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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,
and in addition we attain faith and joy. you must dedicate at least half an hour a day. Therefore, begin by
testing this with something small. After you see the results, you will
Enough Frustrations 4 be eager to dedicate at least half an hour a day to change large and
difficult issues that constitute the essence of what you must rectify.
Why should you remain frustrated for years by the fact that
you are unsuccessful in changing yourself and overcoming your Everyone who reads this chapter must reach the correct conclusion
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
he too can easily change. If he proceeds in this way, he will certainly
this is too much for you. Until this day, you proceeded without
prayer. You attempted to change nature without prayer. That did see great changes—literally, changes in nature.
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 and nothing more useful to bring about an inner change in yourself,
work of the will and prayer, you can even split the sea. whatever else you might be trying. As we have demonstrated, even if
a person learns Torah seriously, devotes himself to serving Hashem,
As for weaning oneself off addictions, which also result from inner
frustrations, low self-image and a lack of will to contend with reality, performs mitzvot and kind deeds without end, serves tzaddikim
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
will with the proper framework and means of expression, and if he
not succeed. And even if he succeeds, that will not solve the root does not dedicate time to this work, nothing will help him. He will
of the problem, which will break out in another way. But by means
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
changes a person.
asks Hashem to give him the will and power to contend with all of
the challenges in his life. Consequently, his addictions weaken their You must know that all that I ask of you is only to want.
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 accordance with everyone’s ability, whoever he may be. Everyone
every area of his life. That is his service of Hashem. That is what has the power to want and to pray and entreat Hashem to help him
Hashem wants from him. live in accordance with Hashem’s will. That is the way by means of
which everyone can succeed in eventually keeping the entire Torah!
This chapter contains the principles that are the tools with which
to perform this work and truly succeed in life. If you dedicate time
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
remaining good efforts will join together. They will be effective and In regard to all work in the service of Hashem, it is forbidden
bear fruit. You will succeed in winning the war and you will be able to leave these matters as beautiful ideas to be discussed at the
to prevail. Sabbath table, on the level of “Learn and receive reward.” Rather,
we must apply these matters in actuality, on the level of “Great is
First of All, Taste learning that leads to action.” As Rabbi Nachman of Breslov said,
“I have yearned a great deal to prompt everyone to engage in
deeds” (Sichot Haran 19). And so writes Rabbi Natan of Breslov in
You must note and be aware that these spiritual rules are not
theoretical. It is not my intention to present in-depth abstract his Alim Literufah: “For the sake of Hashem, you must know and