before God allows a tzaddik to attain a new level, he first takes away his previous level. this is the meaning of the passuk in mishlei - a tzaddik falls seven times and arises. the tzaddik must maintain his faith that this loss, this fall, this mini-death is in order to receive even greater revellation from God. thus, through his faith, the tzaddik will rise--the opposite of falling which is like dying. through his faith a tzaddik lives.
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