{"id":1073978,"date":"2020-05-20T13:48:11","date_gmt":"2020-05-20T13:48:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/%d7%9c%d7%9c%d7%90-%d7%a7%d7%98%d7%92%d7%95%d7%a8%d7%99%d7%94\/where-there-is-a-will-there-is-a-way\/"},"modified":"2024-07-07T14:04:06","modified_gmt":"2024-07-07T11:04:06","slug":"where-there-is-a-will-there-is-a-way","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/1073978\/","title":{"rendered":"Where There is a Will, There is a Way – A New Light"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

A New Light<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span> by Rabbi Shalom Arush is a book that has changed my life. I hope to <\/span><\/span>provide <\/span><\/span>summaries of individual chapters  to  <\/span><\/span>highlight<\/span><\/span>  major  <\/span><\/span>teachings  <\/span><\/span>and  encourage others to read the book in detail.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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 <\/p>\n

In chapter 2 the Rav discusses the concept of <\/span><\/span>\u201c<\/span><\/span>the bread of embarrassment.<\/span><\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>B<\/span><\/span>efore coming into <\/span><\/span>this world<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>our souls are <\/span><\/span>very close to Hashem and bask<\/span><\/span> in the light of <\/span><\/span>His<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>r<\/span><\/span>adiance. However, <\/span><\/span>our souls are <\/span><\/span>uncomfortable because this supreme delight <\/span><\/span>has <\/span><\/span>not been earned.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>
 <\/span><\/span>
Therefore, Hashem sends us into this world where <\/span><\/span>H<\/span><\/span>is presence is concealed. This concealment is <\/span><\/span>the basis<\/span><\/span> of free will. By working to discover and come close to Hashem in this world of <\/span><\/span>d<\/span><\/span>arkness<\/span><\/span>, confusion and t<\/span><\/span>emptation, we <\/span><\/span>earn<\/span><\/span> our reward<\/span><\/span> and make it infinitely <\/span><\/span>more satisfying.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

We must be aware that everything we have as well as everything that we lack is part of a perfectly calibrated package aimed at giving us free will in accordance with our individual <\/span><\/span>m<\/span><\/span>ission and soul <\/span><\/span>correction. The<\/span><\/span> Creator knows that choosing Him in <\/span><\/span>these <\/span><\/span>circumstances<\/span><\/span> is difficult<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span> but this is exactly what makes it meritorious.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>
 <\/span><\/span>
Hashem does not receive<\/span><\/span> gratification from <\/span><\/span>a<\/span><\/span>ngels<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>They <\/span><\/span>serve him with great reverence and trepidation<\/span><\/span> but they lack free choice<\/span><\/span>. Rather<\/span><\/span>, G-d<\/span><\/span> receives gratification from human beings who must struggle with an evil inclination and serve him despite <\/span><\/span>great <\/span><\/span>obstacles.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>
 <\/span><\/span>
Everyone<\/span><\/span> has <\/span><\/span>a challenging issue<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>where he struggles greatly<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Don\u2019t be discouraged! <\/span><\/span>This is precisely the reason you were sent into this world and <\/span><\/span>it <\/span><\/span>is the core of <\/span><\/span>your<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>s<\/span><\/span>oul correction.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>
 <\/span><\/span>
A key principle is that even if a person is unable to <\/span><\/span>succeed to do something good in practice<\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>in <\/span><\/span>Heaven<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>it is considered<\/span><\/span> as if he did <\/span><\/span>succeed to do it, <\/span><\/span>as long as he <\/span><\/span>yearns <\/span><\/span>to do so<\/span><\/span> and<\/span><\/span> makes a sincere attempt. Rabbi <\/span><\/span>A<\/span><\/span>rush <\/span><\/span>cites Gemara Berachos<\/span><\/span> 6B that if a person intends to perform a <\/span><\/span>m<\/span><\/span>itzvah but was thwarted, Hashem considers it as if <\/span><\/span>he<\/span><\/span> did it.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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 <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Another fundamental principle <\/span><\/span>stressed by Rabbi Arush<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>citing<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Makkos 10B<\/span><\/span> is that <\/span><\/span>in the way a person wishes to go, he is <\/span><\/span>l<\/span><\/span>ed. <\/span><\/span>He explains that <\/span><\/span>if there are matters in serving <\/span><\/span>Hashem that<\/span><\/span> you cannot accomplish, you must first of all <\/span><\/span>want to accomplish them<\/span><\/span>. As a result, you will<\/span><\/span> attain two things. First<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span> your<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>true desire <\/span><\/span>will be considered like action. <\/span><\/span>S<\/span><\/span>econd<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span> you will eventually be able to accomplish everything that you want to, because you will be led in the way that you wish to go. This is the case even if you do not presently see how<\/span><\/span> th<\/span><\/span>is<\/span><\/span> is possible. <\/span><\/span>G-d<\/span><\/span> is all-powerful <\/span><\/span>– H<\/span><\/span>e can <\/span><\/span>help you<\/span><\/span> attain everything that you truly want.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>
 <\/span><\/span>
Rabbi Arush cites multiple<\/span><\/span> sources <\/span><\/span>to<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>highlight<\/span><\/span> these fundamental concepts. For example<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>our Sages say that<\/span><\/span> someone <\/span><\/span>who learns about the sacrifices receives reward<\/span><\/span> because he wants to <\/span><\/span>perform them properly, even though he is unable since the Holy Temple is still not rebuilt<\/span><\/span>. Learning in order to do means <\/span><\/span>that <\/span><\/span>a person learns with the <\/span><\/span>intention or desire to fulfill. L<\/span><\/span>earning Torah <\/span><\/span>is meant <\/span><\/span>to arouse our <\/span><\/span>desire to fulfill it, and perfect our character in the process<\/span><\/span>. <\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

