Lessons in Tanya #50 – Chapter 24 Part 2 – [Every Sin Tears One Away From God]

Division
Division

Even the Kelipot do not rebel against God. This is because being what they are, they fulfil their role in life. They acknowledge God but their behaviour is such that they behave against the good of God – holding God (so to speak) in exile within them.

Though the Kelipah acknowledge God, people have the ability to make a choice in their belief of God. When they believe in God, fulfilling His Mitzvot, they unite with him. However, when they engage in a sin, they cut themselves off from God. This is lower even than the Kelipah because it sends a message that the person does not acknowledge God and does not really believe in the commandment which has been transgressed.

A woman who engages in an adulterous relationship does so because a spirit of folly enters her – causing her to simply “lose consciousness” as she forgets God’s presence at that time. Though she would certainly not serve an idol, and even give up her life rather than do that – when it comes to the sin of adultery, she does not see this sin as being as severe as idolatry. But it is only because she is blinded by this spirit of folly that she loses sight of the fact that God is as much present there as with the sin of idolatry. Her standing away from both sins shows her acknowledgment in both cases. There is no reason why she should see any sin being of any lesser a prohibition. But is the spirit of folly that persuades her that what she is doing then does not really cut her off from God.

The truth is that any sin tears one away from God – just as much as the sin of idolatry. There is no reason why anyone should feel that any other sin does not tear one away from God. It is just this spirit of folly that makes us think differently about one sin over the other – and that we do not actually separate from God when we commit that particular sin.

When we sin though – we become lower than even the fly! The fly fulfills its purpose in life. Even though it ingests but does not give off anything after having ingested (the lowest possible level.) But when a person goes off the path and sins, he does not fulfill his role in life – and is therefore even lower than the fly!

In reality – Man has been created in the image of God. This puts him in a position whereby all creatures acknowledge his greatness. However, this only takes place when he behaves as he should. Otherwise, he loses his divine image – and becomes no different than an animal. Animals will then see him as another animal – as after all, this is how he behaves.

Please support Chessed VeEmet and Rabbi Eliyahu via a monthly donation via Patreon
Become a patron at Patreon!