The Secret of the Journey to Uman: The Power of Will and Nullification to the Tzaddik

Lesson No. 363 | Thursday, Parashas Nitzavim-Vayeilech, Eve of 22 Elul 5762 - Part 2 (Continued from No. 362)

The journey to the holy gravesite of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov in Uman demands holiness, separation from worldly vanities, and absolute focus on the spiritual goal. This article clarifies Rebbe Nachman's teachings that the tzaddik tests a person to see if he is a deceiver, and explains how, through a genuine desire to change, a person merits to be incorporated into the tzaddik and transformed into the essence of the soul.

The Holiness of the Journey and Distancing Oneself from Worldly Vanities

When traveling to the holy gravesite in Uman, one must maintain absolute holiness and focus. The directive is to arrive directly at the destination without delay. One should not wander around the duty-free shops, and even if a person is offered the chance to earn millions and billions, he must give them up and not become distracted.

There is an ancient custom among our people (Breslov Chassidim) not to do any shopping in Uman. In the past, Uman was a major city of commerce and textiles, and even if a person needed to buy something, he would be careful not to do so on the way to Rebbe Nachman. We do not buy anything, neither in the duty-free nor in Uman. We go directly to the gravesite, pray Shacharis (the morning prayer), recite The Tikkun HaKlali, and return to the room to rest or study.

Whoever is able engages in reciting Tehillim (Psalms), The Tikkun HaKlali, studying the weekly Torah portion, Gemara, Rosh, Ramban, and Rif. It is forbidden to wander the streets looking for bargains or shopping; otherwise, the entire journey to Uman is in vain. Hashem, may He be blessed, will send the abundance and cover the expenses from elsewhere, and there is no need to look for toys or gifts specifically there.

Self-Sacrifice Facing Mount Peor

It is important to remember where we are. The Rebbe is buried opposite "Mount Peor" (a place of intense spiritual impurity), and therefore, staying there requires literal self-sacrifice. It is forbidden to look at inappropriate things, and it is forbidden to wander the streets.

The sole purpose of the journey is drawing closer to Hashem and prayer. If we merit and the prayers are indeed accepted, the Geulah (Redemption) will come and King Mashiach will be revealed.

"Investigate Him to See if He is Not a Deceiver" - The Test of the Tzaddik

When a person comes to the tzaddik, the Rebbe tests him:

"Investigate him to see if he is not a deceiver."

What is the meaning of a deceiver and a liar? This is a person who is one way in his mouth and another in his heart. A person who has no intention of changing at all, but only comes because "it's fun," because he is taking a trip. In contrast, a person who truly wants the tikkun (rectification) studies and toils in Torah, in the Tur, the Shulchan Aruch, and the Rambam.

The Gemara says that even a Torah scholar must be investigated to see if he is not a deceiver, just as they went to check the father of Rav Papa. The tzaddik investigates us to see if we are not deceivers—whether we are truly coming to pray, to serve Hashem, and to break free from lusts and blemishes of the covenant.

Being Consumed by the Tzaddik

Rebbe Nachman explains in Torah 129 the secret of "a land that consumes its inhabitants." It is possible that a person coming to the tzaddik is in a very low state, but if he truly wants to change, if he cries and screams: "Take me out! I cannot break free from my lusts, help me get out!"—then the Rebbe rectifies him. However, if a person just comes for no reason, without the intention to change, the tzaddik cannot rectify him.

When a person comes with a genuine desire, the verse is fulfilled in him:

"When evildoers approach me to devour my flesh" (Psalms 27:2).

The Rebbe explains that the body is transformed into the essence of the soul. The tzaddik is ready to transform you into the essence of the holy soul, which is the concept of eating—"and it transforms into the nourished." Through this, one merits to "dwell in the land and nourish yourself with faith" (Psalms 37:3), meaning the person becomes consumed by holy faith.

The main thing depends on the will. Even if it is difficult for a person, and he faces battles and inherited traits from previous incarnations, if his desire to draw closer to Hashem, may He be blessed, and to break free from lusts is very strong—he will merit it. The entire spiritual work is to be consumed by the tzaddik. When a person says: "I want to be exactly like Rebbe Nachman, even in the place where I am currently situated"—then Rebbe Nachman will transform us and we will become like him, and we will merit the complete Geulah (Redemption) speedily in our days, Amen.

Class No. 363