One of the great talmidim of the Baal Shem Tov was Reb Mechel Zlotshover. Once, a group of Yidden came to visit Reb Mechel, and amongst them was someone whose reputation was that of a big ov’ed Hashem and a Tzadik. He also carried himself in this way, feeling that he was a tzadik, wearing the special clothing that a Tzadik wears, and so on.
So when he came to visit Reb Mechel, he expected to be welcomed and treated as a Tzadik. However, Reb Mechel, who was a true Tzadik, recognized that this person was not exactly as he appeared to be — on the outside, he presented as a true ev’ed Hashem, but that was not what was going on on the inside. It was only external.
So Reb Mechel decided to try to give over a message. “In the 13 Attributes of Mercy, one of the attributes is “Emes” — Hashem is Truth.” Asked Reb Mechel, “Why would Emes be one of the attributes of mercy? Mercy, “Rachum,” means Hashem’s mercy sometimes extends beyond the truth, beyond what’s technically justice, even if one may be undeserving. If so, how does Emes fit in with Middas Harachamim?”
He then continued, “Chazal say that Hashem judges Tzadikim like a hair’s breadth: very meticulously. But what if you have someone who presents himself like a Tzadik, but he really is not? How should Hashem judge him? If Hashem judges him like a Tzadik, he may be judged very harshly. But one of the Attributes of Mercy is that Hashem judges people “v’Emes,” based on who they really are. With His Mercy, Hashem will judge such a person on who he really is, so that he won’t be judged as meticulously as a Tzadik, even though that’s what he pretends to be.”
The Yid heard this from Reb Mechel Zlotshover, and the message penetrated deeply, and he began to cry. For the first time in a long time, he began to be honest with himself, and he didn’t know how to handle it. Reb Mechel told him, “It says in Ashrei that Hashem is close to anyone who calls to Him. You feel that because of your dishonesty all of these years, how can you begin to call out to Hashem? But the pasuk says, “Karov Hashem l’chol korav, Hashem is close to all those who call out to Him.” Any and all people can call out to Hashem — the only requirement is the next words, “l’chol asher yikruhu b’emes, to those who call out to Him with truth.”
Even someone who has been faking it for many years can also call out and be close to Hashem. How? If he’s calling with Emes — if he comes with honesty! Once a person reaches the point of sincerity, then Hashem listens to him no matter where he is holding!
“That’s why,” concluded Reb Mechel, “One of the Attributes of Mercy is Emes — whether a person is on the top or the bottom of his ladder, what Hashem wants is his authenticity, the true desire to be close.”
Even someone who has been faking it for many years can also call out and be close to Hashem.
Take It To Go!
Hashem wants us to be true to ourselves, so that our outsides match our insides. From that place of authenticity, no matter how low we may feel, Hashem wants us to call out to Him for help. “Hashem is close to all those who call out to Him with truth.”
This article was found in Nekuda Tova Issue 64.
