Sunday, December 17, 2017

Let Your Yetzer Hatov Loose!

The pasuk forbids us from having גאוה when it says ורם לבבך  - [lest] your hearts become elevated. Note: The pasuk dosn't say "לבך" but "לבבך" implying that there are TWO HEARTS. Two hearts is romantic for Valentine's day but not a good recipe for good health. So we know that the double "ב" refers to the יצר הטוב ויצר הרע as in the pasuk ואהבת את ה' בכל לבבך - Love Hashem with all of your heart, which is interpreted by Chazal as "with your two יצר's. The יצר הטוב and יצר הרע".  

Here, the problem is when one elevates BOTH hearts - the יצר הרע as well. But no - the יצר הרע must be kept at bay. [Like, send it away to San Fransisco to the Bay Area]. But the יצר הטוב SHOULD be elevated, as the pasuk says ויגבה לבו בדרכי השם - One should elevate his heart in the path of Hashem. When it comes to doing good - believe in yourself and let your soul soar. 

So ורם לבבך - No!! But ורם לבך - YES! 

[עפ"י רזי לי י"ח עמ' רכ"א]