The Daily GuardUrEyes Chizuk – 8th Tammuz, 5769
GuardUrEyes
A website for Jews struggling to maintain their moral purity in today’s world
Why is Sexual purity so important in Judaism? Our sages called Shmiras Habris “Yesod”, meaning “Foundation”. The foundation of a building is “underground” and no one sees it, yet it holds up the entire building! Shmiras Habris is the hidden part of a Jew, it’s the real you. If the foundation of a Jew is weak, his whole spiritual structure is fragile and in grave danger of collapse. At guardureyes.com we are finally joining together, for ourselves and for all future generations, to strengthen the foundations of our people!
There is a lot of material out there on the subject of guarding the eyes and the Bris, but sometimes “too much” is overwhelming.
A little bit each day is just right, to be able to read, digest and apply it to our lives.
Today’s Shmiras Ainayim Chizuk
The Zohar compares this world to a churning ocean and the body of a man to a ship in the sea. Therefore, man requires knowledge in order to guide himself on a straight course, avoiding mishap and losing his way. The ocean of life roars fearfully and continuously. The winds of challenge blow and the negative impulse rips about like a tornado with unimaginable force. All of life comprises great and endless tests, which can easily capsize the ship and sink it into the murky, nethermost depths.
Yirat Shamayim and the study of Mussar will prevent the body from sinking into the miry depths of desire and corrupt character traits.
(Rabbi Yitzchak Blazer, Ohr Yisrael)
Make a New Beginning
If we have not properly guarded our eyes in the past, we can change our behavior and Hashem will help us to improve our ways.
In fact, Hashem sent us an uplifting and encouraging message through Yechezkel HaNavi: “Throw off all of your aveirot and make a new heart and a new spirit for yourselves.” (Based on Yechezkel 18:30)
A person may say to themselves: “I sincerely want to change my behavior and follow the Torah rules regarding Shmirat Einayim – Guarding the Eyes. However, I feel burdened by my past conduct. It’s hard for me to believe that Hashem will forgive me“.
Rabenu Yona (Yesod HaTeshuvah) illuminates the path of return to Hashem and writes:
“If a person has acted improperly and wants to take shelter beneath the “Wings of the Shechinah” and enter into the gates of repentance, I will show him the way to proceed.
On the day that you lift your heart to return to Hashem, throw off all of your aveirot as if they never were. Consider yourself as a newborn child, having neither merit nor culpability. Today is the beginning of your deeds. Today you will reflect on all of your ways so that you do not stray from the good path. This outlook will facilitate your complete return to Hashem because you will be unburdened from the weight of all of your aveirot.
Do not be hindered by thoughts that hold you back from returning to Hashem. For you might feel, ‘How can I have the nerve to return to Hashem, after I acted so inappropriately so many times? How can I come in front of Hashem? I feel embarrassed, like a thief who was caught in the act of stealing. How can I enter His courtyards; how can I observe His Mitzvot?”
Do not allow these negative thoughts to enter your heart! These feelings of despair are the influence of the negative impulse.
Rather, know the attribute of our merciful Creator is that “His arms are always open to welcome those that return to Him.”
Even more, Hashem himself releases us from the psychological barriers to repentance by urging us to “throw off our misdeeds.” Therefore, Hashem grants each one of us the opportunity to rectify our ways, regardless of our past conduct. He lets us renew ourselves and gives us a fresh start.
TODAY: Throw off the burden of your aveirot and start over. Hashem gives everyone another chance!
Two Free e-Books, courtesy of GuardUrEyes that will change your life!
Right click on the links below and choose “Save Link/Target As” to download them to your computer. (Print them out to read at your leisure!)
The Guard Your Eyes Handbook. Courtesy of GuardUrEyes
The Guard Your Eyes Attitude. Courtesy of GuardUrEyes
The GuardUrEyes E-mail Chizuk Lists
The Yetzer Hara thinks of new ways to win us over every day. What better way to combat him than to have some chizuk and a new insight every day!
List 1.The GuardUrEyes Chizuk List – Breaking Free.
Receive each day antidotes, tips, articles or quotes from the holy texts, therapists and fellow strugglers, to help you break free of sexual addictions, pornography and/or masturbation. (Click the light-blue tool-bar above to browse the hundreds of previous chizuk e-mails sent out from this list).
List 2.General Chizuk in Shmiras Ainayim
This list will focus less on the “addiction” aspect and more on general Chizuk in Shmiras Ainayim that anyone can use, addicted or not. This list is less intense and explicit than the first, and is appropriate for everyone. (Click the light-pink tool-bar above to browse the previous chizuk e-mails sent out from this list).
Please note: We strongly advise anyone who struggles with masturbation or pornography, even if infrequently, to join the first list as well.
Click here to join one (OR BOTH) of the Chizuk lists described below.
Source: GuardUrEyes
