QUESTION:
1) In the approach of HaRav Yitzchok Meir Morgenstern shlit”a there is an emphasis on connection to tzaddikim and on how we can’t grow in avodas Hashem unless we connect with tzaddikim on all levels. Does the Rav agree to this also?
ANSWER:
That is the path of Breslev, as is well-known. As you know, I am not a Breslever. Rather, I study/teach the Torah teachings of Breslev as part of general Avodas Hashem that includes every path of avodah. This is the approach that I received from Mori v’Rabi, HaGaon R’ Gershon Edelstein shlit”a, who told me that he received this approach from Rav Dessler zt”l. He said to me, “Look at sefer Michtav M’Eliyahu (of Rav Dessler) and see which sefarim he used…” That is the path which I received from my Rebbi.
QUESTION
2) Also, Rav Morgenstern shlit”a speaks a lot about the avodah of tzaddikim, and sometimes I feel, what’s the point of learning about the ways of tzaddikim who are way beyond me? Is it because we gain light just by thinking about the great levels of avodah of tzaddikim even though these levels are beyond us?
ANSWER
There are a few gains to thinking about the avodah of tzaddikim, and I will mention a few of them. (1) It causes a general awakening in a person to do what Hashem wants. (2) It is a way to enter inwardly into the inner spiritual world. (3) It is a way to study the different ways of avodas Hashem. (4) It is a way to acquire subtlety, similar to the teaching of Chazal that “Serving the Torah is greater than learning it.”
QUESTION
3) Is it possible that a person doesn’t need to do any avodah and all he needs to do is think about tzaddikim and of their exalted level and of their avodah, and by default he will become connected to the tzaddikim and then he will reach everything from there?
ANSWER
Every person has to serve Hashem according to his ability, and chas v’shalom for a person to remain satisfied with just contemplating the ways of the tzaddikim.
QUESTION
4) Rav Morgenstern also says that we need to try to reach the level of prophecy – not just an illumination of prophecy, but the actual level of prophecy itself (each person on his own level). What does that mean?
ANSWER
The inner dimension of prophecy, the “way to prophecy”, is the way of d’veykus, and this would result in niv sefasayim, in the lips moving and uttering a prophecy. It is discussed in sefer Chovas HaTalmidim. See sefer B’Tiv Yerushalayim, darkei hasagah, which explains a lot about the way to prophecy. Nowadays the way to prophecy exists, but the level in which prophecy is uttered from the lips is non-existent today.
QUESTION
2) Also, Rav Morgenstern shlit”a speaks a lot about the avodah of tzaddikim, and sometimes I feel, what’s the point of learning about the ways of tzaddikim who are way beyond me? Is it because we gain light just by thinking about the great levels of avodah of tzaddikim even though these levels are beyond us?
ANSWER
There are a few gains to thinking about the avodah of tzaddikim, and I will mention a few of them. (1) It causes a general awakening in a person to do what Hashem wants. (2) It is a way to enter inwardly into the inner spiritual world. (3) It is a way to study the different ways of avodas Hashem. (4) It is a way to acquire subtlety, similar to the teaching of Chazal that “Serving the Torah is greater than learning it.”
QUESTION
3) Is it possible that a person doesn’t need to do any avodah and all he needs to do is think about tzaddikim and of their exalted level and of their avodah, and by default he will become connected to the tzaddikim and then he will reach everything from there?
ANSWER
Every person has to serve Hashem according to his ability, and chas v’shalom for a person to remain satisfied with just contemplating the ways of the tzaddikim.
QUESTION
4) Rav Morgenstern also says that we need to try to reach the level of prophecy – not just an illumination of prophecy, but the actual level of prophecy itself (each person on his own level). What does that mean?
ANSWER
The inner dimension of prophecy, the “way to prophecy”, is the way of d’veykus, and this would result in niv sefasayim, in the lips moving and uttering a prophecy. It is discussed in sefer Chovas HaTalmidim. See sefer B’Tiv Yerushalayim, darkei hasagah, which explains a lot about the way to prophecy. Nowadays the way to prophecy exists, but the level in which prophecy is uttered from the lips is non-existent today.
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