Grabbing A Good Point

Translated by Aaron Yoseph

Once Rebbe Nachman dreamed a dream that a truly great Gaon (genius) and Talmid Chochom (Torah scholar) arrived, but no-one greeted him. He was surprised – why was this? And they answered him in the dream, that you can’t say “Shalom” in very dirty places, for “Shalom” is one of Hashem’s Names. He really was a great man, but his body had to make such corrections, and descend so low that in such places, that you can’t say “Shalom,” there.

A person asks about himself, “How can I be such a paradox – two opposite things, such a holy soul and such a grimy body that I fall to such places?”

People that don’t know Breslev think that Rebbe Nachman was only talking to great people, as if the main thing is only to do everything with great holiness and purity, truly cleaving to Hashem. That’s true, but before that, a person has to stay afloat and save himself from drowning in a sea of sin and heresy.

I hear people all the time who say, “I’m not one of these people who serve Hashem. There are thousands who merited it, and there are tens of thousands who didn’t merit it – and I’m one of these ten thousand.” They are discouraged and forlorn, with no joy in their Judaism. They fall into sadness, depression,  hassles, and all types of setbacks. They lose their will to live and are like walking zombies. A person goes through sorrow at home and at work – he almost goes mad, he can’t revive himself, nothing speaks to him, and his soul can’t hear anything.

What can we do in such a down situation? Hashem sends us down to such low places – what can we do? That’s why a person experiences such pulls and craziness – to the point that he thinks that the Rebbe was only speaking to “perfect” people who merit to stay strong in emuna all the time. But what about the average person?

We must remember that the Yetzer Hora, the evil inclination that poisons our minds with all the negativity, is Esau. If one remembers that Hashem is with every single Jew, he can easily beat Esau. This is our task every day – to beat Esau, and to make corrections in the lowly places of this world, every person – literally. And this is our main penitence – to know that I can start over afresh every time, to want and to yearn to receive the light of  Hashem that’s relevant to me. I’ll pray for emuna and guidance, even if I’ve fallen so far away. I won’t give up! The Rebbe was talking specifically to me – it makes no difference if I’m not a big tzaddik, because I’m only expected to do what I am able to do.

This world looks so bleak because most of our lives are spent dealing with hassles and making money and all sorts of things. But Hashem only wants one thing – that you shouldn’t despise the firstborn right like Esau did. Instead, you keep on wanting. The creation of Heaven and Earth was worthwhile for this alone – for your sacrifice for Hashem’s glory that you are doing in this low place where you have to be, in this place where you’re suffering.

Rebbe Nachman’s advice is not only for the “perfect” ones, who have “merited.” Although, in truth, the Rebbe does want us to live a truly good life, to come into serving Hashem and do everything with holiness. But, if it doesn’t work out, we have an amazing piece of advice that really does work. Remember that Hashem can help you every day. Hashem can help you find a shidduch, make money, or be at peace. Hope for Hashem’s salvation and don’t give up. With that in mind, make a new start! Put the despair aside and grab one of your many good points. One good point is enough to make your soul rejoice. G-d bless!