Sichos In English   Holidays  Shabbat   Calendar  ×‘×´×”

     Sichos In English -> Books -> Other -> Chassidic Soul Remedies

Author's Foreword

Introduction

Acceptance

True Accomplishments

The Value of Action

The Value of Action(2)

Accepting Advice

Anger

The Positive Side of Arrogance

Faulty Assumptions

Attentiveness

Attitude

Attitude (2)

The Proper Attitude (3)

Awakening the Jewish Spark; The "Pintele Yid"

Jewish Roots - A Sense of Belonging

Bravery

The Benefit of a Broken Heart

Challenge

Change

Child-Rearing

Choices

Honoring G-d's Choices

Compassion

Competition

Concentration

Inner Conflict

Eternal Connection

Crisis

How to Give Criticism

Depression

The Importance of Eating

Education

Effort

Empathy

Channeling Enthusiasm

Equanimity

Balancing One's Excitement

Excuses

Faith

Fame

Finding G-d

Flexibility

The Proper Focus

Goal Setting

Achieving Goals

Gossip

Gratitude

Hastiness

Healing

Good Health

A Happy Home

Humility

Positive Hypocrisy

Hypocrisy (2)

Identity

Influence

Inspiration

The Power of Intellect

Introspection

Judging Others

Judgmentalness

The Wisdom of a True Leader

Lifting Spirits

Creating Light

Living in the Moment

Lust

Materialism

What Matters

Meditation

Moodiness

The Truth About Motivation

Life's True Necessities

Missed Opportunities

The Pitfalls of Perfectionism

Persistence

Advice for Personal Growth

Proper Planning

Finding the Positive in the Negative

Possession

Prayer

True Prayer

Purpose

Quality of Living

Rationalization

Rationalization (2)

Reaching Out to Others

Security

Security (2)

Self-Assessment

Self-Concern

Self-Control

Purposeful Self-Denial

Self-Esteem

Self-Sacrifice

Slander

The Power of Speech

Success

Suffering

The Power of Thought

The Proper Use of Time

Toil

Toil (2)

Understanding Tragedy

Making the Best of Tragedy

Truth and Honesty

Who Are We?

Worry

Maintaining Youth

Chassidic Soul Remedies
Inspirational Insights for Life's Daily Challenges

How to Give Criticism

Rabbi Dovid Shraga Polter

Published and copyright © by Sichos In English
(718) 778-5436   •   info@SichosInEnglish.org   •   FAX (718) 735-4139


Add to Shopping Cart   |   Buy this nowFor Palm Pilot
  CrisisDepression  

A young rabbi once asked the Previous Rebbe for guidance in how to administer rebuke to his congregation. The Rebbe illustrated his answer by describing a sauna. In a sauna, it is customary to slap someone on the back with a towel. An incredible pleasure is derived from these "blows." The harder the smacking, the more pleasure is experienced! However, this is done only when that person's body heat reaches a certain temperature and he sweats profusely.

Just imagine if, the next day, the "slapper" comes along and smacks the other fellow on the back while he's walking down the street. This, of course, would be a most inappropriate time for such treatment, and the person being slapped would be greatly offended.

What is the difference in his reactions? In the sauna, the man was "warmed up" - ready and anticipating a good smack on the back. Out in the cold air, removed from the proper atmosphere and expectation, he is startled and upset. It's the wrong time and place.

In short, to have an effect on another Jew, you must first "warm him up" and make him receptive. Then you can "smack" him (i.e., provide him with guidance through constructive criticism). If you want to help someone with a problem, your intervention has to be at the right time and in the proper setting.

Related by Rabbi Sholom Ber Gordon, 1949


  CrisisDepression  
     Sichos In English -> Books -> Other -> Chassidic Soul Remedies
© Copyright 1988-2024
All Rights Reserved
Sichos In English