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That is how a person should approach all of his imperfections you are required to wait, because “a person who comes to be
and cravings. All of these enhance the power of imagination and purified is told to wait.” You must be stubborn and consistent day
visualization. When the power of imagination rules over a person, in and day out, so that heaven will see that you are serious. You
he is an animal on two legs—a ravening, wild beast—because must attain a strong, powerful will so that you will be called a
the power of imagination is the animalistic power, as the Hasidic “master of will,” and you truly receive the title of “one who wills.”
teachings explain. A person is called a human being only when his You will receive everything as a result of a great deal of prayer.
power of imagination is purified. Therefore, the Hebrew word for These are the spiritual principles, and this is truly how things must
“man”—adam —comes from the word edameh, as in the phrase, be (in accordance with what I explained in the section on the
"I will visualize” (Isaiah 14:14). Every person who is controlled by spiritual principles).
evil traits and cravings must feel that overall he is not a human being,
that he is only an animal and beast. What terrible punishment this is: But when we pray, we do not ask God to save us in another
to be an animal and beast on two legs! As a result of contemplating few years. Doing so would dramatically weaken and subdue our
and visualizing this, he can have compassion on himself and feel prayers. When we pray and cry out, we want to receive salvation
that his every flaw and craving are worse than death. at this very moment. Why? Because we are standing and crying
out before the King, King of kings, the Holy One, blessed be He,
To Live the Truth Who is all-powerful, no thought of Whose is thwarted. As the verse
states, “I know that You are all-powerful and no thought of Yours
is frustrated” (Job 42:2). Hashem transcends all principles and all
The tzaddikim knew that every sin is death in its simplest sense.
Therefore, the Gemara tells about tzaddikim who were ready to die rules. Hashem created the laws of nature, and He nullifies them
rather than commit a sin, because they drew no distinction between when we truly cry out to Him. Hashem created the spiritual rules
as well, and He has the power to nullify them when we truly cry
committing a sin and experiencing death. Therefore, they chose to out to Him. Therefore, when we pray for spiritual matters, we do
die rather than transgress Hashem’s will. The Gemara tells:
not accept the limitations of any spiritual law, impediment or delay.

A gentile noblewoman urged Rav Tzadok to sin. He Every such acceptance constitutes a great weakness in our faith that
told her that he was famished and he must first eat. She Hashem is all-powerful.
went and lit a fire in the oven in order to cook him Transcend the Laws
some food. He entered the burning oven and sat down.
Hashem protected him, and the fire did not harm him. When you understand that a sin or craving is a deadly spiritual
The woman asked him, “Why did you do something so danger (as we will learn further on), you cannot entertain the notion
dangerous?” that Hashem only wants to save you in five years, that Hashem will
tell you, “Continue sinning for another few years, until I give you
He told her, “A person who commits this sin falls the knowledge, power and will to overcome your evil inclination.”
into the fire of Gehennom. Therefore, I decided to go That is not logical. Although there are spiritual principles, they
straight into the fire.” are in Hashem’s hand, and He is able to give you salvation and
circumvent all of these principles.
She said to him, “If I knew that this sin is so grievous in
your eyes, I would not have caused you so much pain.” However, there is really no need for that. Hashem has the power
to give you salvation even in accordance with these principles.