Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Reb Noson on Psalm 26


We are now in the weeks of counting the sefirah that correspond to Netzach and Hod. Apropos of this, we are posting this excerpt from the as yet unpublished “Breslov Tehillim” (Breslov Rearch Institute), which is a work-in-progress.

“My foot is set on the straight path.” Our main task is to rectify the paradigm of the feet, which enable us to walk the “straight path”—the path of Torah, the path of teshuvah. For the extrication of the lost “holy sparks” is associated with the aspect of the feet, the lowest level, where the kelipot (“husks”) have their hold. Thus, it is written, “And her feet descend unto death” (Proverbs 5:5), which alludes to the descent of Malkhut/Kingship and the exile of the Jewish people, as is known.

This is why the Evil One attacks us so intensely now, during our generations, collectively and individually. For these times are called the “footsteps of the Mashiach,” corresponding to the aspect of the feet, where the influence of the Other Side and the kelipot is strongest. Therefore, we need to know that now, during our generations, when a person makes the slightest gesture to return to God, this is even more precious in God’s sight than the great devotions of former generations, as is discussed in the works of the Arizal and the Baal Shem Tov, and especially in those of our master, Rebbe Nachman. Accordingly, the Zohar describes the final Redemption as when “the feet reach the feet,” in fulfillment of the verse, “And on that day His feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives” (Zechariah 14:4) [1] (LH, Shabbat 7:43).



[1] See Zohar II, 258a, alluding to the descent of the Torah and the Jewish people throughout the period of exile until the lowest levels are rectified. These lowest levels are related to the sefirot of Netzach/Victory, corresponding to the right leg, and Hod/Splendor, corresponding to the left leg, down to Malkhut/Kingship. This process of tikkun will be completed by the Mashiach, who like his ancestor King David personifies the aspect of Malkhut.

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