לִקּוּטֵי מוֹהֲרַ״ןLikutei Moharan · Shiurim
Likutei Moharan II:15 · תּוֹרָה ט״ו✓ watched

אֵלּוּ הַמִּתְפָּאֲרִין עַצְמָן בְּשֶׁקֶר בִּגְדוֹלוֹת וְנִפְלָאוֹת, וּכְאִלּוּ

Those Who Boast Falsely

False leaders who boast of wonders draw their power only from great tzaddikim who speak of great things; they imitate their words, since a true tzaddik's holy speech, which comes from charity, carries two meanings. Simple tzaddikim, who serve Hashem plainly with Torah and prayer, give them no hold. Yet the liars are a blessing: wicked donors turn to them, and the true tzaddik is spared their damaged charity. All this is hinted in Rabbi Zeira's question: why is the camel's tail short and the ox's long?

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הַמָּקוֹר · Original text 912 words
א׳

אֵלּוּ הַמִּתְפָּאֲרִין עַצְמָן בְּשֶׁקֶר בִּגְדוֹלוֹת וְנִפְלָאוֹת, וּכְאִלּוּ אֵין שׁוּם דָּבָר נִמְנָע מֵהֶם, וְהַכֹּל בְּיָדָם, וְיֵשׁ מֵהֶם שֶׁהֵם מַנְהִיגֵי הַדּוֹר – הִנֵּה עִקָּר כֹּחָם וִינִיקָתָם הוּא רַק מֵהַצַּדִּיקִים הַגְּדוֹלִים.

כִּי יֵשׁ צַדִּיקִים אֲמִתִּיִּים גְּדוֹלִים בְּמַעֲלָה, וְיֵשׁ לָהֶם פֶּה קָדוֹשׁ, וְדַרְכָּם לְדַבֵּר גְּדוֹלוֹת וְנִפְלָאוֹת, וְהֵם בֶּאֱמֶת יְכוֹלִים לַעֲבֹד ה' בְּכָל דָּבָר שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם: בַּאֲכִילָה וּשְׁתִיָּה וּשְׁאָר דְּבָרִים. וְכַמּוּבָא בַּכַּוָּנוֹת, שֶׁלִּפְעָמִים מַמְתִּיקִין דִּינִים עַל־יְדֵי אֲכִילָה וּשְׁתִיָּה. וְיֵשׁ צַדִּיקִים אֲמִתִּיִּים, שֶׁיְּכוֹלִין לַעֲשׂוֹת פִּדְיוֹן עַל־יְדֵי אֲכִילָתָם וְכַיּוֹצֵא.

וּמֵחֲמַת הַהִתְפָּאֲרוּת שֶׁל אֵלּוּ הַצַּדִּיקִים הַגְּדוֹלִים שֶׁיּוֹצֵא מִפִּיהֶם הַקָּדוֹשׁ, מִזֶּה בָּא, שֶׁנִּמְצָאִים צְבוּעִים שַׁקְרָנִים, שֶׁמִּתְדַּמִּים עַצְמָן כְּקוֹף, וּמִתְפָּאֲרִין עַצְמָן גַּם כֵּן מַמָּשׁ בְּאֵלּוּ הַלְּשׁוֹנוֹת שֶׁל הִתְפָּאֲרוּת, שֶׁיּוֹצֵא מִפֶּה קָדוֹשׁ שֶׁל הַצַּדִּיק הָאֱמֶת. וּכְעֵין שֶׁמָּצִינוּ בַּנְּבִיאִים, שֶׁיִּרְמְיָה הָיָה מִתְנַבֵּא בַּשּׁוּק הָעֶלְיוֹן: הִנְנִי שֹׁבֵר אֶת קֶשֶׁת עֵילָם וְכוּ' (ירמיהו מ״ט:ל״ה), וַחֲנַנְיָה בֶּן עַזּוּר, נְבִיא שֶׁקֶר, הָיָה מִתְנַבֵּא בְּלָשׁוֹן זֶה מַמָּשׁ לְהֵפֶךְ (סנהדרין פט), כְּמוֹ־כֵן מִתְנַהֵג עַכְשָׁו כַּנַּ"ל.

אֲבָל עִקָּר יְנִיקָתָם – רַק מִצַּדִּיקִים כָּאֵלּוּ שֶׁהוֹלְכִים בִּגְדוֹלוֹת וְנִפְלָאוֹת כַּנַּ"ל. כִּי מִצַּדִּיקִים פְּשׁוּטִים, עוֹבְדֵי ה' בִּפְשִׁיטוּת, בְּתוֹרָה וּתְפִלָּה וּמַעֲשִׂים טוֹבִים, אֵין לָהֶם שׁוּם כֹּחַ, מֵאַחַר שֶׁהַצַּדִּיקִים בְּעַצְמָן אֵינָם מְדַבְּרִים גְּדוֹלוֹת, וּמִתְנַהֲגִים בִּפְשִׁיטוּת בַּעֲבוֹדָה תַמָּה, עַל־כֵּן אֵין לְהַשֶּׁקֶר וְהַגַּדְלוּת שֶׁלָּהֶם אֲחִיזָה בָּהֶם כָּל־כָּךְ. וְאַף־עַל־פִּי שֶׁגַּם בָּזֶה אֶפְשָׁר קְצָת שֶׁיִּמָּצְאוּ שַׁקְרָנִים צְבוּעִים בְּדֶרֶךְ זֶה, כְּמוֹ שֶׁנִּמְצָא, שֶׁיֵּשׁ אֲנָשִׁים שֶׁיּוֹשְׁבִים מְעֻטָּפִים בְּטַלִּית וּתְפִלִּין כָּל הַיּוֹם, וְהֵם צְבוּעִים, עִם כָּל זֶה אֵין לָהֶם כֹּחַ לְהַטְעוֹת הָעוֹלָם כָּל־כָּךְ כְּמוֹ אֵלּוּ הַמִּתְפָּאֲרִין בִּגְדוֹלוֹת כַּנַּ"ל.

כִּי דַּע, שֶׁהַצַּדִּיק הָאֱמֶת הַנַּ"ל מְקַבֵּל דִּבּוּר פִּיו הַקָּדוֹשׁ מִבַּעֲלֵי־צְדָקָה, וְזֶה בְּחִינַת (תהילים קי״ט:ק״ח): נִדְבוֹת פִּי רְצֵה נָא ה' – שֶׁהַצַּדִּיק מְקַבֵּל דִּבּוּר פִּיו מִנְּדִיבֵי לֵב, דְּהַיְנוּ בַּעֲלֵי־צְדָקָה.

וּצְדָקָה הִיא בְּחִינַת מַיִם, בִּבְחִינַת (שם קיד): הַהֹפְכִי הַצּוּר אֲגַם מָיִם, הַצּוּר – זֶה בְּחִינַת (תהילים ע״ג:כ״ו): צוּר לְבָבִי, כִּי יֵשׁ לֵב אֶבֶן (יחזקאל ל״ו:כ״ו), דְּהַיְנוּ אַבִּירֵי לֵב הָרְחוֹקִים מִצְּדָקָה (ישעיהו מ״ו:י״ב), וְזֶהוּ: הַהֹפְכִי הַצּוּר אֲגַם מָיִם, דְּהַיְנוּ שֶׁנִּתְהַפֵּךְ לְלֵב רַךְ, בְּחִינַת (איכה ב׳:י״ט): שִׁפְכִי כַמַּיִם לִבֵּךְ נֹכַח פְּנֵי ה', הַיְנוּ לֵב רַךְ לְהִתְנַדֵּב לִצְדָקָה. וּבִשְׁבִיל זֶה נִקְרָא צְדָקָה מַיִם, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב (עמוס ה׳:כ״ד): וּצְדָקָה כְּנַחַל אֵיתָן, וְזֶה בְּחִינַת (קהלת י״א:א׳): שַׁלַּח לַחְמְךָ עַל פְּנֵי הַמָּיִם, הַנֶּאֱמָר בִּצְדָקָה.

