Lessons on Personality Development
51. Sanctity
Sanctity is the highest rung on the ladder of desired character traits: Torah leads to caution, caution to alacrity, alacrity to cleanliness, cleanliness to abstinence, abstinence to purity, purity to piety, piety to humility, to fear of sin, to sanctity.
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed | Monday, 8 Menachem Av 5767
Loving All God's Creatures
Judaism teaches us that a person cannot put on "performances." Such behavior might be effective momentarily, yet it will not yield fruit for long. To fulfill the commandment to love God's creatures, a person must feel love for them in his heart.
Elyakim Levanon | Shvat 5767
5. Overcoming Weaknesses
Part five of "Pathways in Character Development" 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.
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed | Av 5761
43. Cautiously Stringent
Pious individuals follow the more stringent rulings and sway clear of all doubt. However, it is precisely here that a truly pious person must be on guard. He must be careful that his stringent practices do not lead him to belittle the lenient rabbis.
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed | Adar 5676
2. Introspection
Part Two of "Pathways in Personality Development" One who wishes to strengthen his personality and to develop the components of his character must begin by becoming acquainted with himself through his actions.
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed | tamuz 5761
Fear of Sin - Punishment and Loftiness
Ideally, a person should distance himself from sin due to God's loftiness. How can man, God's own handiwork, even consider acting in opposition to the will of his Creator? Such fear, fear of God's loftiness, befits wise and enlightened individuals.
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed | 5762
19. Revenge and Grudge-bearing
Man is called upon to overcome his natural desire to take revenge. He must overlook the offense and refrain from retaliating when the opportunity to do so presents itself. Not only should one not take revenge, one should not even hold a grudge.
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
