Home › Forums › Bais Medrash › How do I know when my guilt is just yetzar hara? 😳😈
- This topic has 6 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 9 months ago by 5ish.
-
AuthorPosts
-
June 26, 2017 10:13 pm at 10:13 pm #1304549LightbriteParticipant
If I’m feeling guilty about something, is that yatzar hara? Or is some guilt good?
What if it’s unproductive guilt? Or can most guilt be channeled into positive action?
Thank you! 🙂
June 26, 2017 10:20 pm at 10:20 pm #1304585☕ DaasYochid ☕ParticipantSome guilt is good, and some is indeed the yetzer hora.
Some is both, it depends how you deal with it.
You really need a personal mentor to sort out the different situations and how to deal with them.
June 26, 2017 11:02 pm at 11:02 pm #1304608JosephParticipantTo answer the OPs question, one must ask themselve — and honestly answer — whether you’re really guilty.
June 27, 2017 1:36 am at 1:36 am #1304675LightbriteParticipantDoes that mean you guys feel guilty sometimes too?
June 27, 2017 1:59 am at 1:59 am #1304693JosephParticipantWhen one does something wrong it is correct and appropriate to feel guilty about it.
June 27, 2017 2:31 am at 2:31 am #1304702LightbriteParticipantAlas.
June 27, 2017 11:51 am at 11:51 am #13049395ishParticipantAnything which inhibits or interferes with Avodas Hashem is the Yetzer Hara.
If guilt makes you feel sad and potentially lackadaisical for example someone says “Oh i did such a terrible thing I am so lowly how can someone like me present himself before God” then this guilt is the yetzer hara.
If guilt causes you bitterness such that you weep and say “God is so awesome, it is terrible that I have no fulfilled his will, it is imperative that I mend my wicked ways and cleave to him” then this guilt is a good thing.
There are many different opinions on whether or not one should focus on guilt because of the tendency, especially in our generation for guilty people to become depressed.
The Alter Rebbe of Chabad, in his book of advice on divine service Likutei Amarim, otherwise popularly known as the “Tanya” advises that a person should set aside certain times occasionally to make an accounting of the soul and feel bitter about his or her lowly position, but otherwise not to let one’s self be plagued by guilt.
See here for an english adaption of Likutei Amarim Chapters 26 – 28 :
Sorry, no links
The above is being provided as a reference. I recommend if possible that the relevant texts be learned inside, with someone who is initiated in these teachings. The reader ought not to make any assumptions or derivations from limited materials and should always consult a qualified rabbi or mentor.
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.