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Kosher Yearnings

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A man sits and yearns for a thing he should not have. The yearning in itself is good - a man who does not yearn is not alive. To live is to yearn. But the form this yearning has taken, this is death itself.

So the form must be crushed. Extinguished like the embers of an abandoned campfire in a dry forest. Once that is done, the inner yearning can be freed, the flame of life that burns inside. That was always good. The yearning that is life.

Based on letters and talks of the Rebbe, Rabbi M. M. Schneerson
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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Discussion (13)
September 19, 2010
For Anonymous in Melbourne
The yearning is the raw material. Evil or good are forms that it takes. That is why it is called a "yetzer"--which bears the meaning of "form."

The title expresses the hope that our yearnings should take a kosher form.
Rabbi Tzvi Freeman
September 17, 2010
"But the form this yearning has taken, this is death itself"

Which form?

Does the title Kosher Yearning refer to Non-Kosher yearnings ??
Anonymous
Melbourne, Australia
September 15, 2010
Kosher Yearings
I agree 100% with this article! Thank you for posting this article.
Anonymous
EHT, NJ
September 15, 2010
Beautiful!
This is beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

Regards.
Shahid
September 15, 2010
behavior
To me, this seems to have an analogy with psychology. You can't completely crush the behavior or desire. A behavior or desire can be changed from one form to another, though. Of course, I could be totally wrong. What someone sees in something can be purely subjective.
Alton Langille
New Glasgow, NS, Canada
September 15, 2010
Yearning
We yearn because we need. We need because we 'live'. It's WHAT we yearn for that is the question. an astmatic yearns for a full breath of oxygen....
an addict yearns for the next fix...
The Sons of God yearn for their Father.
Ms. Gigi Garroutte
September 15, 2010
Yearning.
How does a man crush his inner yearning? I know he must. But how?
Rick
Beaverton, OR
June 19, 2009
Kosher Yearnings
This needs clarification at almost every level. Is this a particular man who sits and yearns or is it supposed to be a generallization? What form is refferenced? Does any part of this refer to a parshah or anything else? No part of this makes any sense!!!
Norbert N. Steiner
Boston, Massachusetts
June 18, 2009
Clarification
A lot of this is clarified in Malkie Janowski's response, found here: Is there a difference between the "evil inclination" and the "animal soul"?
Rabbi Tzvi Freeman
June 18, 2009
Dear Rabbi
What does this mean?
Anonymous
Cyprus
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