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Beit Midrash
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- Pathways in Personality Development
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
R. Avraham Ben David
For example, discretion and contemplation of one's deeds, as opposed to indifference and avoidance of contemplation; or alacrity in the fulfillment of one's obligations, as opposed to sluggishness - these are qualities which every healthy person is interested in possessing. This being the case, that which follows is relevant to all.
One of the most outstanding guides to personality development is the classic book by the Ramhal (Rabbi Moshe Haim Lutzatto), written more than three hundred years ago, Messilat Yesharim , "The Path of the Just."
The Ramhal constructed his book according to an ancient saying by the Mishnaic sage Rabbi Pinhas Ben Yair, which asserts that " zehirut" is the first of those qualities which needs to be cared for and established if one wishes to develop his personality.
Pathways in Personality Development (52)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
1 - 1. The Quality of "Zehirut" - that Man Contemplate His Actions
2 - 2. Introspection
3 - 3. "Zehirut"- Inhibiting and Contributing Factors
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Man has a natural craving for many negative things: "The eye sees and the heart desires," and if a person is not careful to examine his actions he is in danger of downfall. Lack of contemplation on the part of man as to the nature of his actions is the origin of all downfalls. And concerning this Haggay the prophet warned, saying: "Pay attention to your ways." King Solomon, too, said: "Don't give sleep to your eyes or rest to your eyelids, escape like a deer from the hand of the hunter (Proverbs 6:4)." That is, don't be drowsy, inattentive about what befalls you. Man shouldn't let his natural inclinations control him, being drawn after them blindly, rather, he should contemplate and examine his ways, controlling his inclinations and directing them.
Behold, Jeremiah the Prophet would complain concerning the evil of the people of his generation because they were afflicted by the plague of this trait, and would hide their eyes from their actions, making no effort to determine whether they should be carried out or rejected. And he said concerning them: "Nobody repents of his wickedness, asking, What have I done? everyone turns to his own course, like a horse rushing into the battle." That is, that they would go along hurriedly in the course of their ways and habits, leaving no time to inspect their actions and their behavior, and would therefore stumble into evil ways without noticing. This is reminiscent of Pharaoh's plan, when he said: "Make the people's burden heavier," for his intention was that the enormous burden render them incapable of considering what was befalling them, and how to escape from the bondage.
So, the lack of examining the nature of one's actions is a deadly sickness, and therefore our sages have said: "All who inspect their paths in this world will be worthy to witness the salvation wrought by the Holy One Blessed be He." Even after one has become aware of his situation and knows what needs to be improved, he has still got a long road ahead of him, for it's not easy to change. It's not easy to overcome the inclinations of the heart, and one needs a lot of divine assistance in this matter. Yet one who sets his heart to fix, who "inspects his paths in this world," the Almighty comes to his assistance, and he is privileged to "witness the salvation wrought by the Holy One Blessed be He."
So, to summarize this portion, the first step on the way to improving one's character is that one contemplate his actions and be familiar with his ways.
Rabbis in Midrash
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The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
