one side of the horse. The result was immediate; at last, some people stopped to marvel at the work of art that had been taken for granted.
Divine forgiveness is like the sculpture of the horse who most people ignore; it symbolically represents our flaws voluntarily borne by the One who is without any flaws. His gift of eternal life is readily available to all, but who is willing to stop long enough to respond?
“For God made the only one who did not know sin to become sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God through our union with him.” 2Cor.5:21
Raphael ben Levi
