Immediately after Chaunka, R’ Nosson would occupy himself in preparing for Purim, where we all sing the famous ‘Shoshanas Yaakov’. There, it is mentioned: תשועתם היתה לנצח ותקוותם בכל דור ודור – Their salvation was forever, and their hope was for all generations. We also say, להודיע, שכל קויך לא יבשו...לנצח! – To make known, that all those who hope to You will never be shamed… forever! It is well known that the Rebbe associated himself with ‘Netzach’ as he said, נצחתי ואנצח. We also find that netzach is the same gematria to that of the Rebbe’s holy name – 148. We may rightfully say that tikvah and netzach go hand in hand. In other words, anyone who is connected to netzach – the holy Rebbe – has definitely got an everlasting hope. This idea is repeated countless times in all of R’ Nosson’s writings.
Regarding the meaning of the words tikvah, in terms of gashmius, it doesn’t necessarily mean that things will work out in the exact way we would want them to. One may and should be optimistic and never pessimistic; he should rely that Hashem will show us revealed kindness as the passuk says: ‘Hashem desires those who fear Him, those who hope to His kindness,’ and ‘Behold, Hashems’s eyes are to those who fear Him, to those who hope to His kindness.’ It also says, ‘Those who rely on Hashem are surrounded with kindness.’ Chazal explain this to tell us that even a sinner who relies on Hashem will be surrounded with kindness! The Mezritcher Maggid adds, ‘The actual fact that one relies on Hashem has the power to draw down upon the person kindness.’ We also say every morning in Shacharis, ‘And I trusted in Your kindness; my heart will rejoice with Your salvation.’
Nevertheless, it is not 100% guaranteed that we’ll always see the kindness we would like, yet one has to believe that however Hashem behaves with us is total kindness, and we don’t have to be able to work out logical reasons for His behavior. Rather, we should accept it with blind faith: that everything that happens is for the best.
But it is not so in terms of Ruchniyus. The meaning of Tikvah here is totally different. It is 100% sure! If a person really wants Ruchniyus, then he will definitely get it, without the slightest doubt. He will reach his goal, his purpose in life, and he will be zoiche to fulfil his shlichus he was sent down on this world for. It may and will take time; one must have a lot of patience, but ultimately, he will reach his goal, without doubt.
But having said this, one has to know that it is very much dependent on the level of the Tzaddik to whom one is connected to. On Rosh Hashana, we daven in the Shemonei Esrei: “Hashem, give Your glory upon Your nation… and a good hope to those who search for You.’ Every morning, we say דרשו ה' ועזו – Search for Hashem and His strength. R’ Nosson explains, how does one seek Hashem? Through ‘His strength’ – which refers to the Tzaddik, who is named עוז. As the Zohar says that Boaz was the Tzaddik of the generation. His name spells בו-עז – ‘in him there is strength’.
The Tikvah and guarantees that the Rebbe promised, as brought down in Chayei Moharan, are unique to the extent which no other Tzaddik took upon himself.
In Yirmiyahu, we find our holy Rachel Imeinu crying bitterly over the galus of her dear children, to which Hashem answers her: ‘Stop crying, for there is reward for your deeds… ויש תקוה לאחריתך - and there is hope for your end.’ The Rebbe says in Torah 23 that אחריתך means emunah, on which everything stands. We also know that emunah is Tefila; therefore, to conclude with a most powerful working message to the Nashim Tzidkanios who should daven and remember that not just the men have the power to bring the Geula, but just as much too do the women! As Chazal tell us, ‘In the merit of the Nashim Tzidkanios, the Yidden went out of Mitzrayim.’ Therefore, from today’s lengthy galus, if the women will all get hold of a copy of a Likutei Tefillos, (even if it is only the adapted one for women) and say a page or so every day, then we are guaranteed – ‘There is hope’, and we will surely hasten the coming of Mashiach, may it be soon in our days.
