Machshava:

Ethics 

Collections: Rabbi Weinberger: Tanya

Description

P. 28. Even though a person might have completely conquered his evil inclination and does not sin, nor does he desire to sin, small, trace-elements of rah (bad/evil) remain inside his soul - this makes him into an imperfect tzaddik (righteous person) [which is a very exalted level]. The perfect tzaddik is sickened by the thought of his earlier actions and his pleasure comes from closeness to Hashem and mitzvos ([obeying the] commandments). A true tzaddik despises evil - people on a much lower level might be very tolerant of the way others treat God, but very quickly become intolerant if they are not treated "right." We are often still attracted to our old desires, even twenty, thirty or fifty years after we have conquered them, even though they are quiet and have not acted up; however, this means that we have not fully conquered them. There is an ultimate purpose to despising and hating sin.