The Secret of the Image of the Tzaddik and the Purifying Power of Humiliation
Lesson No. 56 | Tuesday, Parashas Shmini, 20 Nissan, 5th day of Chol HaMoed Pesach 5756 (Continued in No. 57)
When a person learns the Torah of the tzaddik and reviews it, the tzaddik's image is engraved upon his soul and illuminates his mind. To merit these pure intellects and to shine, a person must lovingly accept humiliations and disputes, which serve as polishers that transform his soul from a simple stone into a brilliant diamond.
A person must know that from his words, worlds, airplanes, and spaceships are created. When a person speaks words of nonsense, the Sitra Achra (Other Side/forces of impurity) gains strength in the world and uses these words. In contrast, when a person draws close to a tzaddik who is entirely truth, whose every word—and even his casual conversation—is absolute truth, he receives the face of the tzaddik.
When a person learns the words of the tzaddik, the mind and soul of the tzaddik are embedded within the Torah that he reveals. "When a person hears the true words of a true tzaddik, he receives a face of truth, and slowly he takes on the form of the tzaddik." The tzaddik's traits, image, and likeness become engraved within him, because these words emerged from the tzaddik's soul.
However, when forgetfulness overpowers a person and he forgets the words of Torah he learned, the face of the tzaddik also departs from him. Therefore, it is an absolute obligation to review the words of the tzaddik, to remember them, and to summarize them. One must not forget a single utterance. By holding the learning in his memory, the face of the tzaddik clothes itself upon his own face.
Engraving the Image of the Sage
When a person reviews his learning one hundred and one times—equivalent to the gematria (numerical value) of the angel 'Michael'—he constantly envisions the image of the sage before him. He must be so holy and pure until the sage himself, whether it is Abaye, Rava, Rabbi Akiva, or Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, speaks from his mouth. Everything is contained within the book: the mind, soul, and face of the tzaddik, and according to his image, he wrote his intellect into the letters.
It is easier to engrave the image of the tzaddik in a young lad, whose mind is like a blank piece of paper, than in an older person filled with preconceived notions, philosophies, and criticisms. Therefore, a person must pray to return to the state of an innocent child. The author of the Zohar Chai of Komarno testified about himself that he merited the mind of a baby, and he attained such a great light that he literally saw the images of the Tannaim and Amoraim standing before him when he studied their words.
Because he purified himself so much through his learning, the Zohar Chai reached a spiritual level where he could recognize any person at the ends of the earth. Once, they tested him for two consecutive hours with various names, and he knew exactly who each person was and what they looked like. When they intentionally gave him a fabricated name, he immediately recognized that it was the name of a person who did not exist.
Hashem's Love for the Tzaddikim of the Generation
Understanding the greatness of the tzaddikim, Rabbi Nosson explicitly warns in the book Chayei Moharan that God forbid one should speak ill of any tzaddik among the tzaddikim of the generation. The tzaddikim who lead communities, build yeshivas, and distance Jews from bad friends, immorality, and heretical books—they are extremely precious and holy in the eyes of Hashem, blessed be He.
Hashem loves them with a profound soul-love, and their actions cause immense delight and joy in Heaven. "Who would dare speak against them? It is as if he is speaking against Hashem Himself, against Hashem's beloved. A person is obligated to bind himself to all the tzaddikim of the generation who impart Torah, fear of Heaven, and holiness."
The Purifying Power of Humiliation
Rabbi Hershele Toiber taught that the main thing is a submissive heart toward every Jew and the utmost humility. A person must be prepared to suffer humiliations, insults, and curses his entire life, and simply remain silent. Wicked people also stood against the Zohar Chai of Komarno and subjected him to terrible, unheard-of humiliations, yet he testified: "I suffered and remained silent, and true spiritual comprehension was opened to me."
When a person is humiliated, instead of running away or going to tell someone, he should open a Gemara or books of Halacha (Jewish law). Suddenly, all the complex opinions will become clear to him. "A person received a humiliation—his mind becomes pure and clear. You can learn for ten consecutive hours and everything is bright and lucid."
Our holy Rebbe Nachman says: How is it possible to hate those who oppose us? They are doing us tremendous favors! Every word they speak against you separates the light and creates new combinations of Torah. Instead of making excuses and explaining, one must rejoice. Five people spoke about you? Five teachings of Torah were transferred to you. From those very humiliations, the Heavenly Jerusalem is built.
The Secret of the Diamond and the Pure Prayer
Opponents are actually diamond polishers. "A person is like a simple stone extracted from the earth. To attain brilliance and radiance, he must undergo many polishings. Every opponent is another polisher on the way to becoming a brilliant diamond."
In the merit of humiliations, the heart becomes pure and one can approach the Shemoneh Esrei prayer in truth. Instead of running to doctors and searching for solutions, a person can stand during the blessing of 'Refaeinu' (Heal us) or 'Atah Chonen' (You graciously endow) and pour out his heart before Hashem. When the mind is pure, every blessing can take long minutes, and a person can stand in prayer for entire hours in tranquility, mentioning his family and children, and bringing about salvations.
In conclusion, the book Lev Ivri brings a tremendous segulah (spiritual remedy) for sweetening harsh judgments: Whoever sings all fifty-two stanzas of the piyyut (liturgical poem) 'Eliyahu HaNavi' on Motzaei Shabbos (Saturday night) during the Melaveh Malkah seudah (festive meal), is guaranteed that he will have no suffering that week. The Melaveh Malkah seudah takes away all of a person's suffering and grants him protection for the entire week.
Part 2 of 2 — Lesson No. 56
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