A Well in the Soul
“And Isaac's servants dug in the valley, and they found there a well of living waters.” (Genesis 26:19)
In every Jew there is a “well of living waters,” but at times it is covered with stones and mud. The verse teaches us that we must remove the coverings, to dig within, and dedicate ourselves to our fellow until we reach the living waters and reveal them.
(the Rebbe)
Gold Remains Gold
A Jew is like a gold coin—even if it rusts or becomes filthy with mud, it still remains a gold coin. One must wash it and polish it, and then its beauty will return.
(Rabbi Mordechai of Malchovitz)
Lifting the Tefillin
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev said: Master of the Universe, the Jewish people are the tefillin on Your head. When the tefillin of a simple Jew fall to the ground, he immediately lifts them carefully, cleans them, and kisses them. And You, Master of the Universe—Your tefillin have fallen to the ground; why do You not lift them?
Beyond all Impurity
[A Jew’s] day begins with Modeh Ani. This is recited before washing negelvasser (the ritual washing of hands) even though one’s hands are impure, for there is no impurity in the world that can taint a Jew’s Modeh Ani, [his grateful acknowledgment of G‑d]. He may lack this or that [detail in his service of Hashem], but his Modeh Ani remains intact.
(HaYom Yom, 11th of Shevat)
