"Spiritual Physics" \ Day 5 \ 30 Days to Teshuvah
"(1) The easier it is for a person to refrain from a misdeed, the stronger the consequences will be if he does not...(2) Let a person compare the maximum effort one is liable to make to observe the Torah, to the consequences of non-observance. It is obvious that the consequences of non-observance will be far more difficult to bear than the difficulty of resisting the misdeed. (3) Moreover, one should consider that there are many difficult situations that are even more challenging than his -- and those enduring such difficulties are still obligated to observe the Torah" (Ohr Yisrael, Letter Six).
Are there concrete examples of how we can apply these axioms to improve our Torah observance?
Axiom 1: "The easier it is for a person to refrain from a misdeed, the stronger the consequences will be if he does not."
For instance, a person must set daily times for Torah study. On Shabbos, when one does not work, it is "easy" to set aside time for Torah study. Therefore, there are greater consequences if one does not study Torah on Shabbos, than if one does not study on a weekday.
Axiom 2: "Let a person compare the maximum effort one is liable to make to observe the Torah, to the consequences of non-observance. It is obvious that the consequences of non-observance will be far more difficult to bear than the difficulty of resisting the misdeed."
For instance, if you are among a group of people who are speaking Loshon Hora (slander), it is "hard" not to join in the discussion. However, the consequences of speaking Loshon Hora will be greater than the effort required to control yourself.
Axiom 3: "Moreover, one should consider that there are many difficult situations that are even more challenging than his -- and those enduring such difficulties are still obligated to observe the Torah"
For instance, he feels he is exempt from giving charity because he has many other financial obligations. However, he should realize the Torah obligates people who are less fortunate than him to give charity and they do.
Tip -- A periodic review of these axioms will inspire you to fulfill the precepts of the Torah, or at least the "easy" ones.
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