The Secret of the Tzaddik's Leadership: From the Might of Shimshon to the Immense Power of the Rashbi
Lesson No. 243 | * Tuesday Night Parshat Bechukotai, Eve of 18 Iyar 5760 - Night of Lag BaOmer at the 'Nechamat Tzion Shuvu Banim' Beit Midrash
The true tzaddik unites within himself the loving-kindness (chassadim) of King David and the might (gevurot) of Shimshon the Hero, and he has the power to lead the generation and bestow abundance even after his passing. Traveling to the tziyon (gravesite) of the Rashbi in holy awe brings about immense salvations beyond the natural order, but its main purpose is the purification of the soul and returning in teshuvah (repentance).
The true tzaddik merited to return like Chanoch, and therefore he can rectify everything. It is brought in the book "Imrei Kadosh" that the true tzaddik unites within himself two aspects: in loving-kindness (chassadim) he is like King David – love of Hashem, outpouring of the soul in tears and songs. And in might (gevurot) he is like Shimshon the Hero. He takes the chassadim from David and the gevurot from Shimshon.
Consequently, a person who is bound to the tzaddik receives immense might – he is not afraid alone at night, and he is not afraid of any threat. In our current reality, when it seems that everything is over and there is no one to lean on, all that remains for us is only the aspect of Shimshon's might. When a person holds onto the chassadim and the outpouring of the soul of David, together with the gevurot of Shimshon – with this he can traverse the entire world.
Tzaddikim are Greater in Their Death Than in Their Life
Shimshon merited upon his passing to be included in "Atik Yomin" (Ancient of Days, which has the same gematria as "Shimshon"). So too the true tzaddik, who is included in Atik Yomin, continues to be the leader of the generation even after his passing. Regarding Shimshon it is said:
"And the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he had killed in his life."
From here we learn that the true tzaddik, the true leader of the generation, subdues the enemies of holiness, the kelipot (husks) and the Sitra Achra (Other Side) in his death more than in his life. The death of the tzaddik is nothing but an aspect of deep sleep, because in truth the tzaddik lives and endures.
A clear example of this is found with Rabbi Elazar the son of Rabbi Shimon. After his passing, his righteous wife laid him in the attic, and he lay there for many years. People would come, stand behind the door and present their legal disputes, and they would hear the voice of Rabbi Elazar ruling from behind the door: "Reuven is innocent, Shimon is liable."
Rabbi Elazar and Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai are in the aspect of "those who sleep in the dust." The tzaddikim did not die; it is merely a long sleep leading up to the Resurrection of the Dead. Therefore, the Rashbi can speak with us and answer us. He sees that we are coming to him and hears us.
Traveling to the Rashbi: Above All Bounds of Nature
When we ascend to the tziyon of the Rashbi, we merit to see miracles and wonders. A person must travel to the Rashbi with self-sacrifice, with closed eyes, without seeing any obstacle – neither on his way there nor on his return. Whoever does this will merit to see worldly wonders and changes in nature this year, for the Rashbi is all-powerful and nothing is withheld from him.
The tzaddik calls to us: "Come to me, come to me, and then we can act." The moment we come to the tzaddik, we help him ascend further ascents and receive more mochin (spiritual intellect). The tzaddik only wants to bestow goodness and salvations upon us. He says: "Just come to Meron, and all the salvations, wonders, and miracles will open up." The person's mochin will open up to study all year, the heart will open to pray, to wake up in the morning, and to do hitbodedut (secluded prayer) in the fields. All physical and spiritual salvations are found there.
Traveling in Holy Awe
But the condition is to travel to the Rashbi in holy awe. During the journey, which takes several hours, one must not speak idle words, not joke around, and not do foolish things. A person travels in order to rectify all the salvations. The Rashbi is called "Adon Hashem" (Master of God), because you are traveling to Godliness; you are not traveling to human beings at all.
One must travel seriously, with holy books, with hitbodedut, humming holy melodies. When a person travels like this, the Rashbi can give him all the soul in the world. By the Rashbi there are no limitations. Whatever a person wants, thinks, or even does not dare to think – the tzaddik can give him.
The Main Success: Purification of the Soul
Despite all the physical salvations – apartments, shidduchim (marriage matches), children, and health – the main, true success is the success of the soul. The ultimate goal of the tzaddik is to purify the souls of Israel from their defilement.
The true success is that we emerge from the evil inclination, that the heat of our desires transforms into a flaming fire for Hashem, into a holy fire of:
"My soul thirsts for You, my flesh longs for You"
The greatest salvation is to escape from evil thoughts, from the lust for money and honor, from jealousy and hatred, and to return in complete teshuvah (repentance). Furthermore, when one comes to the Rashbi, one receives tremendous powers to influence others. One receives the power that every word a person speaks will immediately influence his friend to do teshuvah (repentance) and draw closer to Hashem.
Part 2 of 4 — Lesson No. 243