Introduction
Finding a New Spark in Avodas Hashem
After reading the holy words of this sichah, a question arises: Is this sichah relevant to a regular Jew? Is it possible for us to fulfill it on our spiritual level? It seems to be a very lofty avodah that is only accessible to people who serve Hashem with incredible kedushah and deveikus.
The answer to this question is in Likutei Halachos, where Reb Nosson says that the subject of this sichah is the avodah of reciting Krias Shema. Every time we say Krias Shema, we should try to attain a new spark of G-dliness by being mevatel ourselves to the Oneness of Hashem. The essence of this mitzvah is to attach ourselves to the Infinite Light of Hashem from whatever spiritual level we’re on. No matter how far we’ve fallen or what suffering we’re going through, we can put our hand over our eyes, block out the darkness of this world, and connect to the reality of the existence of Hashem in our lives. Thus, Reb Nosson shows us that the practice of this sichah relates to every Jew who says Krias Shema.
Furthermore, when we contemplate this teaching of Reb Nosson, we realize that it applies to many other things in avodas Hashem as well. It is the avodah of searching for new closeness to Hashem as we do hisbodedus. It is the spark of the Oneness of Hashem that shines into our minds during the Pesach Seder or at the end of Ne’ilah of Yom Kippur. It is the love and awe that we feel in our hearts after learning the teachings of the tzaddikim. It is the thought of regret and teshuvah that awakens us to yearn deeply for Hashem.
In addition, in Likutei Mohoran, Rebbe Nachman explains that when a person is mevatel himself to Hashem through confession, he can receive an illumination in the words of tefillah that comes from the Infinite Light. Then, after he returns to himself, he can make an imprint of this experience in order for it to shine into his mind the reality that everything that happens to him is purely for the good. This imprint is itself the subject of the second section of this sichah.
