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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, things, but when you want to nullify a craving or rectify an evil trait,
intentions do not grant him the title of “master of will.” That title and in addition we attain faith and joy. you must dedicate at least half an hour a day. Therefore, begin by
belongs to a person whose will is permanent, strong and present testing this with something small. After you see the results, you will
every day. Only that person exemplifies the statement: “in the way Enough Frustrations 4 be eager to dedicate at least half an hour a day to change large and
that a person wishes to go, he is led.” Only a person who has the difficult issues that constitute the essence of what you must rectify.
title of “master of will” is led. Therefore, firmly fix in your mind Why should you remain frustrated for years by the fact that
the concept that “will” means setting aside time every day to focus you are unsuccessful in changing yourself and overcoming your Everyone who reads this chapter must reach the correct conclusion
on your intent. cravings? Do you think that doing so is in your power? Know that and understand clearly that his life is in his hands, and that in truth
this is too much for you. Until this day, you proceeded without he too can easily change. If he proceeds in this way, he will certainly
For instance, a person may want to cleanse himself of engaging in see great changes—literally, changes in nature.
the sin of gossip—however, he wants many other things as well. The prayer. You attempted to change nature without prayer. That did
desire to guard his tongue does not accompany him unceasingly not work for you, because that is a forlorn undertaking. But if you Absorb this lesson deeply: there is nothing greater than this practice
begin to proceed in accordance with the laws of life and with the
from morning to evening. Rather, from time to time, as he hears work of the will and prayer, you can even split the sea. and nothing more useful to bring about an inner change in yourself,
a lecture or learns about the topic, a desire awakens in him to whatever else you might be trying. As we have demonstrated, even if
be cleansed of the sin of evil speech. Certainly, a person’s every As for weaning oneself off addictions, which also result from inner a person learns Torah seriously, devotes himself to serving Hashem,
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, performs mitzvot and kind deeds without end, serves tzaddikim
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 and lives with them in the same house, if he does not provide his
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 will with the proper framework and means of expression, and if he
desires to gossip. of the problem, which will break out in another way. But by means does not dedicate time to this work, nothing will help him. He will
of the work of the will, he prays to attain a positive self-image and not change, because he is not engaging in the central practice that
Only when a person sets aside time every day to speak with asks Hashem to give him the will and power to contend with all of changes a person.
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 You must know that all that I ask of you is only to want.
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 And to want is easy and possible. It is in everyone’s hands and in
faith in Hashem and in himself, and he will successfully cope with
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 accordance with everyone’s ability, whoever he may be. Everyone
to engage in worthless and evil speech, and so forth, can it be said Hashem wants from him. has the power to want and to pray and entreat Hashem to help him
that he really wants to guard his tongue. Then he receives the title live in accordance with Hashem’s will. That is the way by means of
of “a master of will.” And if he continues and does the work of the This chapter contains the principles that are the tools with which which everyone can succeed in eventually keeping the entire Torah!
will every day, heaven will lead him until he will be entirely cleansed to perform this work and truly succeed in life. If you dedicate time
of all forbidden speech. to work and if you seek the help of the Creator—because only He Great Is Deed that Leads to Will
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 In regard to all work in the service of Hashem, it is forbidden
truly wants to overcome a craving is obligated to attain the title of remaining good efforts will join together. They will be effective and to leave these matters as beautiful ideas to be discussed at the
bear fruit. You will succeed in winning the war and you will be able
“master of will,” to apply his will strongly and assertively, and to to prevail. Sabbath table, on the level of “Learn and receive reward.” Rather,
engage in the work of engaging his will every day. It is not in his we must apply these matters in actuality, on the level of “Great is
power to overcome his cravings. Only the Holy One, blessed be learning that leads to action.” As Rabbi Nachman of Breslov said,
He, has the power to assure that he will be guided from heaven and First of All, Taste “I have yearned a great deal to prompt everyone to engage in
given the power to overcome his cravings and addictions. And the deeds” (Sichot Haran 19). And so writes Rabbi Natan of Breslov in
only way to be led from heaven is to earn the title of a “master of You must note and be aware that these spiritual rules are not his Alim Literufah: “For the sake of Hashem, you must know and
will.” theoretical. It is not my intention to present in-depth abstract