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Chapter Two: | 29
Approbations it fair to create a being who is entirely driven by desires and tell
him, “Do not desire and do not lust”? A human being’s spirit is
an animalistic entity that desires and craves thievery and forbidden
Mordechai Gross relations (Makkot 23b).

Rabbi and Av Beit Din, Khanikhei Hayeshivot
And setting that aside, a person finds it difficult to grow spiritually:
22 Menachem Av, 5776 to cling to Hashem, which is the essence of our purpose in life, to
engage in intense prayer, and to fulfill all of the obligations of the
heart. Working on these goals requires a person to engage in arduous
and sustained effort—and even then, success is not guaranteed.

So that raises the question: Did Hashem only give the holy Torah
This holy book is well-arranged and eloquent, satisfying souls who yearn to elevated, unique individuals such as Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai
to establish Hashem’s will in their hearts and minds. It is appropriately called and his companions? What about the rest of us, we who are clumps
A New Light because in it the dawn breaks and great light shines forth, so of earth, creatures carved from clay? What can we do? Viewed
that the pure, supernal heavens rejoice and this world exults. This book helps superficially, it would appear that we cannot keep the Torah and
the soul rise level by level on the highway that leads to the house of God, in
keeping with His will…. the mitzvot fully in this physical world. Is the holy Torah a hoax,
heaven forbid?
This holy work provides a healing balm to revive souls. Even when the
holy nation is exhausted and driven, burdened by misfortune and spiritually This doubt mirrors the feeling of the many people who think that
beaten down, this book can inspire them with a holy fire, because it is entirely they lack the free will to keep the Torah and the mitzvot.
composed of qualities more precious than gold and fine gold, the work of the
hands of a master, a gaon and tzaddik whose heart is like that of a lion on Their understanding is that human beings came into the world
behalf of the Torah and the service of Hashem. In his talks and in his many to make choices but that in reality we are unable to do so. And
books, Rabbi Shalom Arush, head of the holy yeshiva and institutions Chut
shel Chessed, has turned people away from sin to live in the light of the Torah so the entire system is unrealistic! We are supposed to have free
and keep its commandments in purity and holiness, ignoring the vanities of this will so that we may attain reward for our labors. But it seems that,
world, illumined by the inner light and the surrounding light. because we are overcome by the powers of evil, we are forced to
choose evil against our will. The result is that every person will
May it be Hashem’s will that this crown of A New Light will renew the holy only receive punishment, God have mercy. Therefore, since it is
children of Israel like an eagle to do His will completely with a full heart. May seemingly impossible for us to attain reward for our efforts, perhaps
those who seek elevation rejoice. Rabbi Arush has done well in his wisdom,
with pleasant words that establish souls of Israel, that illumine them, arouse it would have been better for us to receive the “bread of shame.”
them and help them understand the word of Hashem. These words are a
healing potion that comes from the Torah of life. With it, treasures open Changing Our Outlook
before them and they are established so that they are “planted in the house of
Hashem and blossom in the courtyards of our God,” clinging to the supernal
God. In consequence, may the redemption of Israel come about with the My dear fellow-Jew, I want to make it clear to you that whatever
power of the will that is established at a time of holiness, even when the Jews level you are on, despite every problem you face, you can
experience an ultimate state of God’s concealment. May they declare Hashem choose good. You possess a way to choose good in every situation,
King, yearning and longing, “When will I come and see the face of God?” to change all of your traits and desires for the better, and to acquire
(Psalms 42:3). May that day come quickly, in our days. 1 everything in serving Hashem!