1) One who has fallen and transgressed a particular sin multiple times, or even someone who has become a habitual sinner in regard to a particular sin, should not give up hope, as Teshuva is still possible to attain. (Rambam Hilchos Teshuva Perek 4:6)
One of the key tools the Yetzer Hara uses to prevent a person from doing Teshuva is causing the person to give up on themselves (Yiush); ignore the Yetzer Hara as Hashem never gives up on any Jew and indeed believes in every Jew, and so too no Jew should ever give up on themselves or stop believing in themselves. (See the powerful words of Rav Tzadok Hakohen from Lublin in Tzidkas HaTzadik Os 154. See also Peleh Yoetz; "Teshuva" and Chofetz Chaim in Taharas Yisroel Perek 10)
2) It is prohibited to think or say " I have no strength to stop doing this particular sin; it's already part of my nature", as if Hashem gives a person a particular Nisayon, no matter how impossible it seems to be, Hashem has also given him the tools necessary to choose properly and overcome it. (See introduction to Sefer Shmiras Halashon and Tomer Devorah Perek 4 and Sefer Chasidim Siman 162. See also Rambam Hilchos Teshuva Perek 5:1)
Even though sometimes it feels incredibly difficult or even impossible to overcome, a person must remember that the first few times he overcomes will be the most difficult, and after a while it will become more manageable as overcoming the sin will become part of his nature just as transgressing used to feel. (See Rashi Shmos 19:5 that "Kol Haschalos Kashos, it's always harder in the beginning")
Furthermore, it's important to remember that "L'Fum Tza'arah Agrah, the more difficult the Nisayon is, the more heavenly reward you get for overcoming it" (Mishna Pirkei Avos Perek 5:23. See also Avos D'Rav Nosson Perek 3:6 that one time with pain and difficulty is worth more to Hashem than one hundred times without pain and difficulty)
Reader's Question:
In your comment about honoring grandparents (in halachos of June 1 2010), how does the "din" apply to great grandparents?
Answer:
According to some Poskim the halacha of honoring grandparents extends to great grandparents as well as great great grandparents etc., while others maintain that the obligation does not apply to the fourth generation and above.
It is best to be stringent. (See Shvus Yaakov Vol. 2 Siman 94 and Vol. 1 Siman 173 , Mateh Efraim Hilchos Kadish Yasom and Shu"t Minchas Elozor Vol. 3 Siman 33) .
CHIZUK CORNER
This section is dedicated L'Ilui Nishmas the late Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Yaakov ben Rav Binyomin Moshe Stein Zatzal.
We will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO HalachaForToday@Gmail.com
THANK YOU AND תזכו למצות!
זכר צדיק וקדוש לברכה
Question:
Should a woman give up her life for her children or for her own career?
Answer by HaRav Avigdor Miller Zatzal:
Well, children are the career of a woman. The truth is, a woman has a career of her own. It's a big mistake to think, a woman is only a person who works in the house. A woman, when she does the things in her house and learns how to do it with the right Kavana, can become a tremendous Oived Hashem.
When she puts the food on the fire and she thinks, Ribono Shel Olam, I am doing Your will in order to feed a frum family. So Hakadosh Baruch Hu considers that Avodas Hashem, no less than bringing a Korban on a Mizbeiach. The Jewish table, the Shulchan, is a Mizbeiach, the Gemora says. Put kosher food on the table for your husband and your children. When you hand the bread, Nosain Lechem L'chol Bosor,you give the piece of bread to a child, your hand is the hand of Hashem; you think that.
If a woman learns to think noble thoughts, that she serves Hashem in all the things she's doing, she becomes Mamesh a Sheliach of Rachmono. No question about it. She can become as great as the biggest Tzadikim, the biggest, famous Rabbeim and Rosh Hayeshivos. In her way, if she utilizes the opportunities. With one condition, she has to think L'shem Shomayim.
When she's washing clothing, washing diapers for children, she is doing it for the service of Hakadosh Baruch Hu, and she gets a tremendous reward - no less than anybody else. If she sends her child to learn in the Cheder, she is the one who is learning. She sends her husband to learn in Yeshiva, she is a 100 percent partner. Noshim B'mai Kozachyin, she encourages her husband and children to learn, it's 100 percent her share.
So they have many opportunities to be Oived Hashem and Hakadosh Baruch Hu in Gan Eden will put them on a golden throne, not less than the throne of the biggest Tzadikim.
Important Numbers
