אות - נא

This world has no purpose except as a place in which one can draw oneself toward the eternal goal. 78 The first part of this conversation was said on a Saturday night, the eve of Shavuot, 5569 (May 21, 1809). Tzaddik #185; Parparaot LeChokhmah II, 4:6. The lesson brought in Likutey Moharan II, 4 was said the following night.

Do not be concerned with wealth. With or without it, your life can be in vain.

The world deceives us completely. It makes us think that we are constantly gaining, but in the end we have nothing. People spend years earning money, but are left with empty hands. Even one who attains wealth is taken away from it.

Man and wealth cannot endure together. Either wealth is taken from the man, or the man is taken from his wealth. The two do not remain together.

Where are all the riches accumulated since the beginning of time? People have amassed wealth since the beginning – where is it all? It is absolutely nothing.

“And serving God?” “I don’t know of anyone who can claim that he serves God according to His greatness.” If you have some conception of God’s greatness, I do not understand how you can really claim to serve Him.

The highest angel cannot say that he truly serves God. The main thing is desire. Always yearn to approach God.

Many want to serve God, but not all have the same desire.

There are many levels of desire, even in one person. At any moment, his desire changes.

The main thing is to will, long and yearn for God. Through this, you can pray and study and keep His commandments.

But according to God’s greatness, all service is nothing. It is not really true service at all, but like a ‘performance’ in relation to the greatness of God.

Sophistication is nothing. Only simplicity and genuineness have value. It is forbidden to be foolish, even in your simplicity. But sophistication is totally unnecessary (see “ His Wisdom ” #19) .

It is not good to be ‘old’, 79 Alim LeTerufah #210, #255, #276, #350. Cf. Likutey Moharan I, 242. whether an ‘old’ chasid or an ‘old’ tzaddik.

You must remain young, renewing yourself each day and making a fresh start.

Only one thing improves with age. The Talmud teaches us that a pig becomes stronger as it grows older ( Shabbat 77b) .

Do not be a fanatic.

Serving God is not fanaticism. Those who pursue worldly goods are the true fanatics.

The world will consider you a fanatic if you abandon all worldliness in your quest for the Godly, but this is not necessary. For you can serve God with restraint ( Likutey Halakhot , Nikhsey HaGer 3:1) .

Take my advice and do not let the world fool you. It may try to deceive you, but it will never let things end well – even for those who acquire all it has to offer. Not only are they harmed, but future generations are damaged and destroyed.

Non-Jews as well need to know this. If the world is nothing, then what can one do? To know this, one must have help from on high. But Israel needs no further help, for the Torah has already taught us (ibid., Peru U-Revu 3:34) .

The world says that you need not seek greatness. But I say that you should only seek greatness.

Seek out the greatest possible tzaddik. Choose only the greatest tzaddik and guide ( Likutey Moharan I, 30:2) .

Desires that oppress a person may not be desires at all.

One must eat and drink, but it is a necessity. The body must be sustained. Likewise, one must beget children. This is all necessity and not desire. It can be accomplished in holiness and purity.

Your mind can withstand any temptation.

It is written, “God gives wisdom to the wise” (Daniel 2:21) . Every man has the potential of wisdom. It is this potential that must be used. This potential alone can overcome all temptations. But God also “gives wisdom to the wise,” and this can grant you even greater strength.

You may have succumbed to desire and sinned in many ways. You may have blemished your intellect, making it confused and weak. But still, you have some intelligence – and this alone can overcome all desires.

One grain of intelligence can overcome the world and all its temptations.

Wherever you are, you can be near to God. You can approach God and truly serve Him, even in the deepest pit of hell. 80 Ibid. , I, 6:4; ibid . 282. See “ His Wisdom ” #302.

The Rebbe commented that one needs tremendous effort or God’s help, 81 This was said during the summer of 5569 (1809), Tzaddik #185. but sometimes both, before the impurities in the mind are cleansed. When you do this, you will not want anything in this world. Everything will be the same to you.

It is written, “When you go forth, it shall guide you; when you lie down, it shall watch over you; and when you awake, it shall speak to you” (Proverbs 6:22) . [As our Sages teach: “'When you go forth, it (the Torah) shall guide you' s in this world; 'when you lie down, it shall watch over you' w in the grave; 'and when you awake, it shall speak to you' in the World to Come” ( Avot 6:9) .]

When you desire only God and His Torah, everything is the same to you. There is no difference between this world, the grave and the next world. In all three, you can grasp onto God and His Torah.

But if you grasp at this world, there is an agonizing difference. This world is spread before you, but the grave is a tight, cramped place. Purify your mind and all will be the same.