Machshava:

Dvekus 

Collections: Rabbi Weinberger: Hachsharas Avreichim

Description

The tzaddikim (righteous) begin purifying themselves from the lowest level of bodily desires. The goal is to have control over one's bodily desires. The means is through keeping Jewish Law, customs, and striving for piety. Excitement over physical desires is an opening to strive for closeness to G-d. This arousal of desire can raise you up to higher levels of soul. The dangers of a Jew compartmentalizing life into 'holy' and 'secular'. How to stretch out the arousal experiences and fill them with holiness. No such thing as fun for the sake of fun in Judaism. The problem of not accessing desire and emotion in serving G-d.