1 September 2012 · A sentence from the teachings of Rav Kook

„One must be very careful of sadness, but not to such a great degree t…”

„One must be very careful of sadness, but not to such a great degree that it prevents the light of repentance from penetrating into the depth of the soul; for then the sadness spreads like a malignant illness through all the extremities of the body and soul, because sin grieves the heart and causes sadness to become entrenched upon the burning bitterness of the flame of repentance, which even...”

Sadness is a terrible and dreadful illness. When it attacks us it can destroy every good portion, and one must be very, very careful of it.

But, like everything, we must know how to take from every situation in life its positive side, and even sadness has such a side.

Sadness, or a broken heart (as Rabbi Nachman of Breslov speaks of it), creates in a person the ability to open and to be opened, to know himself better and to reach higher places. Sadness, when a person knows how to manage it, can create a positive movement.

Therefore, on one hand we must be in joy and be very careful of sadness. And on the other hand, if sadness has already taken up residence with us, then it is possible to be joyful (...) since there is good in it — from this place we can create ourselves, elevate ourselves, and become better.

A good week.

In memory of Michael ben David.