וְעַל־יְדֵי הַצְּדָקָה נַעֲשֶׂה פֶּה קָדוֹשׁ שֶׁל הַצַּדִּיק כַּנַּ"ל, וְזֶה בְּחִינַת (ר"ה ו.): בְּפִיךָ – זוֹ צְדָקָה, שֶׁעַל־יְדֵי צְדָקָה נַעֲשֶׂה הַפֶּה שֶׁל הַצַּדִּיק כַּנַּ"ל. וְהַצַּדִּיק הוּא בְּחִינַת (דברים ל״ג:י״ז): בְּכוֹר שׁוֹרוֹ הָדָר לוֹ, וּבְכוֹר נוֹטֵל פִּי שְׁנַיִם, הַיְנוּ שֶׁדִּבּוּר פִּיו הַקָּדוֹשׁ יֵשׁ לוֹ שְׁנֵי מַשְׁמָעוֹת, וּמִזֶּה בָּא שֶׁיֵּשׁ כֹּחַ וִינִיקָה לְהַצְּבוּעִים הַנַּ"ל לִינֹק מֵהֶם, לַהֲפֹךְ דִּבְרֵיהֶם אֶל הַשֶּׁקֶר שֶׁלָּהֶם, מֵאַחַר שֶׁהַדִּבּוּר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בְּעַצְמוֹ יֵשׁ לוֹ שְׁנֵי מַשְׁמָעוֹת, בִּבְחִינַת פִּי שְׁנַיִם כַּנַּ"ל:

ב׳

אֲבָל בֶּאֱמֶת הוּא טוֹבָה לְהַצַּדִּיק הָאֱמֶת מַה שֶּׁנִּמְצָאִים אֵלּוּ הַשַּׁקְרָנִים הַמִּתְדַּמִּים אֲלֵיהֶם. כִּי יֵשׁ רְשָׁעִים שֶׁנּוֹתְנִין צְדָקָה לְצַדִּיקִים, וְעַל־יְדֵי הַצְּדָקָה נַעֲשֶׂה בְּחִינַת יַבֹּק, הַיְנוּ: יִחוּד בְּרָכָה קְדֻשָּׁה, וְכָל שָׁלֹשׁ בְּחִינוֹת אֵלּוּ נֶאֶמְרוּ בְּמַיִם, שֶׁהוּא בְּחִינַת צְדָקָה כַּנַּ"ל. יִחוּד – כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב (בראשית א׳:ט׳): יִקָּווּ הַמַּיִם מִתַּחַת הַשָּׁמַיִם אֶל מָקוֹם אֶחָד. בְּרָכָה – כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב (שם): יִשְׁרְצוּ הַמַּיִם שֶׁרֶץ נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה וְכוּ'. קְדֻשָּׁה – כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב (במדבר ה): מַיִם קְדֹשִׁים.

וּמֵחֲמַת זֶה נִמְצָאִים בַּעֲלֵי־צְדָקָה שֶׁהֵם נוֹאֲפִים, כִּי הֵם יוֹנְקִים מִבְּחִינַת הַיַּבֹּק הַנַּ"ל. וּבְחִינַת הַיַּבֹּק בִּקְדֻשָּׁה הוּא בְּחִינַת זִוּוּגִין דִּקְדֻשָּׁה, וְאֶצְלָם נִתְקַלְקֵל זֹאת הַיְנִיקָה, וְנַעֲשֶׂה אֶצְלָם נִאוּף, רַחֲמָנָא לִצְלָן. וְעַל־כֵּן הַצְּדָקָה שֶׁלָּהֶם הִיא רָעָה אֵצֶל הַצַּדִּיק. כִּי הַצַּדִּיק מְקַבֵּל דִּבּוּר פִּיו הַקָּדוֹשׁ מִן הַצְּדָקָה, וּכְשֶׁנִּתְקַלְקֵל אֶצְלָם כַּנַּ"ל, גּוֹרֵם פְּגָם לְדִבּוּר פִּיו שֶׁל הַצַּדִּיק, שֶׁמְּקַבֵּל מִשָּׁם כַּנַּ"ל.

וְעַל־כֵּן הוּא טוֹבָה מַה שֶׁנִּמְצָאִים הַשַּׁקְרָנִים הַנַּ"ל, שֶׁאֲזַי אֵלּוּ הָרְשָׁעִים הַנּוֹתְנִים צְדָקָה פּוֹנִין אֲלֵיהֶם וְנוֹתְנִין לָהֶם, וּכְמַאֲמַר יִרְמְיָה הַנָּבִיא: הַכְשִׁילֵם בַּעֲנִיִּים שֶׁאֵינָם מְהֻגָּנִים, כְּמוֹ שֶׁדָּרְשׁוּ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ זִכְרוֹנָם לִבְרָכָה (ב"ק טז:), וַאֲזַי נִצּוֹל הַצַּדִּיק הָאֱמֶת מִפְּגַם הַצְּדָקָה שֶׁלָּהֶם כַּנַּ"ל.

אֲבָל עִקָּר כֹּחַ יְנִיקַת הַשַּׁקְרָנִים הַנַּ"ל הוּא רַק מֵאֵלּוּ הַצַּדִּיקִים הַגְּדוֹלִים, הַהוֹלְכִים בִּגְדוֹלוֹת כַּנַּ"ל, אֲבָל מֵאֵלּוּ הָעוֹסְקִים בַּתּוֹרָה תָּמִיד וּמִתְנַהֲגִים בִּפְשִׁיטוּת, אֵין לָהֶם יְנִיקָה וְכֹחַ, כַּנַּ"ל:

ג׳

וְזֶהוּ שֶּׁשָּׁאַל רַבִּי זֵירָא אֶת רַב יְהוּדָה: מַאי טַעֲמָא גַּמְלָא זוּטְרֵי גְּנוּבְתֵהּ וְתוֹרֵי אֲרִיכָא גְּנוּבְתֵהּ (שבת עז:),

גַּמְלָא – זֶה בְּחִינוֹת הַצַּדִּיק הַפָּשׁוּט, בִּבְחִינַת (תהילים קל״א:א׳): וְלֹא הִלַּכְתִּי בִּגְדֹלוֹת וְנִפְלָאוֹת כְּגָמֻל עֲלֵי אִמּוֹ; כִּי הוּא מִתְנַהֵג בִּפְשִׁיטוּת, וְאֵינוֹ מְדַבֵּר גְּדוֹלוֹת, וְכָל עֲבוֹדָתוֹ הוּא בִּבְחִינַת שְׁתִיקָה. כִּי אֵין יוֹצֵא מִפִּיו גְּדוֹלוֹת וְנִפְלָאוֹת, וְהוּא רַק כְּגָמוּל עֲלֵי אִמּוֹ, וְזֶהוּ בְּחִינַת גַּמְלָא.

