The Rebbe: A Jews inferiority Complex

The Rebbe: A Jews inferiority Complex

[Adapted from the works of the Lubavitcher Rebbe]

This week's Torah portion, Ekev, talks of the desert, in which the Jews wandered, before entering the Land of Israel.

It is described as: "The great, terrifying desert;, where there were snakes, vipers, scorpions and thirst. Where there was no water... "

The great desert, symbolizes our long Galut (exile). A desert, uninhabited by man, is symbolic of the Jewish people, in relation to the other nations of the world.

The uninhabited areas of the globe, far outnumber, the portions which are populated; in the same way, the nations of the world, far outnumber the Jews.

Furthermore, within the Jewish nation itself, those who observe the Torah and Mitzvoth are also vastly outnumbered, by those who do not yet observe.
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An inferiority complex, is the basis for a Jews downfall.

The Torah warns us, that there are six steps to this fall:

1. “Great”
The very consideration, that the outside world is "great," is the first step, in causing our spiritual exile.

Thinking, that because we are outnumbered means, that other nations have power over us; creates the possibility, that these non-Jewish influences, can enter our lives.

2. "Terrifying."
This is the fear, that the non-Jewish world will find out, that we keep the Torah.

This thinking, causes a Jew to measure his behavior, according to non-Jewish standards; and increases the power of the Galut, over the Jewish soul.

3. “Snake."
A snake's "hot poison," alludes to the heat and enthusiasm, which a Jew can have for things, which are really foreign to his essence.

When a person's excitement is reserved solely for physical pleasures, his enthusiasm for the spiritual, is decreased.

4. "Vipers." Saraf, which in Hebrew, comes from the word "to burn."

A person's whole interest, toward the satisfaction of his physical desires, is so strong, that it completely overshadows, any attraction to G-dliness.

5. "Scorpion."
A scorpion's sting is cold, symbolizing total coldness and indifference, to holiness.

Heat and excitement, even if directed toward things which are unworthy, can eventually be redirected, into enthusiasm for holiness. But when a person is cold to everything, it is much more difficult, to inspire him.

6. "Thirst”, where there was no water."
G-d, in His kindness, sometimes causes a Jew to be thirsty for holiness and Judaism.

But if one is very far from Torah (called "water" by our Sages), he may not even recognize, what he is thirsting for; and tries everything, but doesn’t know, that nothing can satisfy his parched soul except- Chassidus!

This is the lowest level of our exile.
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The antidote to this progression of spiritual degradation, is the avoidance of the first pitfall: of considering the world, to have unnecessary significance.

By having this proper mindset, we will merit the Final Redemption.