We discussed several ways to attain purity during Shovavim, but the first step is to desire purity.
The parashah (6:3) begins אל אברהם אל וארא יעקב ואל יצחק, "And I appeared to Avraham, to Yitzchak, and Yaakov." Rashi shortens the pasuk and writes, וארא האבות אל, "I appeared to the forefathers." The question is why Rashi did so. Why not quote the pasuk as it is written?
The Or l'Shamayim writes that the word אבות represents desire (see Devarim 25:7 יבמי אבה לא). Rashi is hinting וארא, Hashem says that He appears to האבות אל, to those who desire to see Him. If you want a connection with Hashem, Hashem will appear to you. Similarly, the first step in Shovavim is to desire to be pure before Hashem and to desire a connection with Hashem. Afterwards, the steps you take for atonement have much more significance.
Someone wrote to the Avnei Nezer zt'l that he is upset and worried because he doesn’t feel close to Hashem.
The Avnei Nezer replied, "I ask from you one thing. Don't tell anyone that you have this problem. Don't tell anyone that you feel distant from Hashem and that this bothers you. This is because it states (Mishlei 12:25) ישחנה איש בלב דאגה, and Chazal translate that if a person has a worry, לאחרים ישיחנו, he should tell other people about it. He should share...
