Likutay Moharan - Torah-teaching 277

277 – When There Is Controversy Against a Person

Know that when controversy arises against a person, one should not oppose the haters by responding in kind—“as he does to me, so I will do to him.” This only gives the hater what he seeks: to see in the person, God forbid, the faults he desires to find.

On the contrary—it is fitting to judge them favorably, to “do all good things” for them, reflecting “And my soul shall be as dust to all”—like the dust trodden upon by all but which gives them all good things: food, drink, silver, gold, precious stones, etc. Even if they dispute and wish him harm, one should act toward them with the humility and generosity of dust.

This applies especially when dissenters are wicked. But when the dispute comes from tzadikim (righteous ones), their intent is only for good—to uplift him through hidden measures and sweeten the judgments against him. Just as in charity, several Tannaim used to give gifts in secret so the recipient would not know (Ketubot 67b).

David’s request, “When the wicked rise up against me as evildoers” (Psalms 92), reflects this idea: the righteous dispute for his good, sweetening harsh judgments. The verse “The righteous shall flourish like a tamar” (Psalms 92:13) symbolizes that through such divine controversy, the tamar of Sitri Achra is overcome.

The root reality is that Sitri Achra arises from holy controversy—but only brilliance can sweeten judgments from their source. Hence the spiritual potency in righteous conflict: it heals and expands, not harms.

Even earthly remedies derive strength from the land—especially in Iyar, the month when the earth gives its fullness, just as spiritual healing comes through resolved controversy and divine peace.