Thursday, May 27, 2010

Ah

The tzaddik Reb Yitzchok of Vorki once awoke in middle of the night and felt a desire to take a sniff of tobacco. While in bed, he was unable to reach the tobacco box and debated with himself whether to get up for it or not. If he would rise to get it, he would be giving the יצר הרע the opportunity of being able to convince him to fulfill his desires. Yet, if he would not get out of bed, he would still be giving into his יצר הרע by practicing laziness, a trait he might apply when serving Hashem. After weighing this in his mind, he decided, "I will get up and get the box, but I will not fulfill my desire to smell it."
(ילקוט ספורים)

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

When you pray with tears you unlock the heavenly gates; when you pray with joy there are no gates.