Q:
Is it true that as we get further away from Matan Torah, from the original Shavuos, that the generations deteriorate and we can’t accomplish what the earliest generations accomplished?
A:
Is this process a necessary one, that we deteriorate from generation to generation?
Let me explain to you: there are two general tendencies, two currents in Jewish history, in world history. One is that there is a general deterioration; because the further we go away from Har Sinai, the weaker the impression becomes. A hundred years ago, they were closer to Har Sinai. The impression was stronger. A hundred years ago, they were closer to Rabi Akiva. A hundred years ago, they were closer to the Gra. The Gra was just yesterday a hundred years ago. They still remembered the Gra. Chasidishe Jews a hundred years ago still remembered the talmidim of the Baal Shem Tov. And therefore, the further we go away from our ancient models, certainly it weakens.
But you must know, individuals don’t have to follow that trend. That’s only a general trend, but if it’s an individual, that’s different. An individual can work himself up to extreme greatness if he wants to. The world is still open for man to become great. Men and women can become great today as they became great in the days of old. Even in Duluth, even in San Francisco, if a boy is living there, a Jewish boy, and he decides to choose the ways of Hashem, he can become great. How great? There’s no limit to his greatness. That’s one of the ikrei emunah. He can become a tzaddik like Moshe Rabbeinu. That’s stated in the Rambam (Teshuvah 5:2). Everybody could do it.
It doesn’t mean it’s easy. By no means it’s easy. Of course, if you’re next to Moshe Rabbeinu, it’s easy to be a big tzaddik. If you’re far away from him, it’s not easy. But today it’s still an open opportunity for anybody who wishes to choose the derech of virtue, he can become very great.
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