כְּשֶׁאָדָם נִכְנָס בַּעֲבוֹדַת הַשֵּׁם, אֲזַי הַדֶּרֶךְ
All Distance Is Really Closeness
When a person sets out to serve Hashem, he is shown distance, as if Heaven were pushing him away; in truth all that distance is closeness. He must strengthen himself greatly, be stubborn in holiness, never give up his place, and know that every small step away from the physical is precious above. The whole world is a very narrow bridge, and the main thing is not to be afraid at all. Look for the good points in yourself and always be joyful.
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הַמָּקוֹר · Original text
כְּשֶׁאָדָם נִכְנָס בַּעֲבוֹדַת הַשֵּׁם, אֲזַי הַדֶּרֶךְ – שֶׁמַּרְאִין לוֹ הִתְרַחֲקוּת, וְנִדְמֶה לוֹ שֶׁמַּרְחִיקִין אוֹתוֹ מִלְמַעְלָה, וְאֵין מַנִּיחִין אוֹתוֹ כְּלָל לִכָּנֵס לַעֲבוֹדַת הַשֵּׁם, וּבֶאֱמֶת כָּל הַהִתְרַחֲקוּת הוּא רַק כֻּלּוֹ הִתְקָרְבוּת.
וְצָרִיךְ הִתְחַזְּקוּת גָּדוֹל מְאֹד מְאֹד לִבְלִי לִפֹּל בְּדַעְתּוֹ, חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, כְּשֶׁרוֹאֶה שֶׁעוֹבְרִים כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה יָמִים וְשָׁנִים, שֶׁהוּא מִתְיַגֵּעַ בִּיגִיעוֹת גְּדוֹלוֹת בִּשְׁבִיל עֲבוֹדוֹת הַשֵּׁם, וַעֲדַיִן הוּא רָחוֹק מְאֹד, וְלֹא הִתְחִיל כְּלָל לִכְנֹס לְשַׁעֲרֵי הַקְּדֻשָּׁה. כִּי רוֹאֶה עַצְמוֹ שֶׁהוּא מָלֵא עֲדַיִן עֲבִיּוּת וְגַשְׁמִיּוּת וְהִרְהוּרִים וּבִלְבּוּלִים גְּדוֹלִים, וְכָל מַה שֶּׁהוּא רוֹצֶה לַעֲשׂוֹת בַּעֲבוֹדַת הַשֵּׁם אֵיזֶה דָּבָר שֶׁבִּקְדֻשָּׁה, אֵין מַנִּיחִין אוֹתוֹ. וְנִדְמֶה לוֹ כְּאִלּוּ אֵין הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ מִסְתַּכֵּל עָלָיו כְּלָל, וְאֵין רוֹצֶה כְּלָל בַּעֲבוֹדָתוֹ, מֵחֲמַת שֶׁהוּא רוֹאֶה שֶׁהוּא צוֹעֵק בְּכָל פַּעַם וּמִתְחַנֵּן וּמִתְנַפֵּל לְפָנָיו יִתְבָּרַךְ שֶׁיַּעְזְרֵהוּ בַּעֲבוֹדָתוֹ, וְאַף־עַל־פִּי־כֵן עֲדַיִן הוּא רָחוֹק מְאֹד מְאֹד. עַל־כֵּן נִדְמֶה לוֹ כְּאִלּוּ אֵין הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ מִסְתַּכֵּל עָלָיו כְּלָל וְאֵין פּוֹנֶה אֵלָיו כְּלָל, כִּי הוּא יִתְבָּרַךְ אֵין רוֹצֶה בּוֹ כְּלָל.
הֵן עַל כָּל אֵלֶּה וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָּזֶה צָרִיךְ הִתְחַזְּקוּת גָּדוֹל, לְחַזֵּק עַצְמוֹ מְאֹד מְאֹד, וְלִבְלִי לְהִסְתַּכֵּל עַל כָּל זֶה כְּלָל. כִּי בֶּאֱמֶת כָּל הַהִתְרַחֲקוּת הוּא רַק כֻּלּוֹ הִתְקָרְבוּת כַּנַּ"ל.
וְכָל הַנַּ"ל עָבַר עַל כָּל הַצַּדִּיקִים, כַּאֲשֶׁר שָׁמַעְנוּ מִפִּיהֶם בְּפֵרוּשׁ, שֶׁנִּדְמֶה לָהֶם שֶׁהַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ אֵין מִסְתַּכֵּל וּפוֹנֶה אֲלֵיהֶם כְּלָל, מֵחֲמַת שֶׁרָאוּ שֶׁזֶּה זְמַן רַב שֶׁהֵם מְבַקְּשִׁים וִיגֵעִים וְעוֹשִׂים וְעוֹבְדִים עֲבוֹדַת הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ, וַעֲדַיִן הֵם רְחוֹקִים מְאֹד מְאֹד, וְאִלּוּ לֹא הָיוּ מְחַזְּקִים עַצְמָן מְאֹד לִבְלִי לְהִסְתַּכֵּל עַל זֶה, הָיוּ נִשְׁאָרִים בִּמְקוֹמָם הָרִאשׁוֹן, וְלֹא הָיוּ זוֹכִים לְמַה שֶּׁזָּכוּ.
וְהַכְּלָל, אֲהוּבִי אָחִי, חֲזַק וֶאֱמַץ מְאֹד, וֶאֱחֹז עַצְמְךָ בְּכָל הַכֹּחוֹת לִשָּׁאֵר קַיָּם בַּעֲבוֹדָתֶךָ, וְאַל תָּחוּשׁ וְאַל תִּסְתַּכֵּל כְּלָל עַל כָּל הַנַּ"ל אוֹ כַּיּוֹצֵא בָּזֶה.
וְאִם אַתָּה רָחוֹק מְאֹד מְאֹד מִמֶּנּוּ יִתְבָּרַךְ, וְנִדְמֶה לְךָ, שֶׁאַתָּה פּוֹגֵם בְּכָל שָׁעָה מַמָּשׁ נֶגְדּוֹ יִתְבָּרַךְ, עִם כָּל זֶה כְּנֶגֶד זֶה תֵּדַע, שֶׁאִישׁ כָּזֶה שֶׁהוּא מְגֻשָּׁם כָּל־כָּךְ, כָּל תְּנוּעָה וּתְנוּעָה שֶׁהוּא מְנַתֵּק עַצְמוֹ מְעַט מְעַט מִן גַּשְׁמִיּוּתוֹ וּפוֹנֶה לְהַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ הִיא גְּדוֹלָה וִיקָרָה מְאֹד מְאֹד, וַאֲפִלּוּ נְקֻדָּה קְטַנָּה מְאֹד, שֶׁהוּא נֶעְתָּק מִגַּשְׁמִיּוּתוֹ אֵלָיו יִתְבָּרַךְ, הוּא רָץ בָּזֶה כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה אֲלָפִים פַּרְסָאוֹת בְּעוֹלָמוֹת עֶלְיוֹנִים, כַּאֲשֶׁר תָּבִין הֵיטֵב מִן הַמַּעֲשֶׂה שֶׁל הַצַּדִּיק שֶׁהִתְגַּבֵּר עָלָיו מְאֹד הָעַצְבוּת וְכוּ', כַּמּוּבָא אֶצְלֵנוּ.
