Jewish Life #6 Be Aware of Our Strong Points

Inspiration and references till sources, see: Rav. Kook, Parashat Ki Tavo, Confessing One’s Good Deeds. In: Torah United by Rabbi Aaron Goldscheider, Ktav Publishing House edition 2023.  

A well-known saying in Judaism goes like this: Each person should see himself as though the entire world is in delicate balance and, with but one deed, he or she can tip the scales for good.
 
In this month of Elul we prepare for Rosh Hashanah and a new year. We are challenged to search ourselves, our soul, and to confess (Vidui) our wrongdoings. But according to Rav Avraham Yitzchak Kook, this is not our only task. Any honest assessment includes the good and the bad, the pros and the cons. Often a person err in laying too much emphasis on our wrongdoings and misdeeds and too little on our good deeds, which can ruin our psychical, mental and spiritual health. A person has to avoid over-criticism. He must also recognize his positive acts and choices. 
 
Rav Kook refers to a quote of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, who indicates that a person is obliged to judge himself favorably.[1] A person has to search (and find) some elements of good, in order to strengthen himself. In this way he will revive himself and will be able to gladden his soul and tip the scales for good. His health will be positively affected by this.
 
Feelings of self-worth and pride propel us forward in our spiritual life. They are essential for our happiness and in this way helpful in shaping our relationships with others in a meaningful way. So, we must believe in ourselves, for God has faith in us. 
 
Our next year, like our previous ones, hangs in the balance, we ourselves are responsible for our internal balance, keenly pained by our shortcomings while healthily aware (and take advantage of) our strong points. 
 
Each of us is able to tip the scales for good. 
 
Exercise: make up your own balance, in which your strong points also has its place. 

[1] Likutei Moharan, 1:282. 

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