With the arrival of Shabbos, we all receive a neshama yeseirah (additional soul), but in some people it is more vibrant than in others. It all depends on the preparation a person has made; the more enthusiastic his kavanah (intention), the more kedusha comes to rest on him. ~ Ma’or Vashemesh
Even after the desires of one’s heart have persuaded him to accept the false way as true, he still knows in his heart of hearts that the true path is “truer” than the other one. Every human being thus has the faculty of determining in his own heart where the real truth lies. ~ R’ Eliyahu Dessler zt”l
Two things are necessary for man’s self perfection. One is to arouse and inspire himself. The other, by far the harder, is to carry out his good resolutions and retain the inspiration when it comes down to action. R Naftali Amsterdam zt”l
A good Jew is not a taker but a giver. The giver gets much more than the receiver, for the receiver gets only something of limited monetary value, whereas the giver acquires for himself a good and pure heart ~ R Yosef Yozel Hurwitz zt”l
Every little thing a person does counts. A small deed can even decide his eternal fate, as the following parable demonstrates.
A man once set out on a trip to a distant city. But the money he had was enough to buy a ticket only to the last stop before the city. For just a few pennies more, he could have reached his destination. But for lack of those pennies he was cast off the train at the stop before the city. There he stood, on the road penniless and miserable.
The same is true of our deeds. Sometimes because of a small deed that a person neglected, all his good deeds cannot tilt the scales against his bad deeds, and he is left in his misery for all eternity ~ Sparks Musser
No matter how gloomy things seem, everything can turn around. Talking to God can turn things around. ~ R’ Elchonon Tauber
The Alshich, cited by the Eitz Yosef, explains “There is a qualitative difference between the mitzvos of the Holy One and the laws of states and governments. The latter serves only to create and maintain social order. The mitzvos, however, bring kedusha and spiritual elevation to the soul and flesh. ~ Seifer Talelei Oros
Whenever your mind is free, make a conscious effort to focus on the good that the Almighty has bestowed upon you. ~ Chovos Halevovos 10:7
A man was created not for his station in this world, but for his station in the World to Come. It is only that his station in this world is a means towards his station in the World to Come, which is the ultimate goal. ~ Mesilas Yesharim
