Inner Point of Truth

במדרש אם ערבת כו'.

“In the Midrash: ‘If you have become a guarantor…’”

This introduces the Midrashic teaching that serves as the basis for the Sefat Emet’s explanation.

כתבתי כבר ונתוסף בעזהש"י עמ"ש במדרש מים עמוקים עצה כו' ואיש תבונה ידלנה כו'.

“I have already written, and may it be strengthened with Heaven’s help, regarding what is said in the Midrash: ‘Deep waters are counsel… but a person of understanding will draw it forth.’”

The Sefat Emet refers back to an earlier teaching and connects it to the verse about deep, hidden counsel that requires understanding to uncover.

פי' שבכל איש נמצא עצה איך לתקן דרכיו כי הש"י נתן בלב כל איש ישראל יראתו ויש נקודה גנוזה בכל איש ישראל רק עמוק שצריכין לייגע למצוא זאת הנקודה.

“The explanation is that within every person there is counsel for how to repair his ways, for the Holy One has placed His awe in the heart of every Jew, and there is a hidden point within every Jew—but it is deep, and one must labor to discover this point.”

Each person contains an inner spark of divine fear and guidance, but it lies buried and requires effort and spiritual searching to uncover.

והוא ע"י ביטול אל האמת דכ' ולא יכול כו' להתאפק כו'.

“This is achieved through self-nullification before the truth, as it is written: ‘He could not restrain himself…’”

The revelation of the inner point comes when one yields ego and aligns with divine truth, just as Joseph’s inability to restrain himself symbolizes the breaking open of inner truth.

כמ"ש כבר כי בחי' יוסף הוא נקודה הפנימיות שיש בכל דבר וע"י הביטול מתגלה בהכרח.

“As already stated, the aspect of Joseph is the inner point found in everything, and through self-nullification it is necessarily revealed.”

Joseph represents the essential inner core; when one nullifies self-interest, that core must emerge and illuminate the person’s path.

Summary: Every Jew possesses a hidden inner point of divine awe and guidance. It is deep and requires effort to uncover, especially through self-nullification before truth. Joseph symbolizes this inner point, which becomes revealed when a person yields to the divine.