Rabbi Yisrael Salanter rang true to life as the legendary Jew. What was his secret? His dedication to Yirat Shamayim! Yes, he was a Torah genius and attained many other incomparable virtues. However, Rav Yisrael's life-long pursuit of Yirat Shamayim defined the man.
Rav Salanter cited the verse, "I have found Israel like grapes in the desert, like ripe fruit on a fig tree in its beginning did I view your Avot" (Hoshea 9:10). "Six things preceded the Creation of the world. Some of them were actually created, while others entered into HaShem's thoughts to be created.... The Creation of our forefathers entered into HaShem's thoughts, for it says, 'Like a ripe fruit on a fig tree in its beginning did I view your fathers.'
The Midrash teaches the following axiom: The purpose of the world's Creation -- as conceived by HaShem before Creation -- is the individual attainment of the level of spiritual excellence attained by the Avot. Only after HaShem envisioned the Avot did He create the world, the avenue to bring forth such exceptional people into existence.
The pinnacle of spiritual excellence of the Avot was purity, as seen by the Midrash which states (Bereisheet Rabba 46:3): "Rabbi Yudan said, Just as the fig has no inedible portion save for its stem, and even this defect is neutralized with its removal, so did HaShem say to Avraham, 'There is no impurity within you save the orlah, remove it and remove your blemish.'"
Except for the orlah, Avraham had purified his entire nature. He was an entity of pure goodness.
Moreover, the Midrash teaches (Bereisheet Rabba 11:6), "Everything that came into being during the six days of Creation requires improvement. For example, the mustard seed needs to be sweetened; also, man needs rectification. Our world is a world of transformation. When we are improving and refining ourselves, we are in concert with the Divine plan, fulfilling our purpose for existing in this world. Yet, the question remains: What is the goal? How far must we strive?
We read in Tanna D'Bei Eliyahu (25), "Therefore, I say that every member of Klal Yisrael is obligated to say, 'When will I reach the level of my Avot, Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaacov?'" Every Jew has the potential -- and responsibility -- to attain a relative equivalency of the spirituality of the Avot.
The central purpose of Creation is to ascend to the level of the Avot. Not only is the human being created for this purpose, but HaShem gives him the ability and capacity to attain this supreme goal.
Ohr Yisrael \ Translators Introduction
Tonight is the Yahrzeit of HaGaon, Rabbi Yisrael Salanter. We ask our readers to send us names and email addresses to add to our subscribers.
Thank You and Tizke L'Mitzvot!
Rabbi Zvi Miller
