Dear Yossef Hatzadik,
Don't you wish to meet the actual Yosef Hatzadik? That would be incredibly holy and real!
In Gmara Brachot 43, we find: Asidim Bachuray Yisrael Shelo Toami Taam Chet Liten Rayach Tov Kalvanon. First, what does "Shelo Toami Taam Chet" mean? If we refer to someone who has never sinned and doesn’t grasp this nisoyan, wouldn’t it be more fitting to say "Shelo Chutee"? And what does "Rayach Tov Kalvanon" imply? Will they just smell good? After all, anyone can smell good if they desire…
Let me share with you what I've pieced together from a few sources. It's powerful, so hold on tightly.
The G'mara speaks about Bucherim like you, who struggle mightily, at times slip, and feel foolish for continuing the fight, yet you persist, never surrendering. Not being perfect is part of the journey; we all face falls, small or big, awake or asleep. It’s easy to feel defeated, believing our efforts are in vain. But the G'mara refers to that as "Shelo Toami Taam Chet." The repetition of "Taam" signifies truly tasting and savoring, indulging in pleasure! Yet you never do this! Only those disconnected from their souls can fully embrace sin. The Kedushe Levy noted that he has never seen a fully formed malach created from a Jew’s aveira, for we struggle against sin. There’s always that resistance, that regret, that desire to be holier.
The second part comes from the Marsha, who declares that Bucherim in the times of Mashiach will attain a spiritual level akin to Mashiach himself! I’m not sure what it means, but it's profound. And I think he is talking about bucherim in your situation……….
אמר רבי יוחנן: שלשה מכריז עליהן הקדוש ברוך הוא בכל יום: על רווק הדר בכרך ואינו חוטא
You see, Hashem’s long-term plan for this world involves us journeying deep into the realms of darkness and sin, yet still HOLDING ON! No one but Hashem believed it was possible. The angels tried to persuade Him otherwise, emphasizing the challenges of our generation, but Hashem's faith in us surpasses our own. All the Tzadikim and Amaraim feared being in this generation for good reason… but WE ARE IT! Perfection is not the expectation. To think otherwise suggests a mistake was made, and Hashem doesn’t make mistakes! He fully understood the challenges we would face, and He desires our fight! Step by step, we'll cleanse this lowest level of tuma, and when we rise to the occasion, Hashem will show us mercy and send us Mashiach, who will
