In this weeks Parsha, we find the dinim of nega'im in all their details.
In the process of the Tahara for a mitzorah, we find that the person must bring two doves, a piece of cedar wood and some 'ezov' grass.
We are all familiar with the concept that the haughty person who is like a tall cedar, must lower himself to be humble as the 'Ezov' grass
Reb Henoch of Alexander Ztl gives it a little twist and says that the cedar and ezov also symbolize how sometimes, the falsely humble person MUST RAISE HIMSELF LIKE A CEDAR!!
How profound!!
In our struggle, the Yetzer Hara's weapon is to break a person and make him feel that his actions are meaningless.
So raise yourself. Pride yourself that you are a prince and a princess!
I would like to add that that is why Shabbos has the power to transform NEGA into ONEG (the same letters).
All week we are busy with our little pursuits, we don't have the time, patience and clarity to see the big picture.
On Shabbos, we break from the mundane. We can raise ourselves and use the very Nega and turn it into Oneg. Physical pleasures which normally pull us down, are uplifted on Shabbos into a true Oneg!
So the next time the Yetzer Hara comes knocking tell him, "who, me??" Nah. You got the wrong address.
I have too much pride to lower my standards to you!!
Oyoyoy Shabbos koidesh!
With all the love in the world,
Bardichev