Having discovered all your faults, you are depressed.
Imagine you have just found a doctor with a diagnosis that explains all your afflictions over the past many years. And he’s written a prescription directing you on a sure path to good health.
Based on letters and talks of the Rebbe, Rabbi M. M. SchneersonMore articles... |
From the wisdom of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory; words and condensation by Rabbi Tzvi Freeman. To order Rabbi Freeman’s book, Bringing Heaven Down to Earth, click here.
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Reader Comments Latest Comments:
Posted: Oct 17, 2011
nay contare my friend
Dear Sister--I call you Sister since we are all daughters of the King I myself had this experience where I realised a huge fault or defect in myself and my soul shines and jumps for joy, why? You ask why would a person rejoice over that? Because this gives me the chance and the sure knowledge that Hashem is with me guiding and directing my steps. He is also caring and loving me enough to insure me a great opportunity to chage and grow!
This is sure cause for celebration He also has given me a book to write about this and other great fantastic choices, so even though I felt sorrow--yes for a moment but only for a short time any longer that sadness would be remorse and this would lead to depression--this is not the Way of Hashem His ways are for joy and never trouble any trouble is for correction and this out of His great love for me and all of us His creation after all by the way after my sorrowing and grief over realisation of this fault I have to change, I met the most fantastic people.
Posted By Sheiraley, westlake, ca via chabadofbaka.info
Posted: Oct 17, 2011
nice!
Posted By chana raizel , NY, USA
Posted: Oct 17, 2011
Difficult Lessons Are the Hardest to Swallow!
I guess it really depends on whether or not you want to be healed! Do you want the cancer in your breast to grow until it explodes through the skin and completely destroys your body and health. Or, do you want the surgeon to operate and remove the cancer and give you a second chance at life?
For those that desire health, it is a welcomed diagnosis! As hard as the diagnosis might be to face, there is still a chance for life. Without surgery, death is certain and all remaining life is slowly squeezed out of the patient.
I guess it is all in what you desire!
Posted By Anonymous, Washington, DC
Posted: Oct 17, 2011
Bringing Heaven down to Earth
Shouldn't we all be glad in it? Some of us are so earthly, that we automaticly think negative... Thank you for the quick insight... George Jimenez, sr.- Escondido, Calif...
Posted By George Jimenez, sr., Escondido, Calif.-U.S.A-
Posted: Oct 17, 2011
not so fast
Rabbi,
I am a big fan and I truly appreciate the important work you are doing. But, this time I think you have severly minimized the work for the atheist, agnostic to go from that world view to a new reality in which G-D exists and operates.
Foregoing a lifetime of a set of thoughts, belief and actions is giant
Posted By Steven Kressel, Cherry Hill, NJ
Posted: Oct 17, 2011
Joy
Rabbi, I read your devotion few days now about this Joy. At the beginning I also thought I do not have it. But now as I see the L-rd as my Joy, not a condition, not an "it", but the Person who loves me, I am doing much better.
Posted By Anonymous, Forest Hills, NY/USA
Posted: Oct 17, 2011
Watever attitudes we habitually use toward ourselves,we will use on others, we use on ourselves. the situation is comparable to our serving food to ourselves and to other people from the same bowl. Everyone ends up eating the same thing... we must examine carefully what we are dishig out. We have the power to change our lives.
Posted By victor silvar, wilton, Ct
Posted: Aug 28, 2007
I feel that the analogy has nothing to do with the first line. You wouldn't jump for joy, when you realize you have all these faults. Naturally you would feel sadness. I think a better way to seet it would be to look for and find all your gifts and talents. To think of all the blessings you have in your life and to use these things in a productive, action-oriented way. I think a better way to live is to realize we all have faults and moments were not proud of our actions. I once heard this advice, 'if someone says something negative about you, live your life so others won't believe it.' Meaning if someone says you're liar, be the more honest person. If someone says you're selfish, be the most generous person. Elul is the perfect time to transform our negatives to positives. We have the power to do teshuva and change our lives and attitudes for the better. Shana Tova
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