Far Away

Those who study Torah literature on personal development and make a genuine effort to live up to Torah ideas are very likely to look at themselves and feel they are from where the Torah says they ought to be. Even after years of effort trying to improve oneself, one may scrutinize oneself and one's behavior carefully and feel that the Torah itself would condemn one.

It may be that one has done, and continues to do, much that is wrong. One's behavior and personality may be far from what the Torah asks. Nevertheless, it will not help to get depressed about it. Instead of dwelling on one's bad points and failures, one should try to find good points and mitigating factors.

(Rabbi Avraham Greenbaum)