Daily Email Form Torah Reading: Vayeira 15 Cheshvan 5776 / October 28, 2015 DAILY LIFT TODAY IN JEWISH HISTORY GROWING EACH DAY ASK THE RABBI QUOTE PHOTO Print Entire Mailing #512 It's the Effort that Counts Print Version » Rabbi Yeruchem Levovitz used to say, "Who is the righteous person and who is the evil person? Many people think the righteous person is one who does not transgress, and the evil person is one who constantly transgresses. But even the very righteous also transgress and even the very wicked perform good deeds. "The essential difference between the two is that the righteous person tries to overcome his desire to do wrong, while the evil person does not." (Alai Shur, vol.1, p.186; Rabbi Pliskin's Gateway to Happiness, p.222) See Rabbi Pliskin's new book "Self-Confidence" Cheshvan 15 Print Version » Yahrtzeit of Matityahu, the leader of the Maccabees in their fight against the Syrian-Greeks, as recorded in the Chanukah story. Matityahu bravely resisted the attempts to spread secular-Hellenist culture throughout the Land of Israel, and with his five sons, started an uprising. The revolt continued after Matityahu's death in 139 BCE, and successfully concluded with the rededication of the Holy Temple and the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days. Cheshvan 15 is also the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Avraham Yeshaya Karelitz (1878-1953), known by the appellation "Chazon Ish." A brilliant scholar, he moved from Vilna to Israel in 1933, where he was regarded as the worldwide authority on all matters relating to Jewish law and life. Cheshvan 15 Print Version » If a person has a worry in his heart, let him relate it to others (Proverbs 12:25, Yoma 75a). Many people are hesitant to share their painful feelings with others. They may not wish to burden others with their problems, or they may be too ashamed to reveal their thoughts and feelings. The Scriptures and Talmud advocate the value of ventilating problems. Rabbi Elimelech of Lizensk stated: "One should regularly relate to one's mentor or to a trusted friend all the improper thoughts and feelings one has experienced ... and this is an incomparable technique (for proper conduct)." The value of sharing our troublesome thoughts, feelings, and actions with another person is inestimable. First, by not repressing our true feelings, we become more honest with ourselves. Second, by elucidating our problems with someone else, we may gain greater insight into them and even discover their solutions. Third, by considering our problem from a non-biased perspective, the listener can give an opinion far more objective than we could ever formulate on our own. Rabbi Elimelech recommends that such sharing be done regularly. Troublesome thoughts and feelings should not be allowed to accumulate. Not only can they add up to become overwhelming, they can also fester, become even more serious, and therefore be more difficult to eliminate. Today I shall ... find someone whom I can trust with my most private thoughts and feelings, and relieve myself of the burdensome baggage I have been carrying.See more books by Rabbi Abraham Twerski at Artscroll.com Cheshvan 15 Print Version » Overcoming Hatred I've been thinking a lot about all the strife in this world - between individuals, between countries, between races. I understand that hatred occurs when there is hostility between two people, and neither have a desire to see the positive in each other and build a friendship. Surely, given the vast range of different personalities around, people will come across others with whom they simply do not get along, and if they try to associate with them, the hatred will just build. Isn't it better to just agree to differ and avoid contact with them? The Aish Rabbi Replies: The Torah says: "If you see the donkey of someone you hate lying under its load, you must help him unload it" (Exodus 23:5). While the verse addresses alleviating the pain of an animal, it also presents another issue: Helping someone you "hate" unload his donkey. We see from here that the way to overcome hatred is to help the other person, care for them, and give to them. When I give to someone, I invest a piece of myself, and therefore we become bonded. Of course, if your hatred is greater than your ability to be patient and giving, and the interaction will end in a fight, then it's better left alone. But if you are capable of overcoming the challenge, then it's good to put yourself in a situation where you are forced to help the object of your dislike. Otherwise, hatred left alone will just fester, waiting to explode. And is that really the type of world we want to live in? Cheshvan 15 Cheshvan 15 Sunset over Tel Aviv by Elad Matityahu. Featured at Aish.com The Rabid Anti-Semite who became a Proud Jew Ten Deadly Lies about Israel The Mufti and the Holocaust Follow us on Facebook What do you think of this email? Help us make these personalized newsletters — and our site — better. Send us your questions and comments to tellus@aish.com. Forward this email to a friend. Need to change your subscription? • This email was sent to: phillipphillip787@gmail.com. • You are currently subscribed to list "The Aish Daily List." • To unsubscribe from this mailing list, click here. • To modify your email account, change your e-mail address, or unsubscribe from all lists click here. Aish.com is the most complete online Jewish resource. We hope you enjoy receiving this personalized newsletter.Aish.comOne Western Wall Plaza PO Box 14149 Jerusalem 91141 Israel Tel: 972-2-628-5666 Fax: 972-2-627-3172© 2015 Aish.com Powered by MadMimi ® Unsubscribe instantly from ALL Aish.com emails by clicking here.
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