The Rebbe said that it takes both wisdom and great effort to be like an animal (cf. Shabbat 117b). The wisdom one needs to be like a beast is alluded to in the verse, “Every wise-hearted man whom God bestowed wisdom is a beast”20Usually translated, “Every wise-hearted man whom God bestowed wisdom in them (BaHeiMah).” BaHeiMaH can also be read, BeHeiMaH ("is a beast"). (Exodus 36:1).
It is also written, “God saves man and beast” (Psalms 36:7). Our Sages say this refers to “people who are wise and clever, and conduct themselves humbly like an animal” (Chulin 5b). This is also the meaning of Asaf’s words, “I was a fool, I did not know, I was like an animal before You” (Psalms 73:22).
אָמַר: שֶׁהוּא חָכְמָה וּמְלָאכָה גְּדוֹלָה לִהְיוֹת כְּמוֹ בְּהֵמָה. וְזֶה בְּחִינַת (שְׁמוֹת לו): "כָּל אֲשֶׁר נָתַן ה' חָכְמָה בָּהֵמָה". הַיְנוּ שֶׁהוּא חָכְמָה לַעֲשׂוֹת עַצְמוֹ כִּבְהֵמָה.
The Rebbe said that it takes both wisdom and great effort to be like an animal (cf. Shabbat 117b). The wisdom one needs to be like a beast is alluded to in the verse, “Every wise-hearted man whom God bestowed wisdom is a beast”20Usually translated, “Every wise-hearted man whom God bestowed wisdom in them (BaHeiMah).” BaHeiMaH can also be read, BeHeiMaH ("is a beast"). (Exodus 36:1).
וּכְמוֹ שֶׁאָמְרוּ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ ז"ל (חֻלִּין ה:): עַל פָּסוּק (תְּהִלִּים לו): "אָדָם וּבְהֵמָה תּוֹשִׁיעַ ה'" – אֵלּוּ בְּנֵי אָדָם שֶׁעֲרוּמִים בְּדַעַת וּמְשִׂימִין עַצְמָן כִּבְהֵמָה. וּכְמוֹ שֶׁאָמַר אָסָף (תְּהִלִּים עג): "וַאֲנִי בַּעַר וְלֹא אֵדָע בֶּהֱמוֹת הָיִיתִי עִמָּךְ", (וְעַיֵּן בְּמָקוֹם אַחֵר מִזֶּה).
It is also written, “God saves man and beast” (Psalms 36:7). Our Sages say this refers to “people who are wise and clever, and conduct themselves humbly like an animal” (Chulin 5b). This is also the meaning of Asaf’s words, “I was a fool, I did not know, I was like an animal before You” (Psalms 73:22).