“A Jew is like a candle,” the Rebbe once explained to a chassid, “and his task is to light up other Jews.”

The chassid asked, “Rebbe, did you light my candle yet?”

The Rebbe replied, “No, but I have given you the match. You must now strike it and ignite yourself.”

“If you want to fix the world, start with yourself.”

“Be so busy improving yourself
that no time is left to criticize others.”

“He who rows the boat doesn’t have time to rock it.”

“Before we awake, the neshama of the day calls out
and pleads, ‘Please make the most of me!
I will only exist once.
The sun will rise and set – and I will be gone.
Make me purposeful and accomplish
all that you are meant to in me.’”
—Adapted from the Zohar

“When the day comes that I must account for my life, I will not be asked: ‘Why weren’t you Moses?’ I was not equipped to be Moses. But I dread the question, ‘Why weren’t you Zusia?’
—Reb Zusia of Anipoli