Strengthen yourself in faith, completely avoiding all speculation. Do not look into philosophy, but believe in God with innocent faith.43This was spoken on Shabbat Chanukah 5570/1809, soon after “His Wisdom” #17 (Parparaot LeChokhmah 7:7; Tzaddik #185. See “His Wisdom” #103, #126, #219.
It may seem that the average person is very far from philosophical involvement, but they do indeed embrace it. Everybody philosophizes. Even young children often have confusing theories.
You must take care to remove all speculation from your heart. Cast it away and do not think about it at all. All you need is a pure faith in God and in the true tzaddikim.
We have received the Torah through Moses our teacher, and it has been transmitted to us by the great awesome tzaddikim of each generation. They can be relied upon without question. All one must do is follow in their footsteps, believing in God with innocent simplicity and keeping His Torah and commandments as taught by our holy ancestors.
When a person goes with simple faith and without speculation, he can be worthy that God will help him in reaching the level of Desire, which is even higher than Wisdom.44The Kabbalists speak of Desire as an aspect of Keter, the Crown of creation (see Sha'arey Orah #10; Pardes Rimonim 23:20). This is above the sefirah of Chokhmah (Wisdom).
Whilst the attribute of Wisdom is actually higher than Faith,45The highest aspect of faith is related to Binah (Understanding), the sefirah below Chokhmah (Tikkuney Zohar, introduction, 5a, on Isaiah 33:6). nevertheless, we must avoid the wisdom of speculation and rely on faith alone, because faith has great power. When one follows its path, one can achieve Desire, a level even higher than Wisdom. When one is worthy of Desire, he feels a great longing and yearning toward God. This feeling becomes so intense that he does not know what to do. And he cries out ….
But there is a philosopher in every man’s heart. He is the Evil One, who raises questions in our heart. We must humble him and eject him, strengthening ourselves in faith and emptying the heart of all questions.
There are sins that infuse a person with skepticism. This can also result from a person not having been conceived in holiness, especially if he himself is guilty of similar sins. All these are detrimental to one’s faith.
Therefore, a person should be greatly ashamed of the fact that he has doubts regarding belief. Such questions are an indication that he was conceived in an unholy state or that he himself is guilty of such sins. It is these things that cause one to doubt the essence of our faith. “God’s glory fills all the earth” (Numbers 14:21), for, “The whole earth is filled with His glory” (Isaiah 6:3). A person must realize this, and remember that his doubts are divorcing him from the living God and uprooting him from the Life of all life.
We need not describe the great shame a person should have because of such doubts. But with heartbreak and shame, he can expel and destroy all these questions.
If you have faith, then you have a source of comfort and inspiration even when troubles strike (see “His Wisdom” #53). You realize that all troubles are ultimately for your good and are an atonement for your sins. You believe that God will be good to you in the end, both in this world and the next.
It is impossible to put everything into writing, but an intelligent person should be able to build upon this himself (cf. Sanhedrin 93b; Chagigah 14a).
The main thing is innocent faith. With it, one can be strong both in this world and the next. Happy is he who has such faith, for he shall never be moved (Psalms 112:6).
There are souls conceived in absolute holiness. When a person with such a soul comes down to this world and is not subsequently tainted with sin, he does not have doubts, Even if others express their skepticism in such a person’s presence, his mind is not disturbed. Like a eunuch who is not aroused by lewd conversation, he i remains totally oblivious. His ears are deaf to all their speculation and confusion.
In truth, the average person’s questions are mere foolishness. Upon close examination, their questions turn out to be not questions at all. Many people are disturbed by questions for years, not realizing that their questions really contain the answers. Only their lack of intelligence makes them seem like questions in the first place.
They have questions like those one might ask a child: “If we have a broken window, why replace it with a pane from the next window if a bird can then fly through the remaining empty frame?”
Such a question actually includes its own answer. But a child does not realize this and considers it a very difficult question. He will ponder it and not know what to reply. But the question itself is really very foolish. The question about the bird is really the answer to the first foolish question. The reason why we do not use the adjacent pane is precisely because it leaves a space through which a bird can fly.
