Rabbi Nachman of Breslov told a story about a certain tzaddik who, by nature, was very fearful and always full of fears. Once, he was traveling with a wagon driver who was a very simple and coarse man but had great faith in Hashem Yisbarach.
When the wagon driver noticed how frightened the tzaddik was—particularly since it was nighttime, they were traveling through a forest, and it was intensely dark—the driver turned to him and said:
“Rebbe, why are you afraid? I have a tradition from my father, who was a wagon driver all his life, and he received it from his father’s father, who was also a wagon driver. When one sets out from the door of their house, they should take HaKadosh Baruch Hu into their heart and hold the whip in their hand. Then I fear nothing—neither anyone nor anything—because I know that HaKadosh Baruch Hu is in my heart, as I have invited Him to be with me.”
The tzaddik was deeply moved by the wagon driver’s words—that such a simple wagon driver, coming from generations of wagon drivers, could invite HaKadosh Baruch Hu into his heart and thereby banish all fear. The tzaddik was so impressed by this idea that he shared it with his followers, teaching them that a person has no reason to fear when they bring HaKadosh Baruch Hu into their mind and consciousness.
Regarding this, Rabbi Nachman of Breslov said: “Know that the world is a very, very narrow bridge, and the essential thing is not to be afraid at all.”
After Yaakov Avinu passed away, his brothers feared that Yosef might seek revenge on them for what they had done to him. To this, Yosef said (50:19), ‘אל תיראו כי התחת אלקים אני’ – “Do not be afraid, for am I in place of G-d?” Rashi explains: “In astonishment—if I wanted to harm you, could I? Did you not all intend harm against me, but HaKadosh Baruch Hu planned it for good? So how could I alone harm you?”
Yosef HaTzaddik teaches his brothers—and us—about the strength that sustained him during difficult times: the simple faith that if HaKadosh Baruch Hu does not will it, no one in the world can harm me. Even if all the forces in the world unite and try to cause me harm, and it may even appear as though they are succeeding, I must remember that HaKadosh Baruch Hu can in a single moment transform everything into good. Just as it was with Yosef HaTzaddik, what do we have to fear or worry about?!
- Tiv HaTorah - Vayechi
