Profound Teachings from Rabbi Tzadok HaKohen of Lublin That Can Transform Your Soul

The eve of the 9th of Elul, is the yahrzeit (anniversary of passing) of Rabbi Tzadok HaKohen of Lublin. In his sefer Tzidkat HaTzadik, Rabbi Tzadok offers profound and comforting insights for living a life of inner peace. Following is a small selection of his essential teachings:

1. Regret for your sins? You’ve already been forgiven.

Rabbi Tzadok teaches that the emotional anguish a person feels for their sins atones for them: "The sorrow a person feels over a sin is itself like the suffering of Gehinnom (soul purification) for that sin. Therefore, our sages said, 'One who is ashamed of his sin is forgiven'- for he has already endured its punishment."

2. Even sins are part of G-d's will.

"The essence of teshuvah is reaching the awareness that even your transgressions were part of G-d's will."

3. Everything that happens is Divine will. 

"When one reaches the deep light of this realization- that even his sins were not outside G-d’s knowledge and will- then those sins are transformed into merits."

4. Your primary self is your mind. 

"A person is located wherever their thoughts are. The essence of a person is not their body but their soul- and the soul is the power of thought, desire, and intention. Where your mind dwells, there your essence lies."

5. What does accepting the yoke of Heaven mean? 

"Although the obligation to accept the yoke of Heaven is through the Shema, it applies at all times. One must never let go of it, even for a moment."

6. What is the essence of prayer? 

"The essence of prayer is the inner yearning and desire to pray and plead before G-d."

7. All traits are good at their core.

"Every trait embedded in a Jewish soul has good within it. No trait is inherently evil. Each must simply be directed according to G-d's will."

8. Working on character traits requires Divine help. 

"Efforts to fight your desires may appear externally beautiful, but they are not enough to bring lasting change. The evil inclination renews itself daily. Real success comes only with G-d’s help."

9. Why are there wicked people in the world? 

"Don’t be shocked when you see the wicked growing and succeeding. G-d is the Master of the vineyard- He knows how to manage it better than anyone."

10. What if I have no motivation to serve G-d?

"If you feel no desire or will to serve G-d, cast your burden on Him. From this brokenness of spirit, Divine compassion is awakened."

11. Believe that your soul gives G-d delight. 

"Just as one must believe in G-d, one must also believe in themselves- that G-d has a purpose for them, that they are not meaningless. The soul comes from the Source of Life, and G-d delights in it when it does His will."

12. A surprising remedy for sin.

"The repair for sins is to believe wholeheartedly that there is no such thing as 'random' in the world. Everything is orchestrated by G-d. This belief sweetens harsh judgments and corrects all sins."

13. Self-sacrifice in thought can save from death. 

"One who truly accepts upon himself in thought to die, if that is G-d’s will, can be saved from the decree of death."

14. Accepting Torah means letting go of material desires. 

"When one takes on the yoke of Torah, they must sincerely accept to abandon all worldly pleasures that contradict G-d’s will."

15. Are you afraid? That’s your sins being sweetened. 

"Our fears come from sin. As the verse says, 'Sinners are afraid in Zion.' These fears are actually sufferings that sweeten the soul’s judgment."

16. What to do when you feel afraid. 

"If fear suddenly falls upon you, immediately pray for protection. That fear was sent from Heaven to prompt your prayer."

17. Sorrow and fear are invitations to pray. 

"When G-d wants to do good for a person but wants them to pray for it, He will first send them fear or sorrow to awaken their prayer."

18. What is Shabbat? The root of the week. 

"On Shabbat, one has the power to sweeten and transform the entire week for good."

19. Never cause pain- even for a mitzvah. 

"One must be extremely careful never to cause distress to any creature, even for the sake of a mitzvah."

20. A strong desire can be a vessel for blessing. 

"Each person has a unique craving. That very craving can become a vessel to receive G-d's blessing- if they recognize that this desire is rooted in the Divine."

21. The root of all sin is pride. The remedy is humility. 

"All negative thoughts and impulses stem from three roots: jealousy, lust, and honor. But the root of all of them is arrogance. The remedy is humility- when one only wants what G-d wants."

22. A broken heart guarantees a response. 

"One who feels lacking and longs for wholeness cannot be ignored by G-d. As it says, 'G-d is close to the brokenhearted.'"

23. Distracted by impure thoughts? Here's a remedy. 

"The remedy for foreign thoughts and improper urges is the mitzvot of tzitzit and tefillin."

Let these teachings be a source of light and strength, especially on this holy day of Rabbi Tzadok’s yahrzeit. May his memory be a blessing.