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.

• 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.

In this powerful third installment on Tzidkas HaTzaddik, we explore how Kabbalas Ol Malchus Shamayim — the foundational act of accepting Hashem’s kingship — is not a one-time commitment, but a dynamic avodah that must be renewed across two distinct phases of life: day and night.

Building on the themes of radical commitment (chipazon) and perspective-shaping daas from the previous shiurim, this piece delves into the dual structure of the human experience. Day represents productivity, accountability, and structure. Night exposes the self — our subconscious, our unstructured moments, our inner vulnerability.

---Let me know how you like these summaries and how accurately they represent the material...

🪜 Core ideas include:

• Why Krias Shema requires twice-daily kabbalas ol
• Day as a time of action and mission — where beginnings define the arc of avodah
• Night as a window into where we’re really holding when we’re not “on the clock” and subject to the accountability of being actively mission driven
• How nighttime reveals thought patterns, subconscious pulls, and spiritual default states
• The dual model of Day and Night as relates to avoda

💡 Takeaway:

True avodah requires mastery not only of structured doing, but of unstructured being. We’re not just accountable for our actions — we’re shaped by how we fill the empty spaces, how we return to ourselves, and how we meet Hashem in the quiet.

🔍 Keywords: Rav Tzadok, Kabbalas Ol, day vs night avodah, daas, krias shema, Jewish mindfulness, spiritual structure

R' Tzadok explores the foundation of spiritual avoda and the path to greatness — not as the triumph of good over evil, but as a radical shift in consciousness. What does it mean to be a tzaddik and what is the beginning of this path?

We explore how daas — integrated, lived awareness of Hashem — serves as the true starting point of avodah. From the role of brachos as reality-shaping calibrators, to a piercing redefinition of Torah as the blueprint of existence, this shiur invites the listener to see everything — even the mundane — as an expression of Hashem’s Ratzon.

💡 Themes include:

• What truly defines a tzaddik
• Why bracha is not just praise, but a frame of reality
• The hidden dance of ratzo v’shov in spiritual growth
• The transformative power of daas elokei avicha
• Why the first word of every bracha — Atah — is everything

From relatable mashalim to profound insights, this shiur opens a door to a new way of thinking — and living — with Hashem.

Would love to hear how you are enjoying the shiurim and whether the notes are helpful; Feel free to leave comments in the podcast or reach out directly at mrubin214@gmail.com; put tzidkas haTzaddik in the title.

🔎 Search keywords: Rav Tzadok, Tzidkas Hatzaddik, Tanya, daas, tzaddik definition, brachos, Jewish mindfulness, avodah pnimis, Torah as blueprint, spiritual growth, ratzo v’shov, integrated daas, yirah and ahavah