Questions To Rabbi Mandel
Taking On Extra Measures in Ruchaniyus
Question: Rabbi Mandel keeps on speaking about the fact that we are all normal, and in our Dor, we should just be happy and have Bitachon. But if we are stuck being happy with who we are, how can we grow in our Yiras Shamayim? Shouldn’t we always be attempting to take on extra measures in Ruchaniyus?
Answer: Everyone is different. Some people are indeed able to focus on Yiras Shamayim and adding Chumros. There are others, however, who need to change their “religion” radically. I heard that R' Shlomo Wolbe Zatzal told a number of people that he forbids them to make a Cheshbon HaNefesh. And in the name of R' Don Segal Shlita, I heard that for some people, if they look back in their lives and start making a Cheshbon HaNefesh, they can turn into a: נְצִיב מֶלַח (pillar of salt). There are Rabbeim who don’t allow learning the regular Mussar Seforim for their Talmidim; they warn them: “Take it easy, you are going to hurt yourself”. Their point is that for many people, it is not good to be too heavy.
And for those for whom it won't hurt if they get involved a little, there is a word of caution for this whole business. Chazal say that a person needs: קַב חוּמְטִין שבת לא א a “Kav” (a small measurement) of “Chumtin” (a type of preservative, which is a Mashal that every person needs a small dose of Yiras Shamayim). Take a little, but go slow, with small dosages. The main dosages need to be in strengthening your Bitachon and having a (true) good time in this world. That is what needs to dominate the person, especially in this day and age, about which Chazal say: א ין ל נוּ עַל מִ י לְהִש ע ן אֶ ל א עַל א בִינוּ שֶבַש מ יִם We cannot rely on anyone, other than our loving Father in Shamayim.
You have to work on being close to Hashem, and by Hashem it says: עֹז וְחֶדְ ו ה בִמְקוֹמוֹ דהי"א טו כז When you are with Hashem, you are full of strength and happiness. So make Chumros in Bitachon; that’s better than Chumros in other areas. Make Chumros in not worrying. Make Chumros in making sure you are relaxing more. Make Chumros in laughing more often. Be Machmir in chilling out.
You can submit your questions to Rabbi Mandel by emailing them to [email protected]
