“My flesh yearns for you” (Tehillim 63:2). Rashi comments: “This expression connotes desire, and it has no comparison.” [The simple meaning of this is that there is no word found in Tanach that is similar to this one.] The Baal Shem Tov interprets that the pleasures of the flesh that a person desires by the nature of his body that Hashem endowed in him from birth are no comparison at all to the pleasure that King Dovid, peace be upon him, desired in his flesh for G–dliness.
Sefer HaMa’amarim 5703, p. 178.
Here Reb Hillel Paritcher is quoted in the name of Reb Mordechai Yoel, the grandfather of Reb Chaim Avrohom Duchman, as saying:
If those who indulge in lusts were to know the tremendous pleasure in matters of G-dliness that can be attained through study of Chassidus, and especially through learning the holy Tanya, they would abandon all their lusts and pursue only the holy Tanya.
However, in Shemu’os V’Sipurim, Vol. 3, p. 229, Reb Hillel Paritcher is quoted as saying:
If those who indulge in lusts were to know the tremendous delight in tasting matters of G–dliness, they would abandon all their lusts and pursue G–dliness.
It amounts to the same thing. The most intense pleasure is pleasure in G–dliness. Thus, we find that the reward of the Neshama in Gan Eden is the pleasure it derives from the revelation of G–dliness that it experiences there.
Similarly, we find that the highest level of love of G–d, one experienced only by perfect Tzaddikim, is known as ahava be’taanugim, “love of pleasures,” (see Tanya ch. 9) and it is a foretaste of the intense pleasure that the soul will experience in Olam Haba, the age of resurrection.
Similarly, we find that the highest level of love of G–d, one experienced only by perfect Tzaddikim, is known as ahava be’taanugim, “love of pleasures,” (see Tanya ch. 9) and it is a foretaste of the intense pleasure that the soul will experience in Olam Haba, the age of resurrection.
and yet what about one who eats before davening? Not only is this a pleasure but it is a forbiden pleasure!
ReplyDeletethe whole idea and presentation doesn't make sense. I take a nice boston cream dounut and what is the first thing comes to mind? hashems goodness. How does one resolve that feeling? learn a sefer!
Thank you for your comment.
ReplyDeleteIt is halachically permitted to eat before davenen if one knows that without doing so he will be weak and not be able to concentrate. His eating is in order to have strength to concentrate. See the HaYom Yom of 10 Shevat. It is in fact the Chabad custom nowadays to make a point of doing so.
I'm not sure that I understand your point in the rest of the post. Do you mean to say that even physical pleasure comes from Hashem? Indeed it does, but it is a very low level. Thus, it is the animal soul that typically desires the boston cream donut, or any other physical pleasure.
It is true that there is a spark of G-dliness in every physical object, and that is what the soul desires, but only those on a very high level sense this G-dly core directly.