וְעַל זֶה יִשְׂמַח מְאֹד וִיחַזֵּק עַצְמוֹ בְּשִׂמְחָה תָּמִיד, כִּי עַצְבוּת מַזִּיק מְאֹד מְאֹד.
וְדַע, שֶׁתֵּכֶף כְּשֶׁאָדָם רוֹצֶה לִכְנֹס בַּעֲבוֹדָתוֹ יִתְבָּרַךְ, אֲזַי תֵּכֶף הִיא עֲבֵרָה גְּדוֹלָה כְּשֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ עַצְבוּת, חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, כִּי עַצְבוּת הִיא סִטְרָא־אָחָרָא (זוהר נח דף עא), וְהַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ שׂוֹנֵא אוֹתָהּ:
וְצָרִיךְ לִהְיוֹת עַקְשָׁן גָּדוֹל בַּעֲבוֹדַת הַשֵּׁם, לִבְלִי לְהָנִיחַ אֶת מְקוֹמוֹ, דְּהַיְנוּ מְעַט מִקְצָת עֲבוֹדָתוֹ שֶׁהִתְחִיל, אַף אִם יַעֲבֹר עָלָיו מָה. וּזְכֹר דָּבָר זֶה הֵיטֵב, כִּי תִּצְטָרֵךְ לָזֶה מְאֹד כְּשֶׁתַּתְחִיל קְצָת בַּעֲבוֹדַת הַשֵּׁם,
כִּי צָרִיךְ עַקְשָׁנוּת גָּדוֹל מְאֹד מְאֹד לִהְיוֹת חָזָק וְאַמִּיץ, לֶאֱחֹז עַצְמוֹ, לַעֲמֹד עַל עָמְדוֹ, אַף אִם מַפִּילִין אוֹתוֹ, חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, בְּכָל פַּעַם. כִּי לִפְעָמִים יֵשׁ שֶׁמַּפִּילִין אֶחָד מֵעֲבוֹדַת הַשֵּׁם, כַּיָּדוּעַ, אַף־עַל־פִּי־כֵן עָלָיו לַעֲשׂוֹת אֶת שֶׁלּוֹ, לַעֲשׂוֹת מַה שֶׁיּוּכַל בַּעֲבוֹדַת הַשֵּׁם, וְאַל יָנִיחַ עַצְמוֹ לִפֹּל לְגַמְרֵי, חַס וְשָׁלוֹם. כִּי כָל אֵלּוּ הַנְּפִילוֹת וְהַיְרִידוֹת וְהַבִּלְבּוּלִים וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָּזֶה צְרִיכִים בְּהֶכְרֵחַ לַעֲבֹר בָּהֶם קֹדֶם שֶׁנִּכְנָסִין בְּשַׁעֲרֵי הַקְּדֻשָּׁה, וְגַם הַצַּדִּיקִים הָאֲמִתִּיִּים עָבְרוּ בְּכָל זֶה.
וְדַע, שֶׁיֵּשׁ אֶחָד שֶׁכְּבָר הוּא אֵצֶל הַפֶּתַח שֶׁל הַקְּדֻשָּׁה, וְהוּא חוֹזֵר לַאֲחוֹרָיו מֵחֲמַת הַבִּלְבּוּלִים הַנַּ"ל, אוֹ שֶׁאֲזַי כְּשֶׁהוּא סָמוּךְ אֵצֶל הַפֶּתַח, אָז מִתְגַּבֵּר עָלָיו הַסִּטְרָא־אָחֳרָא וְהַבַּעַל־דָּבָר מְאֹד מְאֹד, רַחֲמָנָא לִצְלָן, בְּהִתְגַּבְּרוּת גָּדוֹל וְנוֹרָא מְאֹד מְאֹד, רַחֲמָנָא לִצְלָן, וְאֵין מַנִּיחִין אוֹתוֹ לִכָּנֵס לְתוֹךְ הַפֶּתַח, וּמַחֲמַת זֶה הוּא חוֹזֵר לְאָחוֹר, חַס וְשָׁלוֹם. כִּי כֵן דֶּרֶךְ הַבַּעַל־דָּבָר וְהַסִּטְרָא־אָחֳרָא, כְּשֶׁרוֹאֶה שֶׁהָאָדָם סָמוּךְ סָמוּךְ מַמָּשׁ לְשַׁעֲרֵי הַקְּדֻשָּׁה, וְכִמְעַט שֶׁיִּכְנֹס, אֲזַי הוּא מִתְפַּשֵּׁט עָלָיו בְּהִתְגַּבְּרוּת גָּדוֹל מְאֹד מְאֹד, רַחֲמָנָא לִצְלָן. עַל־כֵּן צָרִיךְ אָז הִתְחַזְּקוּת גָּדוֹל נֶגְדּוֹ.
וְשָׁמַעְנוּ מִצַּדִּיק אֲמִתִּי שֶׁאָמַר, שֶׁאִלּוּ הָיָה אוֹמֵר לוֹ אֶחָד, יִהְיֶה מִי שֶׁיִּהְיֶה, בְּעֵת שֶׁעָסַק בַּעֲבוֹדַת הַשֵּׁם בִּתְחִלָּתוֹ: אָחִי, חֲזַק וֶאֱחֹז עַצְמְךָ – הָיִיתִי רָץ וּמִזְדָּרֵז מְאֹד בַּעֲבוֹדָתוֹ יִתְבָּרַךְ, כִּי גַּם עָלָיו עָבַר כָּל הַנַּ"ל, וְלֹא הָיָה שׁוֹמֵעַ שׁוּם הִתְחַזְּקוּת מִשּׁוּם אָדָם.
עַל־כֵּן מִי שֶׁרוֹצֶה לִכְנֹס בַּעֲבוֹדַת הַשֵּׁם, יִזְכֹּר זֹאת הֵיטֵב. וְחַזֵּק עַצְמְךָ מְאֹד, וַעֲשֵׂה מַה שֶּׁתּוּכַל בַּעֲבוֹדַת הַשֵּׁם, וּבִרְבוֹת הַיָּמִים וְהַשָּׁנִים תִּכְנֹס לָבֶטַח בְּעֶזְרָתוֹ יִתְבָּרַךְ לְתוֹךְ שַׁעֲרֵי הַקְּדֻשָּׁה, כִּי הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ מָלֵא רַחֲמִים וְרוֹצֶה בַּעֲבוֹדָתְךָ מְאֹד.
