Chapter III

As this exile continues, it becomes progressively more difficult to perform Torah and mitzvos , for many matters hinder their performance. How much more so regarding the spiritual aspect of the service of Torah and mitzvos, which requires comprehension and emotional arousal! This can be realized only when one's mind and heart are at peace. Exile is a time of affliction for both the body and soul, what with man's preoccupation about earning a livelihood, for "by the sweat of your brow shall you eat bread." Furthermore, exile causes a general sense of malaise and despondency.

In Moshe's time, when the Jews were enslaved in Egypt, there was one redeeming feature. Though the exile itself was severe, for as the Torah1 testifies, it was a time of "shortness of breath and hard labor," the miracles of the Ten Plagues, the crossing of the Sea and the giving of the Torah uplifted the Jewish people. In addition, during the time that the Holy Temples existed, the Jewish people were highly respected, and were able to perform Torah and mitzvos in comfort and plenty. It was a time, as the verse says,2 when "Each man was under his grapevine and fig tree." It was a period of calm, when all Jews were materially and emotionally satiated, and thus able to study Torah and perform mitzvos. G-dliness was in a revealed state.

However, with the advent of exile, G-dliness becomes concealed, especially in these latter generations, which are called ikvesa diMeshicha, on the heels of the Moshiach. During these times, "darkness covers the earth,"3 and "the heavens are clothed in blackness"4 a twofold concealment.

It is a time when a G-d-fearing and observant person finds himself encumbered by "thorns and prickles," making him feel exceedingly uncomfortable. The G-d-fearing person feels himself being pierced with iron spears by those who laugh and make sport of him, as our sages5 comment on the verse:6 "I have become an object of their jibes [lit., 'songs'] all day long. After they sit eating and drinking and becoming intoxicated, they sit and talk about me, scoffing at me."

The pain is all the greater since it is those of a lowly and unruly nature who scoff and jest. These are people who lack any comprehension, and who have no idea what it means to refine themselves intellectually or even emotionally. Their whole life is centered around self-gratification, a continual indulgence in gluttony and drink and other physical pleasures. They are people who want to be free of any yoke, so that they may do whatever their heart desires, and they are as coarse as beasts.

Such are the people that mock those who study Torah. All this causes the righteous much pain and shame.

It is similar to a prince born with a keen mind and many natural talents. He is reared in the palace by great teachers who spare no effort in providing an excellent education. He is taught the profoundest matters of wisdom and the most refined of manners. When such a prince sins before his father the king, his greatest punishment is to be thrown into the hands of base people, who laugh and mock him.

In summary: In times of bitter exile, the performance of Torah and mitzvos is very difficult. This is due to many hindrances, as well as to being scoffed at by the lowliest of pleasure seekers. It is similar to a pampered prince who sins, his worst punishment being incarceration among the dregs of humanity.