וְזוּטְרֵי גְּנוּבְתֵהּ – זֶה בְּחִינַת נָבִיא וּמוֹרֵה שֶׁקֶר, הוּא הַזָּנָב, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב בִּישַׁעְיָה. הַיְנוּ אֵלּוּ הַצְּבוּעִים הַמְשַׁקְּרִים, בְּחִינַת נְבִיאֵי הַשֶּׁקֶר, שֶׁאֲחִיזָתָם הוּא רַק בַּצַּדִּיקִים הַגְּדוֹלִים כַּנַּ"ל. אֲבָל בְּהַצַּדִּיקִים הַפְּשׁוּטִים, שֶׁהֵם בְּחִינַת גַּמְלָא, אֵין לָהֶם אֲחִיזָה כָּל־כָּךְ, וְזֶהוּ זוּטְרֵי גְּנוּבְתֵהּ כַּנַּ"ל. וְזֶהוּ:

תּוֹרֵי אֲרִיכָא גְּנוּבְתֵהּ – זֶהוּ בְּחִינַת הַצַּדִּיקִים הַגְּדוֹלִים, בְּחִינַת: בְּכוֹר שׁוֹרוֹ הָדָר לוֹ כַּנַּ"ל. וַאֲרִיכָא גְּנוּבְתֵהּ – הַיְנוּ שֶׁעִקָּר יְנִיקַת הַנָּבִיא וּמוֹרֶה הַשֶּׁקֶר, שֶׁהוּא הַזָּנָב, הוּא רַק אֶצְלָם כַּנַּ"ל.

וְזֶהוּ שֶׁהֵשִׁיב: מִשּׁוּם דְּאָכְלִי קוֹצֵי, הַיְנוּ שֶׁאֵלּוּ הַצַּדִּיקִים הַפְּשׁוּטִים, שֶׁהֵם בְּחִינַת גַּמְלָא, אָכְלִי קוֹצֵי – שֶׁאוֹכְלִים וּמְכַלִּים אֶת הַקּוֹצִים וְהַחוֹחִים הַסּוֹבְבִים אֶת הַשּׁוֹשַׁנָּה הָעֶלְיוֹנָה. וְשׁוֹשַׁנָּה זֶה בְּחִינַת הַדִּבּוּר הַקָּדוֹשׁ, בְּחִינַת (שיר השירים ה׳:י״ג): שִׂפְתוֹתָיו שׁוֹשַׁנִּים וְכוּ'. כִּי הֵם עוֹסְקִים בְּתוֹרָה וַעֲבוֹדָה יוֹם וָלַיְלָה, וּמְכַלִּים כָּל הַחוֹחִים, שֶׁלֹּא יִהְיֶה לָהֶם יְנִיקָה מֵהַדִּבּוּר הַקָּדוֹשׁ. כִּי מֵעֲבוֹדָה פְּשׁוּטָה בִּתְמִימוּת אֵין לָהֶם יְנִיקָה כַּנַּ"ל, כִּי אֵינָם יְכוֹלִים לְהִתְדַּמּוֹת אֲלֵיהֶם וְלִנְהֹג שֶׁקֶר שֶׁלָּהֶם עַל־יָדָם, מֵאַחַר שֶׁהַנְהָגָתָם רַק בִּתְמִימוּת וּבִפְשִׁיטוּת כַּנַּ"ל.

וְתוֹרֵי אֲרִיכָא גְּנוּבְתֵהּ, מִשּׁוּם דְּדָּיְרִי בַּאֲגַמֵּי וּבָעֵי לְכִרְכּוּשֵׁי בָּקֵי.

דְּדָּיְרִי בַּאֲגַמֵּי – הַיְנוּ שֶׁמְּקַבְּלִים דִּבּוּר פִּיהֶם הַקָּדוֹשׁ מִבַּעֲלֵי־צְדָקָה, מִבְּחִינַת: הַהֹפְכִי הַצּוּר אֲגַם מָיִם כַּנַּ"ל. וְזֶהוּ

דְּדָּיְרִי בַּאֲגַמֵּי, וּבָעֵי לְכִרְכּוּשֵׁי בָּקֵי – בְּחִינַת יַבֹּק הַנַּ"ל, שֶׁצְרִיכִין לְגָרֵשׁ הַ"יַּבֹּק" שֶׁל הַצְּדָקָה שֶׁנּוֹתְנִין רְשָׁעִים, כִּי אֶצְלָם נִפְגָם הַ"יַּבֹּק" כַּנַּ"ל, וְגוֹרֵם רָעָה לְהַצַּדִּיק שֶׁמְּקַבֵּל דִּבּוּר פִּיו מֵהֶם כַּנַּ"ל, וְעַל־כֵּן הוּא טוֹבָה גְדוֹלָה מַה שֶּׁיּוֹנֵק מֵהֶם הַנָּבִיא וְכוּ', שֶׁהוּא הַזָּנָב, שֶׁעַל־יְדֵי־זֶה מְגָרְשִׁין הָרְשָׁעִים מֵעַצְמָן. כִּי מַכְשִׁילִין אוֹתָן בְּשַׁקְרָנִים הַנַּ"ל, שֶׁפּוֹנִין אֲלֵיהֶם וְנוֹתְנִין לָהֶם הַצְּדָקָה, וְנִצּוֹלִין הַצַּדִּיקִים, כַּנַּ"ל:

Hebrew text: Likutei Moharan Tinyana - rabenubook.com via Sefaria (Public Domain) · Sefaria. Names of Hashem are written in the customary form.

Transcripts

1-minute recap

Likutey Moharan Tinyana, Torah fifteen. Those who boast falsely.

Those who boast falsely of wonders draw their strength only from the great tzaddikim.

A true tzaddik's holy speech comes from charity, and his words carry two meanings, so imitators can twist them.

But simple tzaddikim, busy with Torah and prayer, give the liars no hold at all.

As Rabbi Zeira asked: why is the camel's tail short, and the ox's tail long?

Our own reflection: serve Hashem simply and truly. Simplicity leaves no room for falsehood.

Explainer

Likutey Moharan Tinyana, Torah fifteen: those who boast falsely. Where do false leaders get their power, and why can't they touch the simple servant of Hashem?

Some boast falsely of great wonders, as if nothing is beyond them, and some even lead the generation. Rebbe Nachman says their power comes only from the great tzaddikim.

For there are true tzaddikim of great stature, with a holy mouth. They speak of great wonders, and truly can serve Hashem in everything, even in eating and drinking; some can even make a pidyon that way.

Imitators copy their very words, like a monkey. So it was with the prophets: Yirmiyahu prophesied, I will break the bow of Eilam, and the false prophet Chananya ben Azur used the same words, turned upside down.

But from simple tzaddikim, who serve Hashem plainly with Torah, prayer and good deeds, they draw no strength. There are hypocrites who sit in tallis and tefillin all day, but they cannot mislead the world like the boasters.

The true tzaddik receives his holy speech from those who give charity. Charity is water: it turns a heart of stone into a soft heart. And the tzaddik is a firstborn, who takes a double portion, pi shenayim: his holy words carry two meanings. That is where the liars find their hold, twisting his words to their falsehood.

Yet the liars are actually good for the true tzaddik. Charity makes yabok: unity, blessing and holiness. But when wicked people give charity, that holy flow is damaged, and it harms the tzaddik's speech. So it is good that they turn to the liars and give to them instead; the true tzaddik is spared.

This is Rabbi Zeira's question: why is the camel's tail short, and the ox's tail long? The camel is the simple tzaddik, quiet like a weaned child; the tail, the false prophet, has little hold on him. The ox is the great tzaddik, the firstborn ox; there the tail is long.

And the answers. The camel eats thorns: simple tzaddikim, learning and praying day and night, consume the thorns around the rose of holy speech. The ox lives in the marshes and must swat away gnats: the great tzaddik receives from charity, and the false ones draw away the damaged charity of the wicked.

