סימן ק"ע

Siman One Hundred and Seventyסימן קע The discourse: "Haveye'ah — how many are my adversaries [mah rabu tzarai]" — and so on — [Psalms 3]: for each person — and so on — one has suffering from them — and so on. And each one through his suffering carries the people who cause him suffering. It appears at first glance: the meaning is that he has suffering from them — namely: that they trouble him and distress him — and he carries them upon himself. For since they distress him — certainly all of them are upon him like a heavy burden. But: since through the suffering his body and physicality is subdued — and his soul grows — through this he is able to carry upon himself the heavy burden of the many people who distress him. But according to this: the conclusion — "many rise up against me" — is not readily understood. Unless one says: that this is a separate matter not elaborated above at all — only now informing us of a new matter: that through his having many adversaries — his soul grows — and he can bear and raise and lift many to their root. And another interpretation: perhaps the meaning is — that each person according to his soul and according to his service — so he has suffering. Some have suffering from their children — and from their father — and from a neighbor — and so on. The meaning is not that they themselves distress him, G-d forbid. Rather: the meaning is that he shares in their trouble — and carries upon himself also their suffering. As for example: from his children and his father — and so on — who have no sustenance — and similar matters — and he has suffering from this. And a great person carries upon himself the suffering of the whole city. And there are those who have suffering from the whole world — namely: from what is lacking for them. And in general: each person is full of suffering. And he grieves from this too — and has great suffering from it. And through this he carries them upon himself. And all of this is because his body is subdued through the above suffering — and his soul grows. And according to this interpretation: the conclusion is very well understood. For he is able to bear and raise and lift many to their root. And one must look carefully at this — and interpret: [Psalms 3] "Haveye'ah — how many are my adversaries [tzarai]" — meaning: that they do not intend, G-d forbid, to distress him. Rather on the contrary: through his loving them — he has many troubles and distresses from the troubles and afflictions that pass over them. And through this his soul grows — and he can raise and lift many to their root as above.