Spiritual Tools: Degel Machane Ephraim: Searching in Smallness

This is the secret of smallness and greatness: It is well known what is said in the name of my master and grandfather, the Baal Shem Tov: “And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning (Ezekiel 1:14).” It is impossible to remain at the same level perpetually. Rather, one must either go up or go down. The dissent is for the purpose of ascent, provided one realizes that he is in a state of smallness and praise to the Lord that he rise to greatness. Thus, “From there you will seek God, your Mortared, and you shall find Him (Devarim 4:29),” “from there,” implies: from wherever you happen to be, even in a state of smallness. (Degel Machane Ephraim; Vayeitzei)