Jeering and Cheering

At times we may get upset and berate at ourselves for something we did. We knock ourselves with statements like, “I am so dumb for doing that.” What would be our response if it was someone else who did that? we must follow the principle, “Don’t do to yourself what you wouldn’t do to others.” Would you criticize a comrade if he gave a less than stellar speech? Would you think less of a friend if he didn’t score high on a test?

The Mishna tells us ןהוי מקבל את כל האדם בשמחה, receive every person cheerfully.

The wording כל האדם includes ourselves. That is to say, we must receive ourselves happily, even if we made a foolish mistake.