Day Forty-One
Like the First Fruit of the Fig Tree
Rabbi Yisrael Salanter (Ohr Yisrael, Letter 30) presents an elegant concept that relates to Teshuvah Elyonah. Indeed, his lofty thoughts assist us to fathom the esoteric secrets of the Ramak’s sacred writing on Binah. Rav Yisrael quotes the Midrash (Bereisheis 1:4):
“Six things preceded the creation of the world. Some of them were actually created, while others entered HaShem’s thoughts…The Patriarchs entered HaShem’s thoughts to be created. From where do we know this? From the verse, “Like the first fruit on a fig tree in its beginning I saw your Patriarchs” (Hosheah 9:10).”
Rav Yisrael elucidates the text:
“It is known that concerning the performance of an action, the cause precedes the effect. The effect develops from the causes that preceded it. On the other hand, the opposite is true concerning the mechanics of thought. Here the effect, the ultimate outcome, precedes the cause! After the ultimate outcome is envisioned, the appropriate steps are taken to engender it.”
The Distinction Between an Action and a Thought
Let us clarify this profound concept. Rav Yisrael explains that when a person performs an action, the cause precedes the effect. For instance, consider a person driving a nail into wooden table with a hammer. The blows of the hammer are the causes that drive the nail into the wood. Hence, the cause, i.e., the blows of the hammer, precede the effect, i.e, the nail driven into the wood.
Whereas, concerning a thought, the effect, meaning the vision of the ultimate outcome, precedes the cause. For instance, an architect envisions a beautiful edifice. Afterwards, he organizes a team of engineers, craftsmen, and workers to bring his plan into reality. So too, before creating the world, the Almighty envisioned the sublime purity of our holy Patriarchs, i.e., the ultimate outcome. Subsequently, He created the world, i.e., the cause to actualize His vision, the emergence of “the sweet fruit of our Patriarchs.”
Every Person Can Reach the Level of the Patriarchs
Rav Yisrael dramatically expands the application of this concept by referring us to the famous statement of Tana D’vei Eliyahu (25): “Therefore, I say that every member of Klal Yisrael is obligated to say, ‘When will my deeds reach the level of the Patriarchs, Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov.”
Rav Yisrael concludes, “The central purpose of creation is for the exalted man who fulfills his obligation to rise to the level of the Patriarchs, i.e., the ultimate outcome. Every person has the power within himself to rectify all aspects of human nature!”
In summation, Rav Yisrael reveals that the Creator envisions every person in his perfected state, the level of purity and holiness attained by the Patriarchs! Just as HaShem views each person through His vision of perfection, so too, it is incumbent upon each individual to view himself through the lens of His vision. HaShem’s vision of each person’s ultimate goodness, the purity of the Patriarchs, manifests the True Reality of our existence. Seeing ourselves through the Holy One’s vision of our perfection annuls all notions of imperfection and elevates us to the sublime purity of the Patriarchs.
As well as Rav Yisrael’s renown maxim, “As long as the candle is burning it is still possible to make repairs.” As long as a person is alive, it is always possible for him to rectify his actions and character traits. So too, our “sins” are not locked into place, and the possibility always exists for them to be transformed into merits! King Solomon’s wise tenet rings ever true (Koheles 9:4), Whoever is attached to all the living has hope!