Our own reflection: a simple, honest service of Hashem is the safest path. There is nothing in it for falsehood to hold on to.

Full shiur

— Part 1: Where False Leaders Get Their Power —

Likutey Moharan Tinyana, Torah fifteen: those who boast falsely. A shiur in two parts. Part one: where the false leaders get their power.

Gold is Rebbe Nachman's own words, from Likutey Moharan Tinyana, Torah fifteen. Grey is a verse or teaching he quotes. Green is our own explanation. The Hebrew is the public-domain text from Sefaria; the English is our own paraphrase.

Rebbe Nachman opens: Those who falsely boast of great things and wonders, as if nothing were beyond them and everything were in their hands, some of whom are even leaders of the generation: the main source of their power and nourishment is only the great tzaddikim.

For there are true tzaddikim, great in stature, who have a holy mouth, and their way is to speak of great things and wonders. And they truly can serve Hashem in everything in the world: in eating and drinking and other things. As the Kavanos bring, sometimes judgements are sweetened through eating and drinking; and there are true tzaddikim who can make a pidyon through their eating and the like.

And because of the boasting of these great tzaddikim, which comes from their holy mouth, there arise lying hypocrites who imitate them like a monkey, and boast in exactly the same words of praise that come from the holy mouth of the true tzaddik. We find the like with the prophets: Yirmiyahu prophesied in the upper market, 'Behold, I break the bow of Eilam', and Chananya ben Azur, a false prophet, prophesied in these very words, but the reverse. So it goes now too.

But their main nourishment is only from tzaddikim like these, who go in great things and wonders. From simple tzaddikim, who serve Hashem simply, with Torah, prayer and good deeds, they have no power. Since these tzaddikim do not speak of great things, and conduct themselves simply in wholehearted service, the liars' falsehood and grandness have little hold on them.

Even here, a few lying hypocrites may be found in this way too; there are people who sit wrapped in tallis and tefillin all day, and they are hypocrites. Even so, they do not have the power to mislead the world as much as those who boast of great things.

Our explanation. A false leader can borrow a great tzaddik's dramatic words. But quiet, simple service of Hashem gives him nothing to borrow. A hypocrite can wear a tallis all day, yet he cannot fool the world that way the way a boaster can.

Now he explains the source of the tzaddik's holy speech. For know, that the true tzaddik receives the speech of his holy mouth from people who give charity. This is 'Accept, please, Hashem, the free-will offerings of my mouth': the tzaddik receives his speech from the generous of heart, that is, those who give charity.

And charity is water, as in 'Who turns the rock into a pool of water.' The rock is 'the rock of my heart', for there is a heart of stone, the stubborn-hearted who are far from charity. That is 'Who turns the rock into a pool of water': it turns into a soft heart, as in 'pour out your heart like water before Hashem', a heart soft enough to give charity.

That is why charity is called water, as it says: 'and charity like a mighty stream'; and this is 'send your bread upon the face of the waters', said of charity.

And through charity the holy mouth of the tzaddik is made, as the Sages said: 'in your mouth: this is charity.' And the tzaddik is 'his firstborn ox, majesty is his', and a firstborn takes a double portion, pi shenayim: his holy speech has two meanings.

From this the hypocrites get their power and nourishment, to draw from them and turn their words into their own falsehood, since holy speech itself has two meanings, the double portion, as above.

Our explanation, step by step. Charity softens a stony heart like water. From that charity comes the tzaddik's holy mouth. And because his words carry two meanings, the liars can twist them to their own ends.

— Part 2: The Camel and the Ox —

Part two: why the liars are a blessing, and the camel and the ox.

Rebbe Nachman now turns it around. But in truth it is good for the true tzaddik that these liars who imitate them exist. For there are wicked people who give charity to tzaddikim. Through charity, yabok is made: yichud, berachah, kedushah, unity, blessing and holiness. All three are said of water, which is charity: unity, 'let the waters gather to one place'; blessing, 'let the waters swarm with living creatures'; holiness, 'holy water'.

Because of this there are charity givers who are guilty of grave immorality, for they draw from that yabok. In holiness, yabok is holy union, but with them this flow is spoiled and becomes sin, Heaven save us. So their charity is bad for the tzaddik: he receives his holy speech from charity, and when it is spoiled with them, it blemishes the tzaddik's speech, which he receives from there.

That is why it is good that these liars exist: these wicked givers turn to them and give to them, as Yirmiyahu the prophet said, 'make them stumble', on unworthy poor people, as the Sages taught. And so the true tzaddik is saved from the blemish of their charity.

But the main power of the liars' nourishment is only from the great tzaddikim who go in great things. From those who are always busy with Torah and conduct themselves simply, they have no nourishment or power, as above.

Our explanation. Charity is meant to bring unity, blessing and holiness. When it comes from people whose lives spoil that flow, it can harm the true tzaddik. So the liars, without knowing it, do him a favour: they draw that charity to themselves.

Section three opens the strange aggadah mentioned in Torah twelve. And this is what Rabbi Zeira asked Rav Yehudah: why is the camel's tail short, and the ox's tail long?

The camel, gamla, is the simple tzaddik, as in 'I have not walked in great things and wonders; like a weaned child, gamul, with his mother.' For he conducts himself simply and does not speak of great things; all his service is in silence. No great things and wonders come out of his mouth; he is only like a weaned child with his mother, and that is gamla.

'Its tail is short': the tail is the false prophet and teacher, as it says in Yeshayahu. These are the lying hypocrites, the false prophets, whose hold is only on the great tzaddikim. On the simple tzaddikim, the camel, they have little hold; that is 'its tail is short'.

'The ox's tail is long': these are the great tzaddikim, 'his firstborn ox, majesty is his', as above. 'Its tail is long': the main nourishment of the false prophet and teacher, the tail, is only with them.

Our explanation. So the aggadah is a map. The camel is the simple, quiet tzaddik. The ox is the great tzaddik who speaks of wonders. The tail is the false prophet: short behind the camel, long behind the ox.

And this is the answer: 'because it eats thorns.' The simple tzaddikim, the camel, eat thorns: they eat up and destroy the thorns and briars surrounding the supernal rose. The rose is holy speech, as in 'his lips are roses'.

For they are busy with Torah and service day and night, and destroy all the briars, so that they draw nothing from holy speech. From simple, wholehearted service the liars can draw nothing, for they cannot imitate them and practise their falsehood through them, since their conduct is only in innocence and simplicity.

'And the ox's tail is long, because it lives in the marshes and must swat away the gnats.' Living in the marshes: they receive their holy speech from people who give charity, from 'Who turns the rock into a pool of water', as above.

'They live in the marshes and must swat the gnats', baki: this is yabok. They must drive away the yabok of charity that wicked people give, for with them the yabok is blemished and harms the tzaddik who receives his speech from them. So it is a great good that the prophet, the tail, draws from them; through this the wicked are driven off by themselves. They are made to stumble on these liars, turn to them and give them the charity, and the tzaddikim are saved.

Some reflections of our own, not a quotation. Serve Hashem simply and truly; simplicity leaves falsehood nothing to hold. And give charity with a soft heart.

This has been Likutey Moharan Tinyana, Torah fifteen.

Sources for this Torah

Texts used

Hebrew: Likutei Moharan Tinyana (Part II), Torah 15, edition 'Likutei Moharan Tinyana – rabenubook.com', public domain, via Sefaria — https://www.sefaria.org/Likutei_Moharan%2C_Part_II.15

English: our own paraphrase of the Hebrew, written for these videos. It is not copied from any published translation.

