Thursday, July 21, 2005

A Lesson From Your Yetzer Hara

You can take a lesson from your yetzer hara, the evil inclination. One day it lures you into doing something wrong. After you yield to your lustful craving, your vice becomes repugnant to you. Still the following day, the yetzer hara tempts you anew with the same sin, and you surrender to your lust all over again. Now, doesn’t it stand to reason, if you can be seduced repeatedly by the evil inclination, that you should regard the holy Torah and the mitzvos as fresh and attractive each new day, as they represent life and true happiness.

(Rabbi Aharon Perlow of Karlin)