1. The Holy slingshot – How to effect that the fire of G-d be a consuming fire: [Likkutei Torah Acharei Mos]

The flame of a physical fire requires proper fuel in order to remain stable and not flicker and eventually extinguish. Thus, if the log of wood is too tough and firm then the flame will not be able to penetrate it and will eventually extinguish. Accordingly, in order for the flame to grasp onto the wooden fuel it must be properly broken and split. Now, just as this applies in the physical realm so too it is in the spiritual correspondence of the consuming fire of G-d. In order for the flame of G-d to rest and reside onto the soul of man through his divine service of thought, speech, and action of prayer Torah study and Mitzvah’s, the soul of the Jew must be properly prepared to serve as proper fuel. How is this preparation made? Through one having nullification of his will and soul towards G-d. If one does not break his own personal wills and passions and subjugate them to G-d, then the fire of G-d will not be able to remain on the soul. In other words, the ability to draw down G-dliness below through the fulfillment of Torah and Mitzvah’s is only if the person fulfilling them will do so with intent of subservience to G-d. Without this subservience and nullification, one is unable to draw anything down below. This is similar to a spring which can be used to catapult an item through placing an item on top of it and then pulling it down and letting go. The same applies regarding the fulfillment of Torah and Mitzvah’s, that their effect is only and specifically when the Jew has pulled down his spring which is the bending and humbling of his personal wills and ego. When this is done, then the revelation of G-d can reside on the soul and catapult him to the infinite light of G-d through the fulfillment of Torah and Mitzvah’s.

• The divine lesson: From a young age, those who grow up in a Jewish Torah observant home are instilled with the importance of observing Jewish law and serving G-d as a necessary component of one’s life and as one’s main purpose in this world. This is further emphasized in the Yeshiva system in which one spends his entire day and night for many years on end in the study of Torah, prayer, and Mitzvah fulfillment. This can lead the individual to think that he has conquered the system and has become the perfect Jew, and has lived up to the expectations of his parents, mentors, and religion. In truth, however, even if the above said individual is free of sin and truly studies and prays and fulfills Mitzvah’s to the highest of levels, he may be missing one core ingredient in his Divine service, due to which he is not able to accomplish anything with his observance, and that is the state of Bittul he has to G-d. If his divine service is all about him and how he can become the perfect and best and most scholarly Jew, hence feeling higher and greater than others, then his entire divine service is filled with ego, and is similar to a thick log which although is strong and powerful, is not able to have fire penetrate it and consume its fuel. The G-dliness that he elicits through his divine service cannot penetrate his soul and catapult and incorporate him in the infinite light of G-d. In order for one to be truly successful in his divine service, he must imbue it with a feeling of humility and submissiveness, with an agreement to nullify his soul in face of G-d. The Baalei Hamussar regularly speak of this subject to their audiences, that it does not suffice for one to be an assiduous Torah learner, and accomplish a lot in one’s study, as if this is done out of an expression of one’s ego then he can eventually be led towards sin the moment he feels that his self gratification can be fulfilled better through other means, or feels that his Torah learning does not provide him with his requested filling of honor and pride. To emphasize this point, we will relate the following story: There was once a young Torah prodigy, who was the top of his yeshiva in both study and aptitude. Everyone hallowed him and sang his praise. One day a fellow student passed by his study table and noticed that there was a Chumash on the floor next to his feet which must have accidentally fallen down. Thinking that the Torah prodigy simply did not notice it due to his great concentration on his learning, he motioned to him that there is a Chumash lying next to his feet on the floor and that he should pick it up. To the person’s great surprise, the Torah prodigy answered him “Who says I didn’t notice the Chumash? What makes you think that me stopping my Torah study to pick up the Chumash is less significant of a sin than the Chumash remaining on the floor. When I am done studying I will pick it up.” Clearly, the Torah prodigy was missing this very crucial ingredient in his divine service in Torah study which is a total nullification of the soul to the holiness of G-d. How can one consciously continue focusing on his study of Torah when he knows that there is a Chumash on the floor next to him? Never can one’s Torah study be more precious than G-d himself, as its entire purpose is to connect with G-d.

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