Chapter 14

In this chapter, the Alter Rebbe says that any of us can be a "Middle Man" at any time we choose, because a "Middle Man" doesn't hate evil, but simply doesn't allow it to manifest. What is the difference between hating evil and not allowing it to manifest?

“Hate” is a feeling in the heart, and the “Average Man” does not rule his heart.

What does it mean to not let “evil express itself”? It’s like when we’re with a friend, and that friend talks constantly, not letting us express ourselves! Not letting “evil express itself” means preventing the “inclination to evil” from using any of the “garments” of the soul—thought, word, and deed—to think about evil, speak about it, or do it. Over this, the “intermediate Man” does have absolute control!

The Alter Rebbe offers advice on how to prevent the Animal Soul from taking control of the "Clothes." Even when the "Evil Inclination" desires something negative, the "Middle Man" can distract himself from it by talking to himself. Obviously, this doesn't mean talking out loud to yourself, because people will surely think you're crazy. Rather, the idea is to imagine yourself as if you were talking to the "Evil Inclination.".

And what should we say to him? The Alter Rebbe quotes a prophet¹“Sins separate you from God,” meaning that every transgression separates us from God. Hashem, And the further we are from Hashem, We can feel it, though. It's like putting up a screen that blocks the sun's rays: on one side of the screen you can feel the light and warmth of the sun, but on the other side you can't… it's dark and cold… Transgressions are like screens between Hashem and us.

So when the “inclination to evil” appears with its ideas, we explain to it that we do not want to be separated from Hashem not even for a moment. But we want to be united always with Hashem studying Torah and fulfilling Mitzvot.

Another thing we can tell you is that, in reality, who could transgress the Torah"Only a fool! And who wants to be a fool? Not me! Because, as the prophet said, transgressing the..." Torah separates us from Hashem, and nobody wants to be separated from Hashem…Therefore, only a fool, who forgets the truth, could transgress the Torah.

But regarding hatred of evil, that is something only a Righteous person can achieve, and it is only possible when they have a love for Hashem Very powerful, but not everyone can reach that level; it's like a gift from Hashem. He decides whether our soul will be that of a Righteous One or not.

Based on what he has explained so far, the Alter Rebbe says that we can understand the phrase of our sages.² which he quoted at the beginning of chapter 1, saying that the soul is made to swear that it will be righteous and not wicked. The phrase makes no sense: if it will be righteous, obviously it won't be wicked! What does this oath mean?

The Alter Rebbe explains that, since it is not up to us to be righteous, that is, to love others Hashem Deeply and hate evil deeply, at least let us not be evil, but "intermediate men"! Something that is within our possibilities.

Even so, the fact that we cannot hate evil and love Hashem Being Righteous doesn't mean we shouldn't try... in fact, each of us has to do what we can to fulfill that part of the soul's oath, the part about being Righteous.

The Alter Rebbe advises us on how to achieve this: regarding hating evil, we can think of it as food. Just as food, sooner or later, spoils… the same happens with material things in the world that don't help us study. Torah and comply MitzvotThey're like rotten food. Regarding loving Hashem, The Alter Rebbe says we should spend time thinking about the greatness of Hashem, And that will help us to love him.

Although this advice does not lead us to hate evil and love Hashem As a righteous person, it doesn't matter, we must do what we can, and besides, by trying many times we will get used to it, and even more so if Hashem Seeing that we are trying with great enthusiasm, perhaps he will send the soul of some Righteous One to help us and we can truly feel what a Righteous One feels, and we can fulfill that part of the oath, to be a Righteous One.