Page 121 - 20780

104 | A New Light Chapter Four: | 121 128 | A New Light

operation, I caution them and tell them that if they do not deal the smallest, and no good will is ever lost. But a person’s small behind the craving for food without damaging our body and soul,
with the craving that is at the root of their problem the operation intentions do not grant him the title of “master of will.” That title and in addition we attain faith and joy.
will not help them, because the issue is not their stomach but their belongs to a person whose will is permanent, strong and present
craving, which the operation will not reduce. Only the work of the every day. Only that person exemplifies the statement: “in the way Enough Frustrations 4
will accomplishes that. I know many such people who underwent that a person wishes to go, he is led.” Only a person who has the
this operation and after a short period of recovery regained all of title of “master of will” is led. Therefore, firmly fix in your mind Why should you remain frustrated for years by the fact that
their former weight. Sadly, I even know some people who died as the concept that “will” means setting aside time every day to focus you are unsuccessful in changing yourself and overcoming your
a result of their overeating. on your intent. cravings? Do you think that doing so is in your power? Know that
this is too much for you. Until this day, you proceeded without
And many times a person with a craving for eating does not even For instance, a person may want to cleanse himself of engaging in
derive any enjoyment from the food, because of the compulsion the sin of gossip—however, he wants many other things as well. The prayer. You attempted to change nature without prayer. That did
he feels to satisfy his craving. All of his eating is a struggle and the desire to guard his tongue does not accompany him unceasingly not work for you, because that is a forlorn undertaking. But if you
begin to proceed in accordance with the laws of life and with the
pursuit of some delusion, and he is incapable of being at peace and from morning to evening. Rather, from time to time, as he hears work of the will and prayer, you can even split the sea.
sitting down to eat calmly. a lecture or learns about the topic, a desire awakens in him to
be cleansed of the sin of evil speech. Certainly, a person’s every As for weaning oneself off addictions, which also result from inner
Harming Oneself intention is very important. But all that this approach does is give frustrations, low self-image and a lack of will to contend with reality,
him the title of “someone who wants to guard his tongue.” And if a person forces his way forward, 99 percent of the time he will
Similarly, people with lung diseases see right before their eyes it goes without saying that as long as he possesses evil traits he still not succeed. And even if he succeeds, that will not solve the root
the grave consequences of their craving for smoking, due to which desires to gossip. of the problem, which will break out in another way. But by means
they suffer and their entire families suffer. They undergo onerous Only when a person sets aside time every day to speak with of the work of the will, he prays to attain a positive self-image and
treatments and amputations, yet nevertheless immediately after asks Hashem to give him the will and power to contend with all of
these painful and distressing operations and treatments they go out Hashem and verbally express his intentions—that he does not want the challenges in his life. Consequently, his addictions weaken their
to engage in any forbidden speech, that he wants to learn the laws
and smoke. As soon as the longing for a cigarette is aroused in of guarding his tongue every day—and he entreats Hashem to help grip and he will live a new life filled with meaning, happiness, and
such a person, he has no power to overcome his evil inclination, faith in Hashem and in himself, and he will successfully cope with
even though this longing will result in terrible physical suffering. him and give him knowledge so that he will never have the desire every area of his life. That is his service of Hashem. That is what
to engage in worthless and evil speech, and so forth, can it be said
He does not perceive his own misery and affliction. Moreover, he Hashem wants from him.
does not consider all of the great Torah leaders who have issued that he really wants to guard his tongue. Then he receives the title
of “a master of will.” And if he continues and does the work of the
explicit condemnations of the desire for smoking. He does not see will every day, heaven will lead him until he will be entirely cleansed This chapter contains the principles that are the tools with which
the people on the street who suffer from his smoking, nor does he to perform this work and truly succeed in life. If you dedicate time
see that he is desecrating the name of heaven. of all forbidden speech. to work and if you seek the help of the Creator—because only He
can help you—then Hashem will indeed assist you. Then all of your
This is true for every craving and every addiction. A person who
We weep over those addicted to cigarettes. And what shall we remaining good efforts will join together. They will be effective and
say to those who are afflicted by all of the terrible addictions of our truly wants to overcome a craving is obligated to attain the title of bear fruit. You will succeed in winning the war and you will be able
generation, such as alcohol and drugs? They too know that what “master of will,” to apply his will strongly and assertively, and to to prevail.
engage in the work of engaging his will every day. It is not in his
they are doing is wrong and forbidden, they see the bitter results
in themselves and in others, and they know that the downward power to overcome his cravings. Only the Holy One, blessed be First of All, Taste
He, has the power to assure that he will be guided from heaven and
path is precipitous and swift. Yet they cannot overcome their given the power to overcome his cravings and addictions. And the
cravings. They kill themselves with their own hands, and they kill You must note and be aware that these spiritual rules are not
their families as well. They incur enormous debts and enter into only way to be led from heaven is to earn the title of a “master of
will.” theoretical. It is not my intention to present in-depth abstract