L’Shem Shomayim
Ahavas Hashem b’chol levavecha, b’chol nafshecha, u’b’chol meodecha, would be impossible without kol ma’asecha yihiyu l’shem shomayim, b’chol d’rachecha da’eihu. With it, however, we can serve Hashem 24×7.Kol ma’asecha yihiyu l’shem shomayim is a necessary compliment to v’holachta b’derachav; without
Mishlei 3:6 – B’chol Derachecha Da’ei’hu
In everything that you perceive (wide / visible, like a derech), do it l’shem Shomayim, and then HKB”H will steer us clear from the pitfalls we can’t see (orach – narrow, not visible.)
Mishlei 3:4 – Chein. Bitachon & Hishtadlus.
1) Chein is middah k’neged middah for chessed; is a natural, not supernatural, reaction with other people. 2) Bitachon should be wholehearted. We often experience it incompletely, and only have complete bitachon when we feel helpless. We are obligated to
Mishlei 3:3 – Preoccupation With Chessed Ve’Emmes
Chessed – purely a benefaction; Emmes – repaying a kindness. Lists chessed first since that is limited in quantity, while emmes is limitless depending on the obligation. Bein adam lamakom: emmes is his own learning, chessed is teaching others as
Mishlei 3:1-2: Blessings from Involvement in Torah & Mitzvos
Should always be involved with, and therefore conscious of, Torah. When one pulls back from learning, the process of forgetting begins. The 3 gains in passuk 2 refer to Torah, mitzvos aseh, and mitzvos lo sa’aseh, mentioned in passuk 1.
Living a Religiously Authentic and Consistent Life in a Politically Correct and Diverse World
Avos 3:15 – 17
3:15 – In order to acquire a middah, one must exercise it repeatedly. Similarly, in order to retain a good middah one has already acquired, one must repeatedly practice it as well. The ability to change enables us to do
Mishlei 2:21 – Yesharim and Temimim
Yesharim: insightful people who can strategize. Temimim: not strategists. To go outside the middle is correct as a temporary corrective measure, and yesharim make use of it. Temimim don’t do it, seemingly because they don’t need it as they have
Mishlei 2:20 – Good Road and Righteous Path
Torah will put the person on the good path. A bad path has two fallouts – both the bad itself, and preventing involvement in good. Derech tovim – passive lifnim mishuras haDin – will be mochel. This is common. Orchos
Mishlei 2:19 – Inverse Relationship Between Pursuit of Chemda and Torah
A person who resolves to fulfill his tayvas compromises his ability and capacity to appreciate Torah. Chovos Halevavos: love of physical pleasure and love of Olam Haboh are mutually exclusive, they can’t fully coexist; to the degree that someone loves