Human actions that constitute either service of GD or transgression can take place only if three factors are present. 1. Choice by the heart and mind 2. Intent and resolve to do what one has chosen 3. The effort to complete the intended act with one's outer limbs and bring it into actuality In regard to what is not hidden or removed from us such as the choice and service or transgression and the intent and resolve to carry out what one has chosen relying on GD in these would be erroneous and foolish for the Creator may He be exalted has left to us the choice of serving Him or rebelling against Him as it is written 'Choose life" (Devarim) But the carrying out of the intended act of service or transgression He did not leave to us but made it dependent on external means that are sometimes present and at other time unavailable
Once, on a Motzoei Shabbos, the chasidim were sitting in the bais medrash of the Ruzhiner Rebbe zy”a for Melave Malka. Suddenly, the Rebbe opened the door of his room next to the bais medrash, stood at the entrance, and said, “The Baal Shem Tov was not a deity, and the zaida, the Magid, was not just an ordinary wagon driver. And once, when the holy Baal Shem Tov prayed, his talis fringe fell out of his gartel and dragged on the floor. The Magid approached, picked it up, and put it back in the gartel, but he was trembled with such tremendous fear that he fainted and his life was in danger. They were compelled to rouse the Baal Shem Tov from his deep dveikus in order to calm him.” He then added, “I told you that the Baal Shem Tov was not a deity and my zaida, the Magid, was no wagon driver. Still and all, when he touched the Besht’s garment, he fainted from fear. The entire world is Hashem’s garment. How much fear must we feel to touch this world!” May the memory of the...