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physical disability is undergoing some sort of rectification or soul and imperfections into personal triumph. Chassidut assists us in this
healing by being “blessed” with this disability. God’s apparently process by revealing the following insight: the way to identify the
strict judgment of this individual is actually tempered by a certain rectifications we need to accomplish and our missions in this world
hidden mercy. is to determine which things come hardest to us. This is the sign
God has given us for determining where we must devote our greatest
Thus, since on some level the cohen’s blemish is God’s will, the
disqualification of such a cohen from the Temple service, provides us energies to fulfill our purposes on this earth.
with a powerful message: the world is imperfect, but the blemishes Indeed, I am always inspired and in awe of those who, despite
in the world require a process of rectification, and are, in fact, part severe handicaps, not only achieve a tremendous amount, but do
of such a rectification process. The reality of imperfection and our so with a positive attitude that reveals no sign of bitterness or self-
attempt to rectify the world actually entails a great paradox – for pity over all those things they will never be able to do. For all we
if God is perfect, how can there be imperfection at all, and if Divine know, the way physically and mentally challenged people deal with
Providence oversees all that happens, who are we to challenge, their disabilities and the mental attitudes they adopt may serve to
question, or try to change what appears to be Divinely decreed rectify their souls in ways we cannot fathom. Ironically, their trying
imperfection? circumstances may be the greatest blessing God could have given
These questions lead us to once again confront the paradox of human them. I always wonder whether I would be able to rise to the occasion
free will and Divine Omniscience. Indeed, the paradox is greater here if I was in the same situation.
for God has commanded us to rectify a world where imperfection Without a doubt, grappling with and rectifying both our own
seems to be built into the system. Although we may not be able to and the imperfections of creation is humanity’s task. After Jacob
solve these apparent existential contradictions, we are forcefully wrestled with the angel, he received a new name, “Israel.” The Torah
bidden by our tradition to try to bring healing, rectification, and explains the etymology of this name as “for you strove with God and
redemption whenever and wherever possible. Though free will and man and prevailed” (Genesis 32:29). Meeting the challenges of life is
God’s Providence exist simultaneously, we are tasked with exercising not necessarily easy or painless, yet when we rise to the occasion, we
our free will in the present as if there were no Divine Providence justify our very existence. The Hebrew words for “test” and “to lift
and all depends on our actions, only accepting the reality that “all is up” share the same root, teaching us that life’s tests and challenges
[truly] in the hands of Heaven” after the fact. are ultimately designed to elevate us to spiritual heights we would 24107-EYAL - 24107-EYAL | 13 - A | 18-01-28 | 12:12:05 | SR:-- | Magenta #24107-EYAL - 24107-EYAL | 13 - A | 18-01-28 | 12:12:05 | SR:-- | Yellow
Providing another perspective on physical disabilities, Rebbe not have otherwise reached. 24107-EYAL - 24107-EYAL | 13 - A | 18-01-28 | 12:12:05 | SR:-- | Black 24107-EYAL - 24107-EYAL | 13 - A | 18-01-28 | 12:12:05 | SR:-- | Cyan
Nachman of Breslov, in his classic story “The Seven Beggars,” depicts The Talmud recounts an allegorical story with the paradoxical
a series of beggars, each of whom suffers from a seemingly serious message that everything we do in this world (including opting not to
physical disability. As the story unfolds, we are surprised to find perform a mitzvah) provides us with an opportunity to serve God. In
that each beggar’s so-called flaw is actually his source of strength. this story, the nations of the world complain to God that if they had
This message speaks to all of us, for who knows what rectification been given mitzvot they too would have kept them as Israel does.
our souls require and what our purposes are in this world. In this God acquiesces and instructs them to perform the relatively “easy”
sense we are all potentially like these beggars, thrust into certain mitzvah of dwelling in the sukkah for the seven days of Sukkot. The
difficult circumstances, unable to ascertain the ultimate reward nations eagerly build sukkot and enter them, but God causes the sun
for our trials and suffering, but aware that our very strength may to blaze so intensely that the people wilt in the heat. In frustration
actually stem from our rising to the occasion and turning our flaws they leave their sukkot and disgustedly kick them on their way out.
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