Verses and teachings of the Sages appear only as Rebbe Nachman quotes them inside this Torah.

How the text is shown

The Divine Name is shown as ה' and voiced as Hashem. Other Names are written in the customary form (אֱלֹקִים, קֵ-ל, קָהּ, שַׁ-דַּ-י, אֲדֹ-נָ-י, אֶקְיֶ-ה, צְבָקוֹת). No full Name is written or voiced.

Parenthetical source references inside the printed Hebrew are left off the screen to save space; the citation line names the source instead.

Long paragraphs are shown in consecutive pieces. Every Hebrew word on screen is from the edition above; nothing is reworded.

Cards labelled EXPLANATION (green), and every line marked 'our own reflection — not a quote', are our own words, not quotations.

Every on-screen quotation in the full shiur, by part

Part 1 — Where False Leaders Get Their Power

Scene 3 · LM II:15 §1 · paragraph §1.1

אֵלּוּ הַמִּתְפָּאֲרִין עַצְמָן בְּשֶׁקֶר בִּגְדוֹלוֹת וְנִפְלָאוֹת, וּכְאִלּוּ אֵין שׁוּם דָּבָר נִמְנָע מֵהֶם, וְהַכֹּל בְּיָדָם, וְיֵשׁ מֵהֶם שֶׁהֵם מַנְהִיגֵי הַדּוֹר – הִנֵּה עִקָּר כֹּחָם וִינִיקָתָם הוּא רַק מֵהַצַּדִּיקִים הַגְּדוֹלִים.

EN (our paraphrase): Those who falsely boast of great things and wonders, as if nothing were beyond them and everything were in their hands, some of whom are even leaders of the generation: the main source of their power and nourishment is only the great tzaddikim.

Scene 4 · LM II:15 §1 · paragraph §1.2

כִּי יֵשׁ צַדִּיקִים אֲמִתִּיִּים גְּדוֹלִים בְּמַעֲלָה, וְיֵשׁ לָהֶם פֶּה קָדוֹשׁ, וְדַרְכָּם לְדַבֵּר גְּדוֹלוֹת וְנִפְלָאוֹת, וְהֵם בֶּאֱמֶת יְכוֹלִים לַעֲבֹד ה' בְּכָל דָּבָר שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם: בַּאֲכִילָה וּשְׁתִיָּה וּשְׁאָר דְּבָרִים. וְכַמּוּבָא בַּכַּוָּנוֹת, שֶׁלִּפְעָמִים מַמְתִּיקִין דִּינִים עַל־יְדֵי אֲכִילָה וּשְׁתִיָּה. וְיֵשׁ צַדִּיקִים אֲמִתִּיִּים, שֶׁיְּכוֹלִין לַעֲשׂוֹת פִּדְיוֹן עַל־יְדֵי אֲכִילָתָם וְכַיּוֹצֵא.

EN (our paraphrase): For there are true tzaddikim, great in stature, who have a holy mouth, and their way is to speak of great things and wonders. And they truly can serve Hashem in everything in the world: in eating and drinking and other things. As the Kavanos bring, sometimes judgements are sweetened through eating and drinking; and there are true tzaddikim who can make a pidyon through their eating and the like.

Scene 5 · LM II:15 §1, on Yirmiyahu 49:35 (Sanhedrin 89) · paragraph §1.3

וּמֵחֲמַת הַהִתְפָּאֲרוּת שֶׁל אֵלּוּ הַצַּדִּיקִים הַגְּדוֹלִים שֶׁיּוֹצֵא מִפִּיהֶם הַקָּדוֹשׁ, מִזֶּה בָּא, שֶׁנִּמְצָאִים צְבוּעִים שַׁקְרָנִים, שֶׁמִּתְדַּמִּים עַצְמָן כְּקוֹף, וּמִתְפָּאֲרִין עַצְמָן גַּם כֵּן מַמָּשׁ בְּאֵלּוּ הַלְּשׁוֹנוֹת שֶׁל הִתְפָּאֲרוּת, שֶׁיּוֹצֵא מִפֶּה קָדוֹשׁ שֶׁל הַצַּדִּיק הָאֱמֶת. וּכְעֵין שֶׁמָּצִינוּ בַּנְּבִיאִים, שֶׁיִּרְמְיָה הָיָה מִתְנַבֵּא בַּשּׁוּק הָעֶלְיוֹן: הִנְנִי שֹׁבֵר אֶת קֶשֶׁת עֵילָם וְכוּ', וַחֲנַנְיָה בֶּן עַזּוּר, נְבִיא שֶׁקֶר, הָיָה מִתְנַבֵּא בְּלָשׁוֹן זֶה מַמָּשׁ לְהֵפֶךְ, כְּמוֹ־כֵן מִתְנַהֵג עַכְשָׁו כַּנַּ"ל.

EN (our paraphrase): And because of the boasting of these great tzaddikim, which comes from their holy mouth, there arise lying hypocrites who imitate them like a monkey, and boast in exactly the same words of praise that come from the holy mouth of the true tzaddik. We find the like with the prophets: Yirmiyahu prophesied in the upper market, 'Behold, I break the bow of Eilam', and Chananya ben Azur, a false prophet, prophesied in these very words, but the reverse. So it goes now too.

Scene 6 · LM II:15 §1 · paragraph §1.4

אֲבָל עִקָּר יְנִיקָתָם – רַק מִצַּדִּיקִים כָּאֵלּוּ שֶׁהוֹלְכִים בִּגְדוֹלוֹת וְנִפְלָאוֹת כַּנַּ"ל. כִּי מִצַּדִּיקִים פְּשׁוּטִים, עוֹבְדֵי ה' בִּפְשִׁיטוּת, בְּתוֹרָה וּתְפִלָּה וּמַעֲשִׂים טוֹבִים, אֵין לָהֶם שׁוּם כֹּחַ, מֵאַחַר שֶׁהַצַּדִּיקִים בְּעַצְמָן אֵינָם מְדַבְּרִים גְּדוֹלוֹת, וּמִתְנַהֲגִים בִּפְשִׁיטוּת בַּעֲבוֹדָה תַמָּה, עַל־כֵּן אֵין לְהַשֶּׁקֶר וְהַגַּדְלוּת שֶׁלָּהֶם אֲחִיזָה בָּהֶם כָּל־כָּךְ.

EN (our paraphrase): But their main nourishment is only from tzaddikim like these, who go in great things and wonders. From simple tzaddikim, who serve Hashem simply, with Torah, prayer and good deeds, they have no power. Since these tzaddikim do not speak of great things, and conduct themselves simply in wholehearted service, the liars' falsehood and grandness have little hold on them.

Scene 7 · LM II:15 §1 · paragraph §1.4

וְאַף־עַל־פִּי שֶׁגַּם בָּזֶה אֶפְשָׁר קְצָת שֶׁיִּמָּצְאוּ שַׁקְרָנִים צְבוּעִים בְּדֶרֶךְ זֶה, כְּמוֹ שֶׁנִּמְצָא, שֶׁיֵּשׁ אֲנָשִׁים שֶׁיּוֹשְׁבִים מְעֻטָּפִים בְּטַלִּית וּתְפִלִּין כָּל הַיּוֹם, וְהֵם צְבוּעִים, עִם כָּל זֶה אֵין לָהֶם כֹּחַ לְהַטְעוֹת הָעוֹלָם כָּל־כָּךְ כְּמוֹ אֵלּוּ הַמִּתְפָּאֲרִין בִּגְדוֹלוֹת כַּנַּ"ל.

