T164 PNC - Stories of the Tzaddik — Sick Doctor Analogy / Right Remedy vs Known Remedy (1 seg)

Beginner: Regarding stories of the true tzaddik: consider the analogy of a sick doctor being treated by a great doctor. The sick doctor knows many remedies — tooth extraction, shaving, various procedures he learned in his training — and he wants to apply these to himself. But the great doctor sees that the patient needs entirely different, more precious and specific remedies. The sick doctor's knowledge, while real, is wrong for his particular situation. Similarly, a person who approaches the tzaddik of the generation brings his own understanding of what he needs and what remedies he thinks are appropriate for his spiritual situation. But the tzaddik, who sees more deeply, knows what the person truly needs — which may be completely different from what the person thinks he needs. The teaching: stories about the tzaddik's activities and guidance carry within them the specific remedies for specific spiritual illnesses, even when the person hearing the story doesn't understand how. Intermediate: Analogy: sick doctor being treated by great doctor. Sick doctor wants his own learned remedies; great doctor knows what's actually needed. Person approaching tzaddik: brings own understanding of what he needs. Tzaddik sees more deeply = knows truly needed (may be completely different). Stories of tzaddik = specific remedies for specific spiritual illnesses, even when listener doesn't understand how.