Reb Pinchas of Koritz delves further into this and explains that when the Gemara refers to the Tzadikim, it is referring to those who serve Hashem in a completely selfless manner. These individuals have only one intention in all that they do; to give pleasure to Hashem. They do not consider their own desires or hardships and focus solely on fulfilling the will of Hashem.
Despite the yetzer hora constantly tempting them to fall into sin, the Tzadikim overcome it. This brings Hashem great pleasure, as it says in the Zohar Hakodosh (ח"ב קכח ע"ב) that this is the highest form of Avodas Hashem. With the coming of Moshiach, when Hashem will take away our Yetzer hora, these individuals will indeed be more exalted than the Malachim, and they will not have to constantly struggle in order to remain righteous. But they will be bothered by their constant and paramount concern: "וואס וועט דעם טאטן ארויסקומען": what will my Father gain from it? The ultimate goal of the Tzadikim is to serve Hashem in the most selfless and pure manner, and to bring pleasure to their Father in Heaven. With the abolition of the yetzer hora, they will lose the ability to give such pleasure to Hashem, and that is why they will mourn it.
(אמרי פנחס שער עבודת ה' אות עז)
This approach encourages us to embrace our struggles and nisyonos with love, because we understand that by overcoming these obstacles, we bring Hashem immense pleasure. Rather than perceiving ourselves as mere human beings, driven by animalistic tendencies and inclinations, we should view ourselves as divine beings, a חלק א-לוה ממעל, who have been granted exclusive opportunities to generate pleasure for the One above. By adopting this mindset, we can find motivation to overcome any obstacle that comes our way.
The Vehicle for Reward
The words of the Rebbe Reb Elimelech of Lizhensk can provide us with encouragement in our daily struggles. He writes that the reward we receive in heaven is not solely for fulfilling mitzvos, as Hashem created us to serve Him and bestows upon us countless blessings that we can't even fathom or express gratitude for. Therefore, it is only logical that we should serve Him with all our might. Consequently, the reward we receive is not primarily for fulfilling mitzvos, but for our efforts in battling the yetzer hora.
The yetzer hora is constantly trying to persuade us to go against the will of Hashem, pushing us to speak, think, and do things that are contrary to Ratzon Hashem. As Yidden, we have to fight against the yetzer hora every day, and it is not an easy task. It takes immense strength to resist its influence and endure the mental and emotional torture that comes along with battling it. However, those who remain steadfast in their battle against the yetzer hora are rewarded in heaven for their courage and determination.
The struggle, our constant fight against the yetzer hora, is what makes us eligible for the great heavenly reward. Fulfilling mitzvos is indeed an important part of our mission, but the true test of our devotion to Hashem lies in how we deal with our yetzer hora.
The Rebbe Reb Elimelech uses this idea to explain a verse in Tehilim, where David Hamelech praises Hashem and says (תהלים כא ג-ד) תַּאֲוַת לִבּוֹ נָתַתָּה לּוֹ וַאֲרֶשֶׁת שְׂפָתָיו בַּל־מָנַעְתָּ סֶּלָה: כִּי־תְקַדְּמֶנּוּ בִּרְכוֹת טוֹב. You have granted him the desire of his heart, and never denied the utterance of his lips. You have proffered him blessings of good things. The Rebbe Reb Elimelech interprets this as praise for the way man was created. His desires, even if they are forbidden, are attainable, and his speech is not constrained, even when it goes against the will of Hashem.
However, this raises a question, as Hashem is in control of everything, so how come is it possible for humans to sin against Him? Logic would suggest that those who try to transgress should naturally be prevented from doing so. For instance, one who wants to desecrate the Shabbos with his hands should become paralyzed in his hands, and one who eats treifos should choke on his food. Why indeed did Hashem not make this the way of the world?
The answer lies in the next verse, כִּי־תְקַדְּמֶנּוּ בִּרְכוֹת טוֹב. Hashem gave us the ability to err, so that when we do what is right, Hashem will reward us with boundless blessings. As we have discussed earlier, Heavenly reward is granted primarily for battling the yetzer hora. Here, Rebbi Elimelech's explanation further drives home that this is indeed the entire purpose for which the yetzer hora was created.
(נועם אלימלך ויחי ד"ה או יאמר)