3- Against Your Will – 1

“Against your will you are born; against your will you live; and against your will you die.”

Birth is as the verse, “A proselyte who converted is as a newly born child.” That is, each time we reacquire the quality of faith, it is considered a “new birth.” And the reception of the quality of “mind” is above reason.

Since the body cannot do anything that is against reason, he must accept the quality of “mind” against its will, meaning the body disagrees. But if one’s work is in a manner of reception and knowledge, the body will obey any order.

This is the meaning of “Against your will you are born,” that birth in Kedusha [holiness] is only against one’s will, until one is rewarded with “will bring it near [also sacrifice] to His will,” as our sages said, “He is forced until he says, ‘I want’” (Kidushin 50a).

By accepting faith, we are rewarded with a life of Kedusha through Torah and work, and the vitality he receives must also be against his will. That is, he does not want to receive the pleasure, but because the Creator wants to delight him, he must receive, and not because of his own desire.

“And against your will you die” when you engage in corporeal matters, as these actions are only self-reception, called “death.” It should be “against his will,” meaning that he would enjoy more if he did not have to do all the corporeal things.

It is as Baal HaSulam said, this is like a person who suffers from boils [disease] and scratches. Although it gives him pleasure, he would be happier if he did not have boils and would not have to scratch and enjoy.