Nitzachon/Get Krisus/Milchomes Beis Dovid

[Yankel Nosson]

In honor of yesterday, the 45th day of the Omer (netzach sh'b'malchus), I took the opportunity to learn the Rebbe's Basi L'gani maamer of 5721 (A).

Two unrelated questions came to my mind:

1) The Rebbe describes those who go out to fight milchomes beis Dovid giving a get krisus to their wives, i.e., all the worldly comforts, in order to be able to devote themselves 100% to winning the war. So, just how far is this get krisus supposed to go? Is putting sugar in my tea part of worldly comforts? How about a piece of cake after dinner? A new suit? You get the idea...what is the border line between living up to this metaphorical get krisus on the one hand and being a chosid shoteh on the other?

2) The Alter Rebbe describes Netzach as coming from above taanug and ratzon. ("A man's desire for victory is rooted higher in the soul than his will or his desire for pleasure.") Can anyone explain this?

[Bittul]

YN, this is really the sort of issue for a Mashpia, because every persn has different challenges.

Still, a question needs an answer, so here goes some thoughts: It's not a question of quantity, did I reach this particualr level of leaving off of Gashmius or not. The issues I tackle are the ones that I care for the most. Some people love their sleep; their first step would be proper sleeping habits and not oversleeping. Others desire food, or certain kinds of food, their first step would be to start eating properly and not due to the desire to snack etc.

Now, that doesn't mean untasty food. It could simply mean that I like my tea with sugar. Instead, I'll put in honey to sweeten it. so I'm still changing my habits, but not in one leap.

Same in dress. I want clothes of a specific cut, and instead I just pick put whatever fits and is decent. NOT that it should be unbecoming, "nebby", "shluchy", or other adjectives. It will look fine, just not my particualr "taste". In a sense, too much involvement in choosing the opposite of what I want can be wrong too. It's minimizing the amount of desire, effort and time invested in anything material.

About the Netzach, the original Bosi Legani of the Frierdike Rebbe explains it a little more (I think in the second half - it's been a while). There may be articles etc. on it (maybe by Yoel Kahn? I don't know). In essence, what lies beyond taanug and ratzon? Who the person really is. Just as what lies beyind the taanug, ratzon, atzilus etc of Hashem is Atzmus - Hashem Himself. Netzach involves the person themself at the most basic level. You can note this is in real life. There are times that we argue or fight for something (the most basic expression of Netzach) even when we don't particularly care for the person, or even care that much about the issue (ratzon), and even if you're not an argumentative person (taanug). Merely the fact that someone opposes you can bring out Netzach.