A young child does not have enough intelligence to realize that the answer is included in such a question. Precisely for this reason, the question seems very difficult to him.
The same is true of many people. A foolish question enters their mind and they have no idea that this question actually includes its own answer. It seems like a difficult question, but this is due to their lack of intelligence. Understand this well.
צָרִיךְ לְחַזֵּק אֶת עַצְמוֹ בֶּאֱמוּנָה וְלִבְלִי לִכְנֹס בַּחֲקִירוֹת כְּלָל, וְלִבְלִי לְעַיֵּן כְּלָל בִּסְפָרִים שֶׁל מְחַקְּרִים, רַק לְהַאֲמִין בְּהַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ בֶּאֱמוּנָה לְבַד בְּלִי שׁוּם חֲקִירוֹת כְּלָל.
Strengthen yourself in faith, completely avoiding all speculation. Do not look into philosophy, but believe in God with innocent faith.43This was spoken on Shabbat Chanukah 5570/1809, soon after “His Wisdom” #17 (Parparaot LeChokhmah 7:7; Tzaddik #185. See “His Wisdom” #103, #126, #219.
וְאַף־עַל־פִּי שֶׁנִּדְמֶה לָנוּ שֶׁהַהֲמוֹן עַם הֵם רְחוֹקִים מֵחֲקִירוֹת וְאֵינָם מְחַקְּרִים כְּלָל, אַף־עַל־פִּי־כֵן בֶּאֱמֶת כֻּלָּם הֵם מְעֹרָבִים בַּחֲקִירוֹת. כִּי כָּל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד יֵשׁ לוֹ חֲקִירוֹת וַאֲפִלּוּ קְטַנִּים בָּאִים עַל מַחֲשַׁבְתָּם חֲקִירוֹת וּבִלְבּוּלִים.
It may seem that the average person is very far from philosophical involvement, but they do indeed embrace it. Everybody philosophizes. Even young children often have confusing theories.
אֲבָל בֶּאֱמֶת צָרִיךְ כָּל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד לִזָּהֵר מְאֹד לְהַרְחִיק הַחֲקִירוֹת מִלִּבּוֹ וּלְהַשְׁלִיכָם מִלִּבּוֹ לְגַמְרֵי לִבְלִי לִהְיוֹת ח"ו שׁוּם חַקְרָן כְּלָל, רַק לְהַאֲמִין בַּה' וּבְצַדִּיקִים אֲמִתִּיִּים בֶּאֱמוּנָה לְבַד בְּלִי שׁוּם חֲקִירוֹת כְּלָל.
You must take care to remove all speculation from your heart. Cast it away and do not think about it at all. All you need is a pure faith in God and in the true tzaddikim.
כִּי כְּבָר זָכִינוּ לְקַבֵּל תּוֹרָתֵנוּ הַקְּדוֹשָׁה עַל־יְדֵי מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ ע"ה, וּכְבָר הָיָה לָנוּ צַדִּיקִים רַבִּים גְּדוֹלִים וְנוֹרָאִים בְּכָל דּוֹר וָדוֹר וְרָאוּי לָנוּ לִסְמֹךְ עֲלֵיהֶם בְּלִי שׁוּם חֲקִירוֹת, וְלֵילֵךְ בְּעִקְּבוֹתָם לְהַאֲמִין בְּהַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ בִּפְשִׁיטוּת וּלְקַיֵּם תּוֹרָתוֹ וּמִצְווֹתָיו כַּאֲשֶׁר מָסְרוּ לָנוּ אֲבוֹתֵינוּ הַקְּדוֹשִׁים.
We have received the Torah through Moses our teacher, and it has been transmitted to us by the great awesome tzaddikim of each generation. They can be relied upon without question. All one must do is follow in their footsteps, believing in God with innocent simplicity and keeping His Torah and commandments as taught by our holy ancestors.
