Our Rebbe explains how we can use this story to serve Hashem. Smallness and exaltedness are opposites, but in serving Hashem, both are necessary. What’s more, both aid us in our goal of giving satisfaction to our Creator.
On one hand, we are truly small [“My soul is dust to all.”] On the other hand, we are truly exalted [As King David says, “I walk in a wide place.”]
When we stand in prayer before Hashem, we are in a posture of self-effacement like a servant before his master. But at the same time, we ask for our needs which indicates an attitude of self-importance. These opposites don’t contradict but depend on each other and strengthen each other.
Insignificance comes from the realization that our being derives and depends upon the true existence of Hashem. What comes out of that realization is the service in “High Town,” the strong exalted motivation to serve our master. “I am a creation whose purpose is to serve the great, holy King.” Therefore, the greatness is not mine. I have been designated to occupy this station by the King; the Holy One Blessed Be He.
Finally, the Rebbe explains why Rabbi Small’s dwelling was in a village and not in a city. Exaltedness is Hashem’s, so at first glance, exalted service should be in a city. As everyone understands, a simple villager who sees the King cannot compare to a sophisticated city dweller who sees the King.
Since exaltedness is seen in the name of the place, it’s obvious that it doesn’t indicate Hashem Himself. Rather, it refers to drawing down and revealing Hashem’s exaltedness into the world. Nevertheless, there is something awesome in the fact that the exaltedness of the supernal divine King is revealed even in a village.
Especially since through our service of revealing Hashem into this pedestrian hamlet—this physical world --we perfect and complete Hashem’s original desire to have a home in the lowest world. Hashem’s desire is not for His essence to dwell among the higher spiritual worlds where G-dly light shines, but in our world which is bereft of all revelation. And it is precisely due to this absence of revealed light that Hashem’s essence which is higher than any revelation can and will be revealed.
[Toras Menachem Tifferes Levi Yitzchak Shmini]
