Chapter II

The "time of trouble" affects all Jews, the G-d-fearing and learned as well as those who are, G-d forbid, agnostics and irreligious, for every Jew, even the wicked who spitefully violates Torah and mitzvos, possesses a divine soul. Therefore everyone must repent in order to merit the Redemption.

The Baal Shem Tov, of saintly memory, says:1 "The meaning of ועת צרה היא ליעקב וממנה יושע , is that through and out of the trouble itself, salvation will come. In other words, the צרה (trouble) will become צהר (light)."

In terms of a Jew's personal service to G-d, this means that the darkness itself is transformed into light. There are various levels of divine service. On one level the light of holiness drives away darkness, in line with the famous saying:2 "A small amount of light dispels much darkness." On a higher level, the darkness itself is transformed into light.

The Zohar states:3 שעת צלותא שעת קרבא "the time of prayer is the time of battle." During prayer, a spiritual battle takes place between the yetzer hora (the darkness in man) and the yetzer tov, which is light. The yetzer hora is called "darkness," because it desires only physical pleasures. For this reason, even the intellect of the yetzer hora is given the name נפש הבהמית the "animal soul." The yetzer hora is characterized essentially by its emotional qualities of love, fear, pride, etc. It also possesses the power of intellect, but this is utilized only for the acquisition and enjoyment of material things.

The animal soul also finds many ways of justifying its actions. Sometimes a person is aware that he is acting badly, but still finds ways to rationalize his behavior. Even when he knows his reasoning is false, he uses it as a basis for fulfilling his desires. Since such conduct is similar to an animal's behavior, the yetzer hora' s intellect is deemed the "animal soul."

Primarily, the yetzer hora possesses the "power of desire." The yetzer hora' s will is exceptionally powerful, as the famous expression of our sages states:4 משביעו רעב "The more one satiates it, the hungrier it becomes." The same applies to the yetzer hora itself. The more one submits to its desires, the more powerful and fiery does its "power of desire" become. Ultimately this can lead a person to rob, steal or murder, G-d forbid. This is exemplified by the בן סורר ומורה , the rebellious son,5 whose gluttony leads him to his own death, G-d forbid. Hence, the yetzer hora and the animal soul are called "darkness."

On the other hand, the yetzer tov, together with its intellect, the divine soul, is called "light," because it radiates light into the darkness of the yetzer hora and animal soul.

In summary: The time of trouble encompasses all Jews, and all must repent. It is necessary to transform tzorah, trouble, into tzohar, the illumination of the Redemption. Light may banish darkness, and darkness itself may be transformed into light.