There are two types of sleep: a physical one and a
spiritual one. If the former is salutary, the second is dangerous and we must
make every effort to get out of it.
The path that leads to the spiritual revival begins with our obligation to find in ourselves positive aspects, even if we find ourselves in an extremely difficult situation. Giving some value to our own person and clinging to the slightest aspect of joy that we can still feel are the beginning of our salvation.
Conversely, when we perceive that we are very far from Hashem, this shows that we are immersed in a spiritual sleep. How could we be so distant if we were awake!
We must know that our faults and transgressions are not only acts that cause great sorrow for the Creator. When an individual does not respect the Divine Will, he creates real enemies who will then be the source of a significant number of his vicissitudes.
It is this reality that King David expressed when he said: "O Lord, how many have my adversaries become! Great men rise up against me."(Psalms 3: 2). This means that the adversaries of our souls - that is, our faults and transgressions - are the main reasons for our daily suffering.
When these evil forces are strengthening against us, we must realize that their goal is to destroy us, purely and simply, G-d forbid. In these situations, we imagine having no hope, no way out to regain the joy and pleasure of living. This is also the meaning of the words of King David when he said, "Many say concerning myself: "He has no salvation to expect from G-d "(id. 3: 3).
Overwhelmed on all sides, the feeling of losing balance and diving surrounds us. The buoy that could save us is slow to show up and we lack the strength to meet the challenge. Then, we want only one thing: to lay down and to fall asleep (id 3: 6). Once at this stage, we are in full spiritual sleep and the chances of awakening move away with great strides.
Yet, the truth is different. We are forbidden to despair and above all to despair of ourselves. We must rather strengthen ourselves in order to get out of this awakening and to open our eyes as soon as possible. To that end, the best weapon is probably to start finding good aspects in us, even though their number would be reduced.
The path that leads to the spiritual revival begins with our obligation to find in ourselves positive aspects, even if we find ourselves in an extremely difficult situation. Giving some value to our own person and clinging to the slightest aspect of joy that we can still feel are the beginning of our salvation.
Conversely, when we perceive that we are very far from Hashem, this shows that we are immersed in a spiritual sleep. How could we be so distant if we were awake!
We must know that our faults and transgressions are not only acts that cause great sorrow for the Creator. When an individual does not respect the Divine Will, he creates real enemies who will then be the source of a significant number of his vicissitudes.
It is this reality that King David expressed when he said: "O Lord, how many have my adversaries become! Great men rise up against me."(Psalms 3: 2). This means that the adversaries of our souls - that is, our faults and transgressions - are the main reasons for our daily suffering.
When these evil forces are strengthening against us, we must realize that their goal is to destroy us, purely and simply, G-d forbid. In these situations, we imagine having no hope, no way out to regain the joy and pleasure of living. This is also the meaning of the words of King David when he said, "Many say concerning myself: "He has no salvation to expect from G-d "(id. 3: 3).
Overwhelmed on all sides, the feeling of losing balance and diving surrounds us. The buoy that could save us is slow to show up and we lack the strength to meet the challenge. Then, we want only one thing: to lay down and to fall asleep (id 3: 6). Once at this stage, we are in full spiritual sleep and the chances of awakening move away with great strides.
Yet, the truth is different. We are forbidden to despair and above all to despair of ourselves. We must rather strengthen ourselves in order to get out of this awakening and to open our eyes as soon as possible. To that end, the best weapon is probably to start finding good aspects in us, even though their number would be reduced.
(Inspired by "Likoutey Halakhot"
by Rabbi Nathan of Breslev, Orach Chaim, Hilkoth Hachkamath
Haboker, 1: 2)
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