You need to decide what you are. If you believe yourself to be angel, be
prepared for some disappointment. If you think of yourself as a beast, you may
well become depressed.
Best to know you are human. Stay away from situations you can't handle, and
face up to the mess when you fall down. That's even higher than the angels.
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: July 15, 2009
Identity - to Mr. Sam Ramirez
First of all: I would never like to have any conflict with Chabad, neither with its honourable Rabbis nor with its Friends around the world, for I appreciate and like this great organization truly. But, very independently therefrom: Exactly like you, Mr. Sam Ramirez, I have never (I mean after childhood), really never used other persons' feet (neither other persons' influence nor money!) to stand up after having fallen down: not because I am so good, very far away from that, but because I am too proud. Proudness is not a nice treat of character, but it may nevertheless be difficult to get rid of it. And as to "falling", I would friendly ask not to bookkeep around this subject, because it may result impossible: Voices may be spread and originated because of opposite interests, or - I am sorry - because of gossip. Or simply because of m i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g : I mean that last mentioned, but I am not sure and beg your pardon for having caused some mess. Truly, Silvana
Posted By Silvana Origlia, Vienna, At
Posted: July 13, 2009
Identity, Tasks, and Masks
I face up to a mess when I fall down. Not only do I face up , but stand up on my own two feet. If I believe I am right, I invite comment from those who oppose my point of view and if they are right I may choose to accept what they have to say. G-d bestowed in me choice but not omnipotence nor supeior intelligence from the rest of His creation we call mankind.
Posted By Sam Ramirez, Castro Valley, Ca.
Posted: July 13, 2009
Identity, Tasks and Masks
Dear Rav Freeman, I have learned from my mother of blessed memory - relatives and friends had seen in her an "angel", but she was "only" my mother - that nobody is really able to handle certain difficult situations, they may have an uncomfortable political impact, but some of these situations/problems must nevertheless be "resolved" or aided. So everybody should do his or her very best - and maybe we should do it together - in trying to do so, without hiding ourselves under a mask of pious humility. Without being an angel and without being a beast, and without great impact on the identity, just as a task... Sincerely,
Posted By Silvana Origlia, Vienna, At
Posted: July 13, 2009
today's thought
Thank you for today's thought. It brought a wry smile to my face. For there are times when I definitely want to be an Angel and there are times when I so disappoint myself. So how grounding your comment. "Best to know that you are human."
I should just love to know how i can make myself so strong within that when I wake up every morning i know with complete certainty that my my day is in the hands of G-d and that I will be given the strength to ride the day and that ultimately all is for the best.
Posted By Ingride lewis, kfar saba, israel
Posted: July 13, 2009
Identity
Exactly the question I have been asking myself. And what a perfect way to approach it. Thank you.
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