תּוֹרָה רו - תָּעִיתִי כְּשֶׂה אֹבֵד

Torah 1428

It is Hashem Yisborach's way — as soon as He sees that a person is going astray from the path of intellect — to call out to him. Sometimes He calls with a hint — and sometimes with an actual call — and sometimes He kicks and strikes him. And when he has not yet veered far from the straight path — it is then possible for him to return easily — since he still recognises the voice and is familiar with it. For he was recently close to Hashem Yisborach and has not yet forgotten the voice. But when he has already veered far from the path — he has already forgotten the voice of Torah and of Hashem Yisborach — and no longer recognises it. And it is then difficult for him to return — like the parable of the shepherd from whom a sheep strayed. As long as it had not strayed far — it still recognises the shepherd's voice. And when the shepherd calls — it follows him immediately. But when it has strayed far from the path — it has already forgotten the shepherd's voice and does not recognise it. And also the shepherd has despaired of seeking it — since it has been long since it strayed from him. Therefore one must pray to Hashem Yisborach and cry with a great voice from the depth of the heart: ""I have gone astray like a lost sheep — seek Your servant."" That is — hurry to seek me as long as I still remember at any rate the voice of Torah and the commandments. And this: ""for I have not forgotten Your commandments"" — yet. Therefore have mercy upon me and hurry to seek me immediately — so that I not be lost — G-d forbid.