Spiritual Zeal and Diligence

בפסוק והנשאים הביאו חסר י' ע"י שנתעצלו כו' ע"ש ברש"י ובמד'.

“In the verse ‘והנשאים הביאו’ (the leaders brought), written deficient without a yod because they were lazy, as explained by Rashi and the Midrash.”

The Sefat Emet begins by noting the textual deficiency and explains, following Rashi and Midrash, that the missing letter reflects a spiritual shortcoming.

והענין להראות כי ביותר צריך מי שהוא במעלה יתירה להחזיק במדת הזריזות כי זריזות מביא לידי חסידות.

“The idea is to show that one who is on a higher level must all the more hold fast to the trait of zeal, for zeal brings one to piety.”

The higher a person rises, the more essential it becomes to maintain spiritual energy and quickness, which protect and elevate one’s service.

לכן בתחלת העבודה יש לכל א' הזריזות.

“Therefore, at the beginning of one’s service, everyone possesses zeal.”

At the outset, enthusiasm is natural and accessible to all.

אבל בהתרוממות האדם נופל מהזריזות וזה פחיתות גדול.

“But as a person rises, he may fall from zeal, and this is a great deficiency.”

Paradoxically, spiritual ascent can lead to complacency, which the Sefat Emet views as a serious decline.

לכן יכול הפחות ממנו במדריגה להקדים אותו בכח הזריזות כמ"ש חזית איש מהיר כו' לפני מלכים יתיצב.

“Therefore, one lower than him in level can nevertheless precede him through the power of zeal, as it says: ‘Have you seen a quick man? He shall stand before kings.’”

Zeal can elevate someone beyond his natural rank, enabling him to surpass those of higher spiritual stature.

לפני ממש.

“Truly before them.”

The verse is to be taken literally: zeal brings a person directly into the presence of greatness.

כי הוא מקדים.

“For he precedes.”

His eagerness allows him to arrive first, spiritually and practically.

כמ"ש זריזין מקדימין למצות.

“As it is said: ‘The zealous hurry to perform mitzvot.’”

This principle reflects a deep spiritual law: promptness draws a person upward.

הוא כנ"ל.

“This is as stated above.”

This restates the point that zeal elevates a person beyond his station.

שע"י הזריזות מקדים למעלה ממדריגתו:

“For through zeal, he reaches beyond his natural level.”

Zeal propels a person into spiritual realms ordinarily beyond his inherent capacity.

Summary: The Sefat Emet teaches that although leaders failed through a lapse in zeal, anyone—regardless of level—can rise above his natural place through genuine spiritual quickening. Zeal preserves growth and opens doors ordinarily inaccessible.