FROM THE UPCOMING ‘REBBE NACHMAN’S SOUL’, ADAPTED FROM HIS AUDIO SHIUR ON SICHOS HARAN 35

A TIDAL WAVE OF ATHEISM

Rabbeinu zal explicitly compares the Mabul (Flood) in Noach’s time to a future “flood of apikorsus” (atheism) that will engulf the world. Rabbeinu zal said: There will come a time when there will be a wave of apikorsus, atheism. This tidal wave will engulf the entire world. It will cover every place and will attack and conquer nearly every person. The majority of people will be affected by it. When a person is given a test, whether it’s a test to see if he will succumb to certain evil desires or a test in faith, the test is usually given without forewarning. But if a person is told in advance, “We are now going to place a wallet that contains somebody else’s money in front of you. Test yourself and see if you can control yourself,” there’s no trick to it. It’s simple. The person knows in advance that this is a test, and he simply doesn’t touch it. This case, however, is different. Rabbeinu zal says: “Although I am telling you in advance that this is going to happen, it is still going to be a test of your faith, and most people will fail.” Rabbeinu zal was obviously referring to our time, when we see that the majority of the world has failed the test of faith. During the time of Noach, there was a Mabul, a flood that covered the world. The Gemara says that there was one area that was not flooded, and that was Eretz Yisrael (Zevachim 113a). However, there were drops that reached the land of Eretz Yisrael, too. Rabbeinu zal says this means that the future flood of apikorsus will also affect good Jews who have faith (Ma’aseh MiMatar in Sipurim Nifla’im #4; Rebbe Nachman’s Stories #2).

THE AGE OF THE WORLD

There is one item that Rabbeinu zal refers to as one of the major tests of faith. Each person should honestly examine himself with regard to this. Most people admit that they believe HaShem created the world, but Reb Noson says the foundation of emunah is to believe in the age of the world (Likutey Halakhos, Piryah VeRivyah 5:23). When we say“world,” we mean Creation. First there was HaShem Himself, and then there was Creation: the day when the heavens, the earth, the planets, and so forth, were created. Before that date, there was only HaShem Himself. There was no Heaven, no earth, no beings, no dinosaurs — nothing existed, only HaShem Himself. That date was close to 5,736 years ago, which means that 5,736 full years ago there was no earth, there were no planets. There were no stars, there were no heavens (This class was given in 1975, which corresponds to the Hebrew year 5735). Sadly, we find learned people, even talmidei chakhamim, who are affected by this apikorsus. We find many people today who try to reconcile their faith with scientists who claim to have discovered ancient fossils, rocks and other items. Whether they’re claiming that they are a million years old, or nine million years old, or nine billion years old, no matter what age they give or what proof they bring, it is false! To believe that there was anything, alive or not, that existed prior to 5,736 years ago, Reb Noson says very clearly, is nothing but apikorsus. We know when the Torah says that the world was created, and when scientists bring forth their false statements, we reject them. Sadly, you find people who are learned and religious who do have doubts in their mind. This drop from the bitter waters of the Mabul has injected a seed of doubt into their minds and hearts. Doubt in Hebrew is safek, and safek (240 = ספק) is the gematria of Amalek (240 = עמלק). The evil of Amalek has penetrated their hearts. This is one item, though, where many have succeeded in dispelling the safek.

