Kitzur Likutey Moharan (Abridged Likutey Moharan) Vol. 2

All of the obstacles that a person encounters are solely for the sake of desire-that is, in order that he should have a greater desire for the holy thing [that he wishes to do]. For it is human nature that the more a person is held back from doing something, the more he desires to do it. Therefore, when a Jew needs to do something that is integral

goal. For this is an important principle: there is no barrier in the world that a person cannot break. He must only have a very strong longing and desire commensurate with the importance of his goal.

since God’s intention [in giving him the suffering] is certainly beneficial-either to remind him to return to Him in repentance, or to cleanse him of his sins so that he will merit eternal life.

11. Furthermore, a person should know that the greater the object of his desire, the greater the barrier he is presented with. This is in order that his desire will grow that much more, since the desire [that a person has for something] is determined by the degree to which he is prevented [from attaining it].

Nor should he look behind him to see if these images and thoughts have left him.

A person of understanding, however, draws himself closer to God precisely then. For he looks and finds the Creator within the obstacle itself-since in truth, God Himself is hidden within this obstacle.

Only the Jewish people, through their faith, transcend all the philosophical inquiries and paradoxes that are in the world, because they believe in God and in His holy Torah without any inquiry or logic at all, but rather, with perfect faith.

Therefore, the best advice [for dealing with these images and thoughts] is to pay no attention to them and not to let it bother you in any way that these images and thoughts are standing before you, and not to listen to them at all. Rather, a person should just concentrate on whatever he is doing, be it studying Torah or praying or conducting his b

In this world, however, it is simply impossible to resolve these questions on any intellectual level, and anyone who delves into these branches of study will sink and be lost there, since about such people it is written, “All those who come to her will not return” (Proverbs 2:19). This is because it is impossible to find God there [in these sorts o