The great Kabbalist Baal HaSulam, in his introduction to the Zohar, a foundational text of Kabbalah, felt that way about his own generation. And honestly, reading his words, you might feel a pang of recognition today.
He speaks of a "drought and darkness" unlike anything seen before. A time, even then, where people, even those dedicated to serving God, had turned away from delving into the secrets of the Torah. The nistar, the hidden, the inner meaning...it was being neglected.
Why is that such a big deal?
Baal HaSulam uses a powerful analogy, one borrowed from the Rambam, Maimonides. Imagine a thousand blind people walking a path. A dangerous path, filled with obstacles and pitfalls. If even one of them can see, just one with clear vision, they can lead the others safely. The sighted person draws down the pure light from the Ein Sof, the Infinite, and guides the rest.
But what happens when even the "sighted" turn away? What if those who should be leading the way, those who should be seeking the inner wisdom, also stumble in the dark?
Then, Baal HaSulam argues, the rest of the generation is doomed to fail. It’s a harsh assessment, isn't it? But it speaks to the profound responsibility he believed rested on those who do seek deeper understanding. They aren't just learning for themselves. They are, in a very real sense, lighting the way for everyone else.
Think about that. The Zohar, written in Aramaic, is filled with complex symbolism and layers of meaning. It's not always easy to understand. But Baal HaSulam is suggesting that grappling with these complexities, striving to understand the inner dimensions of Torah, is not some esoteric pursuit. It's a vital act of service.
And perhaps, just perhaps, by engaging with this wisdom, even in our own time of "drought and darkness," we can start to illuminate the path forward, not just for ourselves, but for the generations to come. The pain Baal HaSulam expressed – "so painful that I cannot say more about it" – maybe it can be transformed into a motivation, a call to action. To seek, to learn, and to illuminate.