כשאדם נושא מרגליות ואבנים טובות עומדין עליו גזלנים ולסטים, מה שאין כן כשנושא תבן וקש, ולכן בכל דור הרעים עומדים על כלל ישראל, וערב רב, שיש בהם כל מה שיש בקדושה,, וכבר ראה כל צרה זאת מרן אלוהיי הריב"ש ז"ל, וצעק ובכה על זה, על היותו בדור כזה, בדור אחרון, ואי אפשר לו לתקן נשמת ישראל בתורה ועבודה, על ידי הקוצים האלו, שיש להם דרכים משונים מקולקלים, וכל צדיק וחסיד יש נגדו כח המנגדו, ומושך לעצמו כל נשמות הנובלות פסולים, ולפעמים יכול להתגבר ברשעו על צדיק וכו'. (נוצר חסד פ"ב אות ד).
When a person carries with him pearls and gems, he may be attacked by robbers. Not so, however, when he carries straw. Likewise, in every generation, wicked people and a “mixed multitude”14A term for the non-Jewish rabble that followed Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 12:38). The Zohar, however, applies it to individuals among the Jewish people who will be reincarnations of these souls. They rebel against G-d and Torah and lead others to sin. Their influence will be especially felt in the generations before the Moshiach. rise up against Israel.15The Baal Shem Tov is addressing the problem of false leaders. Although they appear to be genuine, and even reflect in their behavior all the traits of true Tzaddikim, their leadership and presence actually delays the final redemption. Each true Tzaddik has such a person opposing him, who obstructs him from accomplishing his holy goals. For they have whatever exists in the realm of holiness. The Baal Shem Tov saw this trouble in the last generation and cried out over it. For because of these “thorns,” and their strange and distorted ways, he was unable to fix the souls of Israel by means of Torah study and Divine service. Indeed, every Tzaddik and Chasid has an opposing force, which draws to itself all the rejected souls. At times, the wicked are able to overcome the Tzaddik. Notzer Chesed, chap. 2:4
כשאדם נושא מרגליות ואבנים טובות עומדין עליו גזלנים ולסטים, מה שאין כן כשנושא תבן וקש, ולכן בכל דור הרעים עומדים על כלל ישראל, וערב רב, שיש בהם כל מה שיש בקדושה,, וכבר ראה כל צרה זאת מרן אלוהיי הריב"ש ז"ל, וצעק ובכה על זה, על היותו בדור כזה, בדור אחרון, ואי אפשר לו לתקן נשמת ישראל בתורה ועבודה, על ידי הקוצים האלו, שיש להם דרכים משונים מקולקלים, וכל צדיק וחסיד יש נגדו כח המנגדו, ומושך לעצמו כל נשמות הנובלות פסולים, ולפעמים יכול להתגבר ברשעו על צדיק וכו'.
(נוצר חסד פ"ב אות ד).
When a person carries with him pearls and gems, he may be attacked by robbers. Not so, however, when he carries straw. Likewise, in every generation, wicked people and a “mixed multitude”14A term for the non-Jewish rabble that followed Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 12:38). The Zohar, however, applies it to individuals among the Jewish people who will be reincarnations of these souls. They rebel against G-d and Torah and lead others to sin. Their influence will be especially felt in the generations before the Moshiach. rise up against Israel.15The Baal Shem Tov is addressing the problem of false leaders. Although they appear to be genuine, and even reflect in their behavior all the traits of true Tzaddikim, their leadership and presence actually delays the final redemption. Each true Tzaddik has such a person opposing him, who obstructs him from accomplishing his holy goals. For they have whatever exists in the realm of holiness. The Baal Shem Tov saw this trouble in the last generation and cried out over it. For because of these “thorns,” and their strange and distorted ways, he was unable to fix the souls of Israel by means of Torah study and Divine service.
Indeed, every Tzaddik and Chasid has an opposing force, which draws to itself all the rejected souls. At times, the wicked are able to overcome the Tzaddik.
Notzer Chesed, chap. 2:4