In the previous chapter, the Alter Rebbe mentioned that we might be saddened by things that don't seem good happening to us, or by transgressions of the Torah that we did and says what to do to be happy.
Now the Alter Rebbe brings another reason why we might be sad, and, of course, he indicates how to get rid of that sadness. Because it is essential to be joyful in service to God. Hashem, Otherwise, the “inclination to evil” will easily overcome us…
It can happen that, after having studied a lot and having accomplished many Mitzvot, There continues to be a war within us between the "inclination to evil" and the "inclination to good." And this war causes us to constantly feel, even when we are busy with everyday things, not when we are fulfilling a Mitzvah, The “inclination to evil” makes us think about transgressing the Torah. And that can make us sad, because we might think: “After so much Torah studied, so many Mitzvot Even after these things are done, I keep thinking about them!”, “It must be that I didn’t achieve anything, that Hashem "He's not happy with me," and those kinds of ideas that only make us sad...
The Alter Rebbe explains that instead of being saddened by these thoughts, we should be happy! Because when the “evil inclination” proposes a transgression and we say “No!”, we are also fulfilling a MitzvahThe one to remove from the heart thoughts of transgression.
It then emerges that every time we think something that is not right according to the Torah, We have an incredible opportunity to stop thinking about that. The Righteous don't have that opportunity because they don't have these kinds of inappropriate thoughts. This only happens to "average men." To us…
But even so, we may be sad, thinking, "I worked so hard on myself and I'm still thinking about these ugly things!" This sadness arises from not recognizing what our purpose is in life. Hashem He created us to be "Average Men," not Righteous. "Average Men" are tempted to transgress, and as soon as they realize they're thinking about it, they banish the thought from their minds, like someone pushing away a person nearby who is hurting them.
In other words, if we're sad because we're not fair, it's because we're wrong… Who said we were fair? Who said that Hashem Does he expect us to be fair?
The Alter Rebbe gives an example to understand the difference between an “Average Man” and a Righteous One: just as there are two types of food, food that is sweet in itself, like cakes or sweets, and food that, by itself, is bland, without much taste, like a cucumber or an olive (which is bitter in its natural state) but, when left in brine for a while, becomes a delicacy, in the same way is the difference between the “Average Man” and the Righteous One.
The Righteous One is like sweet foods, which are delicious on their own, without needing much preparation. The “Average Man” is like foods that, on their own, aren't so delicious, but, after preparation, become a delicacy.
Hashem He is very happy with both types of "food," that is, with both types of Jews, the Righteous One and the "Average Man," only each of them has a different job, a specific mission.
At the end of the chapter, the Alter Rebbe explains the work of the "Middle Man," so that he may know how to bring pleasure and joy to others. Hashem. This work is called subduing the “inclination to evil” (itkafia (in Hebrew).
There are several ways to apply this work of subjugation:
1) When the “inclination to evil” proposes that we transgress, we say no. Of course Hashem He will be happy because we did what He wants.
2) When the “inclination to evil” proposes that we do something permitted by the Torah, But it's something we love, something that gives us a lot of pleasure, for example, eating something delicious. When we say no, Hashem He gets very happy. Because we've shown the "inclination to evil" that the one in charge is Hashem, And the true pleasure of the soul is to be with Hashem, not eating rich foods…
3) When the “inclination to evil” proposes something permitted by the Torah, which isn't so pleasurable, for example, simply eating lunch. It's not a life passion, nor something extraordinarily delicious, just lunch… noodles with sauce… and we tell it no, that we're going to eat lunch, but in five minutes. The same lunch, only we're going to wait five more minutes, with the aim of showing the "Evil Inclination" that the one in charge is Hashem, Not her… Hashem He gets immense pleasure when we do this.
Furthermore, the Alter Rebbe explains that in this way a Mitzvah of the Torah, that of sanctifying oneself even with those things that are permitted. To sanctify oneself means “to set oneself apart,” as Hashem, who is holy and “set apart” from the rest of the common things of the world. When we separate ourselves from worldly things, like when we wait a little longer before eating lunch, we become holier, we draw closer to God. Hashem And that causes Him to send us a special force that will help us fight against the "inclination to evil".