SF -- As Long as the Candle is Burning

quinta-feira, 4 de janeiro de 2024

SF -- As Long as the Candle is Burning

״As long as the candle is burning it is still possible to repair."

Once, as Rabbi Yisrael Salanter was returing home very late at night, he noticed that the shoemaker was still at work. Rabbi Yisrael asked him, "Why are you working so late at night?" The shoemaker replied, "״As long as the candle is burning it is still possible to repair." Rabbi Yisrael gleaned a powerful spiritual message from the simple words of the shoemaker. A burning candle represents the light of the soul. As long as the soul of man is still alive in this world it is still possible for man to improve himself. The purpose of life is character development. Therefore every waking moment of the day is an opportunity for us to repair our character.

Character rectification is not an impossible task. All it takes is effort. As long as we are alive our effort to improve ourselves will bear fruit.

Reflect on the shoemaker's words: "As long as the candle is burning it is still possible to repair."Set for yourself a daily time to study Mussar or contemplate on personal growth.Be encouraged by knowing that as long as you are alive you can repair your character traits, just a little more, each and every day.

(Based on the Letter of the Ramban)