7 Tammuz 5783 – 26 June 2023
The battle between good and evil thoughts is the main reason for the creation.
Rabbi Noson
How do we connect this to Avot 6:11?
Whatever the Holy Blessed One created in His world, he created only for His glory, as it is said: “All who are linked to My name, whom I have created, formed and made for My glory” (Isaiah 43:7), And it says: “The L-rd shall reign for ever and ever” (Exodus 15:18).
G-d was the King before anything was created, He is the King of everything and will be King forever.
And sincere king is a king who cares about his subjects, wants the best for them and takes care that they are well. A king gives rules and laws to his subjects so that they do well. So too with our King. He wants His Creation to do well and that is why He gave rules and laws to be followed. His Torah, the laws and rules, are the focus of the entire chapter of Avot 6.
Now, you can observe His Torah because you have to, because you fear punishment, without joy, without positive words or without positive thoughts. However, then it is not in glory of Him. You must observe Hit Torah because you love G-d, but also in a way that others will love Him. Or as Derekh Chayim [1 ] puts it:
…there must also proper behavior with it, so that there will be glory to God, may He be blessed, in his Torah [study]. And in the chapter [entitled] Yom HaKippurim (Yoma 86a): “And you shall love the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 6:5) – that you shall make the name of Heaven beloved… and his speech be pleasant with people, his buying, selling [and giving in the marketplace be pleasant and he gives and takes with people] with trustworthiness…
Love is a word that represents a relationship. That is the main reason for Creation, G-d want a relationship with man. This relationship can only express itself in voluntary observance of His wishes, commandments, His Torah.
That which G-d wants and that which we want can produce a battle in our minds. A battle between good and bad thoughts. But this is the only way to arrive at that healthy relationship. Every time we make the right choices, it leads to great closeness, and a better relationship with Him.
Reb Noson compares the confusing thoughts in our minds to the chaos that initially reigned in creation.
וְהָאָ֗רֶץ הָיְתָ֥ה תֹ֙הוּ֙ וָבֹ֔הוּ וְחֹ֖שֶׁךְ עַל־פְּנֵ֣י תְה֑וֹם
the earth being unformed and void, with darkness over the surface of the deep (Genesis 1:2a)
We have to overcome these evil thoughts, by thinking positive thoughts, by concentrating on good thoughts and constantly thinking of ways to come closer to G-d. And we can, we can do this. Because
וְר֣וּחַ אֱלֹ’ק’ים מְרַחֶ֖פֶת עַל־פְּנֵ֥י הַמָּֽיִם׃
and a wind from God sweeping over the water. (Genesis 1:2b)
G-d is near, He is waiting for us to make good choices. He is above the darkness of our thoughts, when we make the choice to serve Him in joy, to let our thoughts be positive thoughts then we create a new day and even a new world. A new world where only G-d is King, and no more idols are present. Not physically, yet in our thoughts, because every negative thought, every thought that does not recognize G-d as King, is an idol.
That new day is today, that new world will be there in the days of Messiah. A new light You – G-d – will shine on Tsion, on Jerusalem, on Israel and on the world.
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֱלֹקים יְהִ֣י א֑וֹר וַֽיְהִי־אֽוֹר׃
G-d said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.
That we will all be in the privileged position of sharing in His light.
By Angelique Sijbolts
Sources:
Crossing the Narrow Bridge – A Practical Guide to Rebbe Nachman’s Teachings p.194
Thank you.
Your welcome