Sublime

Asked about the highest level a person can achieve in this lifetime, Rabbi Abraham Isaiah Karelitz (Hazon Ish, 1878–1953) is purported to have responded: “To live seventy years without hurting another person.”

Speaking instead of striking is putting request and faith above force. Because these sins were not rectified, our task now is to toil in perpetual perplexity, trying to create our own space of pure permission, understanding, and peace. This is only achieved by finding the good, by learning, and by strengthening our emunah, drawing ourselves closer

Whereas logic and intellect hinder bitachon, simple emuna is ever so conducive to total bitachon, when a person leans entirely on Hashem.

It’s written in Talmud Brachot, “Let my soul be like earth to everyone.”15 Everyone treads on the earth and destroys it to an extent; yet the earth remains in its humble state and continues to provide nourishment, food, drink, gold, silver and precious stones. Rabbeinu teaches that in the case of the enemy that may oppose us or treat us poorly, we

and guides us in valuing what is difficult, what is different

May I have the understanding to cherish the journey and care for it with all my heart. —