The Role of Elders in the Generation

Nov 25, 20245 min read

Rabbi Nachman of Breslev teaches us about the importance of the wisdom of elders in shaping the generation.

The following text from Likutey Moharan reveals Rabbi Nachman’s deep concern about how the elders’ wisdom should be actively applied to bring benefit to the community, especially when it comes to matters of spiritual growth and communal redemption.

We will also apply this teaching to the current efforts of Rabbi Yosef Edery and the establishment of the Sanhedrin in the Holy Land.

The Wisdom of the Elders and Their Role in the Generation

Full Text from Rabbi Nachman (Likutey Moharan):

ח וְדַע, שֶׁזֶּה הַמֶּצַח הַנָּחָשׁ יְנִיקָתוֹ מִזְקְנֵי הַדּוֹר, מִמַּאֲרִיכִי יָמִים שֶׁבַּדּוֹר, כְּשֶׁאֵין בָּהֶם שְׁלֵמוּת, מִזֶּה יוֹנֵק מֵצַח הַנָּחָשׁ

הַנַּ"ל, כִּי זָקֵן – זֶה קָנָה חָכְמָה (קידושין לב), וְצָרִיךְ הָאָדָם, כָּל מַה שֶׁמַזְקִין, כָּל מַה שֶׁנִּתּוֹסֵף וּבָא לוֹ יוֹם מִימֵי חַיָּיו, לְהוֹסִיף בְּכָל יוֹם וָיוֹם שֶׁבָּא אַחַר כָּךְ תּוֹסְפוֹת אוֹר קְדֶשָׁה וָדַעַת, וּכְמוֹ שֶׁאָמְרוּ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ זִכְרוֹנָם לִבְרָכָה (קינים פיג): זְקְנֵי תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים, כָּל זְמַן

שֶׁמַּזְקִינִין דַעְתָּן מִתְיַשֶׁבֶת עֲלֵיהֶן. כִּי צְרִיכִין בְּכָל יוֹם וָיוֹם שֶׁבָּא

אַחַר כָּךְ לְהוֹסִיף בּוֹ קְדֶשָׁה וָדַעַת, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב (בראשית א): וַיִּקְרָא

אֱלֹקִים לָאוֹר יוֹם – שֶׁכָּל יוֹם צָרִיךְ שֶׁיָּאִיר בְּיוֹתֵר כַּנַּ"ל, אֲבָל

כְּשֶׁהַזְקֵנִים, הַמַּאֲרִיכֵי יָמִים שֶׁבַּדּוֹר, פּוֹגְמִים אֶת יְמֵיהֶם, וְאֵין

מוֹסִיפִין אוֹר קְדֶשָׁה וָדַעַת בְּכָל יוֹם וָיוֹם, מִזֶּה יוֹנֵק מֵצַח הַנָּחָשׁ,

חָכְמַת הַטֶבַע הַנַּ"ל, (כִּי מִנְפִילַת הַיָּמִים שֶׁל הַזְקֵנִים, אֲשֶׁר אֵין

דַּעְתָּם מִתְיַשֶׁבֶת כַּנַּ"ל, מִפְּגַם הַדַּעַת הַזֶּה שֶׁל אֵלּוּ הַזְקֵנִים יוֹנֵק

מֵצַח הַנָּחָשׁ, שֶׁהוּא חָכְמַת הַטֶבַע) וּמִתְגַּבֵּר, חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, דַעַת

חָכְמַת הַטֶבַע, שֶׁכּוֹפְרִים בָּרָצוֹן עַל־יְדֵי נְפִילַת הַדַּעַת וְהַיָּמִים,

שֶׁנּוֹפְלִים מֵהַזְקֵנִים הַמַּאֲרִיכִי יָמִים שֶׁאֵינָם כָּרָאוּי, כַּנַּ"ל. וְזֶהוּ

בְּחִינַת (איוב יד): קְצַר יָמִים, שְׂבַע רֹגֶז. הַיְנוּ שְׁתֵּי הַבְּחִינוֹת הַנַּ"ל.

קְצַר יָמִים זֶה בְּחִינַת הַזְקֵנִים שֶׁאֵינָם כָּרָאוּי, שֶׁאֵין מוֹסִיפִין קְדֶשָׁה

וָדַעַת בְּכָל יוֹם, שֶׁזֶּהוּ עֲקַר הַזִקְנָה וְהָאֲרִיכוּת יָמִים כַּנַּ"ל,

וּכְשֶׁהַזְקֵנִים פּוֹגְמִים אֶת יְמֵיהֶם וְאֵין מַאֲרִיכִין אֶת יְמֵיהֶם בִּקְדֶשָׁה

וְדַעַת כַּנַּ"ל, זֶה בְּחִינַת קְצַר יָמִים, וּמִזֶּה יוֹנֵק מֵצַח הַנָּחָשׁ, שֶׁהוּא

הֶפֶךְ מֵצַח הָרָצוֹן, וְזֶהוּ: שְׁבַע רֹגֶז – הֶפֶךְ הָרָצוֹן כַּנַּ"ל. אֲבָל

כְּשֶׁהַזְקֵנִים כָּרָאוּי, בְּחִינַת: זָקֵן - זֶה קָנָה חָכְמָה וְכוּ' כַּנַּ"ל,

