תּוֹרָה ע - וַיְהִי בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁמִינִי

Torah 574

There is a true Tzadik who is the foundation of the world — as it is written: ""and a Tzadik is the foundation of the world"" [Proverbs 10:25]. And this Tzadik is singular in the world. For he is the foundation of the world — from whom all things flow. And even all the Tzadikim are only branches from him — each according to his aspect. Some are in the aspect of a branch from him — and some in the aspect of a branch from a branch. And this singular Tzadik of the world is humble and lowly — and makes himself as dust. And through this he has the drawing-power to draw the entire world to him — to bring them close to Hashem Yisborach and His holy Torah. And this Tzadik draws all the influences to the world.

Also he is the aspect of the Tabernacle [Mishkan] — for it had drawing-power to draw divinity to the place where it stood. And similarly this Tzadik has drawing-power to draw divinity to the place where he is.

Also the honour that every person in the world has — from the smallest to the greatest — all of them receive only from this Tzadik. For all honour and greatness belongs only to him — and all receive from him. And likewise the renewal of honour — for each time honour is renewed — in that this official comes to a different appointment and the primacy and honour is renewed — all is through this Tzadik — in accordance with his erecting the Tabernacle each time — from which all honour comes.

That the world is distant from this Tzadik and not all are drawn to him — is through the compelling-force [koach ha-machriach] — which is against the drawing-force of the Tzadikim. For there are people who through their words and deeds — interrupt and compel a distancing from the true Tzadik. And the primary strengthening of the compelling-force is through arrogance and coarseness of spirit and honour — fearing that his honour will diminish and he will be disgraced when he draws close to the truth. Therefore all who wish to know the truth in its truest sense — must genuinely lower their opinion — and genuinely remember their lowliness and humility — and everything that has passed over them from the beginning of their life. And when one genuinely feels one's lowliness — then certainly the truth will be revealed to one. And the drawing-force will overpower the compelling-force. And one will be drawn with great alacrity to the true Tzadik.

When one gives charity to this Tzadik who makes himself as dust — one is immediately blessed. For it is the aspect of sowing in the dust — which sprouts doubled and redoubled — in the aspect of: ""sow for yourselves in righteousness and reap according to kindness"" [Hoshea 10:12].

The more a person makes himself smaller — the greater drawing-power he has. That is — to draw the "Shechinah" of His divinity down to the lower ones — that He dwell with us. Which is His will, may He be blessed, from the day He created His world. And likewise to draw people to him — to bring them close to His service, may He be blessed. And likewise to draw good influences and blessings to Israel. And likewise he merits to be drawn and to draw close to the true Tzadik as above.