Crazy World

There is a very interesting parable, told by Rabbi Nachman. A King, who was well versed in astrology, saw that the new grain that was growing was would be tainted, and all who ate of it would go mad. He called in his adviser to discuss the issue. The King asked "Is there enough from last years crop to feed the kingdom"? The adviser said "No, but there is enough for you and me." They pondered the problem. If everyone ate the new grain, they would go crazy. If the King and the adviser ate the old grain, they would remain sane, but everyone would then see them as being mad. They finally decided "we, too, will eat the new grain. But before we do, we"ll make marks on our foreheads. That way, we will be crazy as well, but, whenever I look at you, or you look at me, we"ll see the marks and remember that what we are seeing and experiencing is NOT reality". As I understand the story, it is saying that we live in a crazy, topsy-turvy world (take a look at any newspaper). We often buy into the lies. But HaShem has given us mitzvot (commandments). When we see or do them (Tefillin, Talit, Sukkah, Matzah, and hundreds more) we remember that this world is NOT the ultimate reality, and that there is a Truth beyond that which we see.