עַל־יְדֵי-זֶה מִתְגַּבֵּר הִתְגַּלּוּת הָרָצוֹן, בִּבְחִינַת (ישעיה ט): זָקֵן וּנְשׂוּא־

פָנִים – שֶׁעַל־יְדֵי זָקֵן שֶׁבִּקְדֶשָׁה מִתְגַּבֵּר הָרָצוֹן, שֶׁהוּא בְּחִינַת

נְשׂוּא פָנִים, כִּי נְשִׂיאֵת פָּנִים וְהוּא בְּחִינַת רָצוֹן, כְּמוֹ שֶׁאָמַר

אֵלִישָׁע לִיהוֹרָם (מלכים-ב ג): לוּלֵי פְּנֵי יְהוֹשָׁפָט אֲנִי נֹשָׂא אִם אַבִּיט

אֵלֶיךָ וְאִם אֶרְאֶךָ – שֶׁאֲלִישָׁע לֹא הָיָה לוֹ שׁוּם רָצוֹן לִיהוֹרָם, רַק

עַל־יְדֵי נְשִׂיאֵת פָּנִים שֶׁל יְהוֹשָׁפָט, עַל־יְדֵי זֶה נִתְרַצָה אֵלָיו.

נמצא, שֶׁנָּשִׂיאוּת פָּנִים הוּא בְּחִינַת רָצוֹן, וְזֶה בְּחִינַת זָקֵן וּנְשׂוּא־

פָנִים, כַּנַּ"ל:

Understanding the Text: The Role of Elders in the Redemption

The Concept of Wisdom and Spiritual Light

Rabbi Nachman begins by describing a deep spiritual principle: the elders (those who are long-lived) are meant to be sources of wisdom and spiritual illumination.

The "Metzach HaNachash" (the head of the snake) is a the concept that represents forces of darkness, negative energies, or external influences that sap spiritual vitality.

When the elders fail to add spiritual light and wisdom each day, they indirectly feed into these negative forces.

In Rabbi Nachman’s words, elders are like lights of wisdom that are meant to grow brighter each day.

This growth is essential not only for their own spiritual well-being but for the entire generation.

If they neglect this, their light dims, and they unintentionally strengthen the Sitra Achra, the forces opposed to holiness.

Applying the Teaching to the Sanhedrin Initiative

The Elders’ Active Participation in the Sanhedrin Initiative

Now, let’s connect Rabbi Nachman’s message to the work of Rabbi Yosef Edery and the establishment of the Sanhedrin ongoing in our day.

The Sanhedrin is Halachically a crucial component in the process of redemption, as described by the Rambam (Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Melachim). The process includes crowning a king, eradicating Amalek, and rebuilding the Beit Hamikdash. However, the first step is the formation of the Sanhedrin.

From Rabbi Nachman’s teaching we can gather that the elders, those who possess wisdom, must not wait passively for an sign, invitation or for a situation to unfold.

They should take initiative and actively engage in the effort to form the Sanhedrin. Just as Rabbi Nachman warns against elders failing to add light and wisdom daily, Rabbi Ederi’s initiative requires elders to contribute their wisdom, not only by offering counsel but also by physically taking part in this historic movement.

The Power of Charity and the Transformation of Hearts

The Role of Charity in Aligning with the Mission

Rabbi Nachman continues in the next chapter to explain that giving charity softens the hearts of those who may not fully understand or recognize their mission.

Charity serves as a means to bring people closer to their spiritual responsibilities and facilitates their participation in sacred endeavors.

For the elders, giving charity to the Sanhedrin initiative can not only aid in the material aspect of the work but also spiritually prepare them to participate in this redemptive process.

Through their donations, they align themselves with the mission and, as Rabbi Nachman teaches, soften their hearts to recognize the importance of the Sanhedrin and their role in it.

The Call to Action: Establishing the Sanhedrin with Wisdom

Connecting the Mission to the Greater Redemption

The establishment of the Sanhedrin is a necessary step toward the final redemption, as Rabbi Nachman and the Rambam both indicate.

The elders' wisdom, charity, and active participation are crucial for this process.

When the elders fulfill their roles, they help reveal the deeper desire and will of Hashem, which is essential for the ultimate redemption.

Rabbi Nachman’s insight into the "Nesiat Panim" (bearing faces) is an indication that through the actions of the righteous, like the elders who are part of the Sanhedrin, the collective will of the generation is elevated and transformed.

By taking on the responsibility and engaging in the creation of the Sanhedrin, they reflect the true essence of the Jewish people’s yearning for redemption.

Conclusion: Moving Forward with Wisdom and Unity

In conclusion, Rabbi Nachman’s teachings serve as a powerful reminder for all of us, especially the elders of our generation, to actively engage in the mission of establishing the Sanhedrin.

It is not enough to wait for the Sanhedrin to appear by itself, nor is it sufficient to withhold wisdom.

Just as the elders are called upon to add light and wisdom each day, they must step forward and become part of this great and holy work.

Their participation, whether through active involvement or supporting the initiative through charity, will help move all of Israel closer to the ultimate redemption.

Let this teaching inspire us all to contribute to the building of the Sanhedrin and to work towards the fulfillment of our mission as a people. The time is now, and it is up to all of us to help bring this sacred vision to fruition.