Photo (c) Dovid Sears
By Rabbi Nachman
Goldstein, Rav of Tcherin, zatzal
Parpara’os LeChokhmah
on Likutey Moharan II, 5:13
Every Jew
possesses a spark of Moses. This is the quality of da’as d’kedushah (holy
knowledge). Nevertheless, it is forbidden to seek to increase one’s knowledge
without restraint. Thus, it is written, “Do not inquire into that which is too
wondrous for you....”[1]
for it is impossible to grasp these lofty matters. Although the king’s son may
be permitted to explore the royal treasury, there are places where even he may
not enter.
The
Zohar states: “Every Jew must serve God as a son and as a servant.”[2]
As a son, one must explore the king’s treasury through da’as, personified
by Moses; this is the capacity for holy knowledge that each person possesses.
At the same time, one must remain a humble servant of God, performing the
Divine will with wholehearted simplicity.
Whatever one’s
spiritual level, there are realms of knowledge into which it is forbidden to
venture, even with the quality of the “son,” which is the spark of Moses that
we possess. Wherever one may stand, there are perceptions in the category of “that
which is too wondrous for you.” However, a person on a higher rung, whose da’as
is greater, would be permitted to enter these wondrous realms.
Paradoxically,
only by restraining the desire for wisdom and choosing to serve God with
simplicity can one acquire the ability to grasp the perceptions that formerly
remained beyond his ken.
These perceptions
were in the category of the profound mysteries that Moses could not grasp
during his lifetime—particularly the mystery of the suffering of the righteous
and the prospering of the wicked. This corresponds to the knowledge that
transcended the seeking individual’s da’as. However, by serving God
with simplicity he may attain perfect discernment, and the mysteries of Divine
justice will be revealed to him. These perceptions correspond to the sublime
level attained by Moses after his passing from the world.
[1] Chagigah 13b
[2] Zohar II, 111b.
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