Reb Ahraon of Strashela explained the verse (Shemot 23:25) “I will remove illness from your midst,” in the name of the Alter Rebbe:[1]
“There is no tzadik that can completely rid himself of his sense of self, this is only in G-d’s ability. It is for this reason that a person must die, so that he can be completely be rid of the ego.”
Elsewhere he explains in the name of his teacher:[2]
“All the various levels of tzaddikim and their differences derive from their nullification of self-awareness. While great tzaddikim are more annulled in their essence and do not feel themselves to have a presence, tzaddikim that are lower than them are aware of their own humility…”
“However, it is not in the ability of even the greatest tzaddikim to have no self-awareness whatsoever. It is for this reason that the ultimate nullification comes in death. Even by those that have never tasted sin, die on account of the counsel of the serpent (Bava Batra 17a). This counsel was to be aware of one’s own humility and self-effacement. Only Moshe Rabbeinu achieved the ultimate humility of the level of nothingness (Ma-what).”
[1] Sharei Avoda, Preface, 7b.
[2] Sharei Avoda, Shar 2, Ch. 32.
