“And Korach took the distinguished members of the congregation...”
How is it possible that such great and righteous people, who began on such a lofty level, could descend to the painful error of opposing the true Tzaddik, Moshe Rabbeinu? The Torah itself testifies that they were heads of the Sanhedrin. How could such a thing happen?
This is the power of spiritual “old age” - the danger of becoming accustomed to something holy without continual renewal. In the story of The Fly and the Spider, Rebbe Nachman relates that when the forces opposing the descent of his holy soul searched for someone to stand against him, they found an old man.
Serving HaShem as a matter of routine, without constant renewal, can cause even the greatest and most exalted Tzaddikim to fall to the lowest places. Had they nullified themselves to Moshe Rabbeinu, the true Tzaddik, who was constantly renewing himself in the service of HaShem and revealing ever-new pathways through which one can draw closer to Him, this would never have happened.
The lesson applies equally in our generation: we must strive to draw close to the true Tzaddik and continually renew ourselves through his teachings and advice. We must not become old. Rebbe Nachman himself said, “I hate oldness,” and in another conversation he declared, “Alt tor men nisht zayn” - one must not be old.
Spiritual old age causes a person to lose desire and renewal in serving HaShem, and can ultimately lead to heresy and serious transgressions. May it be HaShem’s will that throughout our lives we remain connected to the Tzaddik and constantly renew ourselves in the service of HaShem, Amen.
Shabbat Shalom
Chaim Kramer |
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