The same is true about davening: One can daven with great inspiration and excitement. But that relates with the neshomo, not with the animalistic side of us. The “close-combat” battle in davening is when you are able to relate, in a very rational and logical way, with what you are finding meaningful in davening. You are not merely getting excited about “the Eibishter”, “G-dliness”, “holiness” or even “Atzmus”. Rather, It is very specific, comprehensible and explainable aspects of the greatness of the Eibishter that impress you, - things that you could articulate, define and thoroughly understand.
One of the talmidei hamagid, a colleague of the Alter Rebbe, was R’ Chaim Chaikel of Amdur. Once the Alter Rebbe was travelling with a group of his chassidim, when they encountered a chosid of R’ Chaim Chaikel davening. The chassidim noted that he was davening with tremendous zest, with his entire heart and soul, and they felt let down by the thought that his davening seemed superior to their own.
The Alter Rebbe sensed what was troubling them, and he told them: “It is not the chosid davening, rather, it is R’ Chaim Chaikel davening through him. I, however, want that my chassidim themselves should daven.
There is a way of serving Hashem with our neshomo; - it is the tzadik within us that is involved, but we, our being with all of our faculties and characteristics, are not active participants. The goal of Chassidus Chabad is that it should be us who is serving Hashem, because we are personally and intimately involved.
And this is achieved through hand-to-hand combat, - the battle in a manner of “kiruv”. By engaging our intellect and our NHB and involving them, they are then active participants in the entire experience. And this brings a completely new type of redemption.
Practically speaking, it means learning chassidus “adaato denafshei”, endeavoring to truly understand and grasp the concepts in a very basic way. As well, it is through davening “adaato denafshei”, endeavoring to truly identify with and appreciate the details about the Eibishter’s greatness in a very tangible and personal way.
This is the best way to hasten the geulah protis for each of us, - of our neshomo from the golus of our NHB, and simultaneously to do our part to bring about a speedy and complete victory in the war being fought in Israel, bringing us the final step to the ultimate geulah and ultimate victory through Moshiach NOW!
L’chaim! Gut Yom Tov! לשנה טובה בלימוד החסידות ובדרכי החסידות תכתב ותחתמו, and the increase in learning and practicing chassidus should bring about our personal geulah, and למיסמך גאולה לגאולה, the Eibishter in turn should bring about immediate revelation of Moshiach Tzidkeinu–the ultimate podoh besholom-TUMYM!!!
Rabbi Akiva Wagner
