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testifies that the entire generation—with the exception of Caleb and To Fortify the Will
Joshua—needed to be reincarnated. That means that they did not
reach the ultimate level and rectification. And even a person who Know that the will is an awesome, infinite and transcendent
does not understand about the rectifications of souls can understand Divine power. Everything begins and ends with the will. When a
from the Ari’s holy words that the people of that generation did person truly wants something, he will certainly succeed and attain
not attain their rectification—because if they had, the redemption it, because “in the way that a person wishes to go, he is led”
would have come to them: Moses would have entered the land and (Makkot 10b). But we must perform the proper and complete work
built the Temple, and the entire world would have been rectified. that will give the mighty power of will its practical expression and
revelation here in this world. A person’s work of clarifying his will,
But not only did they not attain their rectification, but they fell strengthening his will, being stubborn in his will and firm in his will
to the most terrible behavior, to the lowest depths. If you open the requires a great many prayers until he attains such complete will
Chumash you will discover, to your chagrin, shameful behavior: that he can cast down walls. “If she is a wall, we will build a turret
complaints, weeping, the sin of the golden calf, the sin of those of silver upon her” (Song of Songs 8:9). The Hebrew for “silver,”
who lusted after meat, the complainers, the sin of the spies, the kesef, is related to the word kisufin, “yearnings,” and so it is
rebellion of Korach and his company—always a new instance of related to will. The secret of life is the wonderful work of
some small-mindedness, some heresy, some accusation, some fortifying the will until a person attains complete will.
ingratitude, some insolence—as though they were seeking excuses
to fight with Hashem and with Moses His servant. And this was true The question is: when will a person do this work? It is evident
not only of the people on the margins—the mixed multitude—but that normal human beings do not have free time. They are always
the greatest among them, including the heads of the courts. What busy. Even when they listen to a Torah lesson and read material
was going on? that inspires them deeply to change their lives, and they certainly
want to apply what they have learned, they are dragged along by
Fill Your Mind with Good the rush of life. After a Torah lesson, they talk with their friends
or run to go shopping, to do errands, then back home to the wife
This leads to one conclusion: the simple truth that must penetrate or husband, to the children, to work or to the yeshiva. Regardless
every person’s awareness: that without engaging in personal work, of what they may want, this intent is beyond them. They do not
we do not change. Miracles do not change a person. The revelation have time to breathe. When will they be able to set down firm
of the Shechinah does not change a person, nor does learning foundations of intent in the depth of their souls upon which they
Torah for decades in the presence of the greatest tzaddik. Even will be able to build and progress? When will intent strike roots
seeing and hearing Hashem does not change a person. The sole within them and help them blossom and bring forth wonderful
element that brings about change is personal work. Without that, fruits? When will they devote time to desire what they heard and
we cannot change. And without work, not only do people not learned? How will they attain the firm and strong intent that they
change, but they are in immense danger of falling ever lower until must have in order to change?
they are beyond the possibility of being saved, beyond the ability
to make a meaningful choice, because true choice depends on a A person devotes his time to everything except to the central
person doing the work of the will. Therefore, even a person whose element upon which his life depends. He has time for everything
profession is Torah, a person who meditates in the Torah day and but himself…. Therefore, a person who truly wants to change must
night, must dedicate time to the work of the will. If he does not devote special time to the work of the will!