It’s well known that the “Proclaim Liberty throughout the Land, to all the inhabitants thereof!” line inscribed on the historic Liberty Bell in Philadelphia – is a biblical verse from Leviticus.
But it’s quite something else to actually see it so bold and in solid weight metal on the big bell in person. Not only does it quote the verse but it spells out the source, Leviticus with the chapter and verse in Roman numerals.
The weightiness of the heavy bell and the solidness of its lettering, along with its current setting (set against the background of a large open glass wall facing Independence Hall) is something to be behold and it makes an impression.
Why this verse on a bell?
The obvious answer is that a large public bell tolls, it exclaims, it proclaims! Even the UAlbany bell-tower announces and proclaims!
But maybe there’s also something here about a bell’s design. A bell is only able to make noise because it has that empty open space within. The clapper only makes that sound because it has room to swing, and room for the sound to resonate. Empty space alone wont make sound. Solidly filled space doesn’t make sound either. It’s that blend of enclosed emptiness, an encased void, that makes sound.
Freedom isn’t just open emptiness. Even the structural architecture of the setting where the bell is now houses – is a wide open glass wall, opening up from a closed concrete space. But it doesn’t open to the empty field – instead it opens to the backdrop of Independence Hall.
This is a secret of the Chassidic concept of Bittul, a selfless surrender, a trusting receptive openness, but not to nothingness. It opens to an embrace! (Like a bell does).
The implications of this in terms of freedom and liberty in relationships and in terms of religious striving – are very profound.