Humility

HH

The Chok Liyisroel on the Torah portion of Va-yichee, Friday (-available in English at echok.org) in the section of mussar - ethics, brings the most awesome revelation from our Sages. That all the hardships and miseries that Jacob suffered, the rape of his daughter Dina, the kidnapping of his prized son Joseph, and many more, were all brought upon him from HY so that he would not have haughtiness over his brother Esau [who was a serial killer, rapist, extortionist etc. on an altogether different level]! #Mindboggling.

Rabbainu said that he could easily put an end to all the strife against him, but he always has to ascend to higher levels to draw close to HY, and strife elevates a person, and there are certain levels are attainable only through being a victim of strife, may HY save us.

All levels are ultimately evaluated and classified according to the humility therein, because humility is the highest trait, and therefore it is the deciding and overall definer of every level (just like a billionaire isn't called a millionaire, so too every level is defined by its highest value). Rabbainu said that he was the humble one of all the tzadikim. Rabbainu was always seeking to be yet even more humble and more humble, to no end at all, to the Ain Sof (the Infinite One who has no end) blessed He.

Rabbainu said that a tzadik can be so great that he has no one to be embarrassed from, just from HY Himself. A tzadik can revel in his inadequacy before HY.


Na Nach Nachma Nachman MayUman!

Depression

HH

A few of my friends have complained of suffering from depression, and I always felt that this comes with the turf of fighting to reveal the ultimate redemption of Na Nach into the world, obviously the evil realm will do its utmost to crush them, may HY the all merciful One save us. However, Rabbainu revealed another way of understanding this, and that is almost the very opposite; the depression is not the work of the evil realm, but rather it is Hashem Yisburach revealing to the person the state and the plight of the Shechina! Rabbainu says that when a person realizes this, even though the pain may be great, he will be overcome with ecstasy in the realization that he is privileged to be privy to such a direct revelation from HY. May HY save us from such things, and may we work harder and more effectively on bringing respite to the horrible plight of general state of affairs of the world which are unfortunately very shrouded in the all types of darkness.

Na Nach Nachma Nachman MeUman!