25 Jul The Condemned Home that Could
I came across an article a few days ago about a home for sale in Colorado Springs for $590,000. What was unique about the listing was the not so glowing terms in which the Realtor chose to describe the home, namely as “every landlord’s nightmare.” The listing continues “There is not one surface of the home that has not been enhanced with black spray paint or a swinging hammer.” Damage (estimated between $150,000-$200,000) done by an angry departing tenant who didn’t want to pay rent. Do not go on back deck!”
The listing also included details about a meat-filled freezer that sat without power for a year. “Come feast your senses. Be sure to wear your mask. Not for anyone else’s protection but your own. You may not be able to endure the smell if you don’t.”
With a description like that, you may be wondering if there was any interest at all in this house. Yet, within three days of listing, the property got over 800 texts and email inquiries, including 22 actual offers in hand and 50 offers over text (given the state of the home, the Realtor wouldn’t accept any offers without the potential buyer first seeing the house). It ended up selling well over the asking price.
What would generate such incredible interest from such a decrepit home? On a practical level, the housing market in Colorado Springs, similar to here in Raleigh and many other parts of the country, is hotter than ever. With high demand and low supply, buyers are even snapping up homes that leave much to be desired.
But perhaps the seasoned Realtor (who also has a degree in psychology) knows a thing or two about the mindset of a potential buyer. While there is no denying that we appreciate moving into a gorgeous turn-key home that looks amazing from the get-go, there is also something profoundly satisfying about taking a neglected, “fixer-upper” property and giving it an abundance of personal TLC by renovating it to your satisfaction. Once the daunting job is finished, contrasting the “before” pictures with the “after” ones is truly gratifying.
And that segues us into a question that I’ve been asked this week about this week’s Torah portion of Balak. To give a quick preface, Balak , the king of Moab, summons the prophet Bilaam to curse the people of Israel. On three separate occasions, Bilaam attempts to pronounce his curses; each time, beautiful blessing issue forth instead. Bilaam also gives prophesies on the end of days and the coming of Moshiach.
Portions of the blessings uttered by Bilaam have been instituted into our daily prayers (such as the Ma Tovu prayer) and are referenced in many other sources. The question posed was the following: Bilaam is not viewed as a hero or holy figure in the Torah and its many commentaries. On the contrary, he is considered one of the greatest villains and rabid anti-Semites in the Torah. Though he failed in his mission thanks to G-d forcing him to transmit blessings instead of curses, he was thrilled at the prospect of being able to harm the Jews. Yet, it is the words uttered from his mouth that are so cherished in our heritage. Is there really a shortage of eloquent blessings uttered by righteous prophets, prophetesses, and G-d himself that would require us to raise Bilaam’s blessings to such a high pedestal? Furthermore, why give the honor of naming this week’s portion “Balak”, who was no friend of the Jewish people and was the one who commissioned Bilaam to curse the Jews?
In short, this Torah portion embodies the power of transformation. Bilaam’s blessings are so profound because they originated as curses. Their transformation is so absolute that they describe the ultimate transformation of the entire world: the era of Moshiach! Moreover, Balak himself embodies this very transformation. The Talmud relates that the Biblical figure Ruth, who transformed her own life by converting to Judaism and merited to become the great-grandmother of King David, was a direct descendant of Balak. Moshiach, who will usher in the era of ultimate transformation and redemption, will come from the lineage of King David And so, the person charged with transforming the Jewish people and the entire world—Moshiach—is a direct descendant of Balak! That’s about the greatest transformation possible.
And perhaps we can apply this lesson to that cursed house in Colorado Springs. What some people will see as a condemned home beyond repair will be seen by others as a gem in the rough, waiting to be transformed into a beautiful dwelling place.
There are many takeaways we can apply from the story. One is how we view the world at large. The Rebbe taught us that despite all of the uncertainty and problems impacting the world and society at large, the world is not a cruel, chaotic and meaningless place. The world is G‑d’s garden, and has been in the process of being transformed from a wasteland to an oasis of beauty by virtue of the seeds of goodness and kindness that we sow. We each have the power to define and influence our experience based on our perception.
On a personal level, transforming ourselves and our mindset is not easy. When we feel that we’re in a rut or cut off from our potential, try to focus on our inner redemptive qualities. Transform our negative self-talk and become our greatest advocate to bring more goodness into our lives and the world at large. Because what lies within us truly are diamonds.
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