The Ramchal continues to teach us that it is not just fear that is important – in other words to fear God, but rather, we must also learn what love is i.e. to love God. These are both activities that require much effort. One doesn’t come to them by simply knowing they exist. Rather, one must work on oneself, consider the importance of life and ourselves, so that we develop our character traits in a fitting manner.
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Hatred – Our New (Desirous) Way of Life
I’d like to tell you something. It’s not my way to hate. But sometimes I see news and social media posts that come across with such hatred, I often want to jump on their ugly bandwagon filled with their own cobwebs and skeletons in their own closets and shot out as loud as I can, “LET’S ALL HATE EACH OTHER!!!”
What a “wonderful” idea! Well, it’s something I think about because I know that if I were to say such a thing, I could just imagine how many negative comments would come back to me about what an ugly person I myself am. How can I say such a thing?! They might add, “Are you a member of society”, or perhaps, “You should be banished and put away for life for even thinking to speak that way!” And ironically (pay attention now…)- it is their very post that indicates their own destructive hatred – just that it’s said over in such a better and more sophisticated manner. This, of course, to clear those who actually say those terrible things of any emotions of hatred that they would – God forbid – have towards anyone else. They are surely the most loving of people who would not say a bad word about anyone!
Teachings of the Arizal – Love Your Fellow as Yourself Everyday
In the beginning of Shaar Hakavanot – the teachings of the Arizal regarding the intentions of should have during prayer, as codified by his main disciple Rabbi Chaim Vital, the Arizal teaches us a golden rule about prayer. While many enter a shul (or stay in their private room for prayer) and begin praying for their own selves, the Arizal teaches us a lesson which we must implement in our every day lives. Even if we aren’t striving to become the next outstanding Mekubal (kabbalist) of the generation, it is something which applies to each of us.
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We are All the Descendants of One Man – A Letter From the Lubavitcher Rebbe
With the tragedy of the murder of 11 Jews in their shul known as “Eitz Chaim” in Pittsburgh, it is worth reminding ourselves of where we all come from. In this beautiful letter written by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, the Rebbe explains to us why it is that we need to be able to care for each other – no matter how different we appear to be. See letter below:
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Rambam on Charity – Give the Poor Man What He Lacks
Charity is a Mitzvah Too! (Parshat Re’eh)
I often become startled – if not embarrassed when I find myself around those who hate to give. Pirkei Avot 5:13 teaches us that there are four types of givers. There is one who wishes to give but that others should not. He begrudges others! There is one who believes that others should give, but that he does not have to. He begrudges himself! There is one who gives and believes that others should give too. He is a Chassid (pious person)! Finally there is one who believes that he does not have to give, nor should others. He is wicked! When I find a situation of someone asking for help (especially a person dressed in rags – God forbid) other than considering my own responsibility to give, I find myself reciting this Mishnah. Indeed, the Mishnah is telling us the truth!
Rabbi Yekutiel Yehuda Halberstam – The Klausenberg Rebbe
Rabbi Yekutiel Yehuda Halberstam (1905-1994) – the Rebbe of Klausenberg was one of our generations greatest rabbis. He was known for his exceptional breadth of knowledge of all areas of Torah and his immense level of compassion for others.
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