Sichos HaRan
Rebbe Nachman's Wisdom

by Reb Noson of Nemirov

#200.

He said, 'All my teachings are introductions.Ó

#201.

The Rebbe said that every one of his lessons could be applied to the entire Bible and Oral Torah {namely, the entire literature of the Talmud, Midrash and Zohar}.

#202.

The Rebbe once spoke of the difference between the teachings of various tzaddikim. The Talmud teaches us that Moshe looked through a clear lens, whereas other prophets saw through a dull lens (Yevamot 49b). Other prophets describe their vision by saying, 'Thus says God.ÓThey only saw their visions vaguely, through a dull lens. But Moshe was able to understand his vision by saying, 'This is the word of GodÓ (Numbers 30:2). He was describing a clear vision, seen through a brightly polished lens.

The Rebbe said that the same difference exists in the original teachings of tzaddikim. All these teachings are absolutely true. But when some tzaddikim try to fit their teachings into a Biblical verse or Talmudic saying, it does not fit the words exactly. The best they can do is to find some allusion or support for their words. This is a vision through a dull lens, where all they can say is 'Thus says God.Ó

There are some extraordinary tzaddikim in the category of Moses. Their original teachings are as pure and clear as the sun. When they fit these teachings into Biblical and Talmudical sayings, they iluminate them most clearly. Their vision is through a lucid window and they can say 'This is the word.Ó Their teachings fit the quotation so obviously and clearly that they can truly say 'This is the word.Ó

#203.

The Rebbe said, 'All my lessons are very lofty. But when I deal with combinations of letters my lessons are most sublime.Ó That is, lessons derived from the initial and final letters of the words in a phrase, or by a combination of letters.

He also said, 'I would like to go much further, even beyond letter combinations. But I am restricted to this method. I still derive much pleasure from letter combinations. There are deeply hidden mysteries that can be revealed only through such combinations.Ó

#204.

The Rebbe said, 'If you are well versed in my published lessons and conversations, you will be able to find every worldly conversation in my teachings. For there is nothing in the world not found in them.Ó

Every casual discussion and conversation contains the Torah's wisdom in a hidden state. But only the most extraordinary tzaddikim can perceive these concealed things. If one is well versed in the Rebbe's works, his intelligence alone will enable him to see the Torah in every conversation, even if he is not a great tzaddik.

#205.

Several people once came to see the Rebbe. He took a piece of paper and wrote on it. He then held the paper in his hand. He said, 'How many lessons are written on this paper! Many worlds are nourished through the smoke of these lessons.Ó The Rebbe then took the paper and burned it with the lamp.

He then said, 'There are many lessons that have never been put into writing. So just to write them and draw the Torah into written letters is in itself an amazing thing. (Namely, even though the teachings have been put into writing, the world is not yet ready for them. Nonetheless, even to put them into written letters is amazing.)

#206.

The Rebbe said, 'If you only hear my voice when I reveal a lesson, it is still a great benefit, even if you do not hear the words. It is written, ÔListening to the voice of His word' (Psalms 103:20). It is enough to hear the voice alone. Even if you hear nothing, but are merely in the building where the lesson is revealed, you have still gained immeasurable good.Ó

#207.

The Rebbe said, 'When I tell you something, the words may not take effect until much later. It is like taking a medicine. Some remedies work immediately, while others must remain in the body for some time before they have any effect.Ó

The Rebbe's words sometimes took very long before they inspired a person. But in the end they always were effective and benefitted him greatly.

#208.

He said, 'I can tell you something, and sometimes it will not affect you at all. But the words are passed from person to person, from one friend to another. These words finally reach a particular individual and penetrate deeply into his heart. It is here that they fulfill their mission. And they inspire him.Ó

#209.

The Rebbe said, 'My lessons are not only for you, but for Ôthose who are here.... and for those who are not here' (Deuteronomy 29:14). Rashi explains that Ôthose who are not here' speaks of future generations. Understand this.Ó

The Rebbe spoke of this many times, saying that we should teach future generations about 'all of God's great deeds toward us.Ó Another time he said, 'You must also teach your children all the lessons, discussions and tales that I revealed to you.Ó

His words became like burning coals as he then quoted the verse, 'And you shall make them known to your children and your children's childrenÓ (ibid. 4:9). Iyer kinder zolt ir moidia zein vos da hot zikh getan. {You must tell your children what was done here}. He then repeated himself, with trembling and emotion, 'and shall make them known to your children and your children's children!Ó

He said, 'If it is possible to drag a person out of a bog, then if you grasp hold of him, you will be pulled out with him. Know this and believe.Ó