Possible tombs of Mordekhai and Esther in Persia
THE TRUE TZADDIK
One of the definitions of a True Tzaddik is his ability to transcend mundanity and enter a dimension and a higher plane of spirituality - all for the sake of revealing higher levels of unadulterated truth to those connected to him.
With truth enhanced, people are better able to pray to Hashem with complete sincerity and wholeness. This in turn helps getting their prayers answered.
Thus we find that on the day that Eliyahu the prophet ascended to Heaven he blessed his disciple Elisha with a "double-spirit" which enabled Elisha to perform more miracles than even Eliyahu did.
Because of this, Elisha performed 16 miracles while Eliyahu performed only 8. And the Sages explain that whatever Elisha accomplished was only through the power of prayer.
Thus Elisha received an enhanced level of davening even greater than Eliyahu himself - yet all through the power of Eliyahu. This is in line with what was mentioned above, that the True Tzaddik can tap into higher levels of spirituality, but all for sake of bringing others - namely his followers - closer to Hashem.
However, for this to happen a person must be a committed follower of the True Tzaddik.
This means that a person is so connected to the tzaddik that he could feel all the ups and downs that the tzaddik himself goes through.
This can be compared to the analogy of a tree with it's branches, twigs and leaves. All receive their nourishment from the roots underground "through" the tree-trunk.
But, in the winter season, when the tree-roots freeze and dry up, there is no passage of nourishment to the tree-trunk and by extension to all of it's branches, twigs and leaves, which is why the leaves dry up and fall off.
So too, by a True Tzaddik, he also has "dry" seasons and "blossoming" seasons in his struggle to bringing others closer and closer to Hashem.
And those who are truly connected to him will feel these ups and downs in their personal lives - reflected mainly in their struggle too to come closer to Hashem at their own levels.
However, by holding on, these disciples earn receiving a "double-portion" of truth, energy and light channeled especially into their own prayers and devotions, giving reward to their dedication and commitment to following the True Tzaddik.
AFTER THE TRUE TZADDIK'S PASSING
Reb Noson explains that this, especially today when people are very far and sunken into low and corrupt habits and activity, applies more specifically to True Tzaddikim who have passed on.
Since the True Tzaddik today has to work extra extra hard at enlightening others with enough light of truth to get them out of their personal darkness (which is really compounded due to the darkness of the generation), the difficult task can only be done after the True Tzaddik passes on and reaches unlimited access to his higher dimension of spirituality.
This is so since his physical being gives him a certain limit to accessing these higher levels, whilst after his passing, in the spirit form, he gains fuller and endless access to it - all in order to help others come back to Hashem.
Reb Noson explains that connecting to a True Tzaddik that has passed on is broken into 3 sections:
- his disciples
- his teachings and books
- his holy gravesite
All 3 levels are needed and reflect different levels of connection to the True Tzaddik after his passing.
The True Tzaddik's soul, like every Jewish soul, is made up of three parts: the nefesh-lower soul, the ruach-spirit and the neshamah-upper soul. Each one has a distinct attitude and purpose.
Nefesh - The lower soul is what fills up the entire body with spiritual light and experience. Located in the blood it spreads everywhere and reflects the concept of spiritual occupation within a person.
By the True Tzaddik, the disciples he leaves behind reflect his nefesh - his presence within others. By connecting to his disciples one begins to feel a practical and tangible connection to the concept of the True Tzaddik.
Ruach - The spirit is what causes spiritual movement and direction to help enable a person to reach higher levels. It is the level that bridges the person to the upper spiritual worlds and experience.
By the True Tzaddik, his books and teachings that he leaves behind "blow" into a person a spirit of vitality, renewal, inspiration and enthusiasm to actualize his true potential. Thus, this is the major key and doorway in receiving light from the True Tzaddik.
Neshamah - The upper-soul which is located mainly in the brain area is the part of the soul which expresses the soul's potential and influence in this world. It is the part of a person which radiates his level of truth, the most essential part of man.
By the True Tzaddik, his physical body and remnants reflect the part closest related to his spiritual existence, since his body is what actually housed his soul when physically alive.
By coming within physical proximity to the True Tzaddik's body/remnants, a person has a strong advantage in gaining illumination directly from the True Tzaddik's soul, which then serves as the conduit to receiving a double-portion from the Tzaddik's upper soul (mentioned above).
PURIM WITH THE TRUE TZADDIK - MORDEKHAI
The Holy ARI writes that on Purim a special light is revealed that does not shine on any other day of the year. This light is called the light of Mordekhai.
Practically speaking, on Purim every Jew in the world has a one-day experience to feel a type of closeness to the True Tzaddik, with the benefits that it engenders - namely enhanced prayer and devotions throughout the year.
It is broken down and experienced in 3 sections of the mitzvot prescribed on Purim:
Matanot LaEvyonim/Gifts to the Needy - This mitzvah requires a person to give a monetary gift to anyone who asks - anyone!
This enables a person to connect himself to every Jew whether or not he is actually close to him.
On Purim, every Jew is considered to be a disciple of Mordekhai the Tzaddik, the hero of the Purim story. By giving others money - Damim in Hebrew - we are literally giving our blood - also Damim in Hebrew - which, as we stated earlier, is the seat of the Nefesh/lower-soul.
