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

Amalek and Doubt

Parshas Beshalach follows the greatest revelation of emunah (faith), Kriyas Yam Suf, and immediately introduces Amalek, the enemy of emunah. The Torah says: “וַיָּבֹא עֲמָלֵק וַיִּלָּחֶם עִם־יִשְׂרָאֵל בִּרְפִידִם” (שמות י״ז:ח׳). Chazal explain that רְפִידִים hints to רִפְיוֹן יָדַיִם – a weakening of faith. Amalek does not attack with open denial, but with safek, doubt, cooling the heart even after miracles. Rabbeinu zal teaches that this battle continues in every generation, appearing in our time as a powerful wave of apikorsus, testing emunah itself.

A tidal wave of atheism

Rabbeinu zal said this sichah in the form of a definite and clear warning: 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 Halachos, 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.

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.