It was the summer of 5626-1866. The Rebbe Rashab, who was a
young boy at the time, had a debate with his older brother Zalman Ahron about the
uniqueness of a Jew. Zalman Ahron argued that Yidden are special because they
learn Torah, Daven, etc.
“But what about those who don’t?” asked the Rashab, “What is
special about them?”
Zalman Ahron did not have what to answer, and the
conversation came to the attention of the Rebbe Maharash.
The Rebbe asked the
Rashab to call the servant Bentzion. The conversation, as retold by the Frierdiker Rebbe, went
like this:
The Rebbe Maharash: “Bentzion, did you eat?”
Bentzion: “Yes.”
The Rebbe: “Did you eat well?”
The Rebbe: “And why did you eat?”
Bentzion: “In order to live.”
The Rebbe: “And why do you live?”
Bentzion: “So that I can be a Jew and do what Hashem wants…”
and Bentzion sighed.
After dismissing Bentzion, the Rebbe called for Ivan the
coachman and asked him,
“Did you eat today?”
“Yes”
“Did you eat well?”
“Yes”
“Why did you eat?”
“In order to live”
“Why do you need to live?”
“So that I can take a drink of vodka and eat some
refreshments.”
After retelling this story, the Frierdiker Rebbe concluded
with explaining how a Yid is supposed to express his uniqueness by pursuing a
life of Torah and Mitzvos.
***
Like Bentzion in the story, the Jew (the Yetzer Tov and
Nefesh Elokis), lives for the purpose of serving Hashem – learning Torah and
doing Mitzvos. And, like Ivan, the Goy - meaning, the Goy inside the Jew
(the Yetzer Hara and Nefesh Habehamis) - lives for the sole purpose of pursuing
Gashmiyus and pleasure.
The Frierdiker Rebbe then adds: in truth, a human being who
is steeped in gashmiyus and continuously pursues more and more of it, is worse
than an animal.
Firstly, having being blessed with intellect, it is expected
that he will lead a life that is more dignified than that of an animal whose
entire agenda is solely pursuing its survival.
Secondly, even the animal does not pursue more than that
which it absolutely needs for its survival. No extras. Surely, a human
being, who was created to serve a higher purpose, is expected to do more than
spending his life and energy just surviving. And certainly it is expected that
he will do more than just revel in and seek more Gashmiyus than is necessary
for him to fulfill his Tafkid.
***
The Yetzer Hara knows that we need to engage the world of
Gashmiyus, and pursue a certain amount of it, in order for us to live. Yet, he
finds creative ways to push us in notching up the energy and drive we expend in
doing so. Then, ever so subtly, he entices us to partake in and then pursue
more Gashmiyus than is necessary.
May Hashem give us the clarity to distinguish between the
Yetzer Tov’s needs and the Yetzer Hara’s extras, and may He bless our pursuits
for that which we need with abundant success.
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