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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
One who doesn't examine himself and his actions - won't be aware of his shortcomings and won't be able to mend them. One who doesn't display discretion and alertness regarding his ways, exposes himself to outer influences and to all sorts of character inclinations, and becomes a slave to his desire.
This is not the case with one who contemplates and inspects his ways. Through the very act of contemplation he already rules over himself, for he is aware of his situation. And this brings him to point himself in the right direction.
The ways of examination are built upon two principles:
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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B. Contemplation of one's behavior, of the actions which one performs, to determine if they fall into the category of good actions or evil ones.
There are good things which a person doesn't do, not because it's difficult to do them, but simply because of carelessness, and were one more attentive, he would readily mend his error and act accordingly. There are bad things which a person does simply because he doesn't discern that they are bad, and were one more mindful, he would certainly stop doing them.
A person who doesn't pay attention can sometimes insult others through speech or behavior without sensing that he's done something offensive. Meanwhile, the inflicted is offended and insulted to the point of shame. Afterwards, the guilty party is surprised at why the offended distances himself from him. Had he sat and considered his words and his behavior towards his partner, he would have noticed that that there was something in them which was liable to offend, and would have resolved to be more careful.
It can happen in relations between children and parents. Sometimes a person doesn't notice that his speech or manner of behavior towards his parents is discomforting to them. They restrain themselves and the child doesn't realize that he's offended them, which is certainly not good. The child didn't intend it, yet the fact that he didn't intend to offend is not enough, for - they've been offended. One who examines his actions and weighs them well, will be able to detect errors like these and to mend them. Often it's very easy to mend, yet people are simply unaware of their mistakes and errors.
Therefore, one who wants to mend his ways - must contemplate and examine himself in all of his actions, like a factory manager who sits and inspects, over and over, the ways in which the factory operates, setting designated times for examination of each department, and searching to locate each stumbling block in order to fix it. So too, each individual must set aside for himself fixed times for soul-searching. And this is in keeping with what the sages have said regarding the verse: "Therefore the rulers say, 'Let us enter into an accounting' (Numbers 21:27) - Therefore the rulers over their evil inclinations say, 'Let us come and calculate the world's account, the loss entailed by the performance of a mitzvah, against the gain that one secures through it, and the gain that one acquires through a transgression against the loss that it entails...' " As Scripture states, "The path of the wicked is like pitch darkness; they do not know upon what they stumble (Proverbs 4:19)." Conversely, the wise are careful, as it says, "The wise man sees the evil and hides, and the fools pass on and are punished (ibid. 22:3)." And, "Let us seek out our ways and examine them, and we will return to God (Lamentations 3:40)." So, the first step in building oneself is not to flee and not to hide but to take hold of oneself.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Israel and the Nations A Few Minutes & Many Innovative Ideas on Antisemitism & What to do About It
As we approach the High Holidays, this short lecture (18 minutes) deals with the unfortunate situation of how Israel and the Jewish People stand against antisemitism, analyzing its cause according to Rav Kook, and how to deal with the issue pragmatically & via our prayers.
Ha'azinu PURSUIT is PERFECTION
p. Ha'azinu, Shabbat Shuva
Rav Kook deals with the question of the seemingly hopeless nature of Tshuva. For G-d Himself knows that He created us with free will, which inevitably means we will sometimes make mistakes and choose wrong. This can easily be frustrating, freezing us into inaction and ye'ush (loss of hope). If one sins even once, does he chalila have no choice but suicide?! Moreover, our Godly conscience demands justice, righteousness and perfection, but we all know this is impossible, so what's the solution? Rav Kook's innovative thinking, strongly based on chazal (our sages), offers an inciteful and important aspect to this topic, especially this time of year!
Sukkot Bug-Free Sukkah: Essential Halachic and Practical Schach Guide
How to inspect, clean, and store bamboo mats and palm branches to protect your mitzvah and holiday meals.