EN (our paraphrase): Even here, a few lying hypocrites may be found in this way too; there are people who sit wrapped in tallis and tefillin all day, and they are hypocrites. Even so, they do not have the power to mislead the world as much as those who boast of great things.

Scene 9 · LM II:15 §1, on Tehillim 119:108 · paragraph §1.5

כִּי דַּע, שֶׁהַצַּדִּיק הָאֱמֶת הַנַּ"ל מְקַבֵּל דִּבּוּר פִּיו הַקָּדוֹשׁ מִבַּעֲלֵי־צְדָקָה, וְזֶה בְּחִינַת: נִדְבוֹת פִּי רְצֵה נָא ה' – שֶׁהַצַּדִּיק מְקַבֵּל דִּבּוּר פִּיו מִנְּדִיבֵי לֵב, דְּהַיְנוּ בַּעֲלֵי־צְדָקָה.

EN (our paraphrase): For know, that the true tzaddik receives the speech of his holy mouth from people who give charity. This is 'Accept, please, Hashem, the free-will offerings of my mouth': the tzaddik receives his speech from the generous of heart, that is, those who give charity.

Scene 10 · LM II:15 §1, on Tehillim 114:8 and Eichah 2:19 · paragraph §1.6

וּצְדָקָה הִיא בְּחִינַת מַיִם, בִּבְחִינַת: הַהֹפְכִי הַצּוּר אֲגַם מָיִם, הַצּוּר – זֶה בְּחִינַת: צוּר לְבָבִי, כִּי יֵשׁ לֵב אֶבֶן, דְּהַיְנוּ אַבִּירֵי לֵב הָרְחוֹקִים מִצְּדָקָה, וְזֶהוּ: הַהֹפְכִי הַצּוּר אֲגַם מָיִם, דְּהַיְנוּ שֶׁנִּתְהַפֵּךְ לְלֵב רַךְ, בְּחִינַת: שִׁפְכִי כַמַּיִם לִבֵּךְ נֹכַח פְּנֵי ה', הַיְנוּ לֵב רַךְ לְהִתְנַדֵּב לִצְדָקָה.

EN (our paraphrase): And charity is water, as in 'Who turns the rock into a pool of water.' The rock is 'the rock of my heart', for there is a heart of stone, the stubborn-hearted who are far from charity. That is 'Who turns the rock into a pool of water': it turns into a soft heart, as in 'pour out your heart like water before Hashem', a heart soft enough to give charity.

Scene 11 · LM II:15 §1, on Amos 5:24 and Koheles 11:1 · paragraph §1.6

וּבִשְׁבִיל זֶה נִקְרָא צְדָקָה מַיִם, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב: וּצְדָקָה כְּנַחַל אֵיתָן, וְזֶה בְּחִינַת: שַׁלַּח לַחְמְךָ עַל פְּנֵי הַמָּיִם, הַנֶּאֱמָר בִּצְדָקָה.

EN (our paraphrase): That is why charity is called water, as it says: 'and charity like a mighty stream'; and this is 'send your bread upon the face of the waters', said of charity.

Scene 12 · LM II:15 §1, on Devarim 33:17 (Rosh Hashanah 6a) · paragraph §1.7

וְעַל־יְדֵי הַצְּדָקָה נַעֲשֶׂה פֶּה קָדוֹשׁ שֶׁל הַצַּדִּיק כַּנַּ"ל, וְזֶה בְּחִינַת: בְּפִיךָ – זוֹ צְדָקָה, שֶׁעַל־יְדֵי צְדָקָה נַעֲשֶׂה הַפֶּה שֶׁל הַצַּדִּיק כַּנַּ"ל. וְהַצַּדִּיק הוּא בְּחִינַת: בְּכוֹר שׁוֹרוֹ הָדָר לוֹ, וּבְכוֹר נוֹטֵל פִּי שְׁנַיִם, הַיְנוּ שֶׁדִּבּוּר פִּיו הַקָּדוֹשׁ יֵשׁ לוֹ שְׁנֵי מַשְׁמָעוֹת,

EN (our paraphrase): And through charity the holy mouth of the tzaddik is made, as the Sages said: 'in your mouth: this is charity.' And the tzaddik is 'his firstborn ox, majesty is his', and a firstborn takes a double portion, pi shenayim: his holy speech has two meanings.

Scene 13 · LM II:15 §1 · paragraph §1.7

וּמִזֶּה בָּא שֶׁיֵּשׁ כֹּחַ וִינִיקָה לְהַצְּבוּעִים הַנַּ"ל לִינֹק מֵהֶם, לַהֲפֹךְ דִּבְרֵיהֶם אֶל הַשֶּׁקֶר שֶׁלָּהֶם, מֵאַחַר שֶׁהַדִּבּוּר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בְּעַצְמוֹ יֵשׁ לוֹ שְׁנֵי מַשְׁמָעוֹת, בִּבְחִינַת פִּי שְׁנַיִם כַּנַּ"ל:

EN (our paraphrase): From this the hypocrites get their power and nourishment, to draw from them and turn their words into their own falsehood, since holy speech itself has two meanings, the double portion, as above.

Part 2 — The Camel and the Ox

Scene 2 · LM II:15 §2, on Bereishis 1:9, 1:20 and Bamidbar 5:17 · paragraph §2.1

אֲבָל בֶּאֱמֶת הוּא טוֹבָה לְהַצַּדִּיק הָאֱמֶת מַה שֶּׁנִּמְצָאִים אֵלּוּ הַשַּׁקְרָנִים הַמִּתְדַּמִּים אֲלֵיהֶם. כִּי יֵשׁ רְשָׁעִים שֶׁנּוֹתְנִין צְדָקָה לְצַדִּיקִים, וְעַל־יְדֵי הַצְּדָקָה נַעֲשֶׂה בְּחִינַת יַבֹּק, הַיְנוּ: יִחוּד בְּרָכָה קְדֻשָּׁה, וְכָל שָׁלֹשׁ בְּחִינוֹת אֵלּוּ נֶאֶמְרוּ בְּמַיִם, שֶׁהוּא בְּחִינַת צְדָקָה כַּנַּ"ל. יִחוּד – כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב: יִקָּווּ הַמַּיִם מִתַּחַת הַשָּׁמַיִם אֶל מָקוֹם אֶחָד. בְּרָכָה – כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב: יִשְׁרְצוּ הַמַּיִם שֶׁרֶץ נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה וְכוּ'. קְדֻשָּׁה – כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב: מַיִם קְדֹשִׁים.

EN (our paraphrase): But in truth it is good for the true tzaddik that these liars who imitate them exist. For there are wicked people who give charity to tzaddikim. Through charity, yabok is made: yichud, berachah, kedushah, unity, blessing and holiness. All three are said of water, which is charity: unity, 'let the waters gather to one place'; blessing, 'let the waters swarm with living creatures'; holiness, 'holy water'.

