RSRH Zatzal says that every human being has to view his fellow human as a brother, since they are both a Tzelem Elokim, and they need to respect each other as being appointed by Hashem as His representative to protect and rule over the whole world down to its lowest creature in accordance with His Divine will.
We respect each other’s Nefesh, and we realize that all humans breathe the spirit of Hashem. We are all the “holiest” and “highest” of all earthly creatures, and we have a responsibility towards each other. If one human takes away even a precious tiny second of another person by killing him, then he has to answer to Hashem, and he is in lots of trouble, Rachmana Litzlan.
Even the most miserable human being is sacred to Hashem. In Slabodka they said about a Tzelem Elokim: מַה נוֹרָא הַמָקוֹם הַזֶה וְאָנֹכִי לֹא יָדָעְתִי - We have no idea how great and noble we all are. We are influenced by the wicked Amalek who plays down everything, and makes dangerous “jokes” about the reality of human existence.
Every person should truly be in awe of his own greatness, and the more he is involved in these concepts, the more he Shteigs. For good reason, Slabodka produced so many Gedolei Yisroel, like R’ Shach, R’ Ahron Kotler, R’ Yaakov Kamenetzky, R’ Hutner, R’ Ruderman, etc. When you’re always talking about greatness, then you become great.
You Are Affected by The Topics You Talk About
You don’t realize how talking about being a Tzelem Elokim, and about becoming great, and “taking over the world” affects you. It lifts you up, and gets you to aspire and grow. Talking in Torah & Chesed, Emuna & Bitachon, and about your Maalos also affects your Romemus level. But talking Stam: רֹבָ דְים לֹטֵבְים prattling without any Tachlis can bring you down (unless it relaxes you).
Talking Lashon Hara and politics makes a person cheap. Talking too often about your problems, and about your sins and mistakes, are also to be avoided. Talking about your accomplishments and goals can be very healthy and uplifting.
There was a time when speaking about your shortcomings and mistakes was a Ma'ala and a sign of humility. But today, it may often be the source of your depression and Shiflus and inability to become the great person that you truly are but are not aware of, since the Yetzer Hara keeps coaxing you to keep downgrading yourself with Anava P'sula (misplaced humility)!
There was time when boasting and discussing your Maalos and accomplishments was a sign of arrogance and Ga'ava. But these days, talking about your positive qualities and accomplishments may be very helpful in inspiring you to be a Tzaddik and a successful person. Make sure you have a Rebbe to guide you, and use your Sechel.
What can be a great Mitzva for some, can be a poisonous sin to others. Times are different, and people are changing. Your true Avodas Hashem can be very different than you think, and you may have a holy duty to do things that appear evil to you, but are really a Mitzva and your only chance for survival.
The Alter from Slabodka Zatzal could sometimes be very mean and tough to his most beloved students. But if he felt that he had a Negi'a and a possible Sin'as Chinam to a certain Talmid, then he would never give him the tough treatment, even if it was much needed.
A: אנֵוֹש (enemy) is: פָסוּל לְתוּדעֵ disqualified to testify, even if he speaks the truth; we don’t trust him, no matter what. If a person dislikes himself (which is extremely common these days) then it may be a grave sin for him to have ANY criticism on himself. As true as it may be, he is: נוֹעַגֵ biased, and he is Passul.
