The name Yosef – which is deeply connected to the concept of Yesod – comes from the prayer of Rachel our mother:
“Yosef li ben acher” – “May Hashem add another son for me.”
Rabbi Nosson of Breslov, of blessed memory, writes that the essence of this level is that in our service of Hashem we become so alive and joyful that we naturally feel the desire to bring someone else into holiness –
to help another Jew come closer to Hashem.
The Ramchal, of blessed memory, brings a famous parable: that of a person trapped in a labyrinth. Sometimes he thinks he is getting closer to the goal, but in reality he is moving further away. And sometimes he believes he is drifting further away, while in truth he is finally moving in the right direction.
It is confusing.
But the true tzaddikim have already found their way out of the labyrinth; through their teachings and guidance they show us how we can walk in the ways of Hashem and live a life full of true joy and deep meaning.
Our holy teachers possess, as it were, a “bird’s-eye view.”
“They rise on wings like eagles.”
From above they can clearly see which path truly leads home.
May we merit to find our way out of the labyrinth – and to bring our “confused brothers” with us on the shared journey toward Hashem.
(Today is the yahrtzeit of the Ramchal, of blessed memory.)
