Thursday, February 12, 2015

Increasing Love and Being Truthful.







The holy Baal Shem Tov said. “In the book of Psalms compiled by King David it’s written, ‘G-d is your shadow’. In the same way a shadow acts exactly in line with the movements of the person, so too G-d acts according to the deeds of a person. If you bestow kindness and have mercy on the poor, G-d will impart kindness, and will have mercy on you.”

Rabbi Aryeh Levin once asked his grandson. “There are two types of people. Those who love truth, and those who despise falsehood. What’s the difference between them?”

The grandson thought for a moment and said, he didn’t see a difference.

Said Rabbi Aryeh. “The difference between the two, is like the distance between the opposite extremes, west to east. The one who loves truth (being real and genuine) finds the element of virtue, the kernel of real good, deep down in others, and can’t help but love him. And when he discovers the next day another element of truth and honesty, he will love him even more. His love for others, is always fortified.

On the other hand, the one who hates falsehood detects the lie in another and is put off from him. The next day he may find another element of falsehood and is distanced even more. At the end, he will totally hate that person. So in conclusion. The one who hates falsehood increases loathing and hatefulness. The one who loves truth, increases love.”

In the Midrash it is written. A person who is accustomed to lying in due course ends up under the guard of “the Angels of lies”. This Angel who accompanies this person doesn’t stop lying to this fellow. Fooling the person and being untruthful to him. Allowing the impression that good is bad and bad is good.

Rabbi YY Schneerson once said. “The problem with deceitfulness in this world is not so much that it exists. G-d created these elements of negativity so there could be choice for human beings to deserve and earn reward.

The frustration against untruthfulness, and the possibility of an appearance in this world which is untrue, is that it appears to be real and true, when in truth, it’s a thin covering over the real deal, which tricks and snares so many people.”

The Bible warns us to “distance ourselves” from falsehood, a cautionary statement not issued by any other indiscretion.   The signature of G-d is Truth. Falsehood is more ghastly than all other negative traits since it is a direct challenge against the truth of G-d Himself. One who speaks truth as difficult as it is, follows the path of G-d, and merits His blessings. One who chooses falsehood, invites upon himself conflict and pain, from the domain of, obscurity and ambiguity.

The Talmud related the following story. There was once a young man who, since his childhood, had always done as he pleased, no matter right or wrong. One day, feeling remorseful, he went to Rabbi Shimon and told him he wanted to take on a new and better path. Rabbi Shimon told him that all he had to do was watch himself from telling lies and he would be saved from transgression. "No problem," said the young man. Rabbi Shimon had him swear, and the young man went home.

Sometime later, the young man was in his neighbor's home and, not managing to control himself, stole some gold and silver. As he was leaving, he thought to himself, "What will I tell the neighbor when she asks about her possessions? If I deny taking them, it will be a lie, and what will be of my oath?" He then returned whatever he had stolen, and understood the wisdom of Rabbi Shimon.

Truth is the ultimate quality of the righteous.



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