Simchas Beis HaShoeivah
[OCR unclear] … rejoicing from it in the middle of [OCR unclear]. Even though he performs a mitzvah, he has already fulfilled his obligation.
And as for the difficulty raised from the Shulchan Aruch of the Alter Rebbe [OCR unclear] … that it should be [OCR unclear] … the Rema, and the reference to the Maharam [OCR unclear] … an addition after the time.
And see on this [OCR unclear] … "בהיתר" ("in a permitted manner") (Tanya, ch. [OCR unclear]) [OCR unclear].
2. The Gemara there relates that the strength of the young Kohanim-novices (פרחי כהונה) was greater than the strength of the strongest of the Kohanim. This was in two respects: a) the weight of the load that they carried (the young men carried more than the load that the strongest of the Kohanim carried); b) he would ascend the ramp, which was gently sloped, whereas the young Kohanim-novices would ascend ladders that were "דזקיפי טובא" ("very steep").
This means that even though the strongest of the Kohanim — who, in the inner dimension of matters and according to the explanation of the Rambam cited above, is the level of the Kohen Gadol, who is the choicest and most sanctified of all Israel, and therefore he would enter the most sanctified place, the Holy of Holies — nevertheless, there is an advantage in the young Kohanim-novices in the two respects mentioned above.
That is to say: although the service of the Kohen Gadol was to effect pardon, forgiveness and atonement for all of Israel for everything they had done during the course of the year — and if so, this is the ultimate in strength: to rectify all the matters of the world (for the entire world was created for the sake of Israel, as our Sages say, "בראשית" ("In the beginning") — "for the sake of Israel, who are called 'ראשית' ('first')," and therefore all the matters of the world follow the condition of the matters of the Jewish people) over the course of an entire year — nevertheless, in the matter of Simchas Beis HaShoeivah there is an advantage in the young Kohanim-novices.
The Kohen Gadol is one who has already toiled in his service until he merited to be at the lofty level of Kohen Gadol. Therefore: a) His load is not so heavy; that is, he does not have such a difficult battle with the [evil] inclination, for he has already nullified all its desires — similar to what is explained in Tanya, ch. 15, on the meaning of "עבד" ("one who serves [G‑d]"): one "who has already completely concluded the work of the battle," and has become a servant. And since the load is not so heavy, therefore the reward (which is "לפום צערא" — "according to the effort") is also not so great. b) He ascends a ramp that is not steep; that is, there is not such a great difference and distance between the beginning of his ascent and the end of his ascent. For even at the beginning of his service each and every day (after he has already become Kohen Gadol), he is already at the loftiest level.
It is understood that he too has a constant service, in that each and every day he must ascend [OCR unclear] … so that his service on the second day as well is in a loftier manner — similar to what our Sages said, "מי שיש לו מנה רוצה מאתים ומי שיש לו מאתים רוצה ד' מאות" ("One who has a hundred wants two hundred, and one who has two hundred wants four hundred"). And similarly in our case: compared to his service on the first day [OCR unclear] … on the [following] day [OCR unclear].
And this is the advantage of the young Kohanim-novices: a) Their load is very heavy; b) they ascend ladders that are very steep, meaning that there is a great elevation from the beginning of their service to the goal of their service.
However, since "אין הקב"ה בא בטרוניא עם בריותיו" ("The Holy One, blessed be He, does not deal tyrannically with His creatures"), they are certainly given powers from Above for this. And especially after the service of the Kohen Gadol, who served on Yom Kippur and drew down pardon, forgiveness and atonement "לפני ה'" ("before G‑d") (see Likkutei Torah, Parshas Acharei; Iggeres HaTeshuvah, ch. 2 and ch. 8) for all Israel — through this is drawn down the time of our rejoicing, and through this the power is given to the young Kohanim-novices to succeed in their service; and moreover, that they should carry out what is incumbent upon them with joy and gladness of heart (see Iggeres HaTeshuvah, ch. 11 [OCR unclear]) [OCR unclear].
Key Lesson
The young Kohanim-novices, who carried heavier loads and climbed steeper ladders, showed a strength greater even than the Kohen Gadol's, for their distance from start to goal was greater and so their reward was greater. Likewise, one who must still struggle and climb far in his service of G‑d has a unique advantage; and since G‑d does not make demands beyond a person's ability, he is given the strength from Above to succeed, and to do it with joy.