Monthly Archives: April 2016

The Brisker Rav zt”l

A man came to the Brisker Rav, Yitzchak Zev Soleveitchik, before Pesach and asked, “Is it permitted to use milk instead of wine for the Four Cups” that are drunk at the Seider?  The rabbi took 5 rubles from his pocket … Continue reading

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Why do we shower before Shabbos?

When a person wishes to leave one spirit and enter another holy, exalted spirit, he should wash himself so that the holy exalted spirit may settle upon him. ~ The Zohar

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Anxiety

Every sin causes a special anxiety on the spirit, which can only be erased by repentance, which transforms the anxiety itself into inner security and courage. ~ R’ Abraham Isaac Kook zt”l

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Why we Love

When you fall in love with an earthly pleasure, consider that the power of love was granted to you for the purpose of loving Hashem, and not for unworthy things.  Without the feeling of love, stimulated by worldly pleasures, it … Continue reading

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Take it Easy

Let us not be too hasty to condemn our past selves, just as we must not be too hasty to condemn others.  We may be ignorant of the circumstances behind their acts and we may have forgotten the circumstances behind … Continue reading

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How Will You React?

It is true that we can fall to sin – and it can happen more than once.  But the choice is always ours as to how to react.  Either we will become depressed, which can lead us to even worse … Continue reading

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Who Would Have Believed…?

A common form of avak loshon hora (dust of loshon hora) is where one sincerely praises another person, but in doing so, alludes to a shortcoming of that individual. For instance, “Who would have believed that he would have come … Continue reading

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A Story of Courage

In 1918, Bolshevic soldiers burst into the Novardok yeshiva.  The commanding officer marched straight to the head of the yeshiva, pulled his gun, and demanded that the yeshiva be closed immediately.  The young man rose from his seat, unbuttoned his … Continue reading

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Peace

Wherever peace is found, fear of God is found; wherever peace is lacking, fear of God is lacking. ~ Chofetz Chaim

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One Today

A man must relinquish all of his tomorrows for one today, lest he come to relinquish all of his todays for one tomorrow. ~ The Alter of Novordok

Posted in Mussar | 2 Comments