Tefillah and Torah: the Light and the Vessel
As we mentioned before, Reb Nosson explains that this sichah doesn’t just refer to being mevatel our entire existence to the Infinite Light (as is discussed in Likutei Mohoran I, 65). It is not just talking about movements of pure deveikus to Hashem. Rather, it also relates to the avodah of saying krias shema. Even by taking a few moments to contemplate the indescribable greatness of Hashem, we can grasp a little bit of it.
Furthermore, it is possible to taste it by learning the holy sefarim of the Zohar HaKadosh, the Baal Shem Tov, Rebbe Nachman, and so on. These sefarim contain sweetness that can’t be measured. The tzaddikim reveal to us a little bit of their unbelievable understanding. Thus, this experience is something that we can attain. There are very simple ways for us to connect to it.
If so, why does Rebbe Nachman say that it is impossible to speak about? It is possible to talk about these things. We can discuss the wondrous teachings of the tzaddikim with our friends. We can relate the inspirational ideas in the sefarim hakedoshim.
The answer is that, as we mentioned before, there are two aspects of the spark of G-dliness: the actual spark itself and the vessel or “imprint” of that spark. The sefarim hakedoshim are the amazing vessels through which we can see Hashem’s light. They paint for us an extraordinary picture of the Oneness of Hashem in order to give us a taste of the sweetness of this revelation. However, the “I knew” that Dovid HaMelech says in Tehillim is something else entirely – it is an experience of the Infinite Light itself. It is the indescribable illumination that Hashem shines into our lives as we daven and do hisbodedus.
In other words, there are two avodos that we must always work on in order to attach ourselves to the spark of G-dliness: Torah and tefillah. When we say Krias Shema, daven Shemoneh Esrei, recite Tehillim and Likutei Tefillos, or do hisbodedus, we should yearn to find a brand new spark of Hashem’s greatness. We should awaken ourselves – according to whatever level we’re on – to be mevatel ourselves to the Oneness of Hashem and search for a new illumination of the Infinite Light that relates precisely to what’s happening in our lives at that moment. Of course, most of the time we won’t experience an extraordinary revelation. But nonetheless, it is always possible for us to tap into a little bit of this light.
Then, we should open up the sefarim hakedoshim and connect that new spark to the vessels of avodas Hashem. We should try to understand how to apply it to our practice of Torah and mitzvos. Through the holy words and advice of the sefarim, we can learn how to keep an imprint of the spark alive in our hearts throughout our daily lives, as we eat, work, spend time with our families, and serve Hashem.
Through this, our lives begin to change. Our hearts become more pure. We start to love the tzaddikim, and we see how their teachings relate to us.
There are countless levels of this practice, but it certainly applies even to the lowest spiritual places. We see this from the fact that it was Dovid HaMelech – who represents Malchus, the lowest of all the sefiros – who stated this verse in Tehillim. Thus, no matter what situation we’re in, we can always connect to the aspect of “I knew.”
