Daily Tanya – Chapter 10 Part 2: The myriads of Tzadik Vera Lo Tzadikim (Thursday 12th Teves)

(LY) 16^th Teves

4.       The many levels of incomplete Tzadikim:

• Being that an incomplete Tzadik retains some evil, there in truth exists myriads of levels of such Tzadikim, which is based on the amount of evil that remains within them.
• The type of evil that remains: Aside for there being a difference in the amount of evil remaining within two different incomplete Tzadikim, there may also be a difference in the type of evil that remains, as to from which of the four elements of evil the evil still remains in.
• The amount of evil that remains: Furthermore, there may be a difference between two different incomplete Tzadikim as to the amount of evil that remains within them. In one Tzadik, his evil may be of such a high amount that it is only nullified to his good in a ratio of 1:60, while by another Tzadik his evil may be of such a small amount that it is nullified to his good in a ratio of 1:1000 or 10,000, and so on and so forth.
• The many incomplete Tzadikim found in each generation: It is these various types of incomplete Tzadikim that are found in great quantity within every generation, as the Talmud states that there are 18,000 Tzadikim that stand before G-d.
• The few complete Tzadikim found in his generation: The above is in contrast to the complete Tzadik of which very few of them are found in each generation, as Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai states that he has seen very few “Bnei Aliyah,” which refers to the complete Tzadik.

5. The Avoda of the Tzadik Gamur and Bnei Aliyah-Elevating evil to holiness:

• Why they are called Bnei Aliyah: The complete Tzadik is referred to as Bnei Aliyah being that they transform evil through elevating it to holiness.
• No entrance for the incomplete Tzadik: A proof of the above relationship between the complete Tzadik and Bnei Aliyah can be found in the Zohar which states that when Rabbi Chiya [who was seemingly an incomplete Tzadik] desired to enter the spiritual chamber within the garden of Eden of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai [who was a complete Tzadik], a heavenly voice declared that only those who have turned darkness to light and bitterness to sweetness are allowed entry.
• They work to please G-d and not just to attach to Him: Another reason for why the complete Tzadik is referred to as Bnei Aliyah is because their entire intent in serving G-d through fulfilling Torah and Mitzvahs is all for the benefit of G-d and the spiritual realms, and not simply for their own selfish motives. [Although the complete Tzadik contains within him the most complete and intense love and passion for G-d, nonetheless] their Divine service is not motivated solely by the desire to cleave and attach to G-d, and quench the passion of their soul for G-d, and rather is motivated by the desire to give G-d satisfaction and satisfy the desire of G-d to see His Divine presence be unified with the lower realms.
• Like a son who desires to satisfy his father: As per the Zohar, the complete Tzadik is similar to a son who loves his father and mother more than his own soul, and therefore is dedicated to serving them, and is ready to give up his life for the sake of redeeming them from captivity. [The same applies with the complete Tzadik, that his service of G-d does not revolve any personal benefit or pleasure and is being done for the sole purpose to satisfy and please G-d and redeem the Divine presence from its state of exile.]