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must be a pillar of Torah, prayer and kindness. Why, then, is this testifies that the entire generation—with the exception of Caleb and To Fortify the Will
in actuality solely the level and inheritance of an elite few? The Joshua—needed to be reincarnated. That means that they did not
reason is not because it is hard to attain this; the reason is that only reach the ultimate level and rectification. And even a person who Know that the will is an awesome, infinite and transcendent
a few people know about the importance of the work of the will. does not understand about the rectifications of souls can understand Divine power. Everything begins and ends with the will. When a
Therefore, only a few work upon this most central and elevated from the Ari’s holy words that the people of that generation did person truly wants something, he will certainly succeed and attain
level. I call this “the secret of life” because only a few know of it. 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
Therefore, we must be aware that the essential virtue of reciting built the Temple, and the entire world would have been rectified. that will give the mighty power of will its practical expression and
prayer and psalms and of visiting the gravesites of the tzaddikim is revelation here in this world. A person’s work of clarifying his will,
that they all comprise golden opportunities for the work of 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
That is the time when the great King, the King of the world, invites to the most terrible behavior, to the lowest depths. If you open the requires a great many prayers until he attains such complete will
you to the house of His hidden treasures, and you may take as 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
much as you want. “As much as you want” can be read to mean: 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,”
in accordance with how much you want. You take an amount that who lusted after meat, the complainers, the sin of the spies, the kesef, is related to the word kisufin, “yearnings,” and so it is
corresponds to how many times you repeat and verbally express rebellion of Korach and his company—always a new instance of related to will. The secret of life is the wonderful work of
your intentions. Every time you express your will, you receive some small-mindedness, some heresy, some accusation, some fortifying the will until a person attains complete will.
redemption. We must be wise and utilize opportunities for proper ingratitude, some insolence—as though they were seeking excuses
service, and certainly not waste them on nonsense. 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 work of the will is not difficult. “The matter is very close the greatest among them, including the heads of the courts. What busy. Even when they listen to a Torah lesson and read material
to you, in your mouth and in your heart to do it” (Deuteronomy was going on? that inspires them deeply to change their lives, and they certainly
30:14). A person must have intention in his heart and express that want to apply what they have learned, they are dragged along by
intention with his mouth, in his own words. Everyone can do this. Fill Your Mind with Good the rush of life. After a Torah lesson, they talk with their friends
But corresponding to the importance of what is an easy and simple or run to go shopping, to do errands, then back home to the wife
service, a person’s evil inclination does everything to hide this This leads to one conclusion: the simple truth that must penetrate or husband, to the children, to work or to the yeshiva. Regardless
wondrous thing from him. Therefore, the will remains a secret to every person’s awareness: that without engaging in personal work, of what they may want, this intent is beyond them. They do not
the majority of people in the world. Even for those who know that 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
the central factor is the will, how to apply it remains a secret, and foundations of intent in the depth of their souls upon which they
so they remain far from doing so. How do we reveal this secret? of the Shechinah does not change a person, nor does learning will be able to build and progress? When will intent strike roots
Torah for decades in the presence of the greatest tzaddik. Even
How do we open the gate to the great treasure that is the will?
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
Invest a Little and You Will Receive without End 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?
Precious children of Israel, open your hearts so that the great they are beyond the possibility of being saved, beyond the ability
secret may be revealed to you. There is a simple exercise that has to make a meaningful choice, because true choice depends on a A person devotes his time to everything except to the central
the power to place the greatest power in the world—the power person doing the work of the will. Therefore, even a person whose element upon which his life depends. He has time for everything
of the will—in your hand. That is not my personal insight. This profession is Torah, a person who meditates in the Torah day and but himself…. Therefore, a person who truly wants to change must
has been the way of all the tzaddikim, who reached awesome, night, must dedicate time to the work of the will. If he does not devote special time to the work of the will!
transcendent levels with the power of their will.