Machshava:

Ethics 

Collections: Rabbi Weinberger: Tanya

Description

P. 303. The strange power of impurity which comes from outside the neshamah (soul) of a Jew. The essence of something forbidden is different from the essence of something permitted, and thus the essence of a forbidden desire is different from the essence of Jewish soul. How is it possible then that a Jew can have a desire for something that is assur (forbidden)? The slippery slope from over-indulding in something permitted to tasting and enjoying something forbidden. What happens when we eat simply for the pleasure of eating, rather than because we need sustenance. Allowing ourselves to be sucked into a desire which, under normal circumstances, we would never consider. The tayva-feeding (desire) kosher food advertisements. Desires are not who we are. Sparks of kedushah (holiness) are naturally appealing to a Jew.