"If any case is too difficult for you, bring it to me...." (Deut. 1:17)
The Baal Shem Tov used to cite a teaching of the
Ramban (Nachmanides), who advised his son the following: "Whenever there are
various possible options of how to go about doing something, and you are in
doubt as to which is the best way, or if you are in doubt whether or not doing
it is G‑d's will, in which case it should be done, or it is against His will, in
which case it should not, this is what you should do. First of all, detach
yourself from any personal gain or honor you might derive from this action. Only
then can you objectively weigh the options, for if it is something from which
one can derive personal gain, one will search to find some way to permit even
the forbidden. But if you do as said, G·d will guide you to the truth and
you can feel secure that you are doing the right thing."
...if you don't know how or whether at all to do something, the doubt is
arising from within you...
The Baal Shem Tov employed this teaching of the Ramban to explain the [inner]
meaning of the verse [quoted above]. "If any case is too difficult for you,"
that is, if you don't know how or whether at all to do something, the doubt is
arising from within you because of the personal gain that you would derive from
doing it. Therefore, detach yourself from the personal gain you would derive
from doing it, and "bring it to Me" - that is, intend to do it for the
sake of Heaven, without any motive for personal gain. Then [as the verse
concludes], "I will hear it." I will make it heard - I will give that person the
understanding how to behave.
Note:
The Baal Shem Tov adds to the Ramban's teaching that
all doubts and difficulties we confront in life arise from our being out of
touch with G·d and with our deepest selves. Instead, we live
superficially, from momentary and ephemeral physical pleasure to the next
momentary and ephemeral emotional gain, completely out of touch with what our
souls deeply crave and need. We are thus torn in different directions at once,
for we all have conflicting desires and interests. Only when we are able to see
through those pleasures and gains, and touch with our deepest needs and with G·d,
are we able to act assuredly from a place of Truth.
(Sefat Emet, Deuteronomy 5631;
Likutim, Lech Lecha)
[From Keter Shem Tov, Section 6. Translation and commentary by Rabbi Yehoshua Starrett. Reprinted with permission from //baalshemtov.com.]
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