Anochi Omed Bein Hashem U'Veineichem - I stood between you and HaShem. (Deut. 5:5)The Kotzker Rebbe explained this verse: What is it that comes between us and God? None other than our own egos, the "I" that imposes itself into every aspect of our lives.
The Hebrew word for "I" is Ani; those same letters (Aleph-Nun-Yud) switched around spell "Nothing", Ayin (Aleph-Yud-Nun).
Something to think about...
6 comments:
You know me, I'm more of a fan of Rav Shim'on's notion of maximizing one's "ani" so that one's instinct to care for, protect and provide for "me and mine" includes everyone. Self doesn't get in the way because it connects to the Creator rather than providing an edge between me and Him.
But as for your acronym, using Osois deR' Aqiva...
Ayin is when the yud, the hand which acts, is placed before the "ner H' nishmas adam -- the lamp of G-d is the soul of a person" of nun.
Ani is when the nun, the soul, is placed ahead of acting.
When one simply responds reflexively, they are nothing. When one inserts spirituality between self (alef) and action, one is a worthy self.
>> Self doesn't get in the way because it connects to the Creator rather than providing an edge between me and Him.
Which is the essential element of "bitul haYesh" - not that one completely negates himself, but rather he sublimates his will to do His Will, by making it his will...
Shmuel, I really don't think that's what R' Shimon is saying. See the haqdamah for yourself. There is nothing about sublimation of will. For that matter, I wonder about the mental health effects of true bittul, but that's a different discussion.
I wasn't addressing R' Shimon, only commenting on how that perspective of the self is reflected in Chassidus.
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