You are forbidden to relate information about a person’s past misdeeds or the misdeeds of his family even if you do not intend to belittle him, and you will not cause the listener to think less of him, as he has now corrected his deeds.
This is forbidden because a person is usually embarrassed if his misdeeds are recalled in his presence. Hence, you might ultimately cause him anguish if the information becomes widely known. ~ Guard Your Tongue
The virtue that is required for oneself is the diametric opposite of that which one is required to exercise in relation to others. This is particularly true concerning humility, which is the sublimest of all traits.
A person is required to exercise it to the utmost degree. On the other hand, one should not treat one’s fellow with this trait and degrade his status in the name of humility. ~ R’ Yisroel Salanter zt”l
There is no shame in admitting that one made a mistake. But to stubbornly refuse to admit to a mistake is indeed shameful! ~ The Pele Yoetz as quoted in Torah Tavlin
If a person pays close attention while he performs a mitzvah, he will sense in his soul that he is clothed and enveloped in kedusha, and that a new, upright spirit has arisen within him. ~ R’ Chaim Volozhin zt”l
God is your shadow (Psalms 121:5)
As man acts, God Reacts ~ The Ba’al Shem Tov
Regarding the first night of Shavuos, the Arizal writes “Know that one who does not sleep at all this night, but instead spends all his time learning Torah, is guaranteed that he will live out the year and no harm will befall him.”
This year, with Shabbos preceding Shavuos, it is a wonderful opportunity to take a nap and be better equipped to learn the entire night. This statement and guarantee by the Arizal should not be taken lightly. But in order to get this guarantee, a person has to spend “all his time learning Torah,” – which probably means without taking a break and talking to friends. We are all capable of this. If you try to do this, Hashem will assist you and make it happen. Haztlocha!
The people of Israel possess so fiery a nature that they would have become builders of world empires, and their exceptional talents would have been expended on worldly achievements. The Torah was made for them, and they were made for the Torah. ~ R’ Avigdor Miller zt”l
R’ Chaim Volozhin once said, “The yetzer hora steals in and says, ‘Speak about me in the study of Mussar all you wish, as long as you don’t learn Torah the while.’” R’ Itzele [Peterburger] added, “That was in those days. In our time the yetzer hora says, ‘Learn Torah all you wish, as long as you don’t speak about me.’” ~ Sparks of Mussar
Kabbalists teach that each month of the year corresponds to a major body part. This month, Sivan, corresponds to the left ear. Because all year long, Hashem’s words go in the right ear and out the other. However, when the Torah is given, we must hear it and retain it with both ears – even the left one! ~ R’ Avraham of Slonim from Torah Tavlin
