The Most Powerful and Simple Cure Against Despair

Many of us strive to improve ourselves, approach perfection, and live lives of meaning and exaltation. But how do we truly achieve this? Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe and the Ramchal propose a revolutionary and profound method aimed at awakening our recognition of human exaltation and our responsibility to a life of value. Mussar (positive ethics) teaches us that the path to perfection and personal empowerment does not begin with self-flagellation or soul torment, but with connecting to the self-worth inherent in each of us.

Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe writes in his book Alei Shur: "The beginning of all personal work is precisely the experience of human exaltation. One who has never recognized human exaltation from his creation, and all his dealings with himself are only to expand his awareness of his flaws and chastise himself for that – will sink into despair, and eventually reconcile with the bad from a lack of hope to fix it."

Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe explains that we must awaken the positive recognition of human exaltation: "Everyone must say: The world was created for me.” We must abolish the small-mindedness about ourselves, as if we are trivial and insignificant, and we must instill in ourselves the recognition of the greatness of our soul.

The Ramchal writes: "This is the greatest and most powerful remedy you can find against the evil inclination, and it is easy and its effect is great and its fruit is abundant: that a person stands every day at least one hour free from all other thoughts, to think only about this...and he will question in his heart what the early patriarchs did that made Hashem desire them, what Moses our teacher did, what David the anointed one of Hashem did, and all the great ones who preceded us, and he will answer in his mind: what is good for a person all his life to do so and it is good for him! Then his thoughts will wander to know the state he is in." (Derech Etz Chaim by the Ramchal)

The Ramchal continues: "All things that a person does not think about are very difficult for him to achieve, but the person who contemplates this – it is very close to him!".

The study of mussar is a key to inner discovery and meaningful living, guiding us to strive for perfection from a positive and constructive approach. When we stop to think about the exaltation of the soul and the possibility of coming closer to the ways of the greats of Israel, we discover that change begins here and now – in our thoughts and daily choices. The more we adopt a positive and exalted view of ourselves, the more we can grow and realize the potential within us.