Becoming a well-digger

The Children of Israel are called eretz cheifetz,1 for they possess numerous “precious articles”2 in the love and fear of G-d, and in fine character traits. Bringing these traits to the surface depends entirely upon the individual stimulating them. It is clear that throughout the earth are wellsprings of living water; the difference between them is only that some are near the surface, others far. Everything therefore depends on the well-digger, his patience and perseverance.

Now since ratzon (“will”) is a superior faculty that “issues decrees,” rules over all the other faculties,* and compels them to act according to its orders – it follows that the essential avoda is to arouse one’s will to exercise its effect – both upon the person himself and upon others.