וְדַע, שֶׁכָּל הַתְּנוּעוֹת וְהַהַעְתָּקוֹת, שֶׁאַתָּה נִתָּק וְנֶעְתָּק בְּכָל פַּעַם אֵיזֶה מְעַט מִן גַּשְׁמִיּוּת לַעֲבוֹדָתוֹ יִתְבָּרַךְ, כֻּלָּם מִתְקַבְּצִים וּמִתְחַבְּרִים וּמִתְקַשְּׁרִים וּבָאִים לְעֶזְרָתְךָ בְּעֵת הַצֹּרֶךְ, דְּהַיְנוּ כְּשֶׁיֵּשׁ, חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, אֵיזֶה דֹּחַק וְעֵת צָרָה, חַס וְשָׁלוֹם.
וְדַע, שֶׁהָאָדָם צָרִיךְ לַעֲבֹר עַל גֶּשֶׁר צַר מְאֹד מְאֹד, וְהַכְּלָל וְהָעִקָּר – שֶׁלֹּא יִתְפַּחֵד כְּלָל:
וְדַע, שֶׁיֵּשׁ אִילָן, שֶׁגְּדֵלִים עָלָיו עָלִים, שֶׁכָּל עָלֶה צָרִיךְ לִהְיוֹת גָּדֵל מֵאָה שָׁנִים, וְהוּא נִמְצָא בַּפַּרְדֵּסִים שֶׁל הַשָּׂרִים, וְקוֹרִין אוֹתוֹ בִּלְשׁוֹנָם "מֵאָה שָׁנִים". וּמִסְּתָּמָא כְּשֶׁגָּדֵל מֵאָה שָׁנִים, בְּוַדַּאי עוֹבֵר עָלָיו מַה שֶּׁעוֹבֵר, וְאַחַר־כָּךְ בְּסוֹף הַמֵּאָה שָׁנִים הוּא יוֹרֶה בְּקוֹל גָּדוֹל כְּמוֹ קְנֵי־שְׂרֵפָה, שֶׁקּוֹרִין "אוֹרְמַאטְיֶע". וְהָבֵן הַנִּמְשָׁל הֵיטֵב:
וְרָאוּי לֵילֵךְ עִם מַה שֶּׁנֶּאֱמַר בַּמַּאֲמָר "אֲזַמְּרָה לֵאלֹקַי בְּעוֹדִי" (בליקוטי הראשון בסימן רפ"ב), דְּהַיְנוּ לְבַקֵּשׁ וּלְחַפֵּשׂ לִמְצֹא בְּעַצְמוֹ אֵיזֶה זְכוּת וְאֵיזֶה נְקֻדָּה טוֹבָה. וּבָזֶה הַמְּעַט טוֹב שֶׁמּוֹצֵא בְּעַצְמוֹ יִשְׂמַח וִיחַזֵּק עַצְמוֹ, וְאַל יַנִּיחַ אֶת מְקוֹמוֹ, אַף אִם נָפַל לְמַה שֶּׁנָּפַל, רַחֲמָנָא לִצְלָן, אַף־עַל־פִּי־כֵן יְחַזֵּק עַצְמוֹ בִּמְעַט דִּמְעַט טוֹב שֶׁמּוֹצֵא בְּעַצְמוֹ עֲדַיִן, עַד אֲשֶׁר יִזְכֶּה לָשׁוּב עַל־יְדֵי־זֶה לְהַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ, וְכָל הַזְּדוֹנוֹת יִהְיוּ נַעֲשִׂין זְכֻיּוֹת (ע' יומא פו:).
וּמֶה עָשָׂה הַבַּעַל־שֵׁם־טוֹב, זֵכֶר צַדִּיק לִבְרָכָה, עַל הַיָּם, כְּשֶׁהֱסִיתוֹ הַבַּעַל דָּבָר וְכוּ'. וּמִזֶּה תָּבִין, עַד הֵיכָן אַתָּה צָרִיךְ לְהִתְחַזֵּק וְלִבְלִי לְיָאֵשׁ עַצְמְךָ, חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, אַף אִם יִהְיֶה מַה שֶּׁיִּהְיֶה.
וְהָעִקָּר לִהְיוֹת בְּשִׂמְחָה תָּמִיד. וִישַׂמַּח עַצְמוֹ בְּכָל מַה שֶּׁיּוּכַל, וַאֲפִלּוּ עַל־יְדֵי מִלֵּי דִּשְׁטוּתָא, לַעֲשׂוֹת עַצְמוֹ כְּשׁוֹטֶה וְלַעֲשׂוֹת עִנְיְנֵי שְׁטוּת וּצְחוֹק אוֹ קְפִיצוֹת וְרִקּוּדִים, כְּדֵי לָבוֹא לְשִׂמְחָה, שֶׁהוּא דָּבָר גָּדוֹל מְאֹד:
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 forty-eight. All distance is really closeness.
When a person sets out to serve Hashem, he is shown distance, as if Heaven were pushing him away. But in truth, all that distance is really closeness.
So he must strengthen himself greatly, and be very stubborn in holiness: never let go of his place, even when he falls again and again.
Every small movement away from the physical, toward Hashem, is very precious, and runs thousands of miles in the upper worlds.
A person must cross a very narrow bridge, and the main thing is not to be afraid at all.
Our own reflection: feeling far is part of the road. Hold on, find your good points, and stay joyful.
Explainer
Likutey Moharan Tinyana, Torah forty-eight: all distance is really closeness. What should a person do when he tries to come close to Hashem, and feels only pushed away?
Rebbe Nachman says this is simply the way. When someone begins to serve Hashem, he is shown distance. It seems that Heaven is pushing him away and will not let him in at all. But in truth, all that distance is really closeness.
Days and years go by. He works hard, cries out and pleads, and still feels far, full of coarseness and confusing thoughts. Whatever holy thing he tries to do, he is held back. It seems as if Hashem does not look at him at all. The Rebbe says: do not look at any of that. Strengthen yourself very greatly.
And he adds a comfort: all of this happened to every one of the tzaddikim. We heard it from their own mouths. Had they not strengthened themselves, they would have stayed where they started.
Even if you feel very far, even if it seems you spoil things every hour, know this: for such a person, every small movement away from the physical, toward Hashem, is great and precious. Even a tiny step runs thousands of miles in the upper worlds. So be glad, because sadness does great harm.
Now the second teaching: be very stubborn in serving Hashem. Do not give up your place, the little you have begun, whatever happens. Sometimes a person stands right at the doorway of holiness, and just then the opposing side attacks with great force. That is the moment to hold on.
Every small step you take is gathered and joined together, and comes to help you in a time of need. Hashem is full of compassion, and He very much wants your service.
And then the famous words: a person must cross a very narrow bridge, and the main thing is not to be afraid at all.
The Rebbe gives a picture. There is a tree whose leaves take a hundred years to grow. Whatever passes over it in that time, passes. And at the end of the hundred years it bursts open with a great noise, like a cannon. Understand the lesson well.
Finally, go with the teaching of Azamra: search for some merit, some good point in yourself, and be glad with it. Remember what the Baal Shem Tov did at sea. Never despair. And above all, be joyful always, even through a little silliness, or by dancing.