 <\/span><\/span>
By this time you may be thinking: <\/span><\/span>\u201c<\/span><\/span>M<\/span><\/span>aybe all I need to do is want <\/span><\/span>to do something worthwhile <\/span><\/span>and then sit back and relax.<\/span><\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Rabbi Arush<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>quashes<\/span><\/span> this <\/span><\/span>no<\/span><\/span>tion. <\/span><\/span>We have to do our best and try to fulfill <\/span><\/span>our<\/span><\/span> will. <\/span><\/span>The most important thing we must do it pray for it! And we must also <\/span><\/span>strive to do it. <\/span><\/span>However,<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>once we <\/span><\/span>increase our <\/span><\/span>desire and <\/span><\/span>really <\/span><\/span>give it our best shot<\/span><\/span>, then<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>we are rewarded for that desire whatever the final results. <\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>
 <\/span><\/span>
A person can have many <\/span><\/span>excuses for why<\/span><\/span> he did not succeed in life, but he cannot have any <\/span><\/span>excuse<\/span><\/span> for why he d<\/span><\/span>id not want to succeed, because<\/span><\/span> the power of will is always free.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>In a nutshell, o<\/span><\/span>ur job is <\/span><\/span>to have rock-hard will and a desire to succeed in everything holy,  <\/span><\/span>and  <\/span><\/span>then  <\/span><\/span>do <\/span><\/span>as much as <\/span><\/span>we can.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>
 <\/span><\/span>
A person <\/span><\/span>must <\/span><\/span>strive to <\/span><\/span>know what Ha<\/span><\/span>s<\/span><\/span>hem wants and want it himself.<\/span><\/span> S<\/span><\/span>imilarly<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span> he must <\/span><\/span>learn<\/span><\/span> what Hashem does not want and not want it <\/span><\/span>himself.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>
 <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

T<\/span><\/span>he principle<\/span><\/span> question to a person is<\/span><\/span>: W<\/span><\/span>hy didn’t you want<\/span><\/span> it<\/span><\/span>? <\/span><\/span>W<\/span><\/span>anting is something that is up to  <\/span><\/span>you<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>  Who can stop <\/span><\/span>you<\/span><\/span>? <\/span><\/span>Therefore, the  key  <\/span><\/span>element<\/span><\/span>  of  <\/span><\/span>Heavenly  <\/span><\/span>judgement  <\/span><\/span>concerns<\/span><\/span>  a <\/span><\/span>person\u2019s  <\/span><\/span>will<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>
 <\/span><\/span>
T<\/span><\/span>his<\/span><\/span> reminds me of an uplifting teaching that <\/span><\/span>Rabbi<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Arush<\/span><\/span> conveys in The G<\/span><\/span><\/span>arden of Purity<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span>. He explains<\/span><\/span> that Hashem doesn’t judge<\/span><\/span> us according <\/span><\/span>to <\/span><\/span>where<\/span><\/span> we are but <\/span><\/span>rather <\/span><\/span>where <\/span><\/span>we want to be<\/span><\/span>. This should give each of us great joy and encouragement.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>
 <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

