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How does a Tzaddik spiritually struggle?

by Rabbi Simcha Bart

  

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Question:

How can we say that tzadikkim are perfectly good if we see so many historical tzaddikkim who struggled in different ways (i.e. Moses, Kings David and Solomon)?

Answer:

The struggles of the righteous (Tzaddikim) are not between good and evil - rather between good or even better. So for an ordinary person, striking a rock instead of talking to it would not be considered a sin. But for someone of Moses' spiritual stature to strike the rock was considered not good enough.

In other words, tzaddikim, despite being totally good, struggle as well - but their struggles are on a much higher spiritual level than ours.


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Moses
[Hebrew pronunciation: Moshe] Greatest prophet to ever live. Led the Jews out of Egyptian bondage amidst awesome miracles; brought down the Tablets from Mount Sinai; and transmitted to us word-for-word the Torah he heard from G-d's mouth. Died in the year 1272 BCE.
David
King of Israel who succeeded Saul, becoming king of Israel in 876 BCE. Originally a shepherd, he became popular after he killed the Philistine strongman, Goliath. He is the progenitor of the Davidic royal dynasty -- which will return to the throne with the arrival of King Messiah.
Solomon
Son of King David, and succeeded him on the throne of Israel in the year 836 BCE. he was the wisest man to ever live. He built the first Holy Temple and authored several books of the Bible.
Tzaddikim
Plural form of Tzaddik. A Tzaddik is a saint, or righteous person.