Can Sadness Ever Be Positive? - The Kabbalah of Behavior

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Can Sadness Ever Be Positive? : The Kabbalah of Behavior

There is a difference between "merirut" a constructive bitter grief and "atzvut" a destructive depressing state. Constructive grief motivates change.

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Topics:	Self Improvement, Merirrut, Sadness; Grief

By Shifra Sharfstein

Shifra Sharfstein is co-director of Chabad of Downtown Universities in Atlanta, Georgia.

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4 Comments

Joan Johnson April 12, 2021

I have been so sad for the last 2.5 yrs. I have experienced abuse, a loveless marriage, divorce, job losses and failures, but this is the first time in my life I have struggled to get up. My mother lived in her bed and I have always worked to not be that person. No matter what, I wanted to be a good Mom. After my daughter was taken by my ex, I didn’t want to eat. I don’t know what to do. I don’t have a plan. I struggle to get anything done. With moving and COVID I have no friends and have a new Rabbi. I do pray and read Torah and Tanya daily. That has kept me, but I feel like I am in Atzvut. I am struggling to get my house ready to sell so I can pay off my alimony, but it is so hard to do anything. This is helpful. Thank you! Reply

Mayella August 21, 2016

Being able to hear both sides of the discussion would be a plus Reply

Anonymous February 10, 2016

When you say to stay away from anger totally, please don't make it as if a person should never feel anger - emotions happen to us - I can't help what I feel when the feeling comes. What you should make clear is that we can control our actions even when the feeling comes. I grew up in frum community and always felt guilty about my 'bad' emotions. Today I am part of a 12 step group called Emotions Anonymous that teaches me we have emotions and we are powerless over them but we can control our actions and attitudes. Willing to hear your comments. Reply

Anonymous January 26, 2016

I really like listening to you but the audience interruptions are unbearable! Reply