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believe that when I write you new insights and homiletics, I do not And as a person engages in the work of the will on a fundamental We are all very familiar with the fact that in order to receive a
do so without purpose. Although such an insight itself is certainly level, he uses his will to contemplate that it is not food that gives university degree a person must spend a number of years learning
very precious, creating insights is not my purpose—only that you life. Rather, only Hashem gives life. He then acquires the simple and receiving training. A person with only a slight understanding
should proceed with all this and attempt to grow strong in faith that Hashem can give life even if he only eats a little. As the of healing is not called a doctor; a person with only a slight
applying all of this.” verse states, “The righteous man eats to satiate his appetite, but the understanding of law is not called a lawyer. A person must make
stomach of the wicked shall feel want” (Proverbs 13:25). A person a long-term investment, and only after he proceeds on the entire
Much has been written and said about the power of the will. who eats with faith and without cravings lives even with very little path does he receive his degree and title. In academic learning, not
But these words in themselves do not have the power to change food. But when a person eats because he is driven by cravings, then everyone is accepted into the program and not everyone receives
anything. That is because, if you do not dedicate time to want, even all the food in the world will not suffice to satiate his cravings, the title. And even a person who has a title will not necessarily find
everything will remain in the realm of theory. You must give the and he will always feel empty and lacking. work. But in the work of the will, everyone is equal and everyone
power of will the framework of a practice that is consistent, clear attains the goal! “Hashem is close to all who call out to Him” (Psalms
and well-paved. Therefore, it is important that whoever learns this Moreover, bear in mind that not only does overeating not give 145:18). Whoever commits himself to engage in a daily meeting
book accustom himself practically to the wondrous counsel of the life, but it diminishes a person’s life. This is well-known from the with the Creator of the world and does so steadily, every day, will
work of the will (as shall be discussed in the coming chapters). Then medical literature—principally, the book of the great leader of certainly receive the title, whoever he may be, and he will succeed
you will understand the secret of life in its length and breadth, in Israel, the Rambam, who was also the greatest of physicians: “A in being led until he reaches his place and his purpose.
its depth and height. person should not eat to such an extent that his belly is filled….
Most diseases that afflict a person result either from bad food or To Bring about a Change
In Summation from the fact that he fills his belly and eats in a coarse manner, even
if he eats good foods. This is in keeping with the statement that This is a point that is very important to internalize. Ask any
The first step on the road to serving Hashem is the Solomon made in his wisdom: ‘A person who guards his mouth person, “Do you want to know and keep the entire Torah?” He will
knowledge that all progress depends on work, and that and his tongue guards himself from troubles’ (Proverbs 21:23). That tell you, “Yes, certainly.” “Do you want a holy mouth, holy eyes,
everything depends on will. A person’s central choice is to refers to a person who guards his mouth from eating bad food or to be constantly joyful, to have good traits and be at peace? Do
engage in the work of the will. Therefore, the highest work from overeating, and [who guards] his tongue from speaking of you want to stop smoking?” Yes, certainly. Everyone wants these
in this life is the work of will. anything besides what is necessary…” (Mishneh Torah: Hilchot Dei’ot things. Then why doesn’t everyone succeed? There is a spiritual
4). And it is stated in Likutei Moharan I 257: “When a person eats principle, a spiritual law, that a person is led in the way that he
Therefore, dear reader, now that you have learned about more than he needs, that food harms him…. When he eats more wants to go. That law never changes! If so, why doesn’t everyone
the secret of life, apply these matters practically and devote than he needs, that food cannot receive vitality from him, since the succeed in learning and keeping the entire Torah? Why doesn’t
at least half an hour a day to the work of the will on just person does not need that food…. The food seeks vitality to give everyone attain all of the highest spiritual levels?
one issue, and you will see changes take place right before itself life, and it extracts the life force of that person, and in that
your eyes. way it harms him. As a result, even other foods join with it and Without a doubt, these people simply do not possess sufficient will.
harm him.” That is to say, either you receive life from food or the Every intention is important and precious, but not every intention
Hashem is with you, mighty warrior. Go forth with this food receives life from you. When you overeat, not only do you can bring about a change, because not every intent triggers the
power of yours and save the people of Israel! not receive life from the superfluous food, but even the food that spiritual principle that “in the way that a person wishes to go, he
you require harms you. is led.” In order to be led from heaven, a person must earn the
title of “wants.” And in order to attain that title, he must set aside
When we do the work of the will, we must strengthen ourselves time every day to apply his will. That is the point that we must
with an abundance of faith that only Hashem and not food grants understand and implement. That is the tool by means of which
life and happiness. As a result, we earn in multiple ways: we leave
everyone can be said to “want” and to be a “master of will.” Then
heaven leads him. As a result, he will truly change within. It makes