BH
Moshe Rabbeinu asked Hashem: "Why is it that there are Tzaddikim who have it good, and Tzaddikim who have it bad? Why is it that there are wicked who have it good, and wicked who have it bad?" (Berakhot 7a)
Rebbe Nachman explains this to mean that there are Tzaddikim who have it good in that the law follows their opinion, while the Tzaddikim who have it bad refers to those that the law does not follow their opinion. And the wicked who have it good are those who are close to the Tzaddikim who have the law according to them, while the wicked who have it bad are those who are close to the Tzaddikim who the law does not follow their opinion. (see Likutey Moharan #56 towards the end).
To explain: there is what is called "Strife for the sake of Heaven" - i.e. strife between Torah scholars/Tzaddikim about how to best do the will of Hashem. The indication that it is for the sake of Heaven is if there is love and peace between them at the end of the argument, something like the strife between Shammai and Hillel.
In the process of this strife the Tzaddik who has it good - i.e. that the law follows his opinion - must first pass through this "experience" of strife/non-settlement in order to bring out the proper law/conduct. He has entered the realm of concealment and revealed the Torah within it. By doing so, he has proven that he has the ability to successfully sift out the good/Torah law on a practical level.
The wicked one who has it good is the one who is close to the Tzaddikim that the law follows them. This refers to the students of these Tzaddikim, who compared to Tzaddikim are considered "wicked" (see 1 Kings 17:18 where the woman of Tzarfat told Eliyahu the prophet that before he came to her vicinity she was considered the "righteous one", while now compared to Eliyahu she is now considered wicked). This means that their leader/Tzaddik who the law follows has "also" the ability to sift out the Torah/good which is found within the difficulties, obstacles etc. that they go through in life, thus being able to dispense good and proper advice to help them survive, outlive and succeed through their difficulties etc.
Whereas the wicked who are close to the Tzadikkim whom the law does not follow, are students who also face difficulties, obstacles etc. of which their leader - although a "real" Tzaddik - does not have the ability to dispense sound and positive Torah/advice to surpass their situations etc., since the law does not follow him.
In summary: there may be many Tzadikkim/leaders/Torah scholars with opposing views - all for the sake of Heaven - but one must look for those Tzaddikim that the "law follows them" - i.e. that are able to sift out and find Torah/advice/good counsel even in the most concealed and difficult situations in life.
(see BeIbey HaNachal on Likutey Moharan lesson 56 for more on this subject)
May we merit coming close to and to follow the True
Tzaddikim whom the law follows in all areas of life.
* * *
For those interested in the Mitzvah of helping support poor and needy large families living in the Holy Land during these tough financial times may do so by following this link: https://www.paypal.com/
As a token for your help and support please include your Hebrew name along with mother's Hebrew name (if applicable) so that we can daven for you - bli neder - for the next 40 consecutive days including sporadic prayers at the Holy Cites here (e.g. the Kotel, Kever Rachel, King David's grave etc.)
Shalom, be well and be strong
Sincerely
* * *
For those interested in the Mitzvah of helping support poor and needy large families living in the Holy Land during these tough financial times may do so by following this link: https://www.paypal.com/
As a token for your help and support please include your Hebrew name along with mother's Hebrew name (if applicable) so that we can daven for you - bli neder - for the next 40 consecutive days including sporadic prayers at the Holy Cites here (e.g. the Kotel, Kever Rachel, King David's grave etc.)
Shalom, be well and be strong
Sincerely
Meir Elkabas
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