The Different Paths of the Tzadikim

Posted on | February 13, 2007 | By Guest Contributor | 2 Comments

Ruby Ginsberg

Maseches Taanis concludes with a gemara that says in the future, Hash-m will make a circle of Tzadikim. The Shechinah will sit inside the circle, and the Tzadikim will point towards the center of the circle and declare, “This is my G-d, we will rejoice in His salvation.”

What is the meaning of this circle of Tzadikim? It is said in the name of Rebbi Akiva Eiger that the Gemara’s description of the circle of Tzadikim as they point to the Shechinah in the center teaches that every Tzadik has his own unique approach to Avodas Hash-m which differs from the approach of every other Tzadik. One’s approach appears more to the Right; another’s leans more Left, and yet another’s even appears to be the exact opposite. Yet all of the Tzadikim together comprise the full circle. Each successive Tzadik around the circle faces a slightly different direction; nevertheless, they are all equidistant from the center. This alludes to the fact that all of their different approaches to serving Hash-m are acceptable, as long as their primary goal is Kidush Shem Shamayim.

In the future, Hash-m will reveal that the approaches of all of the Tzadikim in the world were l’Shem Shamayim, and that even though they followed different approaches, they all strove to fulfill the will of Hash-m.

If in the future all will be standing shoulder to shoulder with those who are Mekadesh Shem Shamayim in different ways, why not hasten that time by starting now?

From Insights to the Daf.

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