Thus, we connect to the Nefesh of Mordekhai by connecting our blood/money to other disciples of Mordekhai.
Reading the Megillah - This mitzvah is divided into 2 times: one recital on the night of Purim and one during the day.
The Megillah which is the story about Mordekhai and Esther's self-sacrifice to saving the Jewish people, is considered a major book and teaching by and about Mordekhai.
In this sense, it is considered reading and learning the teachings of the True Tzaddik, Mordekhai, being an obligation for men and women alike.
By learning and reading the Megillah, we are connecting to the Ruach/spirit of Mordekhai, blowing into us the message of hope, encouragement and enthusiasm generated by the Purim miracles thanks to Mordekhai the True Tzaddik.
And because the main bridge enabling any disciple to receive a double-portion from the True Tzaddik's connection to his higher plane of spirituality is associated especially with the True Tzaddik's Ruach/spirit, the Megillah is read twice to point out to the double-portion gained by every Jew on Purim.
A further insight is that the Megillah is specifically called the Megillah of Esther. Esther represents the totally devoted and committed disciple of Mordekhai the True Tzaddik, whose mission is to bring out the potential hidden in his disciple - i.e. Esther.
Hence Megillah of Esther can also be translated as "Revealing" (Megaleh in Hebrew) the "Hidden" (Hester in Hebrew) potential within the devoted disciple.
Mishloach Manot/Sending Food Portions, The Purim Mishteh/Meal and Intoxication - These 2 mitzvot of the day, all associated with food and it's extended intoxication, require that a person have food to be readily eaten on Purim day.
The festive food of Purim is meant to nourish the brain, the seat of the Neshamah, so that the light of Mordekhai radiating on this day reach every person.
This is followed up with the drinking and intoxication. With this act 2 amazing things happen:
Matanot LaEvyonim/Gifts to the Needy - This mitzvah requires a person to give a monetary gift to anyone who asks - anyone!
This enables a person to connect himself to every Jew whether or not he is actually close to him.
On Purim, every Jew is considered to be a disciple of Mordekhai the Tzaddik, the hero of the Purim story. By giving others money - Damim in Hebrew - we are literally giving our blood - also Damim in Hebrew - which, as we stated earlier, is the seat of the Nefesh/lower-soul.
Thus, we connect to the Nefesh of Mordekhai by connecting our blood/money to other disciples of Mordekhai.
Reading the Megillah - This mitzvah is divided into 2 times: one recital on the night of Purim and one during the day.
The Megillah which is the story about Mordekhai and Esther's self-sacrifice to saving the Jewish people, is considered a major book and teaching by and about Mordekhai.
In this sense, it is considered reading and learning the teachings of the True Tzaddik, Mordekhai, being an obligation for men and women alike.
By learning and reading the Megillah, we are connecting to the Ruach/spirit of Mordekhai, blowing into us the message of hope, encouragement and enthusiasm generated by the Purim miracles thanks to Mordekhai the True Tzaddik.
And because the main bridge enabling any disciple to receive a double-portion from the True Tzaddik's connection to his higher plane of spirituality is associated especially with the True Tzaddik's Ruach/spirit, the Megillah is read twice to point out to the double-portion gained by every Jew on Purim.
A further insight is that the Megillah is specifically called the Megillah of Esther. Esther represents the totally devoted and committed disciple of Mordekhai the True Tzaddik, whose mission is to bring out the potential hidden in his disciple - i.e. Esther.
Hence Megillah of Esther can also be translated as "Revealing" (Megaleh in Hebrew) the "Hidden" (Hester in Hebrew) potential within the devoted disciple.
Mishloach Manot/Sending Food Portions, The Purim Mishteh/Meal and Intoxication - These 2 mitzvot of the day, all associated with food and it's extended intoxication, require that a person have food to be readily eaten on Purim day.
The festive food of Purim is meant to nourish the brain, the seat of the Neshamah, so that the light of Mordekhai radiating on this day reach every person.
This is followed up with the drinking and intoxication. With this act 2 amazing things happen:
- When honest and sincere disciples of Mordekhai drink and get intoxicated on Purim their inner potential (the expression of the Neshamah) become revealed through their expression of inner yearning and desire to come closer to Hashem. This also generates true joy which can be spread out to the entire rest of the year.
- Since it is practically impossible to get everyone to visit the grave of Mordekhai on Purim, the requirement is to drink on Purim, which leads to heaviness and slumber - being 1/60th of death. This "intoxicated" death is the only format on Purim to experience some physical closeness to Mordekhai's physical body which also housed his holy soul.
Through all these mitzvot of Purim a person is meant to connect to Mordekhai the True Tzaddik - after his passing - and to thus receive from him a double-portion in his spirit, thus enhancing his level of truth in prayer and devotion throughout the rest of the year.
FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS OF THESE IDEAS PLEASE LISTEN TO:
May we merit this Purim, through the True Tzaddik Mordekhai, come to actualize our true potential, with enhanced yearning, desire and prayers, along with the long awaited and yearned rebuilding of the Third Temple from potential to actual, Amen.
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