Machshava:

Ethics 

Collections: Rabbi Weinberger: Tanya

Description

P. 175 (footnotes) in Likutei Oros by Rav Moshe Wolfson. Quoting the Be'er Mayim Chaim: Changing something that comes from the side of evil into a mitzvah gives Hashem great nachas ruach (pleasure), greater than doing a mitzvah which is rooted in a holy place. Even Avraham Avinu's heart was so numb that he could only perceive Hashem "merachok" (from far away); he couldn't just jump out of bed on the morning of the akeidah. Depression, chronic fatigue and such darkness that a person cannot function. The pnimius (inner workings) of a nissayon (trial). Every person according to who he is and what's in his heart. At a time of darkness, they rejoice in shamayim (heaven) when we still keep some mitzvos.