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Misc 5 When the Maggid of Mezritch became leader of the Chassidim in place of the Baal Shem Tov, he set aside substantial time for simple Jews and listened to their needs. A widow would always have her problems heard and her tears dried, a pauper would be fed and a change of clothing provided. One of his friends from before the Maggid associated himself with his master, the Baal Shem Tov, visited him. With concern the friend bemoaned the Maggid's abandonment of the earlier saintly ways of his youth when he was totally removed from the material world and did not concern himself with any mundane matters. Was this the purpose of existence, to be involved with the lowly material world? Responded the Maggid. "Before G-d created the world he was involved only with spirituality and the sanctified souls of the righteous. Suddenly G-d abandoned the spiritual worlds and involved himself with the creation of this physical domain. Complained one of the souls to G-d, "Was this the purpose of His existence, to be involved with the lowly material world?" A Midrash : Said R' Symon, "When Hashem came to create man, Kindness said, create him for he will be kind. Truth said do not create man, for man is full of deceit. Justice said, create him for he will be just. Peace said, do not create man for he is full of dissension and argument. What did Hashem do? He took Truth and threw it to the ground." Asked R' Mendel of Kotzk, What benefit was had by throwing Truth down? How did this respond to the concerns expressed? He answered, "Dissension comes from the self certainty of each party that Truth is with them. Sometimes we must throw down the Truth so that Peace can reign." And they called his name Enosh, then they began to call in the name of G-d. Explained Rabbi Farber, "On coming to London I heard the names of the communities, one called Shomrei HaDass (Guardians of the Tradition) another called Machzekei HaDass (Those who strengthen the Tradition) and Shomrei Shabbos (Guardians of Shabbos). I saw on the shops signs proudly proclaiming 'Kosher Meat' or ' Kosher milk and cheese.' I was greatly impressed. I hoped all was as it was in Poland and Russia. Until I learned that in Poland and Russia where every Jewish butcher could be relied on and every community existed to strengthen Jewish Tradition no signs were needed. Only in London, as so many were not Kosher nor Guardians of Tradition, was there a need to display these signs. These signs were a signs of weakness not signs of strength." So too, when Enosh was born and the world turned to idolatry, the individuals who still called in the name of G-d were recognised. The brothers R' Zushe and R' Elimelech, renowned students of the Maggid of Mezritch, were deep in conversation. Asked one to the other. "We have learned that every soul was bound up within Adam, if so how did you let Adam eat of the forbidden tree and bring death into creation?" Answered the brother, "If not for the eating, Adam would have lived forever. He would have always thought - maybe the serpent was right - if I eat of the tree I will be like G-d. It is better to die and know that man is man and G-d is L-rd, and there is no other besides Him. |
