Ready and Willing
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
Often I feel lonely when reflecting on the Chassidim of previous generations. They had a deep and expansive understanding of Chassidus. They lived relatively simple lives, the life of the shtetl without all of the complexities and interferences of our world today. They had refinement of character. They had close-knit stable communities with support systems and with warm and inspiring examples to look up to. They were bolstered by the legendary fabrengens which we read about and close relations with their fellow Jews. It's as if they were almost half angels. Then, when I descend from those thoughts into the mundane thoughts of today I see the difference and think; what is it that we bring to the table? Haven’t they already done it all? What’s left for us?
When we look in the Rebbe’s Sichos and Maamarim we get a completely different perspective. This week is parshas Eikev. It begins with the words “V’haya Eikev tishmaun, And it will be, because you will heed these ordinances”. Rashi explains that the word, eikev, also refers to the Mitzvos which we trample under our feet that they too should be listened to and done. The word eikev also means heel which hints to the end of times the heels of Moshiach. What is the difference between the head the heart and the heel? The head and the heart understanding and feel. The Rebbe explains that the heel has neither understanding nor feeling. The heel represents these times when we neither understand nor feel G-dliness. In the times of the Bais HaMikdash the perception of the people was wide open to G-dliness and therefore they had pleasure and inward commitment toward all that is Holy. Since there was understanding and feeling, therefore when it came time for self-sacrifice it was carried out with great emotion desire and commitment.
Not so today! In this confusing busy and distracting world of ours, bereft of feeling and understanding, there are times when we ask ourselves why we do the mitzvos. Our answer, the only proper answer, is because this is what Hashem wants. We do it because it's the right thing to do, period. The Rebbe states that this is the ultimate form of bitul, self nullification. The Rebbe sees the ultimate value in our service of Hashem because it's pure and unadulterated. It's not based on our personal inspiration or insight. It's simply and purely doing that which is what Hashem wants, period.
In previous generations people understood what a Rebbe and a Tzaddik is all about. When they stood in front of the Rebbe they trembled knowing the Rebbe knew their innermost thoughts and everything about them. It was often far beyond what they could bear; some fainted. They were incredibly nullified before the Rebbe. There are others unaware of any of this. All they know is to immediately do what the Rebbe asks for, whether or not they understand.
In terms of bitul, self nullification the first person, the true Chosid and even the person who lived in the times of the Bais HaMikdash represents a great quantity of nullification. The greatest bitul, qualitatively however, the true end pure nullification is even greater by the second person the one with less sensitivity and insight. To be doing it SOLELY because Hashem wants, and only because the Rebbe wants, regardless if it's a high level mitzvah or only a minhag is the highest level of bitul possible.
When we study the Rebbe’s Torah, his Sichos and his Maamarim not just once or twice but over and over again and think about it deeply, we begin to experience a shift in our thinking. We begin to realize what the Rebbe is really telling us and it changes us. It affects how much we do as well as the way we act. Making the extra effort of applying ourselves to the Rebbe’s words and ways actually gets us to be motivated with all of our abilities. May we all immediately come to the clarification of our service of Hashem to the point where we realize and recognize where we stand; prepared to greet Moshiach now
A Good Shabbos