Our own reflection: feeling far is not a sign that Hashem has pushed you away. It is part of the road. Hold your place, take one small step, and stay joyful.
Full shiur
— Part 1: When Heaven Seems to Push You Away —
Likutey Moharan Tinyana, Torah forty-eight: all distance is really closeness. A shiur in two parts. Part one: when Heaven seems to push you away.
Gold is Rebbe Nachman's own words, from Likutey Moharan Tinyana, Torah forty-eight. 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: When a person enters the service of Hashem, the way is that he is shown distance. It seems to him that he is being pushed away from Above, and not allowed into the service of Hashem at all. But in truth, all the distance is entirely closeness.
He continues: He needs very, very great strength not to fall in his mind, Heaven forbid, when he sees days and years passing. He toils with great effort for the service of Hashem, and he is still very far; he has not even begun to enter the gates of holiness.
For he sees that he is still full of coarseness and physicality, with heavy thoughts and great confusion. And whenever he wants to do something holy in the service of Hashem, he is not allowed.
So it seems to him as if Hashem does not look at him at all and does not want his service, because he cries out each time, pleads and throws himself down before Him to help him, and still he is very, very far. Therefore it seems as if Hashem does not turn to him at all, as if He does not want him.
Our explanation. The Rebbe describes the feeling exactly: years of effort, prayers that seem unanswered, a sense that the door is closed. He does not deny the feeling. He tells us what it really is: the distance itself is a form of closeness.
And so: Over all these things and their like, he needs great strength: to strengthen himself very, very much, and not to look at any of it at all. For in truth all the distance is entirely closeness, as said above.
He adds: All of this passed over all the tzaddikim; we heard it from their own mouths. It seemed to them that Hashem was not looking at them or turning to them at all, because for a long time they had sought, toiled and served, and were still very, very far. Had they not strengthened themselves greatly not to look at this, they would have stayed in their first place, and not reached what they reached.
The rule, my beloved brother: be very strong and brave. Hold on with all your strength to remain standing in your service. Do not pay attention, and do not look at all, at any of this or anything like it.
Now a great comfort: And if you are very, very far from Him, and it seems to you that you damage things before Him literally every hour, even so, know this: for such a person, so steeped in the physical, every single movement in which he pulls himself away, little by little, from his physicality and turns to Hashem, is very, very great and precious.
Even a very small point in which he moves from his physicality toward Him: with it he runs many thousands of miles in the upper worlds. You will understand this well from the story of the tzaddik who was overcome by great sadness, as it is told among us.
Over this he should rejoice greatly, and always strengthen himself with joy, because sadness does very, very great harm.
And know: the moment a person wants to enter the service of Hashem, sadness is immediately a great wrong, Heaven forbid. For sadness is the other side, as the Zohar says, and Hashem hates it.
Our explanation, step by step. When you feel far, strengthen yourself and do not stare at the distance. Remember that every small step toward Hashem is precious above. And rejoice in that step, because sadness only does harm.
— Part 2: The Narrow Bridge —
Part two: be stubborn in holiness, the narrow bridge, and the tree of a hundred years.
Rebbe Nachman continues: One must be very stubborn in the service of Hashem, never to leave his place, that is, the little bit of service he has begun, even if something passes over him. Remember this well, for you will need it very much once you begin a little in the service of Hashem.
For one needs very, very great stubbornness to be strong and brave, to hold on and keep standing, even if he is knocked down again and again, Heaven forbid. Sometimes a person is made to fall from serving Hashem; even so he must do his part, whatever he can, and not let himself fall completely. For all these falls, descents and confusions must be passed through before entering the gates of holiness, and the true tzaddikim also passed through all of it.
He warns: And know: there is one who is already at the doorway of holiness, and he turns back because of these confusions. Or, just when he is near the doorway, the other side and the evil one overpower him with tremendous force, Heaven save us, and do not let him enter, and so he turns back.
For that is the way of the evil one: when he sees that a person is very, very close to the gates of holiness, about to enter, he spreads over him with enormous force. Therefore that is when one needs great strength against him.
Our explanation. The strongest pressure comes right at the doorway. So a sudden, heavy struggle is not proof that you are far; it may be a sign that you are very close. That is exactly the moment to hold on.
We heard from a true tzaddik who said: had anyone at all said to him, when he was starting out in the service of Hashem, My brother, be strong and hold on, he would have run and hurried greatly in His service. For all this passed over him too, and he heard no encouragement from anyone.
So whoever wants to enter the service of Hashem, let him remember this well. Strengthen yourself greatly and do what you can in the service of Hashem, and as the days and years go by you will surely enter, with His help, into the gates of holiness. For Hashem is full of compassion, and wants your service very much.
And know: all the movements and steps, each time you pull yourself away a little from the physical toward His service, all of them gather, join and bind together, and come to help you in a time of need, when there is some pressure or time of trouble, Heaven forbid.
Then the famous words: And know: a person must cross a very, very narrow bridge, and the rule and the main thing is not to be afraid at all.
Our explanation. Life's path is a narrow bridge, and the Rebbe does not pretend otherwise. What makes a person fall is mostly fear. So the rule is: do not be afraid at all.
A picture: And know: there is a tree on which leaves grow, and each leaf must grow for a hundred years. It is found in the gardens of noblemen, and in their language they call it Hundred Years. Surely, growing for a hundred years, whatever passes over it passes; and then, at the end of the hundred years, it bursts out with a great noise, like a cannon. Understand the lesson well.
And the way to do it: It is right to go with what is said in the teaching Azamra, in the first part, Torah two hundred eighty-two: to seek and search to find in oneself some merit, some good point. With the little good he finds in himself, let him rejoice and be strengthened, and not leave his place, even if he has fallen wherever he has fallen. Let him strengthen himself with the very little good he still finds, until through this he returns to Hashem, and even wilful sins become merits.
And what did the Baal Shem Tov, of blessed memory, do at sea, when the evil one tried to lure him, and so on. From this you will understand how far you must strengthen yourself and never despair, Heaven forbid, whatever happens.
And finally: And the main thing is to be always joyful. Let him make himself happy with whatever he can, even with a little silliness, acting a bit foolish, joking, jumping or dancing, in order to come to joy, which is a very great thing.
Some reflections of our own, not a quotation. Feeling far is part of the road, not a sign of rejection. Hold your place; even one small step counts above. Do not be afraid, and stay joyful.
This has been Likutey Moharan Tinyana, Torah forty-eight.
