BS’D
Reb Noson ztk’l, the foremost disciple of Reb Nachman ztk’l describes the greatness of hitbodedut: “Try to picture the high priest as he entered the holy of holies at the one time of year that was permitted, Yom Kippur. In describing his appearance, the high priest looked like “one who sits in solitude to pray before Hashem.” “Imagine,” said Reb Noson, “the high priest entering the holy of holies is likened to the person who sits and pours out his heart before Hashem”. Through hitbodedut we can as it were, enter the holy of Holies each and every day!
In particular, during those times when we are in pain and feel alienated we should return to the warmth of HaKadosh Baruch Hu. When our heart is most bitter and confused we are in the position to be closest to Hashem. “Karov Hashem l’nishbari lev… (Hashem is near those with broken hearts…)” writes Dovid HaMelech in tehillim (34:19). It is precisely when our spirits are crushed and filled with sorrow that we receive comfort and insight as a response to our crying out for our specific needs.
This is the consoling path of hitbodedut and teshuva. It is simple to enter this pathway; go to a place where you will be undisturbed, talk in your own language and in your own words, and just pour your heart out one on one – just you and Borei Olam. This is the path of the tzaddikim. This is our path to teshuva.
This world is filled with illusions; the most ‘real’ to us is the idea that Hashem is far from us. Hitbodedut breaks this false impression. Hashem is here and wants us to come back. The Ba’al Shem Tov HaKadosh teaches hitbodedut causes us to wipe away the illusions and see the hidden truth of life; how close Hashem really is!
