Quotes From Jewish Mysticism

 

Letter From The Rebbe 13 Iyar Lag B’omer

TRUE SUCCESS

Success is when we are continually advancing.

RESPECTING

There is a well know story that the disciples of Rabbi Akiva (24,000) were punished with a plague as they didn’t respect one another.

 

Now as they were disciples of Rabbi Akivah, it makes no sense to say that this was random.

 

In other words, following their great master and teacher which resulted in their Judaic activities – however as all people are by nature predisposed to differences, hence some serve God from fear, others love, others out of Kabalos Oil (obedience etc.)

 

However in continuation with the masters teaching, to “love everyone as yourself” (which he said is the most important principle) they wished for the others to likewise advance.

 

However their mistake was that as they were predisposed to what they thought was right, hence when they saw another, instead of judging them as having a genuine path (albeit not their path) they couldn’t afford them the respect that students of Rabbi Akiva deserve.

 

This teaches a mightily profound lesson, for as another serves not in the way you think is the way – truth means not that you God-forbid belittle them (obviously not in words, but even) in your mind – rather truth means, that you understand all people are individuals, created with their predispositions.

 

As such, even a person who is a “bum,” such a person too must be accorded the highest honor – for it would be safe to assume that it is his circumstances – lack of knowledge – etc. that has caused this.