The Secret of Peace of Mind: Living in the State of "I Have Begotten You Today"
Lesson No. 159 | Motzaei Shabbos Kodesh (Saturday night), Parashas Noach, Eve of the 5th of Cheshvan 5759
Coping with the worries of parnassah (livelihood) and daily hardships requires a complete disconnect at the end of the workday. Through the stories of the Torah giants of Israel who managed kingdoms, the secret is revealed of how to leave material worries behind and clear the heart for Torah study.
A person wants to enter the water, into a fortress made entirely of water. The waters of the tzaddik are tranquil waters, deep waters in the heart of man. All day long, there is the Yetzer Hara (evil inclination) and obstacles that intensify and spread greatly, both collectively and individually, over each and every person. Everyone experiences terrible and bizarre troubles, to the point where their strength to endure literally fails. A person is already collapsing from an abundance of troubles, and nevertheless, he must hold on.
How does one do this? If a person walks with the Torah in the aspect of the verse:
"You are My son, I have begotten you today" (Psalms 2:7).
The moment you leave the house, you must forget all material troubles. Whether these are domestic issues, debts, lawsuits over apartments, or any other matters—you must always divert your mind from them. Night falls, the courthouses are closed, the banks are closed. A person must walk only with this principle of "I have begotten you today," that Hashem, may He be blessed, will help us leap over everything.
World-Renowned Geniuses Who Managed Kingdoms
Rebbe Nachman of Breslov said: "I wanted you to have such an intellect, that for several generations there has not been such an intellect." Even if a person works eight hours a day, he can merit a tremendous intellect unlike anything in the world. Throughout history, we have seen world-renowned geniuses who managed kingdoms, and yet they diligently studied Torah day and night.
Rabbi Samson Wertheimer was the Minister of Finance and Minister of the Interior of Austria. He managed all the affairs of the kingdom and was responsible for all the funding for the wars. The Minister of the Army would ask him if he could obtain massive sums for the war, and he took care of everything. And alongside this, he studied Torah day and night and wrote his famous chiddushim (Torah novellae).
During that exact same period lived the author of the "Mishneh LeMelech," who was the viceroy to the Sultan in Istanbul. He would ride on a horse with a golden sword through the city streets, and alongside this, he sat and studied and wrote his book. This was also the case with Don Joseph Nasi during the time of the holy Arizal, and so it was with Shmuel HaNagid, who was the chief minister to the King of Spain. They were all world-renowned geniuses who knew the entire Shas (Talmud), the Tur, the Rambam, Rashi, and Tosafos by heart. Nothing disturbed them; they sat and studied and were not confused by anything. If a person needs to help the king for his parnassah (livelihood), he does so only for his livelihood and nothing more.
Who is Truly the Czar of Russia?
The Chasam Sofer loved to tell a wonderful story about the holy genius, the author of the "Megaleh Amukos," to demonstrate his greatness and how the tzaddikim viewed the world.
The Czar of Russia used to disguise himself and stroll like an ordinary person in the great garden, in order to hear what the people thought about the country and the monarchy, and to check if anyone was planning a rebellion. Once, while strolling in the garden, he saw the "Megaleh Amukos" walking there as well. The Czar approached him, conversed with him, and asked him: "What is His Honor's livelihood?"
The "Megaleh Amukos" asked him: "And what are you?"
The disguised Czar answered him: "I am a melamed (teacher), and what is His Honor's livelihood?"
The "Megaleh Amukos," who was a master of secrets and feared nothing, answered him simply: "I am the Czar of Russia!"
He explained to him the depth of his intention: "What, did we come here to this world to be the Czars of Russia? We came to earn a parnassah (livelihood), to eat a piece of bread in simplicity, without bank debts and without running every day for loans and gemachs (free-loan funds). You are not responsible for your actions and do not need to worry about supporting yourself; others take care of your livelihood."
Starting Anew Every Day
A person comes into the world to sit and study Torah. Why does he work for a parnassah (livelihood)? Only so that he and his children will have a piece of bread to eat. Besides that, nothing else should interest him. Does he already know Likutey Moharan by heart? Shas (Talmud) by heart? Shulchan Aruch and Rambam by heart? This is what should interest us!
Ever since the sin of Adam HaRishon (the First Man), there has been a decree of "By the sweat of your brow you shall eat bread." People run to banks, cover checks, and run around between gemachs (free-loan funds). But when a person finishes everything and leaves the office or work, he must remember: "I have begotten you today." He must forget everything, leap over everything, and begin to study Torah.
Even if a person works eight hours a day, he still has many hours left for prayer, Hisbodedus (personal prayer), and Torah study. This is the mindset that Rebbe Nachman wanted us to have—a level of understanding that has not existed for several generations—until, ultimately, the entire truth will be revealed and we will all return to Hashem, blessed be He, in absolute truth.
Part 2 of 4 — Lesson No. 159