Scene 3 · LM II:15 §2 · paragraph §2.2

וּמֵחֲמַת זֶה נִמְצָאִים בַּעֲלֵי־צְדָקָה שֶׁהֵם נוֹאֲפִים, כִּי הֵם יוֹנְקִים מִבְּחִינַת הַיַּבֹּק הַנַּ"ל. וּבְחִינַת הַיַּבֹּק בִּקְדֻשָּׁה הוּא בְּחִינַת זִוּוּגִין דִּקְדֻשָּׁה, וְאֶצְלָם נִתְקַלְקֵל זֹאת הַיְנִיקָה, וְנַעֲשֶׂה אֶצְלָם נִאוּף, רַחֲמָנָא לִצְלָן. וְעַל־כֵּן הַצְּדָקָה שֶׁלָּהֶם הִיא רָעָה אֵצֶל הַצַּדִּיק. כִּי הַצַּדִּיק מְקַבֵּל דִּבּוּר פִּיו הַקָּדוֹשׁ מִן הַצְּדָקָה, וּכְשֶׁנִּתְקַלְקֵל אֶצְלָם כַּנַּ"ל, גּוֹרֵם פְּגָם לְדִבּוּר פִּיו שֶׁל הַצַּדִּיק, שֶׁמְּקַבֵּל מִשָּׁם כַּנַּ"ל.

EN (our paraphrase): Because of this there are charity givers who are guilty of grave immorality, for they draw from that yabok. In holiness, yabok is holy union, but with them this flow is spoiled and becomes sin, Heaven save us. So their charity is bad for the tzaddik: he receives his holy speech from charity, and when it is spoiled with them, it blemishes the tzaddik's speech, which he receives from there.

Scene 4 · LM II:15 §2, on Yirmiyahu 18:23 (Bava Kamma 16b) · paragraph §2.3

וְעַל־כֵּן הוּא טוֹבָה מַה שֶׁנִּמְצָאִים הַשַּׁקְרָנִים הַנַּ"ל, שֶׁאֲזַי אֵלּוּ הָרְשָׁעִים הַנּוֹתְנִים צְדָקָה פּוֹנִין אֲלֵיהֶם וְנוֹתְנִין לָהֶם, וּכְמַאֲמַר יִרְמְיָה הַנָּבִיא: הַכְשִׁילֵם בַּעֲנִיִּים שֶׁאֵינָם מְהֻגָּנִים, כְּמוֹ שֶׁדָּרְשׁוּ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ זִכְרוֹנָם לִבְרָכָה, וַאֲזַי נִצּוֹל הַצַּדִּיק הָאֱמֶת מִפְּגַם הַצְּדָקָה שֶׁלָּהֶם כַּנַּ"ל.

EN (our paraphrase): That is why it is good that these liars exist: these wicked givers turn to them and give to them, as Yirmiyahu the prophet said, 'make them stumble', on unworthy poor people, as the Sages taught. And so the true tzaddik is saved from the blemish of their charity.

Scene 5 · LM II:15 §2 · paragraph §2.4

אֲבָל עִקָּר כֹּחַ יְנִיקַת הַשַּׁקְרָנִים הַנַּ"ל הוּא רַק מֵאֵלּוּ הַצַּדִּיקִים הַגְּדוֹלִים, הַהוֹלְכִים בִּגְדוֹלוֹת כַּנַּ"ל, אֲבָל מֵאֵלּוּ הָעוֹסְקִים בַּתּוֹרָה תָּמִיד וּמִתְנַהֲגִים בִּפְשִׁיטוּת, אֵין לָהֶם יְנִיקָה וְכֹחַ, כַּנַּ"ל:

EN (our paraphrase): But the main power of the liars' nourishment is only from the great tzaddikim who go in great things. From those who are always busy with Torah and conduct themselves simply, they have no nourishment or power, as above.

Scene 7 · LM II:15 §3, on Shabbos 77b · paragraph §3.1

וְזֶהוּ שֶּׁשָּׁאַל רַבִּי זֵירָא אֶת רַב יְהוּדָה: מַאי טַעֲמָא גַּמְלָא זוּטְרֵי גְּנוּבְתֵהּ וְתוֹרֵי אֲרִיכָא גְּנוּבְתֵהּ,

EN (our paraphrase): And this is what Rabbi Zeira asked Rav Yehudah: why is the camel's tail short, and the ox's tail long?

Scene 8 · LM II:15 §3, on Tehillim 131:1–2 · paragraph §3.2

גַּמְלָא – זֶה בְּחִינוֹת הַצַּדִּיק הַפָּשׁוּט, בִּבְחִינַת: וְלֹא הִלַּכְתִּי בִּגְדֹלוֹת וְנִפְלָאוֹת כְּגָמֻל עֲלֵי אִמּוֹ; כִּי הוּא מִתְנַהֵג בִּפְשִׁיטוּת, וְאֵינוֹ מְדַבֵּר גְּדוֹלוֹת, וְכָל עֲבוֹדָתוֹ הוּא בִּבְחִינַת שְׁתִיקָה. כִּי אֵין יוֹצֵא מִפִּיו גְּדוֹלוֹת וְנִפְלָאוֹת, וְהוּא רַק כְּגָמוּל עֲלֵי אִמּוֹ, וְזֶהוּ בְּחִינַת גַּמְלָא.

EN (our paraphrase): The camel, gamla, is the simple tzaddik, as in 'I have not walked in great things and wonders; like a weaned child, gamul, with his mother.' For he conducts himself simply and does not speak of great things; all his service is in silence. No great things and wonders come out of his mouth; he is only like a weaned child with his mother, and that is gamla.

Scene 9 · LM II:15 §3, on Yeshayahu 9:14 · paragraph §3.3

וְזוּטְרֵי גְּנוּבְתֵהּ – זֶה בְּחִינַת נָבִיא וּמוֹרֵה שֶׁקֶר, הוּא הַזָּנָב, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב בִּישַׁעְיָה. הַיְנוּ אֵלּוּ הַצְּבוּעִים הַמְשַׁקְּרִים, בְּחִינַת נְבִיאֵי הַשֶּׁקֶר, שֶׁאֲחִיזָתָם הוּא רַק בַּצַּדִּיקִים הַגְּדוֹלִים כַּנַּ"ל. אֲבָל בְּהַצַּדִּיקִים הַפְּשׁוּטִים, שֶׁהֵם בְּחִינַת גַּמְלָא, אֵין לָהֶם אֲחִיזָה כָּל־כָּךְ, וְזֶהוּ זוּטְרֵי גְּנוּבְתֵהּ כַּנַּ"ל. וְזֶהוּ:

EN (our paraphrase): 'Its tail is short': the tail is the false prophet and teacher, as it says in Yeshayahu. These are the lying hypocrites, the false prophets, whose hold is only on the great tzaddikim. On the simple tzaddikim, the camel, they have little hold; that is 'its tail is short'.

Scene 10 · LM II:15 §3 · paragraph §3.4

תּוֹרֵי אֲרִיכָא גְּנוּבְתֵהּ – זֶהוּ בְּחִינַת הַצַּדִּיקִים הַגְּדוֹלִים, בְּחִינַת: בְּכוֹר שׁוֹרוֹ הָדָר לוֹ כַּנַּ"ל. וַאֲרִיכָא גְּנוּבְתֵהּ – הַיְנוּ שֶׁעִקָּר יְנִיקַת הַנָּבִיא וּמוֹרֶה הַשֶּׁקֶר, שֶׁהוּא הַזָּנָב, הוּא רַק אֶצְלָם כַּנַּ"ל.

EN (our paraphrase): 'The ox's tail is long': these are the great tzaddikim, 'his firstborn ox, majesty is his', as above. 'Its tail is long': the main nourishment of the false prophet and teacher, the tail, is only with them.

