by Rabbi Yoseph Kahanov Shliach to Jacksonville, FL
A Peak into the Human Psyche
Like it or not, we are each engaged in a battle against our own set of mean genes. They are wily opponents too. Masters of the visceral, they control through satisfaction, pain, and pleasure. -(Dr.’s Terry Burnham and Jay Phelan, Mean Genes)
Destroy man’s desire to sin, our sages tell us, and you would destroy the world. Not that anyone needs to sin. But one who lacks the desire to sin is not a citizen of this world. And without citizens, who will effect lasting change? -(Tzvi Freeman)
As a child, Reb Herschel of Krakow was once scolded by his father for not arising early for prayer service. “I can’t help it,” complained the boy. “It’s that yetzer hara of mine. It keeps telling me to turn over and go back to sleep – that it’s too early to awake.”
“But Heschele,” countered the father, “don’t you see? The yetzer hara is just doing his job. The yetzer hara is an angel created by G-d with the assignment to divert people from observing His will. You ought to be smart enough to do as he does, not as he says. Next time the yetzer hara entices you to stay in bed, tell yourself: ‘Aha! He’s at it again – he’s up bright and early fulfilling his duty. I too have a mission; I must get out of bed quickly to get on with my task as well.’”
“Oh father,” retorted the child with a twinkle in his eye, “you make it sound so simple. But since when does the yetzer hara have to contend with a yetzer hara that tries to stop him of his assignment? Perhaps that’s why he is so efficient. I, on the other hand…”