וּכְשֶׁאָדָם הוֹלֵךְ בִּתְמִימוּת בֶּאֱמוּנָה לְבַד בְּלִי שׁוּם חֲקִירוֹת יָכוֹל לִזְכּוֹת שֶׁיַּעֲזֹר לוֹ הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ שֶׁיָּבוֹא לִבְחִינַת "רָצוֹן", שֶׁהוּא לְמַעְלָה מֵחָכְמָה.
When a person goes with simple faith and without speculation, he can be worthy that God will help him in reaching the level of Desire, which is even higher than Wisdom.44The Kabbalists speak of Desire as an aspect of Keter, the Crown of creation (see Sha'arey Orah #10; Pardes Rimonim 23:20). This is above the sefirah of Chokhmah (Wisdom).
כִּי בֶּאֱמֶת חָכְמָה דִּקְדֻשָּׁה הוּא לְמַעְלָה מֵאֱמוּנָה, אֲבָל אַף־עַל־פִּי־כֵן אָנוּ צְרִיכִים לִבְלִי לֵילֵךְ בְּחָכְמוֹת וַחֲקִירוֹת רַק בֶּאֱמוּנָה לְבַד, כִּי אֱמוּנָה הוּא דָּבָר חָזָק מְאֹד, וַאֲזַי כְּשֶׁהוֹלֵךְ בֶּאֱמוּנָה לְבַד בְּלִי חֲקִירוֹת וְחָכְמוֹת אֲזַי זוֹכֶה לָבוֹא לִבְחִינַת רָצוֹן שֶׁהוּא לְמַעְלָה אֲפִלּוּ מֵחָכְמָה, דְּהַיְנוּ שֶׁיִּזְכֶּה שֶׁיִּהְיֶה לוֹ רָצוֹן מֻפְלָג חָזָק מְאֹד אֵלָיו יִתְבָּרַךְ בְּהִשְׁתּוֹקְקוּת נִמְרָץ מְאֹד עַד שֶׁלֹּא יֵדַע מַה לַּעֲשׂוֹת כְּלָל מִגֹּדֶל הַהִשְׁתּוֹקְקוּת. וְיִצְעַק וְכוּ'.
Whilst the attribute of Wisdom is actually higher than Faith,45The highest aspect of faith is related to Binah (Understanding), the sefirah below Chokhmah (Tikkuney Zohar, introduction, 5a, on Isaiah 33:6). nevertheless, we must avoid the wisdom of speculation and rely on faith alone, because faith has great power. When one follows its path, one can achieve Desire, a level even higher than Wisdom. When one is worthy of Desire, he feels a great longing and yearning toward God. This feeling becomes so intense that he does not know what to do. And he cries out ….
אַךְ יֵשׁ חַקְרָן שֶׁהוּא בְּתוֹךְ לֵב בְּנֵי אָדָם. דְּהַיְנוּ הַבַּעַל דָּבָר שֶׁהוּא מַכְנִיס חֲקִירוֹת בְּלֵב הָאָדָם וּצְרִיכִין לְהַכְנִיעוֹ וּלְגָרְשׁוֹ, לְגָרֵשׁ מִלִּבּוֹ כָּל הַחֲקִירוֹת וּלְחַזֵּק אֶת עַצְמוֹ בֶּאֱמוּנָה כַּנַּ"ל.
But there is a philosopher in every man’s heart. He is the Evil One, who raises questions in our heart. We must humble him and eject him, strengthening ourselves in faith and emptying the heart of all questions.
וְדַע, כִּי יֵשׁ עֲבֵרוֹת שֶׁהֵם מַכְנִיסִים כְּפִירוֹת בְּאָדָם. וְיֵשׁ שֶׁבָּאִים עֲלֵיהֶם מַחֲשָׁבוֹת עַל הָאֱמוּנָה מֵחֲמַת שֶׁלֹּא נוֹלְדוּ בִּקְדֻשָּׁה כָּרָאוּי. וְיֵשׁ שֶׁהוֹסִיפוּ עַל זֶה מַעֲשֵׂיהֶם הָרָעִים שֶׁעָשׂוּ בְּעַצְמָם, כִּי יֵשׁ עֲבֵרוֹת שֶׁהֵם מַזִּיקִים וּפוֹגְמִים אֶת הָאֱמוּנָה כַּנַּ"ל.