Sources for this Torah
Texts used
Hebrew: Likutei Moharan Tinyana (Part II), Torah 48, edition 'Likutei Moharan Tinyana – rabenubook.com', public domain, via Sefaria — https://www.sefaria.org/Likutei_Moharan%2C_Part_II.48
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 — When Heaven Seems to Push You Away
Scene 3 · LM II:48 §1 · paragraph §1.1
כְּשֶׁאָדָם נִכְנָס בַּעֲבוֹדַת הַשֵּׁם, אֲזַי הַדֶּרֶךְ – שֶׁמַּרְאִין לוֹ הִתְרַחֲקוּת, וְנִדְמֶה לוֹ שֶׁמַּרְחִיקִין אוֹתוֹ מִלְמַעְלָה, וְאֵין מַנִּיחִין אוֹתוֹ כְּלָל לִכָּנֵס לַעֲבוֹדַת הַשֵּׁם, וּבֶאֱמֶת כָּל הַהִתְרַחֲקוּת הוּא רַק כֻּלּוֹ הִתְקָרְבוּת.
EN (our paraphrase): When a person enters the service of Hashem, the way is that he is shown distance. It seems to him that he is being pushed away from Above, and not allowed into the service of Hashem at all. But in truth, all the distance is entirely closeness.
Scene 4 · LM II:48 §1 · paragraph §1.2
וְצָרִיךְ הִתְחַזְּקוּת גָּדוֹל מְאֹד מְאֹד לִבְלִי לִפֹּל בְּדַעְתּוֹ, חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, כְּשֶׁרוֹאֶה שֶׁעוֹבְרִים כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה יָמִים וְשָׁנִים, שֶׁהוּא מִתְיַגֵּעַ בִּיגִיעוֹת גְּדוֹלוֹת בִּשְׁבִיל עֲבוֹדוֹת הַשֵּׁם, וַעֲדַיִן הוּא רָחוֹק מְאֹד, וְלֹא הִתְחִיל כְּלָל לִכְנֹס לְשַׁעֲרֵי הַקְּדֻשָּׁה.
EN (our paraphrase): He needs very, very great strength not to fall in his mind, Heaven forbid, when he sees days and years passing. He toils with great effort for the service of Hashem, and he is still very far; he has not even begun to enter the gates of holiness.
Scene 5 · LM II:48 §1 · paragraph §1.2
כִּי רוֹאֶה עַצְמוֹ שֶׁהוּא מָלֵא עֲדַיִן עֲבִיּוּת וְגַשְׁמִיּוּת וְהִרְהוּרִים וּבִלְבּוּלִים גְּדוֹלִים, וְכָל מַה שֶּׁהוּא רוֹצֶה לַעֲשׂוֹת בַּעֲבוֹדַת הַשֵּׁם אֵיזֶה דָּבָר שֶׁבִּקְדֻשָּׁה, אֵין מַנִּיחִין אוֹתוֹ.
EN (our paraphrase): For he sees that he is still full of coarseness and physicality, with heavy thoughts and great confusion. And whenever he wants to do something holy in the service of Hashem, he is not allowed.
Scene 6 · LM II:48 §1 · paragraph §1.2
וְנִדְמֶה לוֹ כְּאִלּוּ אֵין הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ מִסְתַּכֵּל עָלָיו כְּלָל, וְאֵין רוֹצֶה כְּלָל בַּעֲבוֹדָתוֹ, מֵחֲמַת שֶׁהוּא רוֹאֶה שֶׁהוּא צוֹעֵק בְּכָל פַּעַם וּמִתְחַנֵּן וּמִתְנַפֵּל לְפָנָיו יִתְבָּרַךְ שֶׁיַּעְזְרֵהוּ בַּעֲבוֹדָתוֹ, וְאַף־עַל־פִּי־כֵן עֲדַיִן הוּא רָחוֹק מְאֹד מְאֹד. עַל־כֵּן נִדְמֶה לוֹ כְּאִלּוּ אֵין הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ מִסְתַּכֵּל עָלָיו כְּלָל וְאֵין פּוֹנֶה אֵלָיו כְּלָל, כִּי הוּא יִתְבָּרַךְ אֵין רוֹצֶה בּוֹ כְּלָל.
EN (our paraphrase): So it seems to him as if Hashem does not look at him at all and does not want his service, because he cries out each time, pleads and throws himself down before Him to help him, and still he is very, very far. Therefore it seems as if Hashem does not turn to him at all, as if He does not want him.
Scene 8 · LM II:48 §1 · paragraph §1.3
הֵן עַל כָּל אֵלֶּה וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָּזֶה צָרִיךְ הִתְחַזְּקוּת גָּדוֹל, לְחַזֵּק עַצְמוֹ מְאֹד מְאֹד, וְלִבְלִי לְהִסְתַּכֵּל עַל כָּל זֶה כְּלָל. כִּי בֶּאֱמֶת כָּל הַהִתְרַחֲקוּת הוּא רַק כֻּלּוֹ הִתְקָרְבוּת כַּנַּ"ל.
EN (our paraphrase): Over all these things and their like, he needs great strength: to strengthen himself very, very much, and not to look at any of it at all. For in truth all the distance is entirely closeness, as said above.
Scene 9 · LM II:48 §1 · paragraph §1.4
וְכָל הַנַּ"ל עָבַר עַל כָּל הַצַּדִּיקִים, כַּאֲשֶׁר שָׁמַעְנוּ מִפִּיהֶם בְּפֵרוּשׁ, שֶׁנִּדְמֶה לָהֶם שֶׁהַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ אֵין מִסְתַּכֵּל וּפוֹנֶה אֲלֵיהֶם כְּלָל, מֵחֲמַת שֶׁרָאוּ שֶׁזֶּה זְמַן רַב שֶׁהֵם מְבַקְּשִׁים וִיגֵעִים וְעוֹשִׂים וְעוֹבְדִים עֲבוֹדַת הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ, וַעֲדַיִן הֵם רְחוֹקִים מְאֹד מְאֹד, וְאִלּוּ לֹא הָיוּ מְחַזְּקִים עַצְמָן מְאֹד לִבְלִי לְהִסְתַּכֵּל עַל זֶה, הָיוּ נִשְׁאָרִים בִּמְקוֹמָם הָרִאשׁוֹן, וְלֹא הָיוּ זוֹכִים לְמַה שֶּׁזָּכוּ.
EN (our paraphrase): All of this passed over all the tzaddikim; we heard it from their own mouths. It seemed to them that Hashem was not looking at them or turning to them at all, because for a long time they had sought, toiled and served, and were still very, very far. Had they not strengthened themselves greatly not to look at this, they would have stayed in their first place, and not reached what they reached.
Scene 10 · LM II:48 §1 · paragraph §1.5
וְהַכְּלָל, אֲהוּבִי אָחִי, חֲזַק וֶאֱמַץ מְאֹד, וֶאֱחֹז עַצְמְךָ בְּכָל הַכֹּחוֹת לִשָּׁאֵר קַיָּם בַּעֲבוֹדָתֶךָ, וְאַל תָּחוּשׁ וְאַל תִּסְתַּכֵּל כְּלָל עַל כָּל הַנַּ"ל אוֹ כַּיּוֹצֵא בָּזֶה.
EN (our paraphrase): The rule, my beloved brother: be very strong and brave. Hold on with all your strength to remain standing in your service. Do not pay attention, and do not look at all, at any of this or anything like it.