Scene 12 · LM II:15 §3, on Shir HaShirim 5:13 · paragraph §3.5

וְזֶהוּ שֶׁהֵשִׁיב: מִשּׁוּם דְּאָכְלִי קוֹצֵי, הַיְנוּ שֶׁאֵלּוּ הַצַּדִּיקִים הַפְּשׁוּטִים, שֶׁהֵם בְּחִינַת גַּמְלָא, אָכְלִי קוֹצֵי – שֶׁאוֹכְלִים וּמְכַלִּים אֶת הַקּוֹצִים וְהַחוֹחִים הַסּוֹבְבִים אֶת הַשּׁוֹשַׁנָּה הָעֶלְיוֹנָה. וְשׁוֹשַׁנָּה זֶה בְּחִינַת הַדִּבּוּר הַקָּדוֹשׁ, בְּחִינַת: שִׂפְתוֹתָיו שׁוֹשַׁנִּים

EN (our paraphrase): And this is the answer: 'because it eats thorns.' The simple tzaddikim, the camel, eat thorns: they eat up and destroy the thorns and briars surrounding the supernal rose. The rose is holy speech, as in 'his lips are roses'.

Scene 13 · LM II:15 §3 · paragraph §3.5

כִּי הֵם עוֹסְקִים בְּתוֹרָה וַעֲבוֹדָה יוֹם וָלַיְלָה, וּמְכַלִּים כָּל הַחוֹחִים, שֶׁלֹּא יִהְיֶה לָהֶם יְנִיקָה מֵהַדִּבּוּר הַקָּדוֹשׁ. כִּי מֵעֲבוֹדָה פְּשׁוּטָה בִּתְמִימוּת אֵין לָהֶם יְנִיקָה כַּנַּ"ל, כִּי אֵינָם יְכוֹלִים לְהִתְדַּמּוֹת אֲלֵיהֶם וְלִנְהֹג שֶׁקֶר שֶׁלָּהֶם עַל־יָדָם, מֵאַחַר שֶׁהַנְהָגָתָם רַק בִּתְמִימוּת וּבִפְשִׁיטוּת כַּנַּ"ל.

EN (our paraphrase): For they are busy with Torah and service day and night, and destroy all the briars, so that they draw nothing from holy speech. From simple, wholehearted service the liars can draw nothing, for they cannot imitate them and practise their falsehood through them, since their conduct is only in innocence and simplicity.

Scene 14 · LM II:15 §3 · paragraph §3.6, §3.7

וְתוֹרֵי אֲרִיכָא גְּנוּבְתֵהּ, מִשּׁוּם דְּדָּיְרִי בַּאֲגַמֵּי וּבָעֵי לְכִרְכּוּשֵׁי בָּקֵי. דְּדָּיְרִי בַּאֲגַמֵּי – הַיְנוּ שֶׁמְּקַבְּלִים דִּבּוּר פִּיהֶם הַקָּדוֹשׁ מִבַּעֲלֵי־צְדָקָה, מִבְּחִינַת: הַהֹפְכִי הַצּוּר אֲגַם מָיִם כַּנַּ"ל. וְזֶהוּ

EN (our paraphrase): 'And the ox's tail is long, because it lives in the marshes and must swat away the gnats.' Living in the marshes: they receive their holy speech from people who give charity, from 'Who turns the rock into a pool of water', as above.

Scene 15 · LM II:15 §3 · paragraph §3.8

דְּדָּיְרִי בַּאֲגַמֵּי, וּבָעֵי לְכִרְכּוּשֵׁי בָּקֵי – בְּחִינַת יַבֹּק הַנַּ"ל, שֶׁצְרִיכִין לְגָרֵשׁ הַ"יַּבֹּק" שֶׁל הַצְּדָקָה שֶׁנּוֹתְנִין רְשָׁעִים, כִּי אֶצְלָם נִפְגָם הַ"יַּבֹּק" כַּנַּ"ל, וְגוֹרֵם רָעָה לְהַצַּדִּיק שֶׁמְּקַבֵּל דִּבּוּר פִּיו מֵהֶם כַּנַּ"ל, וְעַל־כֵּן הוּא טוֹבָה גְדוֹלָה מַה שֶּׁיּוֹנֵק מֵהֶם הַנָּבִיא וְכוּ', שֶׁהוּא הַזָּנָב, שֶׁעַל־יְדֵי־זֶה מְגָרְשִׁין הָרְשָׁעִים מֵעַצְמָן. כִּי מַכְשִׁילִין אוֹתָן בְּשַׁקְרָנִים הַנַּ"ל, שֶׁפּוֹנִין אֲלֵיהֶם וְנוֹתְנִין לָהֶם הַצְּדָקָה, וְנִצּוֹלִין הַצַּדִּיקִים, כַּנַּ"ל:

EN (our paraphrase): 'They live in the marshes and must swat the gnats', baki: this is yabok. They must drive away the yabok of charity that wicked people give, for with them the yabok is blemished and harms the tzaddik who receives his speech from them. So it is a great good that the prophet, the tail, draws from them; through this the wicked are driven off by themselves. They are made to stumble on these liars, turn to them and give them the charity, and the tzaddikim are saved.

Hebrew phrases in the Explainer

Scene 2 · §1.1: עִקָּר כֹּחָם וִינִיקָתָם הוּא רַק מֵהַצַּדִּיקִים הַגְּדוֹלִים.

Scene 3 · §1.2: כִּי יֵשׁ צַדִּיקִים אֲמִתִּיִּים גְּדוֹלִים בְּמַעֲלָה, וְיֵשׁ לָהֶם פֶּה קָדוֹשׁ,

Scene 4 · §1.3: שֶׁמִּתְדַּמִּים עַצְמָן כְּקוֹף,

Scene 5 · §1.4: כִּי מִצַּדִּיקִים פְּשׁוּטִים, עוֹבְדֵי ה' בִּפְשִׁיטוּת, בְּתוֹרָה וּתְפִלָּה וּמַעֲשִׂים טוֹבִים,

Scene 6 · §1.7: וּבְכוֹר נוֹטֵל פִּי שְׁנַיִם,

Scene 7 · §2.1: אֲבָל בֶּאֱמֶת הוּא טוֹבָה לְהַצַּדִּיק הָאֱמֶת מַה שֶּׁנִּמְצָאִים אֵלּוּ הַשַּׁקְרָנִים הַמִּתְדַּמִּים אֲלֵיהֶם.

Scene 8 · §3.1: מַאי טַעֲמָא גַּמְלָא זוּטְרֵי גְּנוּבְתֵהּ וְתוֹרֵי אֲרִיכָא גְּנוּבְתֵהּ,

Scene 9 · §3.5: מִשּׁוּם דְּאָכְלִי קוֹצֵי, הַיְנוּ שֶׁאֵלּוּ הַצַּדִּיקִים הַפְּשׁוּטִים, שֶׁהֵם בְּחִינַת גַּמְלָא,

Hebrew phrases in the 1-minute recap

Scene 2 · §1.1: עִקָּר כֹּחָם וִינִיקָתָם הוּא רַק מֵהַצַּדִּיקִים הַגְּדוֹלִים.

Scene 3 · §1.7: שֶׁדִּבּוּר פִּיו הַקָּדוֹשׁ יֵשׁ לוֹ שְׁנֵי מַשְׁמָעוֹת,

Scene 4 · §2.4: מֵאֵלּוּ הָעוֹסְקִים בַּתּוֹרָה תָּמִיד וּמִתְנַהֲגִים בִּפְשִׁיטוּת, אֵין לָהֶם יְנִיקָה וְכֹחַ,

Scene 5 · §3.1: מַאי טַעֲמָא גַּמְלָא זוּטְרֵי גְּנוּבְתֵהּ וְתוֹרֵי אֲרִיכָא גְּנוּבְתֵהּ,

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