As I continue on in Rebbe Nachman's story of the Wise Man and the Simple Man, the wise man is at the point where he is ready to settle down and get married. But he feels he must return to his hometown to accomplish that task. Why? Not because the girl next door is cut out to be a better wife. Rather it is because if he returns home the people will admire what he has made of himself after coming from humble origins. In his present location the people don't quite appreciate all he has become.
Rabbi Aroush points out the illness inherent in pursuing honor. Such a person is hurt if anyone doesn't treat him with the proper respect. He is unable to receive any criticism. If the point is valid he simply falls apart. He constantly argues and always has to be right.
Whoa! I really was feeling convicted by all this. From the time I was a small child I was always worried about what others thought of me, and did all I could to impress others. I did not do a good job of taking criticism, and was a well known arguer.
As Rabbi Aroush points out, the only way to overcome these issues is by having trust and faith in God. All honor is truly His, not yours. Whatever you have comes from God; don't look for you to receive honor for yourself from it.
Rabbi Aroush points out the illness inherent in pursuing honor. Such a person is hurt if anyone doesn't treat him with the proper respect. He is unable to receive any criticism. If the point is valid he simply falls apart. He constantly argues and always has to be right.
Whoa! I really was feeling convicted by all this. From the time I was a small child I was always worried about what others thought of me, and did all I could to impress others. I did not do a good job of taking criticism, and was a well known arguer.
As Rabbi Aroush points out, the only way to overcome these issues is by having trust and faith in God. All honor is truly His, not yours. Whatever you have comes from God; don't look for you to receive honor for yourself from it.
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