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Chapter Two: | 29 28 | A New Light
Approbations it fair to create a being who is entirely driven by desires and tell Of course, we must keep the entire Torah, the mitzvot and
him, “Do not desire and do not lust”? A human being’s spirit is Jewish customs with joy. But the essence of your rectification, the
an animalistic entity that desires and craves thievery and forbidden rectification for whose sake you were sent into this world, is related
Mordechai Gross relations (Makkot 23b). to the issue that you are wrestling with. You must strive, work and

Rabbi and Av Beit Din, Khanikhei Hayeshivot struggle with that issue, because it constitutes the essence of why
And setting that aside, a person finds it difficult to grow spiritually: you came here. It constitutes the essence of your rectification, the
22 Menachem Av, 5776 to cling to Hashem, which is the essence of our purpose in life, to essence of your free will. It is the principal reason that you will
engage in intense prayer, and to fulfill all of the obligations of the receive reward that is not the “bread of shame.” And the Holy
heart. Working on these goals requires a person to engage in arduous One, blessed be He, receives His principal delight from you when
and sustained effort—and even then, success is not guaranteed. you struggle and strive to overcome this difficult challenge.

So that raises the question: Did Hashem only give the holy Torah But typically, because a person does not know how to conquer
This holy book is well-arranged and eloquent, satisfying souls who yearn to elevated, unique individuals such as Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai that challenge, he thinks that he lacks free will in that area of his life.
to establish Hashem’s will in their hearts and minds. It is appropriately called and his companions? What about the rest of us, we who are clumps He despairs entirely of being able to exercise his free will precisely
A New Light because in it the dawn breaks and great light shines forth, so of earth, creatures carved from clay? What can we do? Viewed in that area and with that issue, which constitutes the essence of
that the pure, supernal heavens rejoice and this world exults. This book helps superficially, it would appear that we cannot keep the Torah and
the soul rise level by level on the highway that leads to the house of God, in what he must rectify.
keeping with His will…. the mitzvot fully in this physical world. Is the holy Torah a hoax,
heaven forbid? Therefore, be aware that if you lose this battle, you will forfeit the
This holy work provides a healing balm to revive souls. Even when the very reason for which you came to this world.
holy nation is exhausted and driven, burdened by misfortune and spiritually This doubt mirrors the feeling of the many people who think that
beaten down, this book can inspire them with a holy fire, because it is entirely they lack the free will to keep the Torah and the mitzvot. In summary, everyone thinks that he lacks free will regarding
composed of qualities more precious than gold and fine gold, the work of the an issue that is difficult for him to master and that he has not
hands of a master, a gaon and tzaddik whose heart is like that of a lion on Their understanding is that human beings came into the world succeeded in rectifying.
behalf of the Torah and the service of Hashem. In his talks and in his many to make choices but that in reality we are unable to do so. And
books, Rabbi Shalom Arush, head of the holy yeshiva and institutions Chut
shel Chessed, has turned people away from sin to live in the light of the Torah so the entire system is unrealistic! We are supposed to have free Is This Realistic?
and keep its commandments in purity and holiness, ignoring the vanities of this will so that we may attain reward for our labors. But it seems that,
world, illumined by the inner light and the surrounding light. because we are overcome by the powers of evil, we are forced to This problem goes even deeper. As is known, people find great
choose evil against our will. The result is that every person will
May it be Hashem’s will that this crown of A New Light will renew the holy only receive punishment, God have mercy. Therefore, since it is difficulty in fully meeting their obligations—in particular, in the
children of Israel like an eagle to do His will completely with a full heart. May seemingly impossible for us to attain reward for our efforts, perhaps areas of attaining holiness and improving their character. As the
those who seek elevation rejoice. Rabbi Arush has done well in his wisdom, Gemara states, “Rabbi Yehudah said in the name of Rav: The
with pleasant words that establish souls of Israel, that illumine them, arouse it would have been better for us to receive the “bread of shame.” majority of people [engage in] dishonest behavior, a minority
them and help them understand the word of Hashem. These words are a [engages in] forbidden relations, and everyone [engages in] a trace
healing potion that comes from the Torah of life. With it, treasures open Changing Our Outlook
before them and they are established so that they are “planted in the house of of evil speech” (Bava Batra 176a).
Hashem and blossom in the courtyards of our God,” clinging to the supernal
God. In consequence, may the redemption of Israel come about with the My dear fellow-Jew, I want to make it clear to you that whatever The Gemara also states that “the Holy One, blessed be He, does
power of the will that is established at a time of holiness, even when the Jews level you are on, despite every problem you face, you can not treat people unfairly” (Avodah Zarah 3a). But isn’t it unfair to
experience an ultimate state of God’s concealment. May they declare Hashem choose good. You possess a way to choose good in every situation, create a being who is naturally self-centered and egotistic, and
King, yearning and longing, “When will I come and see the face of God?” to change all of your traits and desires for the better, and to acquire tell him, “Do not hate your brother in your heart,” “Do not be
(Psalms 42:3). May that day come quickly, in our days. 1 everything in serving Hashem! envious,” “Do not take vengeance and do not bear a grudge”? Is