Scene 11 · LM II:48 §1 · paragraph §1.6
וְאִם אַתָּה רָחוֹק מְאֹד מְאֹד מִמֶּנּוּ יִתְבָּרַךְ, וְנִדְמֶה לְךָ, שֶׁאַתָּה פּוֹגֵם בְּכָל שָׁעָה מַמָּשׁ נֶגְדּוֹ יִתְבָּרַךְ, עִם כָּל זֶה כְּנֶגֶד זֶה תֵּדַע, שֶׁאִישׁ כָּזֶה שֶׁהוּא מְגֻשָּׁם כָּל־כָּךְ, כָּל תְּנוּעָה וּתְנוּעָה שֶׁהוּא מְנַתֵּק עַצְמוֹ מְעַט מְעַט מִן גַּשְׁמִיּוּתוֹ וּפוֹנֶה לְהַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ הִיא גְּדוֹלָה וִיקָרָה מְאֹד מְאֹד,
EN (our paraphrase): And if you are very, very far from Him, and it seems to you that you damage things before Him literally every hour, even so, know this: for such a person, so steeped in the physical, every single movement in which he pulls himself away, little by little, from his physicality and turns to Hashem, is very, very great and precious.
Scene 12 · LM II:48 §1 · paragraph §1.6
וַאֲפִלּוּ נְקֻדָּה קְטַנָּה מְאֹד, שֶׁהוּא נֶעְתָּק מִגַּשְׁמִיּוּתוֹ אֵלָיו יִתְבָּרַךְ, הוּא רָץ בָּזֶה כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה אֲלָפִים פַּרְסָאוֹת בְּעוֹלָמוֹת עֶלְיוֹנִים, כַּאֲשֶׁר תָּבִין הֵיטֵב מִן הַמַּעֲשֶׂה שֶׁל הַצַּדִּיק שֶׁהִתְגַּבֵּר עָלָיו מְאֹד הָעַצְבוּת וְכוּ', כַּמּוּבָא אֶצְלֵנוּ.
EN (our paraphrase): Even a very small point in which he moves from his physicality toward Him: with it he runs many thousands of miles in the upper worlds. You will understand this well from the story of the tzaddik who was overcome by great sadness, as it is told among us.
Scene 13 · LM II:48 §1 · paragraph §1.7
וְעַל זֶה יִשְׂמַח מְאֹד וִיחַזֵּק עַצְמוֹ בְּשִׂמְחָה תָּמִיד, כִּי עַצְבוּת מַזִּיק מְאֹד מְאֹד.
EN (our paraphrase): Over this he should rejoice greatly, and always strengthen himself with joy, because sadness does very, very great harm.
Scene 14 · LM II:48 §1, on Zohar Noach 71 · paragraph §1.8
וְדַע, שֶׁתֵּכֶף כְּשֶׁאָדָם רוֹצֶה לִכְנֹס בַּעֲבוֹדָתוֹ יִתְבָּרַךְ, אֲזַי תֵּכֶף הִיא עֲבֵרָה גְּדוֹלָה כְּשֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ עַצְבוּת, חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, כִּי עַצְבוּת הִיא סִטְרָא־אָחָרָא, וְהַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ שׂוֹנֵא אוֹתָהּ:
EN (our paraphrase): And know: the moment a person wants to enter the service of Hashem, sadness is immediately a great wrong, Heaven forbid. For sadness is the other side, as the Zohar says, and Hashem hates it.
Part 2 — The Narrow Bridge
Scene 2 · LM II:48 §2 · paragraph §2.1
וְצָרִיךְ לִהְיוֹת עַקְשָׁן גָּדוֹל בַּעֲבוֹדַת הַשֵּׁם, לִבְלִי לְהָנִיחַ אֶת מְקוֹמוֹ, דְּהַיְנוּ מְעַט מִקְצָת עֲבוֹדָתוֹ שֶׁהִתְחִיל, אַף אִם יַעֲבֹר עָלָיו מָה. וּזְכֹר דָּבָר זֶה הֵיטֵב, כִּי תִּצְטָרֵךְ לָזֶה מְאֹד כְּשֶׁתַּתְחִיל קְצָת בַּעֲבוֹדַת הַשֵּׁם,
EN (our paraphrase): One must be very stubborn in the service of Hashem, never to leave his place, that is, the little bit of service he has begun, even if something passes over him. Remember this well, for you will need it very much once you begin a little in the service of Hashem.
Scene 3 · LM II:48 §2 · paragraph §2.2
כִּי צָרִיךְ עַקְשָׁנוּת גָּדוֹל מְאֹד מְאֹד לִהְיוֹת חָזָק וְאַמִּיץ, לֶאֱחֹז עַצְמוֹ, לַעֲמֹד עַל עָמְדוֹ, אַף אִם מַפִּילִין אוֹתוֹ, חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, בְּכָל פַּעַם. כִּי לִפְעָמִים יֵשׁ שֶׁמַּפִּילִין אֶחָד מֵעֲבוֹדַת הַשֵּׁם, כַּיָּדוּעַ, אַף־עַל־פִּי־כֵן עָלָיו לַעֲשׂוֹת אֶת שֶׁלּוֹ, לַעֲשׂוֹת מַה שֶׁיּוּכַל בַּעֲבוֹדַת הַשֵּׁם, וְאַל יָנִיחַ עַצְמוֹ לִפֹּל לְגַמְרֵי, חַס וְשָׁלוֹם. כִּי כָל אֵלּוּ הַנְּפִילוֹת וְהַיְרִידוֹת וְהַבִּלְבּוּלִים וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָּזֶה צְרִיכִים בְּהֶכְרֵחַ לַעֲבֹר בָּהֶם קֹדֶם שֶׁנִּכְנָסִין בְּשַׁעֲרֵי הַקְּדֻשָּׁה, וְגַם הַצַּדִּיקִים הָאֲמִתִּיִּים עָבְרוּ בְּכָל זֶה.
EN (our paraphrase): For one needs very, very great stubbornness to be strong and brave, to hold on and keep standing, even if he is knocked down again and again, Heaven forbid. Sometimes a person is made to fall from serving Hashem; even so he must do his part, whatever he can, and not let himself fall completely. For all these falls, descents and confusions must be passed through before entering the gates of holiness, and the true tzaddikim also passed through all of it.
Scene 4 · LM II:48 §2 · paragraph §2.3
וְדַע, שֶׁיֵּשׁ אֶחָד שֶׁכְּבָר הוּא אֵצֶל הַפֶּתַח שֶׁל הַקְּדֻשָּׁה, וְהוּא חוֹזֵר לַאֲחוֹרָיו מֵחֲמַת הַבִּלְבּוּלִים הַנַּ"ל, אוֹ שֶׁאֲזַי כְּשֶׁהוּא סָמוּךְ אֵצֶל הַפֶּתַח, אָז מִתְגַּבֵּר עָלָיו הַסִּטְרָא־אָחֳרָא וְהַבַּעַל־דָּבָר מְאֹד מְאֹד, רַחֲמָנָא לִצְלָן, בְּהִתְגַּבְּרוּת גָּדוֹל וְנוֹרָא מְאֹד מְאֹד, רַחֲמָנָא לִצְלָן, וְאֵין מַנִּיחִין אוֹתוֹ לִכָּנֵס לְתוֹךְ הַפֶּתַח, וּמַחֲמַת זֶה הוּא חוֹזֵר לְאָחוֹר, חַס וְשָׁלוֹם.
