[Avodah] A Reminder for All of Us

[Richard Wolpoe]

On Tue, May 20, 2008 at 12:32 PM, <cantorwolberg at cox.net> wrote:

> The following is an appropriate quote during Sefira and right before
> Lag B'Omer:   The Gerer Rebbe said: "When one learns the Torah, prays much
> and begins to think 'I am truly pious: I overlook nothing in the performance
> of my mitzvot,' such a person transgresses the mitzvah: "Do not be seduced
> by your heart nor led astray by your eyes.' Let such people look at the
> Tzitzis and be reminded who they are."
>
> During Sefirah we are obviously in a period of semi-mourning. I must say
> that because of a few (fortunately, only a very few) of our colleagues have
> sent me very insulting and hurtful comments. Not that they would care, but
> this has caused me "mourning."  I'm mourning the sinas chinom which has
> persisted throughout the ages and unfortunately doesn't seem to abate.
>
> I sincerely thank those of you who have offset some of the cruel remarks
> sent me.  For you the term Rachmonim b'nei Rachmonim truly exists.
>
> Kol tuv.
> ri


The problem with the Talmiddim of Rabbi Akiva is that they lacked respect
for each other.
Now there are 2 possibilities:

   1. That we have learned our lesson and that we  DO RESPECT each other -
   2. Or we are back to square one

Unfortunately for many the pop-psychology book* I'm OK You're OK* nailed the
concept that dissing others is a sure sign one lacks self-respect.  This is
a form of psychological projection and has been articulated by Hazl as "kol
hapoesil - bemumo poseil" so that modern pop-psychology can often be trace
to Talmudic wisdom . This one does not require any kvetching to pull it off.

Erich Fromm put it this way V'ahavt leric'acha kamocha pre-supposes
self-love. [*The Art of Loving*].  Let's alter the term to self-respect or
perhaps better self-acceptance. One who accepts oneself is unlikely to
reject others [unless perhaps they are thoroughly evil]


-- 
Kol Tuv / Best Regards,
RabbiRichWolpoe at Gmail.com
see: http://nishmablog.blogspot.com/
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