I was told a story about my mentor, Rabbi Weiss, who had been collecting in the USA for his Yeshiva. When he returned to Europe, he was accused of evading the draft. He was to go on trial, and was heading for serious trouble (jail sentence, etc.). He came to his Rebbi all concerned. His Rebbi was an unusual Baal Bitachon, and told him the famous Passuk: עַ ד אָ נָה יְנַאֲ צֻנִ י הָ עָ ם הַ זֶּ ה וְעַ ד אָ נָה ֹא יַאֲ מִ ינוּ בִ י בְ כֹ ל הָ אֹ תוֹת אֲ שֶּ ר עָ שִ יתִ י בְ קִ רְ בוֹ לשלח יד יא After all Hashem has done for you, how dare you be afraid?! He told me that he put “blinders” on his eyes, and became a real Tamim, who is sure that Hashem will save him (he learns lots of Mussar on Bitachon). Sure enough, at the trial, the prosecutor decided to become his defense lawyer, and he was found not guilty!
True stories
Chaim G. hated his wife, and his constant criticism was almost uncontrollable. He was told to write down 100 of his own Maalos, and to spend at least an hour doing so. He was praised to high heaven, and that night he slept better than ever... and his opinion of his wife improved. He softened. *******
Moshe R. is living in a dysfunctional family situation. He has no control over his large family, and he hates the teachers who overcriticized him, and ruined his self-esteem. ********
He wrote down his Maalos (just like Chaim G.) and he also remarked that he hasn’t slept so well in months. Also, his anger has softened, and he isn’t busy accusing others as much. Notice how self-esteem turns you into a basic human, who can tackle his problems and smile and sleep well! Those who put lots of Kochos in working on this area have successful lives. It’s worth the investment, of a life-time self-esteem Mussar Seder, plus lots of Bitachon.
