“And you shall count for yourselves…” (Vayikra 23:15)
“For yourselves” - for your own sake.
In Rebbe Nachman's Stories, in the story of the Sophisticate and the Simpleton, this idea of “counting for oneself” is explained.
The striking difference is that the Sophisticate was entirely driven by jealousy, desire, and honor. As we see in the story, he constantly envied what others had and was never satisfied with his own level. In terms of desire, he wandered the world seeking to satisfy his eyes, always chasing more. And regarding honor, even after reaching the heights of success, he continuously sought recognition, wanting others to appreciate and understand the level he had attained. Yet despite all this, he was constantly filled with suffering.
In contrast, the Simpleton—described in an extreme way—made crooked shoes, didn’t even have enough time to eat properly, and yet was always filled with joy.
Rebbe Nachman teaches us a very clear foundation: “This world is not something that can truly be attained.” As long as our minds are operating on the “program” of jealousy, desire, and honor—following the path of the Sophisticate—we will be full of suffering. But the moment we are willing to change that “version,” to begin counting only for ourselves—recognizing our own strengths and our own possibilities, rejoicing in what we have, appreciating every small movement, even in material matters, and thanking HaShem for it—then we will certainly leave behind exile and impurity and live with constant joy.
May it be HaShem’s will that we merit to fulfill this with simplicity, to truly value what is ours, until we merit to see the complete Redemption, Amen.
Shabbat Shalom
Chaim Kramer |
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