Limits to Excitement
„Excitement is good when it comes from time to time, but when it is frequent it loses its effect and produces a contrary effect.”From Rishon LeYafo, 53
In everything in life there must be a limit. Even for emotion. A person who lives all the time in intensities of evil becomes worn down and stops feeling. But also a person who lives in constant excitement wears down his ability to truly be moved. Rav Kook touches here on a very delicate point in the soul: excitement is a positive force, it drives us, opens the heart and elevates a person, but when it becomes a fixed habit, it loses its depth. Instead of building the person it weakens him, because there is no longer any difference between great moments and simple moments. In a world where everything is "amazing" and "exciting," nothing truly touches us anymore. Be moved, be excited, but above all be authentic.
From the community archive of Mishpetei HaRav Kook — studying Rav Kook's teachings since 2011.