Reb Nosson of Breslov tells us that for every spoonful of hisorerus (motivation), we need a plate of chizuk (encouragement) to overcome the obstacles holding us back. The chizuk of the tzaddikim supports our souls. They teach us to never despair, since Hashem is always right here, and that even the slightest good is precious, no matter what.
However, some people mistakenly think that these principles can’t possibly apply to them because of their many sins. They think that tzaddikim only tell us to never give up so that people in low places won’t become even worse. They figure that tzaddikim give encouragement because it’s the only way to reach our struggling souls and lift up our hearts.
Reb Nosson completely disagrees with this approach. He explains that those who are really connected to the tzaddikim accept their chizuk with simple emunah. They understand that when tzaddikim repeatedly insist that their words of encouragement apply to every single Jew — without exception — it’s the absolute truth, with no exaggeration or hidden motives.
Nonetheless, even if we truly believe in the chizuk of the tzaddikim, there is another reason why it’s hard for us to accept their encouragement: we don’t realize how much it matters. We think that the only thing that’s important is success or failure. How does remembering that Hashem is with us and that we have good points help us change our spiritual state?
Regarding material suffering, there are real reasons why we struggle. Some people are so caught up in financial stress that it takes up their entire day. Others are dealing with health problems, troubles at work, or countless other challenges. So how does focusing on ways in which Hashem gives us relief actually help us overcome our difficulties?
The answer is that every thought of emunah that Hashem is with us makes a huge rectification and crowns Him over all of Creation! Rebbe Nachman teaches us that holy thoughts are extremely valuable, since each one creates a spiritual reality that lasts for all eternity. Tzaddikim don’t encourage us just to distract us from our destructive behavior. Their chizuk is deeper — it teaches us the power of our thoughts of kedushah. These thoughts transform us and everyone on Earth, shaping reality in an everlasting way.
Tzaddikim work hard to help us shift our mindset. They show us how to find Hashem, no matter how far we may have fallen. Their revelations inspire us to have holy thoughts, strengthening our eternal connection to Hashem and helping us play our part in bringing the Final Redemption.
Through their teachings, we can accomplish our greatest purpose in life: to truly know Hashem. We can keep Hashem’s loving Presence at the front of our minds, as the verse says, “I place Hashem before me always.” We can develop a divine consciousness so that we never forget Hashem and stay connected to Him every moment of every day. This is our ultimate goal,[5] as Rebbe Nachman explains that as long as a person doesn’t have an awareness of Hashem’s kingship, he is not yet a ben adam.
This way of living completely transforms us. It makes our souls shine brightly, giving us the strength to easily overcome the physical temptations that hold us back from fulfilling our spiritual potential.
Therefore, out of their deep compassion for us, the tzaddikim give us chizuk to awaken our minds. They work relentlessly, sacrificing everything in order to share wisdom that makes it easier for even the furthest Jew to return to Hashem. Their words fill us with daas, so that even the biggest sinner can begin again and live with real focus on Hashem.
This is one of the two overall paths in the teachings of the tzaddikim. One path awakens a longing for Hashem in our hearts. It inspires us to yearn to climb the ladder of deveikus in Hashem, and deepen our love and awe of Him. It motivates us to discover new understandings of the Creator through attaching ourselves to learning and davening. This path is called hisorerus.
The other path is revelations of simple emunah and advice that can strengthen us during times when life is out of order – spiritually and/or materially. This path teaches us to keep in mind that no place is empty of Hashem, since “All of Creation is filled with His glory.” Hashem is always with us, no matter what. This is the path of chizuk.
The key is to internalize and live with both paths, recognizing which can uplift us in our current circumstances. The chizuk of the tzaddikim can rescue us from pain and help us return to Hashem. It’s not meant to fool us or make us avoid our true reality. Rather, it shifts our mindset, which makes a real impact on our lives and gives incredible nachas to the Creator. Just like they give us words of hisorerus, so too, they give us words of chizuk, and they both serve the same purpose: to bring us to remember Hashem in every situation we go through.
