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Pride


Before his passing, Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov said to his disciples: "You must seek a new master and mentor, for soon I shall pass on from this world."

"To whom shall we turn for guidance?" they asked.

"I shall give you a sign," said Rabbi Israel. "He who knows the answer to the question, 'How can one overcome the pride in one's heart?' -- he is the man who can guide you in your service of the Almighty."

"And what is the answer? How does one vanquish pride?"

"The answer is that there is no way in which to vanquish pride. One must simply pray to the Almighty that He humble our hearts before Him."

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As told by Yanki Tauber.
About the artist: Sarah Kranz has been illustrating magazines, webzines and books (including five children’s books) since graduating from the Istituto Europeo di Design, Milan, in 1996. Her clients have included The New York Times and Money Marketing Magazine of London

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Reader Comments
Latest Comments:
Posted: June 6, 2004
More from the Besht
The Besht once asked, "why is humility, the greatest trait one can attain, not listed as one of the 613 commanments?"
He then responded, that were humility be one of the commandments incumbent on a person to fulfill it would be antithetical to the whole concept. For a mitzvah can be compared to a check list of ones achievements. "Yes, I've fulfilled this, and I've managed to comply with that." However, humility is the feeling that opposes self achievements. It is the feeling that one feels short of where he should be. Thus, such a trait could never have been placed upon an individual as a 'must-do' responsibility.
Posted By Zev, Melbourne, Australia



 


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