There are sins that infuse a person with skepticism. This can also result from a person not having been conceived in holiness, especially if he himself is guilty of similar sins. All these are detrimental to one’s faith.
וְלָזֶה צְרִיכִין בּוּשָׁה וְלֵב נִשְׁבָּר, שֶׁמִּי שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ חֲקִירוֹת וּמַחֲשָׁבוֹת אֵלּוּ ח"ו, רָאוּי לוֹ לְהִתְבַּיֵּשׁ מְאֹד עַל אֲשֶׁר נוֹלַד בְּגַשְׁמִיּוּת כָּזֶה אוֹ שֶׁעָשָׂה מַעֲשִׂים כָּאֵלּוּ שֶׁבָּא לָזֶה שֶׁיָּבוֹאוּ לוֹ מַחֲשָׁבוֹת כְּנֶגֶד אֱמוּנָתֵנוּ הַקְּדוֹשָׁה, "וּכְבוֹד ה' מָלֵא אֶת כָּל הָאָרֶץ" (בַּמִּדְבָּר י"ד־כא) כִּי "מְלֹא כָּל הָאָרֶץ כְּבוֹדוֹ" (יְשַׁעְיָה ו־ג). וְעָלָיו בָּאִים מַחֲשָׁבוֹת ח"ו לְגָרְשׁוֹ וּלְעָקְרוֹ ח"ו מֵאֱלֹקִים חַיִּים אֲשֶׁר הוּא חֵי הַחַיִּים יִתְבָּרַךְ וְיִתְעַלֶּה שְׁמוֹ.
Therefore, a person should be greatly ashamed of the fact that he has doubts regarding belief. Such questions are an indication that he was conceived in an unholy state or that he himself is guilty of such sins. It is these things that cause one to doubt the essence of our faith. “God’s glory fills all the earth” (Numbers 14:21), for, “The whole earth is filled with His glory” (Isaiah 6:3). A person must realize this, and remember that his doubts are divorcing him from the living God and uprooting him from the Life of all life.
וְאֵין צָרִיךְ לְבָאֵר גֹּדֶל הַבּוּשָׁה שֶׁרָאוּי שֶׁיִּהְיֶה לוֹ כְּשֶׁבָּאִים עָלָיו מַחֲשָׁבוֹת כָּאֵלּוּ ח"ו. וְעַל־יְדֵי בּוּשָׁה וְלֵב נִשְׁבָּר, עַל יְדֵי זֶה מְגָרֵשׁ וּמְשַׁבֵּר הַחֲקִירוֹת וְהַמַּחֲשָׁבוֹת הַנַּ"ל.
We need not describe the great shame a person should have because of such doubts. But with heartbreak and shame, he can expel and destroy all these questions.
וּבֶאֱמֶת אֱמוּנָה הוּא עִנְיָן חָזָק מְאֹד, וְחַיָּיו חֲזָקִים מְאֹד עַל־יְדֵי אֱמוּנָה.
Faith is a very strong thing, and it can greatly fortify your life.
כִּי כְּשֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ אֱמוּנָה, אֲפִלּוּ כְּשֶׁבָּאִים עָלָיו יִסּוּרִים ח"ו, אֲזַי יוּכַל לְנַחֵם עַצְמוֹ וּלְהַחֲיוֹת אֶת עַצְמוֹ – כִּי הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ יְרַחֵם עָלָיו וְיֵיטִיב אַחֲרִיתוֹ, וְהַיִּסּוּרִים הֵם לוֹ לְטוֹבָה וּלְכַפָּרָה וּבַסּוֹף יֵיטִיב לוֹ הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה אוֹ בָּעוֹלָם הַבָּא.
If you have faith, then you have a source of comfort and inspiration even when troubles strike (see “His Wisdom” #53). You realize that all troubles are ultimately for your good and are an atonement for your sins. You believe that God will be good to you in the end, both in this world and the next.
