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- Pathways in Personality Development
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
R. Avraham Ben David
The sages said: "Be bold as a leopard, light as an eagle, swift as a deer, and strong as a lion, to do the will of your Father in heaven."
Most of us are eager to do good deeds, yet this calls for effort, and many are lazy about getting up early in the morning. To wake up and to get out of bed is not easy, and although it's very important to get up quickly so that there be enough time to complete everything that needs to be done; even though each added moment of tardiness adds pressure, for it leaves one unable to complete everything he must; in spite of the fact that one understands and recognizes the importance of hurrying to get up - it is difficult. Laziness weighs one down. Concerning this the sages said: "Be strong as a lion to do the will of your Father in heaven." One must develop faculties of strength like those of a lion - the king of the jungle: the sort of strength which enables one to overcome all laziness, to overcome the sluggishness which prevents one from doing what he wants to do - what he thinks is right and important to do. Faculties of this sort, one must develop on his own.
And just how does one go about forming faculties of strength like these? By performing exercises which build up one's strength, and by a making a firm descision to succeed.
Pathways in Personality Development (52)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
4 - 4. The Impact of Man's Actions on the World
5 - 5. Overcoming Weaknesses
6 - 6. "Zerizut" - Its Practical Application
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Concerning laziness, sluggishness and lethargy, the sages said: "Be light as an eagle and swift as a deer." Push away the sluggishness and the laziness - be swift and zealous.
So - two types of faculties need to be established: firstly, the ability to restrain oneself, to overcome difficulties, and to refuse to be drawn after one's desires. Secondly - just the opposite - the ability to overcome laziness, and the capacity to act quickly and energetically in carrying out one's obligations.
The attribute of laziness is no less detestable than that of lust. True, a lazy person does not actively carry out evil, yet he brings evil upon himself through his passivity. King Solomon, in the book of Proverbs, attests to this: "Also one who slackens in his work is a brother to the destroyer." For, though he is not the destroyer himself, doing evil with his own hands, don't think that he is far from him - he is, in fact, his blood-brother. Even one who slackens in his work is brother to the destroyer. For, when a person slackens in his work, one weakness leads to another. He doesn't exert himself, and so naturally he lingers behind the others, whether in studies or work. This causes despair, which results in his exerting himself even less, and so he continues to descend. A person who doesn't learn well doesn't know what to do, this leads to mistakes which bring about failure. Therefore, one must push away weaknesses and overcome his laziness: "Be light as an eagle and swift as a deer to do the will of your Father in heaven."
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Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
