| Late one night, as Rabbi Yisrael Salanter—the father of the Mussar movement—was walking home, he noticed a faint light flickering in a basement window. It was the local shoemaker, still hunched over his bench long after the rest of the town had gone to sleep. Curious, the Rabbi leaned in and asked, "My friend, why are you still working? It is so late, and your candle is nearly spent." Without looking up, the shoemaker replied with a simple truth that would echo through Jewish history: "As long as the candle is burning, it is still possible to repair."
The Spiritual Revelation
Rabbi Salanter was deeply moved. He realized that this was not just a statement about leather and thread, but a profound metaphor for the human condition. - The Candle: Represents the Ner Hashem—the soul of man.
- The Repair: Represents Tikkun Middot—the rectification of our character and the mending of our spiritual "garments."
As long as the "candle" of life flickers within us, no matter how late the hour or how worn our spirit may feel, we have the capacity to mend our ways. In the eyes of the Creator, there is no such thing as "too late" or "too broken."
The Lesson: Effort Over Perfection
Character rectification is not a daunting, impossible task reserved for the elite. It is the work of a lifetime, built one "stitch" at a time. The Ramban, in his famous letter, teaches us that humility and constant self-reflection are the keys to this repair. As long as we breathe, our efforts to refine our patience, our speech, and our kindness will always bear fruit.
Reflection & Action - Embrace the Whisper: Listen to that internal צִקּוֹן (whispered prayer) that yearns for growth.
- Daily Dedication: Carve out a "sacred window" of time each day—even just five minutes—to study Mussar or engage in quiet contemplation.
- Persistence: Be encouraged. Each day is a fresh "wick." No matter what happened yesterday, today the candle is burning, and you have the power to repair.
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Life Advice – עצת חיים
You are welcome to ask any question and receive a personal, private response from Rabbi Zvi Miller.
Please email: salantorg@gmail.com | 
