אוֹ מוּסָ ר אוֹ יִתְיַיסֵר
How To Avoid Yissurim and Tzaros Especially These Days
In Novardok they said: אוֹ מוּסָ ר אוֹ יִתְיַיסֵר “Either learn Mussar, or suffer Yissurim. Mussar and Yissurim is the same word. When you learn Mussar, you should realize that you are escaping Yissurim. No trip to the hospital, Chas V'shalom, since you’re always learning Mussar. כְ שֶּ יֵש דִ ין לְ מַ טָּ ה אֵ ין דִ ין לְ מַ עֲ לָּ ה When you preempt and give yourself a Mussar Potch, then you are already Yotzei the Yissurim you may have had to receive.
Being M'chazek In Limud HaMussar Can Save You from Tzaros
R' Yerucham Zatzal said that anyone who learns Mussar has a completely different judgement in Shamayim. It would make sense that in these scary times, Rachana Litzlan, being M'chazek in Limud HaMussar can save you from Tzaros. A Novardoker who spread Mussar when he was alive, came to someone who did similar activities in a dream, and told him that because of what he did, he was Zoche to go almost immediately to his place in Gan Eden.
If a person would have any understanding of the horrific pain awaiting the average person after his death, he would jump to get involved in Mussar and save himself. The Mashgiach, R' Nosson Wachtfogel Zatzal spoke about the importance of learning lots of Mussar. When a certain person asked if for himself it would be a good idea to actually learn hours of Mussar daily, the Mashgiach told him: “Watch yourself. You might get indigestion”.
Yet, there were plenty of Baalei Mussar (especially Novardokers) and Chasidim who could learn even three hours daily Mussar or Chassidus, and they did very well and were happy people. You need a Rebbe who appreciates Mussar, and you need to have a colorful Geshmake Seder with variations, like changing Seforim, or getting involved in writing Hashgachos, or plans in Teshuva, or discussing ideas of Teshuva with friends.
Variety is the spice of life.
