24 Iyar, 5770 Vol. 11, No. 27
How great is the nobility of the human spirit, and the power of true reproof to bring it to the surface! No matter how powerfully they were ruled by their passions, their neshama still retained its natural purity and holiness. All that was needed was properly delivered rebuke and their moral conscience would respond. Their yetzer hara knew that rebuke could still hit home and cause them to leave their sinful ways, even after they had strayed so far. There was only one way to avoid this potent weapon for spirituality. Only by worshipping idols and denying our Creator were they able to neutralize the power of rebuke.
Let us appreciate the unique ability of rebuke to penetrate our hearts, and redirect us, no matter how distant we may be from proper behavior. If we open our ears, our minds and our hearts to accept the truth, we can be confident that our course will never stray far from the path charted by our holy Torah.