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28 | A New Light

Of course, we must keep the entire Torah, the mitzvot and Sinai Halberstam
Jewish customs with joy. But the essence of your rectification, the Rabbi and Av Beit Din, Shikun Gimel
rectification for whose sake you were sent into this world, is related
to the issue that you are wrestling with. You must strive, work and Bnei Brak
struggle with that issue, because it constitutes the essence of why 28 Ellul 5776
you came here. It constitutes the essence of your rectification, the
essence of your free will. It is the principal reason that you will
receive reward that is not the “bread of shame.” And the Holy
One, blessed be He, receives His principal delight from you when
you struggle and strive to overcome this difficult challenge.

But typically, because a person does not know how to conquer Rabbi Shalom Arush, the honorable rabbi and tzaddik, aids
that challenge, he thinks that he lacks free will in that area of his life. the masses. His holy mouth is filled with healing and with pure
He despairs entirely of being able to exercise his free will precisely ideas. He goes from strength to strength in helping the masses with
in that area and with that issue, which constitutes the essence of his wonderful writings, arousing the hearts of the children of Israel
what he must rectify. by making them aware of the good will hidden in every Jew, and
that every Jew can express his good will in his actions when he
Therefore, be aware that if you lose this battle, you will forfeit the fervently keeps the commandments with truth and with a whole
very reason for which you came to this world. heart. As the Rambam teaches, every individual wishes to be on
the level of “Hashem is close to all of those who call out to Him.”
In summary, everyone thinks that he lacks free will regarding Rabbi Arush’s books are popular among the masses of the people
an issue that is difficult for him to master and that he has not of Israel. With the help of these books, they gain strength—each
succeeded in rectifying. person in his own way….

Is This Realistic?

This problem goes even deeper. As is known, people find great
difficulty in fully meeting their obligations—in particular, in the
areas of attaining holiness and improving their character. As the
Gemara states, “Rabbi Yehudah said in the name of Rav: The
majority of people [engage in] dishonest behavior, a minority
[engages in] forbidden relations, and everyone [engages in] a trace
of evil speech” (Bava Batra 176a).

The Gemara also states that “the Holy One, blessed be He, does
not treat people unfairly” (Avodah Zarah 3a). But isn’t it unfair to
create a being who is naturally self-centered and egotistic, and
tell him, “Do not hate your brother in your heart,” “Do not be
envious,” “Do not take vengeance and do not bear a grudge”? Is

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