THE AXIS OF ROTATION

There’s another area where even Gedolei Torah have succumbed to this attack of apikorsus, claiming that the scientists are right, chas veshalom. This is a disgraceful statement to make when it goes against the Torah. When we say that something is written in the Torah, we also mean to include Chazal, the Gemara and the Zohar HaKadosh. It is all HaShem’s word. HaShem states that the earth is stationary, and that the sun and moon revolve around it. This is in direct contradiction to all the science books, which describe the solar system with their so-called proofs. Their absolutely false statements appear to be so real that many ma’aminim, many true believers, many talmidei chakhamim, have actually fallen victim to these false statements. A person must admit that there is absolutely no room for doubt if the Gemara says so (Pesachim 94b), and if Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and the Zohar HaKadosh say so (Zohar Chadash, Bereishis 19b). Certain Jewish periodicals state the case of the scientists, attempting to prove that they are right. They distort the words of the Zohar HaKadosh to fit with the beliefs of the scientists, rather than accepting the Zohar’s words in truth. A person sees that and says, “What proof do you have now that Chazal’s words are true?” This learned person can twist Chazal’s words to mean what the scientists say. We have the final proof, which we do not need, of course, but we have it. The final proof is when we come to the origin of truth itself. Rabbeinu zal’s words make clear that throughout all the generations, both the Rabbis of the Gemara and, lehavdil, the Greek philosophers, yimach shemam, all agreed that the earth is stationary and the sun revolves around the earth. Anybody who says differently is lying about the Gemara itself, the Gemara in Pesachim that mentions this.

THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH

One scientist by the name of Copernicus, yimach shemo (and supported by Galileo), came up with the theory that the earth revolves around the sun. All the other scientists and philosophers leaped upon his statement and accepted it because of his so-called proof. To this day, this is what all books on science state. His theory has been accepted universally, and scientists seem to bring proof from the fact that spaceships and rocketships go to the moon, and make other trips that orbit the earth. It works out with their theory, and it seems to bring proof to what they say. Rabbeinu zal says very clearly that if there are any doubts about interpreting the words of the Zohar HaKadosh or the Gemara, these doubts are now dispelled. Reb Noson mentions Copernicus, yimach shemo, by name, in Likutey Halakhos. He states very emphatically that his theory is one hundred percent false and contrary to the Torah HaKedoshah (Likutey Halakhos, Gittin 4:3). That leaves no further doubt. We know positively that this theory is false. We knew it before, but for those who need some further supplemental proof, we have it now in these words. Rabbeinu zal’s test, which he spoke about, the test in emunah, refers specifically to this one issue. It’s up to us to accept with firm faith, despite the statements made to the contrary by so many Jewish believers. We believe with emunah sheleimah that Rabbeinu zal’s words are emes le’amitah, absolute truth. The words of the Torah, the words of HaShem are emes le’amitah. The earth is stationary; the sun revolves around the earth. I will testify to having been called a fool many times in my own little career. There were many times where I had to undergo a tremendous amount of criticism and battles over it. Barukh HaShem, we never surrendered to this apikorsus. There are many others who held out, too. Rabbeinu zal says that the time will come when this will become a raging issue where the vast majority will fall. I have personally seen and spoken to Gedolei Yisrael, bnei Torah, giants in learning, who years ago believed with the same solid, firm belief in the words of the Torah. As time went by, they weakened and they eventually fell.

DANIEL’S WARNING

Rabbeinu zal says: Isn’t it strange that so many people should fall victim to this test of faith when they were warned about it in advance? But it’s not so strange. Rabbeinu zal quotes the end of Sefer Daniel, where Daniel speaks about the coming of Mashiach. He’s the only one who speaks of a vision about this time. Daniel says that before Mashiach’s arrival, there will be a time when the Jews will be put through the heat of hot ovens, burned, broiled, purified and whitened by heat to cut out the bad part. During this horrible era, many will fall victim to the wave of apikorsus. The few who are wise will understand (Daniel 12:10-12.).

HOLDING OUT MIGHTY AND STRONG

If Daniel gave this warning about a test that would come prior to the time of Mashiach, how could it be considered a test? People know Daniel said it. All they have to do is be alert, be on guard and stand firm against any attack of apikorsus. Nevertheless, Rabbeinu zal says, we find that people do fall. The same is true of Rabbeinu zal’s warning, that people will not listen and will fall into this wave of apikorsus. The question is: If it will be of no avail to know that it will happen, why did Rabbeinu zal tell us about it at all? Rabbeinu zal said: I am saying this for the sake of the few who will remain solid in their faith. Let them, at least, enjoy the encouragement of knowing they were warned in advance. This will help them remain true and loyal to their faith. Therefore, Rabbeinu zal says “Ashrei” to that person, for he will be among the very few who, at the time of this wave of destruction, will remain pure and solid, and come out shining.