
One begins to sense G-d's direct supervision over every detail. Anything
that seemed unjust or unfair is now understood as being orchestrated in
a wondrous way for the good. Only by passing through darkness and
obstacles can we draw closer to G-d, which is a fulfilment of the Divine
will.
Sometimes during difficult times we say ''Oy! This is too much! I've had enough obstacles and darkness! I'm finished!''
This way of thinking is erroneous, since we were not created to remain on a single level.
On the contrary, we were created to continually ascend from level to
level. Difficult situations are necessary in order to progress and come
closer to G-d. The message of Rebbe Nachman is that it shouldn't even
occur to a person to despair and think ''I can't go on''. Strengthen
yourself over and over again, and eventually you will make it through.
There is always a limit to difficulties because G-d doesn't leave us in difficult straits forever.
The only purpose of obstacles is to create a vessel to receive light.
Material obstacles and the vessels they can create have measure and
definition. However, G-d's light is unlimited. We need only to
strengthen ourselves and not give up. Sometimes one becomes so weak in
the last moment and loses everything. This is a shame, since at that
very moment a vessel is being completed to receive a higher light. At
the end, the darkness can become so overwhelming that we think we are
lost and give up completely, G-d forbid.
Constantly strengthening oneself is the secret to our existence.
There is no book in the world that can tell the entire awesome story of
what the Jewish people have undergone since inception. Yet, despite
everything, we continue to exist.
This is only because of our patience, trust and will to strengthen
ourselves anew each time, despite constant suffering. We will continue
to develop, and with the help of G-d, we will exist until the end, when
the purpose for which we were created will be fulfilled. To know the
unlimited light of the Infinite One.
Vessels to receive light are
formed through obstacles. By overcoming the obstacles, the obstacles
themselves are transformed into vessels of pleasantness. Rebbe Nachman
calls this pleasantness ''supernal delight'' which can now flow into
completed vessels. The delight that the upper intellect can experience
is more pleasant than anything in this world. This is the meaning of
''May the Compassionate One raise for us the Fallen Sukkah of David.''
There
is no such thing as despair! There is no situation beyond hope! The
Jewish people have always found themselves in difficult situations, and
today is no different. Instead of losing hope, we must strengthen
ourselves with perfected faith, especially during the days of Sukkot,
when we bring our entire physical being into the sukkah. We will then
be worthy of being illuminated with a new light, which will reestablish
the ''Fallen Sukkah of David forever''. Amen.
Translated and adapted from a shiur given in Tsfat.