However, the hiddenness of this world prevents us from seeing the pride and desire Hashem has for us. This is the main difficulty that hardens our hearts and stops us from strengthening ourselves with the truth of this reality, especially after we make mistakes and it appears to us that Hashem couldn’t receive splendor from us anymore.
This is why Rebbe Nachman teaches us that this practice of elevating splendor to Hashem is dependent on the great tzaddikim who are able to awaken the highest compassion of Hashem. They are the only ones who can reveal the amazing yearning and pride that Hashem has for us. They stand in Heaven and defend us, advising Hashem to focus only on our merits.
Once we realize this and we strengthen ourselves to think about the nachas we give Hashem—despite the deep darkness we’re going through—we give the tzaddikim the power to reveal new splendor and pleasure for Hashem.
