T152 PNC - Holy Soul With Branches — Klipah Encircles / Emunah Opening / Mesiras Nefesh (2 segs)

When a holy soul enters this world along with its attached branches (the spiritual 'branches' that are the different facets and extensions of the soul's root), the klipah (spiritual husk/force of impurity) immediately encircles and surrounds it — trying to gain hold. Yet one opening remains: the opening that faces faith (emunah). Opposite emunah, the klipah has no power to close the opening. From this opening — from the person's capacity for faith — defects and falling away can be repaired. The klipah cannot spread over and seal this faith-opening because the God-fearing person stands guard there. As long as the person maintains his emunah, the klipah cannot completely enclose him.

The klipah cannot draw near or spread over the emunah-opening because the God-fearing person stands there as a guard. Through mesiras nefesh — self-sacrifice, meaning the willingness to give up comfort, convenience, and ego in order to travel and draw close to the tzaddik — it becomes possible to attach oneself to him. But wisdom itself (the seichel/brain) cannot illuminate the full depth of this connection without this self-sacrifice. The journey to the tzaddik requires something beyond intellect — it requires the full commitment of the person's will and self, overcoming all obstacles. This is the aspect of 'through mesiras nefesh, one can attach to the tzaddik': the bond is proportional to the degree of self-giving.