אֲבָל מְחַקֵּר שֶׁאֵין לוֹ אֱמוּנָה, כְּשֶׁבָּא עָלָיו אֵיזֶה צָרָה, אֵין לוֹ לְמִי לִפְנוֹת וְאֵין לוֹ בַּמֶּה לְהַחֲיוֹת אֶת עַצְמוֹ וּלְנַחֵם אֶת עַצְמוֹ.
The faithless skeptic, on the other hand, has nowhere to turn when troubles strike. He is utterly alone, with nothing to enliven or comfort him.
(וְהַמַּשְׂכִּיל יָבִין דְּבָרִים אֵלּוּ מֵאֵלָיו וְיָבִין דָּבָר מִתּוֹךְ דָּבָר כִּי אִי אֶפְשָׁר לְבָאֵר הַכֹּל בִּכְתָב).
It is impossible to put everything into writing, but an intelligent person should be able to build upon this himself (cf. Sanhedrin 93b; Chagigah 14a).
וְהַכְּלָל: שֶׁעִקָּר הוּא הָאֱמוּנָה, בְּלִי שׁוּם חֲקִירוֹת כְּלָל. וּבָזֶה יִהְיֶה חָזָק לְעוֹלָם בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה וּבָעוֹלָם הַבָּא וּלְעוֹלָם לֹא יִמֹּט – אַשְׁרֵי לוֹ.
The main thing is innocent faith. With it, one can be strong both in this world and the next. Happy is he who has such faith, for he shall never be moved (Psalms 112:6).
גַּם זֹאת צָרִיךְ לָדַעַת, שֶׁיֵּשׁ נְשָׁמוֹת כְּשֵׁרוֹת שֶׁנּוֹלְדוּ בְּכַשְׁרוּת וְגַם לֹא קִלְקְלוּ מַעֲשֵׂיהֶם, שֶׁאֵין בָּאִים עֲלֵיהֶם כְּלָל מַחֲשָׁבוֹת כָּאֵלּוּ, וַאֲפִלּוּ כְּשֶׁמְּדַבְּרִים בִּפְנֵיהֶם מֵעִנְיָנִים אֵלּוּ לֹא אִכְפַּת לָהֶם כְּלָל וְאֵינוֹ מְבַלְבֵּל דַּעְתָּם כְּלָל. וְזֶה דּוֹמֶה כְּמוֹ שֶׁמְּדַבְּרִים מִתַּאֲוָה הַיָּדוּעַ בִּפְנֵי סָרִיס, שֶׁבְּוַדַּאי אֵינוֹ מְבַלְבֵּל דַּעְתּוֹ כְּלָל, כֵּן אֵלּוּ הָאֲנָשִׁים כְּשֵׁרִים הַנַּ"ל אֵינָם שׁוֹמְעִים כְּלָל וְאֵינוֹ נִכְנָס בְּאָזְנֵיהֶם כְּלָל עִנְיְנֵי חֲקִירוֹת וּבִלְבּוּלִים הַנַּ"ל.
There are souls conceived in absolute holiness. When a person with such a soul comes down to this world and is not subsequently tainted with sin, he does not have doubts, Even if others express their skepticism in such a person’s presence, his mind is not disturbed. Like a eunuch who is not aroused by lewd conversation, he i remains totally oblivious. His ears are deaf to all their speculation and confusion.
וּבֶאֱמֶת הַקֻּשְׁיוֹת וְהַחֲקִירוֹת שֶׁל הַהֲמוֹן עַם, הֵם שְׁטוּתִים גְּדוֹלִים וְאֵינָם קֻשְׁיוֹת כְּלָל. וְיֵשׁ בְּנֵי אָדָם שֶׁהוֹלְכִים עִם אֵיזֶה קֻשְׁיָא זְמַן רַב, וּבֶאֱמֶת הַקֻּשְׁיָא שֶׁלּוֹ הוּא תֵּרוּץ, רַק מֵחֲמַת שֶׁאֵין לוֹ דַּעַת – נִדְמֶה לוֹ לְקֻשְׁיָא.
In truth, the average person’s questions are mere foolishness. Upon close examination, their questions turn out to be not questions at all. Many people are disturbed by questions for years, not realizing that their questions really contain the answers. Only their lack of intelligence makes them seem like questions in the first place.