God knows that it takes time for a pe<\/span><\/span>rson to rectify his deeds. But H<\/span><\/span>e tells the person <\/span><\/span>\u201c<\/span><\/span>although you have not yet completely rectified your <\/span><\/span>d<\/span><\/span>eeds, you <\/span><\/span>want<\/span><\/span> to<\/span><\/span>!<\/span><\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>T<\/span><\/span>herefore<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span> the person is judged favorably in accordance with his intent<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>
 <\/span><\/span>
Rabbi <\/span><\/span>Arush<\/span><\/span> explains <\/span><\/span>that <\/span><\/span>we <\/span><\/span>can accomplish great things <\/span><\/span>if <\/span><\/span>we really want<\/span><\/span> to. T<\/span><\/span>his means that in many instances <\/span><\/span>when <\/span><\/span>a person<\/span><\/span> says he cannot do something<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span> the truth is <\/span><\/span>that <\/span><\/span>he does <\/span><\/span>truly <\/span><\/span>not want to do it<\/span><\/span> enough<\/span><\/span>. <\/span><\/span>He cites a great <\/span><\/span>phrase that<\/span><\/span> he learned in the army:<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>\u201c<\/span><\/span>\u2018<\/span><\/span>I can’t<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> is the first cousin <\/span><\/span>of<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>\u2018<\/span><\/span>I don’t want to.<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>A person<\/span><\/span> who doesn’t even try is really deceiving himself, because <\/span><\/span>if you really want to do something \u2013 you do it!<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>
 <\/span><\/span>
Rabbi <\/span><\/span>Arush<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>discusses<\/span><\/span> this principle at length in order to inspire us to <\/span><\/span>believe in, and <\/span><\/span>utilize<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span> our abilities. In most cases, when a person applies even a little bit of will, he can find solutions to every obstacle and difficulty, and he receives the strength <\/span><\/span>and<\/span><\/span> energy to do everything he needs to do.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>
 <\/span><\/span>
J<\/span><\/span>udgments do not <\/span><\/span>only <\/span><\/span>affect us when we go to the next world<\/span><\/span>. A<\/span><\/span> person is judged every day and every moment<\/span><\/span> in this world<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Therefore,<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>our<\/span><\/span> intent determines what kind of life <\/span><\/span>we<\/span><\/span> live<\/span><\/span>;<\/span><\/span> a life of comfort<\/span><\/span> or suffering, <\/span><\/span>a<\/span><\/span> life of frustration and bitterness or of joy, a life of feeling bad or feeling <\/span><\/span>good. The<\/span><\/span> most extraordinar<\/span><\/span>y tool to sweeten any judgement<\/span><\/span> is <\/span><\/span>simply <\/span><\/span>our<\/span><\/span> WILL<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>
 <\/span><\/span>
Rabbi Arush ends<\/span><\/span> the chapter with an amazing quote from <\/span><\/span>Shem <\/span><\/span>Mish<\/span><\/span>uel<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/strong>l<\/strong> in <\/span><\/span>the name of his father the Avnei<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Nezer<\/span><\/span>:<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\u201c<\/span><\/span>I<\/span><\/span>f a person <\/span><\/span>yearns<\/span><\/span> to support Torah and <\/span><\/span>mitzvot<\/span><\/span>, it is impossible that he will end up in <\/span><\/span>Gehinnom<\/span><\/span> (Hell)<\/span><\/span>. Even if he descends there, he will immediately dart up like an arrow from a bow, because after a person\u2019s death he is drawn to the place that he yearned for while he <\/span><\/span>was alive.\u201d<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A New Light by Rabbi Shalom Arush is a book that has changed my life. I hope to provide summaries of individual chapters  to  highlight  major  teachings  and  encourage others to read the book in detail.    In chapter 2 the Rav discusses the concept of \u201cthe bread of embarrassment.\u201d Before coming into this world, our souls are very close to Hashem and … Continue reading “Where There is a Will, There is a Way – A New Light”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":62109,"featured_media":1073979,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[15186],"tags":[24828,19917,21720],"author_post":[15855],"new_serie":[86774],"class_list":["post-1073978","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-spiritual-growth","tag-desire","tag-tikkun","tag-ratzon","author_post-dennis-rosen","new_serie-if-theres-a-will-theres-a-way"],"acf":{"intro_text":"

A person can have many excuses for why he did not succeed in life, but he cannot have any excuse for why he did not want to succeed...<\/p>\n","special_content_in_the_post":"none","meta_title":"Where There is a Will, There is a Way","meta_description":"A person can have many excuses for why he did not succeed in life, but he cannot have any excuse for why he did not want to succeed...","paragraph_first":"","paragraph_second":"","youtube":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1073978","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/62109"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1073978"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1073978\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1073979"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1073978"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1073978"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1073978"},{"taxonomy":"author_post","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/author_post?post=1073978"},{"taxonomy":"new_serie","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/new_serie?post=1073978"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}