Hi Guys,

I remember reading somewhere that sometimes in order to reach a higher level you need to fall first. Could anybody explain why please? Thanks!

DL

See sefer Tzidkas Hatzadik (ch. 174) where he explains this concept. He warns that one may not use this as an excuse to sin, but in certain cases one may be caused to fall first in order to reach a higher level.

Hey Machshovo,

Thank you very much for your kind reply. The only problem is that I don't have access to that book and I can't read Hebrew. Can you remember what the gist of that chapter was about?

Thank you very much for your time and help.

BW

DL

This is basically what he says:

We find in the order of creation that day follows the night, i.e. first dark and then light. This teaches us that similarly in spiritual matters, exalted levels are preceded by darkness. So the people who find themselves in (spiritual) darkness, they end up seeing a level of spirituality that is much greater than that of people who never walked in darkness.

Amen
MT

Thanks Machshovo Tova!

It really is true, but I still think sometimes ignorance is bliss.

Sheva Yipol Tzadik V'KAM. I read a letter from R' Hutner I believe it was,

He said that many people misinterpret the pasuk to mean that, the Tzadik never gives in. Meaning despite his falls hes a tzadik, Hes just a Monster Trucker. Rav Hutner SAYS that is not true. True he Trucks! but its BECAUSE OF his falls that hes a tzadik.

I think madreigat ha'adam said something similar which lends some more clairty. He says that only a tzadik through his messing up he learns how to make solid gedarim that are not too tight or too loose. without messing up ones fences are untested. They may have many holes. But once a Tzadik has fallen, (7 is irrelevant its lav davka) He can learn THROUGH his falls how to protect himself for the future.

THIS IS WHAT WE DO HERE AT GYE :D

We make fences and are constantly tweaking them to make them better

Thanks JustkeepGoing,

So in addition to being MONSTER Truckers we also need to be MONSTER tweakers. Right crappy jokes aside, what the Rebbe said is true. Experience is the best teacher of all.

In the first few years of breaking free, it was more obvious what needed to be done. But as time goes on, the number and frequency of falls decreases which is great, but I've become less certain of some of their causes.

I think I'm now working on fixing things in my subconscious, which is possibly the deepest level at which these addictions affect us. But maybe, just by carrying on trucking and guarding my eyes and living right, eventually things will get better naturally by themselves. We live in hope.

Thank you and hope you're well,

DL

Maybe falls can be helpfull to show us how powerless we really are, hey I know so well this thing is killing me so why am I doing it? Oh, I must be addicted. Well, that's already the first step to recovery, for me also the hardest one.

Ya subconscious levels is the hardest to deal with but thats how I understand the whole point of the 12 steps, or even therapy, its all to help you get rid of the underlying cause of what is making us run away and try to escape, and OF COURSE our lives will get better because, besides for the fact that we are dealing with acting out and the depression it causes we learn how to cope with our entire day.

Also I agree with Chaim/Charlie that sometimes we just need to be reminded that we arent in control and Hashem gets the credit. Its the "recalibration" to keep us straight in the right direction.

Thanks Charlies and JustKeepGoing!

Falls really do humble you and force you to realise how vulnerable you are. It also forces us to put more faith in God and work harder to stay on track, which really is a big ego buster. Deep down I know it's God that's running the show, but I'm not 100% immune to human fear, doubts and uncertainty.

Anyway thanks guys.