לקוטי שיחות חלק ב׳ - כי תבוא ד

Likkutei Sichos Vol. 2 – Ki Savo 4 – The Mitzvah of Bikkurim and Its Eternal Lesson

6. Rabbi Akiva experienced distress, but through this distress, he was saved from a greater distress. In the case of Nachum Ish Gam Zu, the situation itself was inherently good.

This is the advantage of the expression "Gam Zu L'Tovah" over the expression "Kol D'Avid Rachmana L'Tav Avid." "Gam Zu L'Tovah" means that this itself is for the good. It is not just that it leads to good, but the situation itself is good. Previously, there was a concealment, and with closed eyes, one might have thought it was a harm and distress. But when the concealment is removed, it becomes clear that from the outset, it was good. Nachum Ish Gam Zu was Rabbi Akiva's teacher. This means that Rabbi Akiva lived a generation later than Nachum Ish Gam Zu. In a generation where the darkness of exile was greater (for with each generation, the darkness increases), his generation could not openly see how each matter itself was good.

Even if one knows with certainty the truth that each matter is inherently good, in the world, it does not manifest openly. What could be revealed in the world was no more than "Kol D'Avid Rachmana L'Tav Avid." However, in the time of Nachum and his generation, closer to (or in) the time of the Temple, it was possible to reveal in the world the concept of "Gam Zu L'Tovah."

Now we approach the time of redemption, the time of "And those who love Him will be like the sun rising in its might," when the Holy One, blessed be He, will take the sun out of its sheath, and it will be revealed in every matter that "Gam Zu L'Tovah," to the time when the sun of G‑d will be revealed from its sheath, and we will say, "This is the L‑rd, we hoped for Him."

8. The service of Elul is a preparation for Tishrei. In the month of Elul, one must rectify the deeds of the past year and achieve within oneself the state of "One thing I ask," to transcend all personal matters. Through this "One thing I ask" of the month of Elul, there follows a new drawing down in the month of Tishrei, "For You."