כְּמוֹ לְמָשָׁל שֶׁשּׁוֹאֲלִין אֶת הַתִּינוֹק, שֶׁנִּשְׁבַּר הַזְּכוּכִית שֶׁל הַחַלּוֹן וְלָקְחוּ הַזְּכוּכִית הַשֵּׁנִי שֶׁאֶצְלוֹ וּקְבָעוּהָ כָּאן וְאִם־כֵּן יִפְרַח הַצִּפּוֹר דֶּרֶךְ הֶחָלָל הַזֶּה שֶׁל זְכוּכִית הַשֵּׁנִי?!
They have questions like those one might ask a child: “If we have a broken window, why replace it with a pane from the next window if a bird can then fly through the remaining empty frame?”
וּכְשֶׁשּׁוֹאֲלִין אֶת הַתִּינוֹק כָּךְ, דְּהַיְנוּ שֶׁכּוֹלְלִין לוֹ הַתֵּרוּץ עִם הַקֻּשְׁיָא בְּיַחַד אֲזַי נִדְמֶה לוֹ לְקֻשְׁיָא גְּדוֹלָה, וְאֵינוֹ יוֹדֵעַ מַה לְּהָשִׁיב כְּלָל, כִּי נִדְמֶה לוֹ לְקֻשְׁיָא גְּדוֹלָה, וּבֶאֱמֶת הַכֹּל שְׁטוּת, כִּי אַדְּרַבָּא, הַקֻּשְׁיָא – שֶׁיִּפְרַח הַצִּפּוֹר הוּא תֵּרוּץ עַל קֻשְׁיָא הָרִאשׁוֹנָה שֶׁל שְׁטוּת. כִּי בֶּאֱמֶת אֵין לוֹקְחִין בִּשְׁבִיל זֶה הַזְּכוּכִית הַשֵּׁנִי לִסְתֹּם, כִּי יִפְרַח דֶּרֶךְ שָׁם.
Such a question actually includes its own answer. But a child does not realize this and considers it a very difficult question. He will ponder it and not know what to reply. But the question itself is really very foolish. The question about the bird is really the answer to the first foolish question. The reason why we do not use the adjacent pane is precisely because it leaves a space through which a bird can fly.
רַק הַתִּינוֹק מֵחֲמַת חֶסְרוֹן הֲבָנָתוֹ אֵינוֹ מֵבִין שֶׁכּוֹלְלִין לוֹ הַקֻּשְׁיָא עִם הַתֵּרוּץ בְּיַחַד וְנִדְמָה לוֹ לְקֻשְׁיָא גְּדוֹלָה.
A young child does not have enough intelligence to realize that the answer is included in such a question. Precisely for this reason, the question seems very difficult to him.
כְּמוֹ כֵן מַמָּשׁ בְּנֵי אָדָם שֶׁנִּכְנָס בְּלִבָּם קֻשְׁיוֹת שֶׁל שְׁטוּת כָּאֵלּוּ, שֶׁבֶּאֱמֶת זֹאת הַקֻּשְׁיָא הוּא תֵּרוּץ, אַךְ מֵחֲמַת חֶסְרוֹן הֲבָנָתוֹ נִדְמֶה לוֹ שֶׁהוּא קֻשְׁיָא גְּדוֹלָה וְהָבֵן הֵיטֵב.
The same is true of many people. A foolish question enters their mind and they have no idea that this question actually includes its own answer. It seems like a difficult question, but this is due to their lack of intelligence. Understand this well.
עַל־כֵּן צָרִיךְ הָאָדָם לְסַלֵּק מִדַּעְתּוֹ וְלִבְרֹחַ מִקֻּשְׁיוֹת וַחֲקִירוֹת וּשְׁטוּתִים וּבִלְבּוּלִים רַק לְחַזֵּק אֶת עַצְמוֹ בֶּאֱמוּנָה לְבַד כַּנַּ"ל.
Consider all this and be strong in faith. Flee from this foolishness and confusion, and cast all questions and doubts from your mind.