004 Tzidkas HaTzaddik: Kabbalas Ole before Personal Clarity; Emes and Emunah

This shiur explores why the structure of avodah begins not from clarity but from darkness. Rav Tzadok explains that the first mitzvah upon reaching obligation (bar mitzvah) is Krias Shema at night — accepting Hashem’s sovereignty (Kabbalas Ol Malchus Shamayim) before understanding, before clarity, before action.

This reflects a foundational truth: true avodah begins when we commit even without full comprehension. First comes surrender in a world of hester (concealment), and only then comes clarity, understanding, and action.

Through deep exploration of emunah and emes, creation’s design, and personal development, we learn why embracing the "night" — our confusion and limitation — is not a flaw in creation, but the perfect environment for growth toward Hashem.

✨ Key Themes and Expansions

• Krias Shema at Night: Avodah begins with acceptance during darkness, not understanding during light.
• Emunah Built on Emes: Faith bridges the gap where understanding ends — it is rational and essential.
• Growth as Perfection: Hashem created not static perfection, but a world designed for dynamic ascent.
• Avoiding the Backward Trap: Regretting the starting point (darkness, struggle) misunderstands the purpose — we are meant to rise from it.
• Avodah Mirrors Creation: Just as vayehi erev vayehi voker (evening then morning) defines creation, so too our own framework for spiritual ascent follows the same pattern.