The Core - Daily Dose of Wisdom

It has to come from the core, but we are not masters over that place.

We can barely master our wardrobe—our conscious thought, our words to others, what our hands and feet are doing. Never mind the hidden things within.

But we can do this: We can wash our clothes and bathe our skin in pure waters. Meaning: we can focus our thoughts, guide our words and clean up our act.

Once scrubbed enough that light can pass through, we await the moment when the core awakens.

This is what Moses told his people on their last day together: “The hidden things belong to G‑d. But the obvious is for us and our children forever, to do what needs to be done.”

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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April 2, 2012

Thank You Rabbi Freeman

Now I think I understand what you mean. We can focus our words and actions by not speaking loshon hora and not acting badly. This takes more time for some, less for others, but it is all for the purpose of improving our true essence.
Thank you for your personal responses Rabbi Freeman. I know you are probably very busy and I appreciate the time you have taken to clarify this for me. Shalom Aleichem.

Justin Roth
Staten Island, NY

March 30, 2012

For Justin again

Yes, that is very close to what the Rebbe was saying. We can't work directly with that inner core. But by scrubbing away at the outer clothing—which is accessible to us—eventually we can effect some degree of transformation within.

Rabbi Tzvi Freeman
Thornhill

March 29, 2012

For Rabbi Freeman...

Well, what is transformation other than the ability to gradually exert more self-control? I understand the example in this "daily dose" that once we master our thoughts, words and actions the "light" can pass through, illuminating even the darkest of situations. As since, the light of our thoughts, words and actions dispels the darkness, more things are "obvious" to us and more "needs to be done". Intellect and emotions come from the mind and the heart. So too do our thoughts and speech come from the mind and action from the heart. So I feel that exerting a high level of self-control over oneself may perhaps make an individual a tzadik (perhaps a hidden tzadik). I remember reading something about a Rabbinic sage who once said something to the effect of "anyone can become a tzadik". If one were to eventually master his intellect and emotions, that would mean he would have a very high level of self-control. Thank you for your response Rabbi Freeman! Shalom Aleichem!

Justin Roth

March 27, 2012

For Justin

You are correct that the Tanya teaches us that "the mind rules over the heart by its nature." But, for most of us, this is only control and domination, not transformation.

The Tanya explains that the tzadik is one who has mastered and transformed his intellect and emotions. The rest of us—the beinonim—are only able to control our thought, speech and action.

Rabbi Tzvi Freeman
Thornhill, On

March 26, 2012

I could not disagree more!

With all due respect to the Rebbe obm, we ARE masters over our core. This is what the Chabad teaching that the intellect controls the emotions is all about. I suspect Rabbi Freeman is taking the Rebbe's words out of context.

Justin
Staten Island, NY

March 26, 2012

a-ha moment...

this gives me so much peace... I've been trying to make myself responsible for the core, for my seeming lack of Light... but that's not for me to affect. Chop wood, carry water, be kind to others... those are mine to do. Thank you for this profound message.

Valerie
Oakland, CA

March 26, 2012

A great inspiration

Rabbi, I want to thank you for inspiring my heart with this letter. May G-d guide you always.

Roger Dale Hadden
terre haute, indiana, usa

March 26, 2012

The Core

i like this. and found it both challenging and comforting.
Doing my part: guiding my words, watching my thoughts, and cleaning up my actions, I feel a bit not up to my part. Though i think my main part with my thoughts words and actions, is to turn to G-d and ask for the strength and guidance to do these things.
For me, prone to self criticism and addiction, if I do not turn to G-d for everything, including and ESPECIALLY my part, I often become bogged down in a driving unloving place. When I turn to G-d for the strength and guidance to do my part, I relax, and go to a place of Light. Everything changes. Thank you

Anonymous

March 26, 2012

Scrubbed?

Maybe . . . residues can be removed in many ways . . . for some maybe scrubbed is too strong a word . . . maybe more like "cleaned and polished" . . . sometimes scrubbing scratches a surface which would also create an obstacle, an impediment . . . likewise
with something as precious and valuable as life . . . we want the light of the spiritual to be able to illumine the physicality of "our" world, our "reality" . . . that requires refined thought and sensitivity and careful approach . . . if our lives are to serve as the "Lens" for that light.

Just a thought . . . .

Anonymous
Atlanta, GA

March 27, 2009

As usual

Thank you again for helping to focus my mind on what is really important. There are so many distraction around us, that it is a blessing to have a Tzaddik like yourself in our midst.

David Brown
Vienna, Austria

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