Today’s learning is dedicated to the refuah sheleima of Simcha Nosson ben Zissel.

In the previous post we discussed how repentance leads to an increased level of love and compassion from Hashem. We quoted the Talmud which states that a ba’al teshuva stands on an elevated level; one that is unattainable to the tzadik who has never sinned. We quoted the Rambam who emphasizes the constant battle the ba’al teshuva endures in order to achieve his goals.

Similarly, Rebbe Nachman teaches, “When a person still has a yetzer hara (evil inclination), this is a very good characteristic. For then he can serve Hashem specifically through his yetzer hara. That is, he can overcome [temptation] while the yetzer hara is heating him up, and draw it into some kind of service in his service of Hashem. And if a person does not have a yetzer hara, his service is considered worthless. And because of this, Hashem allows the yetzer hara to spread through a person so much – especially he who truly desires to draw near to Hashem. Despite that its large degree of ever-presence and incitement brings a person to what it brings him, to many great sins and much defilement. Nevertheless, this is all worthwhile for Hashem, to enable positive movement… For this is more precious to Hashem than if he served Him for a thousand years without a yetzer hara. Because all of the worlds were created for no other purpose than for the human being, whose entire greatness and importance is because he has such a yetzer hara, and he strengthens himself to overcome it.”

Rebbe Nachman teaches that there will be times when a person may feel connected in his service of Hashem, only to experience a sudden and unexpected fall. He urges us not to be discouraged; this is simply a challenge. Overcoming this obstacle leads to increased closeness and attachment to Hashem.

As Rebbe Nachman states, “When a person needs to rise from level to level, he must experience a descent before the ascent. For the descent is for the purpose of the ascent. And from this, every person can understand how much he must strengthen himself in his service of Hashem, and never get discouraged from all of the falls and descents in the world. For if he strives and strengthens himself not to pay attention to this – under any circumstances whatsoever – even if he experiences hardship, in the end he will merit that all of his descents will transform into great ascents. For the descent is for the purpose of the ascent.”

Likewise, Rebbe Nachman teaches, “Growing spiritually can be like a roller coaster ride. Take comfort in the knowledge that the way down is only preparation for the way up.”

Similarly, Rabbi Shais Taub explains, “It is not destruction, it is plowing for greater growth. Every moment of loss was preparation for greater gain.” He compares this to a snapshot of a person crouching down. At first glance it may appear that this person is low, but in truth he is preparing for a great leap up. In fact, the lower he crouches, the higher he will rise. “The more thorough the destruction, the more complete the ensuing redemptive process will be.”

As the Baal Shem Tov taught, sometimes a person must lose himself completely before he can truly find himself.

We will inevitably experience setbacks, but what we do next is up to us. When approached with the proper mindset, we can turn stumbling blocks into steppingstones.

While the Rambam focuses on the relentless commitment of the ba’al teshuva, the Baal HaTanya highlights another remarkable quality. He speaks of the excitement, enthusiasm and passion that is the hallmark of the ba’al teshuva. This is what makes his service incredibly precious to Hashem.

As Rabbi Aaron Goldscheider explains, “The Baal HaTanya emphasizes the fervor and love that emanates from the ba’al teshuva’s heart and soul. Such a person now longs for Hashem with deep passion and with ‘clinging.’”

The Lubavitcher Rebbe poetically describes this process of returning to Hashem as, “A thirsting for Hashem like a parched and barren soil thirsting desperately for water…his soul had been a barren wilderness and in the shadow of death… his soul [now] thirsts for Hashem even more intensely than the soul of the righteous who never sinned.”

Similarly, while addressing the Talmudic teaching, “In the place where the ba’alei teshuva stand, even perfect tzaddikim cannot stand,” the Baal Shem Tov taught, “Good deeds and Torah study can become habitual for a righteous person, and he does not have that much feeling for them. But when a person comes back, everything is new. If he does not do everything with great attachment, he will fall from his level. He is therefore forced to worship with great enthusiasm.”

When reciting Shema, we read the verse from last weeks Torah portion saying, “If you will continually hearken to My commandments that I command you today.” Rashi explains that the commandments must remain new to us as if they were given to us today. And as the Sifrei elaborates, we must ensure that the mitzvos don’t become routine or habit.

Throughout his teachings, Rebbe Nachman emphasizes the importance of beginning anew. As Reb Noson teaches, “The essence of living is to begin anew each day. Chai (living) also means fresh.” Similarly, Rebbe Nachman teaches, “It is not good to be old… You must remain young, renewing yourself each day and making a fresh start.”

Reb Noson relays how spiritual devotions did not always come easily to Rebbe Nachman. He battled through his obstacles and barriers by beginning anew. (There were times when Rebbe Nachman would restart his day multiple times within a single day.)

This weeks Torah portion begins with the words, “See, this day I set before you blessing and curse…” Reb Moshe Feinstein zt’l learns from the words “this day” that each day comes with a choice, a new opportunity. And is incumbent on us to choose wisely. He explains that we are not bound by the consequences of our previous “mistakes.”

As Rebbe Nachman teaches, when our past begins to weigh us down, it is time to restart. Each moment is unique and precious; one that was never before and one that will never be again. When we break through the shackles of our past, we can restart with new passion, fervor and excitement.

Viewing each day as a new creation allows us to receive its fullest potential. As Rebbe Nachman teaches, “The Architect of the world never does the same things twice. Every day is an entirely new creation. Take as much as you can from what each new day has to offer.”

In our next post we will give a third and final explanation concerning the elevated level of the ba’al teshuva, which will include Rebbe Nachman’s lesson on “running and returning.”

TO BE CONTINUED…

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