EN (our paraphrase): And know: there is one who is already at the doorway of holiness, and he turns back because of these confusions. Or, just when he is near the doorway, the other side and the evil one overpower him with tremendous force, Heaven save us, and do not let him enter, and so he turns back.
Scene 5 · LM II:48 §2 · paragraph §2.3
כִּי כֵן דֶּרֶךְ הַבַּעַל־דָּבָר וְהַסִּטְרָא־אָחֳרָא, כְּשֶׁרוֹאֶה שֶׁהָאָדָם סָמוּךְ סָמוּךְ מַמָּשׁ לְשַׁעֲרֵי הַקְּדֻשָּׁה, וְכִמְעַט שֶׁיִּכְנֹס, אֲזַי הוּא מִתְפַּשֵּׁט עָלָיו בְּהִתְגַּבְּרוּת גָּדוֹל מְאֹד מְאֹד, רַחֲמָנָא לִצְלָן. עַל־כֵּן צָרִיךְ אָז הִתְחַזְּקוּת גָּדוֹל נֶגְדּוֹ.
EN (our paraphrase): For that is the way of the evil one: when he sees that a person is very, very close to the gates of holiness, about to enter, he spreads over him with enormous force. Therefore that is when one needs great strength against him.
Scene 7 · LM II:48 §2 · paragraph §2.4
וְשָׁמַעְנוּ מִצַּדִּיק אֲמִתִּי שֶׁאָמַר, שֶׁאִלּוּ הָיָה אוֹמֵר לוֹ אֶחָד, יִהְיֶה מִי שֶׁיִּהְיֶה, בְּעֵת שֶׁעָסַק בַּעֲבוֹדַת הַשֵּׁם בִּתְחִלָּתוֹ: אָחִי, חֲזַק וֶאֱחֹז עַצְמְךָ – הָיִיתִי רָץ וּמִזְדָּרֵז מְאֹד בַּעֲבוֹדָתוֹ יִתְבָּרַךְ, כִּי גַּם עָלָיו עָבַר כָּל הַנַּ"ל, וְלֹא הָיָה שׁוֹמֵעַ שׁוּם הִתְחַזְּקוּת מִשּׁוּם אָדָם.
EN (our paraphrase): We heard from a true tzaddik who said: had anyone at all said to him, when he was starting out in the service of Hashem, My brother, be strong and hold on, he would have run and hurried greatly in His service. For all this passed over him too, and he heard no encouragement from anyone.
Scene 8 · LM II:48 §2 · paragraph §2.5
עַל־כֵּן מִי שֶׁרוֹצֶה לִכְנֹס בַּעֲבוֹדַת הַשֵּׁם, יִזְכֹּר זֹאת הֵיטֵב. וְחַזֵּק עַצְמְךָ מְאֹד, וַעֲשֵׂה מַה שֶּׁתּוּכַל בַּעֲבוֹדַת הַשֵּׁם, וּבִרְבוֹת הַיָּמִים וְהַשָּׁנִים תִּכְנֹס לָבֶטַח בְּעֶזְרָתוֹ יִתְבָּרַךְ לְתוֹךְ שַׁעֲרֵי הַקְּדֻשָּׁה, כִּי הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ מָלֵא רַחֲמִים וְרוֹצֶה בַּעֲבוֹדָתְךָ מְאֹד.
EN (our paraphrase): So whoever wants to enter the service of Hashem, let him remember this well. Strengthen yourself greatly and do what you can in the service of Hashem, and as the days and years go by you will surely enter, with His help, into the gates of holiness. For Hashem is full of compassion, and wants your service very much.
Scene 9 · LM II:48 §2 · paragraph §2.6
וְדַע, שֶׁכָּל הַתְּנוּעוֹת וְהַהַעְתָּקוֹת, שֶׁאַתָּה נִתָּק וְנֶעְתָּק בְּכָל פַּעַם אֵיזֶה מְעַט מִן גַּשְׁמִיּוּת לַעֲבוֹדָתוֹ יִתְבָּרַךְ, כֻּלָּם מִתְקַבְּצִים וּמִתְחַבְּרִים וּמִתְקַשְּׁרִים וּבָאִים לְעֶזְרָתְךָ בְּעֵת הַצֹּרֶךְ, דְּהַיְנוּ כְּשֶׁיֵּשׁ, חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, אֵיזֶה דֹּחַק וְעֵת צָרָה, חַס וְשָׁלוֹם.
EN (our paraphrase): And know: all the movements and steps, each time you pull yourself away a little from the physical toward His service, all of them gather, join and bind together, and come to help you in a time of need, when there is some pressure or time of trouble, Heaven forbid.
Scene 10 · LM II:48 §2 · paragraph §2.7
וְדַע, שֶׁהָאָדָם צָרִיךְ לַעֲבֹר עַל גֶּשֶׁר צַר מְאֹד מְאֹד, וְהַכְּלָל וְהָעִקָּר – שֶׁלֹּא יִתְפַּחֵד כְּלָל:
EN (our paraphrase): And know: a person must cross a very, very narrow bridge, and the rule and the main thing is not to be afraid at all.
Scene 12 · LM II:48 §3 · paragraph §3.1
וְדַע, שֶׁיֵּשׁ אִילָן, שֶׁגְּדֵלִים עָלָיו עָלִים, שֶׁכָּל עָלֶה צָרִיךְ לִהְיוֹת גָּדֵל מֵאָה שָׁנִים, וְהוּא נִמְצָא בַּפַּרְדֵּסִים שֶׁל הַשָּׂרִים, וְקוֹרִין אוֹתוֹ בִּלְשׁוֹנָם "מֵאָה שָׁנִים". וּמִסְּתָּמָא כְּשֶׁגָּדֵל מֵאָה שָׁנִים, בְּוַדַּאי עוֹבֵר עָלָיו מַה שֶּׁעוֹבֵר, וְאַחַר־כָּךְ בְּסוֹף הַמֵּאָה שָׁנִים הוּא יוֹרֶה בְּקוֹל גָּדוֹל כְּמוֹ קְנֵי־שְׂרֵפָה, שֶׁקּוֹרִין "אוֹרְמַאטְיֶע". וְהָבֵן הַנִּמְשָׁל הֵיטֵב:
EN (our paraphrase): And know: there is a tree on which leaves grow, and each leaf must grow for a hundred years. It is found in the gardens of noblemen, and in their language they call it Hundred Years. Surely, growing for a hundred years, whatever passes over it passes; and then, at the end of the hundred years, it bursts out with a great noise, like a cannon. Understand the lesson well.
