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When is sadness bad? When is it a necessary and even positive tool for self-betterment?

The Kabbalah of Sadness

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with Mendel Kaplan and Michael Kigel
Rabbi Mendel Kaplan is the founder and spiritual leader of Chabad @ Flamingo in Thornhill, Ontario, he also serves as a Chaplain of the York Regional Police Service
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Discussion (7)
August 2, 2010
I live in Japan.
I had a major setback in my plan to convert in Israel.
I was hospitalized and unemployed for nearly 2 years. But I will transform the setback to a stepping stone.
Kayo
Tokyo, Japan
May 6, 2010
Thank You
One of the most helpful things I have ever heard in my life. G-d never forgets me....He always sends a messenger to put me on the right path before long. Thank you Chabad for being the messenger quite often!
Laura
January 17, 2010
OY!
Wow this helped me IMMENSELY.
Anonymous
chabadlive.com
August 16, 2009
michoel kiegel
I wish the interviewer would stop asking redundant questions and let the rabbi, who is clearly more educated than the interviewer, speak. It is difficult for rabbi kaplan to finish one sentence! How annoying to watch.
zahava green
April 29, 2009
The Kabbalah of Sadness
"The beauty of this world has made me sad, this beauty that will pass". A sunset, a baby's smile, an unexpected kindness from a stranger and a thousand million joys that flesh is heir to, can make me sad. I think it is like a reminder of HOME where all is perfect. We are strangers in this present world. We have been exiled from the Garden and our deepest selves cannot forget the beauty and the happiness which G-d created us for. Sadness is a gentle longing for home. Bitterness is quite something else and yes, fight that tooth and nail. - Blessings
Mrs. Rene O'Riordan
Dublin 16, Ireland
April 27, 2009
some comments
I imagine strengthing your positive side through sin as realizing this particular action, although wrong and sinful and a blemish in your spiritual level, has the power to evoke out of you a greater degree of spiritual devotion. Although i firmly believe one should always strive to stay away from sin. theres no progression like diligence and a very strong moral center. We all want to see others act in upright ways, and anyone who justifies sins for the sake of atonement is sorta living a sabbatean/greek sorta lifestyle. And that in my opinion is abominable and a scourge to the soul of every Jew. I want to believe in the moral strength of others. In humility before G-d, in love and charity to others. In the littlest of things which inspires strength and greater piety to every individual. We should all strive in this way.
mike
April 26, 2009
what does it mean to strenthen the positive side when one is tempted to sin? as rabbi kaplan mentioned?
Anonymous
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