There appears to be a recurring correlation between the psychology of individuals or groups who feel oppressed, humiliated, deprived, rejected, or denied the dignity they believe they deserve and the way some of them behave when they eventually acquire substantial power. The original grievance may be real or perceived. It may arise from poverty, discrimination,…

A person may recognize that his actions are wrong and may even sincerely intend to change, yet convince himself that there will be time later. He imagines that he can first satisfy his desires, have his fill of them, and afterward withdraw from sin and return to Gd.The Duties of the Heart, The Gate of…

The Torah describes a particular danger that arises after a person has heard the words of Hashem’s covenant. This is not someone who never heard the covenant or does not know what the Torah demands. The verse specifically describes a person who hears the words of the covenant, but then begins an internal process through…

The spiritual DNA of the grandchildren of Abraham is to live differently from ordinary human nature, human notions, and human desires. The purpose of a Jew is not simply to follow whatever direction the surrounding world happens to be traveling. It is to recognize the Creator, to remain connected to Him intellectually and spiritually, and…

There is a remarkable lesson in the Torah’s description of Vidui Maaser, the declaration made after a person has properly fulfilled his obligations concerning the tithes.This may possibly be a source for understanding why, when we daven Shemoneh Esrei three times every day, the blessings are generally formulated in the plural. We do not simply…

חלק א׳ במדרש רבה סדר שופטים. א”ר סימון בשם ריב”ל כל מי שבוטח בהקב”ה זוכה להיות כיוצא בו שנאמר ברוך הגבר אשר יבטח בה’ והיה ה’ מבטחו. אבל מי שיבטח בע”ג נתחייב להיות כיוצא בה שנאמר כמוהם יהיו עושיהם. צריך לשום לב על כונתם זוכה להיות כיוצא בו. הלא אש אוכלה הוא וכי אפשר להיות…

“Following the Holocaust, I heard the pious genius, Rabbi Mordechai Pagremansky of blessed memory, say: ‘Over the course of the Holocaust, the Jewish People endured the test which challenged their love of Gd “with all of your soul” (Deuteronomy 6:5). Would they be able to accept that it is the will of Gd that they…

I have seen, my brother, an excellent literary piece on the subject of abstinence. It was composed by one of the pious as a charge to his son. I think highly of it and have chosen to close this gate with it. I present it to you just as I found it. May it serve…

Chapter 4 — Divine Assistance, Obstacles, and Judgment Reason for what happens to an individual in this world, based on justice and recompense. The Highest Judge decreed that each individual’s deeds themselves result in God’s helping him, simplifying his task of achieving perfection and protecting him from possible stumbling blocks. This is the meaning of…

( Duties of the Heart) There are many factors that detract a person from true repentance, because true, clean repentance is very difficult to achieve. People sometimes think that waking up in the morning, going to shul, praying, saying that they are sorry, and asking God for forgiveness is repentance. That is only the beginning.…