Scene 13 · LM II:48 §4, on LM I:282 and Yoma 86b · paragraph §4.1
וְרָאוּי לֵילֵךְ עִם מַה שֶּׁנֶּאֱמַר בַּמַּאֲמָר "אֲזַמְּרָה לֵאלֹקַי בְּעוֹדִי", דְּהַיְנוּ לְבַקֵּשׁ וּלְחַפֵּשׂ לִמְצֹא בְּעַצְמוֹ אֵיזֶה זְכוּת וְאֵיזֶה נְקֻדָּה טוֹבָה. וּבָזֶה הַמְּעַט טוֹב שֶׁמּוֹצֵא בְּעַצְמוֹ יִשְׂמַח וִיחַזֵּק עַצְמוֹ, וְאַל יַנִּיחַ אֶת מְקוֹמוֹ, אַף אִם נָפַל לְמַה שֶּׁנָּפַל, רַחֲמָנָא לִצְלָן, אַף־עַל־פִּי־כֵן יְחַזֵּק עַצְמוֹ בִּמְעַט דִּמְעַט טוֹב שֶׁמּוֹצֵא בְּעַצְמוֹ עֲדַיִן, עַד אֲשֶׁר יִזְכֶּה לָשׁוּב עַל־יְדֵי־זֶה לְהַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ, וְכָל הַזְּדוֹנוֹת יִהְיוּ נַעֲשִׂין זְכֻיּוֹת.
EN (our paraphrase): It is right to go with what is said in the teaching Azamra, in the first part, Torah two hundred eighty-two: to seek and search to find in oneself some merit, some good point. With the little good he finds in himself, let him rejoice and be strengthened, and not leave his place, even if he has fallen wherever he has fallen. Let him strengthen himself with the very little good he still finds, until through this he returns to Hashem, and even wilful sins become merits.
Scene 14 · LM II:48 §4 · paragraph §4.2
וּמֶה עָשָׂה הַבַּעַל־שֵׁם־טוֹב, זֵכֶר צַדִּיק לִבְרָכָה, עַל הַיָּם, כְּשֶׁהֱסִיתוֹ הַבַּעַל דָּבָר וְכוּ'. וּמִזֶּה תָּבִין, עַד הֵיכָן אַתָּה צָרִיךְ לְהִתְחַזֵּק וְלִבְלִי לְיָאֵשׁ עַצְמְךָ, חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, אַף אִם יִהְיֶה מַה שֶּׁיִּהְיֶה.
EN (our paraphrase): And what did the Baal Shem Tov, of blessed memory, do at sea, when the evil one tried to lure him, and so on. From this you will understand how far you must strengthen yourself and never despair, Heaven forbid, whatever happens.
Scene 15 · LM II:48 §4 · paragraph §4.3
וְהָעִקָּר לִהְיוֹת בְּשִׂמְחָה תָּמִיד. וִישַׂמַּח עַצְמוֹ בְּכָל מַה שֶּׁיּוּכַל, וַאֲפִלּוּ עַל־יְדֵי מִלֵּי דִּשְׁטוּתָא, לַעֲשׂוֹת עַצְמוֹ כְּשׁוֹטֶה וְלַעֲשׂוֹת עִנְיְנֵי שְׁטוּת וּצְחוֹק אוֹ קְפִיצוֹת וְרִקּוּדִים, כְּדֵי לָבוֹא לְשִׂמְחָה, שֶׁהוּא דָּבָר גָּדוֹל מְאֹד:
EN (our paraphrase): And the main thing is to be always joyful. Let him make himself happy with whatever he can, even with a little silliness, acting a bit foolish, joking, jumping or dancing, in order to come to joy, which is a very great thing.
Hebrew phrases in the Explainer
Scene 2 · §1.1: וּבֶאֱמֶת כָּל הַהִתְרַחֲקוּת הוּא רַק כֻּלּוֹ הִתְקָרְבוּת.
Scene 3 · §1.3: הֵן עַל כָּל אֵלֶּה וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָּזֶה צָרִיךְ הִתְחַזְּקוּת גָּדוֹל, לְחַזֵּק עַצְמוֹ מְאֹד מְאֹד, וְלִבְלִי לְהִסְתַּכֵּל עַל כָּל זֶה כְּלָל.
Scene 4 · §1.4: וְכָל הַנַּ"ל עָבַר עַל כָּל הַצַּדִּיקִים, כַּאֲשֶׁר שָׁמַעְנוּ מִפִּיהֶם בְּפֵרוּשׁ,
Scene 5 · §1.6: וַאֲפִלּוּ נְקֻדָּה קְטַנָּה מְאֹד, שֶׁהוּא נֶעְתָּק מִגַּשְׁמִיּוּתוֹ אֵלָיו יִתְבָּרַךְ,
Scene 6 · §2.1: וְצָרִיךְ לִהְיוֹת עַקְשָׁן גָּדוֹל
Scene 7 · §2.6: כֻּלָּם מִתְקַבְּצִים וּמִתְחַבְּרִים וּמִתְקַשְּׁרִים וּבָאִים לְעֶזְרָתְךָ בְּעֵת הַצֹּרֶךְ,
Scene 8 · §2.7: וְדַע, שֶׁהָאָדָם צָרִיךְ לַעֲבֹר עַל גֶּשֶׁר צַר מְאֹד מְאֹד, וְהַכְּלָל וְהָעִקָּר – שֶׁלֹּא יִתְפַּחֵד כְּלָל:
Scene 9 · §3.1: וְדַע, שֶׁיֵּשׁ אִילָן, שֶׁגְּדֵלִים עָלָיו עָלִים, שֶׁכָּל עָלֶה צָרִיךְ לִהְיוֹת גָּדֵל מֵאָה שָׁנִים,
Scene 10 · §4.1: לְבַקֵּשׁ וּלְחַפֵּשׂ לִמְצֹא בְּעַצְמוֹ אֵיזֶה זְכוּת וְאֵיזֶה נְקֻדָּה טוֹבָה.
Hebrew phrases in the 1-minute recap
Scene 2 · §1.1: וּבֶאֱמֶת כָּל הַהִתְרַחֲקוּת הוּא רַק כֻּלּוֹ הִתְקָרְבוּת.
Scene 3 · §2.1: וְצָרִיךְ לִהְיוֹת עַקְשָׁן גָּדוֹל
Scene 4 · §1.6: וַאֲפִלּוּ נְקֻדָּה קְטַנָּה מְאֹד, שֶׁהוּא נֶעְתָּק מִגַּשְׁמִיּוּתוֹ אֵלָיו יִתְבָּרַךְ,
Scene 5 · §2.7: וְדַע, שֶׁהָאָדָם צָרִיךְ לַעֲבֹר עַל גֶּשֶׁר צַר מְאֹד מְאֹד, וְהַכְּלָל וְהָעִקָּר – שֶׁלֹּא יִתְפַּחֵד כְּלָל: