"The Tzaddik Helps a Person Perform Teshuvah" • Melaveh Malkah Lesson on Parshat

Before you is a summary of topics from the lesson as delivered by our teacher, the Rav, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, during the fourth meal, Melaveh Malkah (the meal accompanying the departing Queen Shabbat), on the conclusion of the holy Shabbat of Parshat Vayera:

Rebbe Nachman says to hit one's head against the wall; it is not that the Tzaddik simply forgives and that is it—it only happens if the person performs true Teshuvah (repentance). The Tzaddik helps a person perform Teshuvah, so as not to return like a dog returning to its vomit. According to Rebbe Nachman, committing a transgression is already a serious matter. The Mesillat Yesharim (Path of the Just) states that man was created to delight in Hashem. In our Torah portion, it mentions the agreements of Abraham, who gave seven ewes; these represented the souls of seven Tzaddikim (righteous ones) who fell into the hands of the Philistines: Samson, Saul and his three sons, and Hophni and Phinehas—all because he gave those seven ewes. Afterward, seven Sanctuaries were destroyed and the Ark of the Covenant was captured, all because of those seven ewes. It is forbidden to make any agreement with the wicked—with the gentiles! The agreement was that Abimelech was permitted to rob Abraham, but Abraham was forbidden from robbing Abimelech... Abraham dug wells everywhere. Korach claimed that all the miracles that occurred were merely a fata morgana (mirage); the men believed him, but the women did not, because a woman is as straight as a ruler. Over the course of forty years, 600,000 men died, which is 15,822 every year. The women remained widows because they did not take a club to their husbands' heads to prevent them from going to the dances of the Golden Calf. Rebbe Nachman says that the entire Geulah (Redemption) will only be in the merit of the women who will be modest. Every girl should go home now and lengthen her skirt to the ankle this very night, and through this, we will merit the complete Geulah (Redemption) speedily in our days, Amen!