This Sukkot 5783/2022 we had occasion to discuss pumpkin theft or as others called it pumpkin liberation, so this old (1975) Berenstain Bears classic of “The Bear Detectives and the Case of the Missing Pumpkin”. (Please note: There are other Berenstain Bear pumpkin books, but this is the original, and probably the best. At any rate, it expresses the theme we wanted to share in the Sukkah).
In short: Farmer Ben is alarmed at the loss of his prized pumpkin, and calls in the Bear Detectives for help finding the thief. They follow clues, get distracted, and have their suspicions which turn to be unfounded. Instead of a pumpkin theft by some of Bear County’s unsavory characters, (spoiler alert!) it turns out it wasn’t a theft at all, rather a delicious and aromatic transformation by Mrs. Ben (Farmer Ben’s wife) who turned that glorious pumpkin into pies!
This is more than just a fun kids story. There’s some deep Jewish philosophy at play here. This book addresses the “Birur HaNitzotzos” (elevation of the sparks) theme of the Arizal, especially as explained and expressed in Chassidic teachings.
How to view engagement with the physical world? Is it at odds with spirituality? Are we stealing from one to the other?
Chassidus very much focuses on the approach that we work with the physical world to elevate redeemable elements of it to spirituality. The ultimate goal is to fuse spiritual and physical, to sublimate and elevate, to reveal hidden sparks and inner potential, making this world a dwelling place for G-dliness.
It is not a theft! The Bear Detectives – in this story – discover “an inside job” one of sublimation, elevation, liberation. Indeed, Birur-HaNitztzuot in the language of Chassidus and Kabbalah, seeking and finding the sparks, redeeming and elevating them, taking them to the next level!
From Pumpkins to Pumpkin Pies!