The Library

If Hashem keeps giving you the same test and you don't like it, pass the test so you can graduate on to the next test!

Sixty-five years ago, in high-school, I learned a powerful mussar lesson, but I did not realize it at the time. Ulysses was a hero and traveler in Greek mythology. He heard of the "music of the sirens." This was music that was heard at a particular harbor, and it was so ...

The successful man and his unsuccessful friend both fell the same amount of times; but the successful man got up just one time more than his friend.

I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.

Call out in truth and you will be answered in truth

The purpose of this site is not the goal of sobriety in itself, rather it's the journey that is important; the ups, the downs, the falls, the slips, and the days you feel like you are going nowhere. It is all part of this wonderful journey. I have found that the most insp...

I recently read a story about Rav Nosson, the Talmid of Rebbe Nachman. He was walking together with his students after a raging fire ravaged the town of Breslav. They passed by completely burned down houses, and in one of the houses, R' Nosson saw the owner of the house s...

There was a rich man who unfortunately had his business take a turn for the worse and soon found himself barely feeding his family. He noticed his son one day looking exceptionally sad. When asked why, the son explained as follows, "father, when we had money, we had all t...

The 12 step program won't keep you from going to hell... nor is it a ticket to heaven... but it will keep you sober long enough for you to make up your mind which way you want to go!

Yasher Koach to those who responded so brilliantly and encouragingly on the forum. I'm going through a very trying time here, even though I'm only at 11 days; not 90, not 200, just ELEVEN. What will day 90 be like?? But I know what everyone will say: "one day at a time". ...

Before you say I can't ... say I'll try

Your phone rings. It's your wife. "Can you stop off at Walmart to pick up some groceries?" "Sure." You take down the details, then draw a deep breath. Your delightfully clueless wife is sending you into the Gaza Strip, into Afghanistan, because Walmart on a hot and humid ...

Uri (clean for 11 days) wrote on the forum: I'm still clean, but barely holding on. I'm in a terrible mood and I'm having trouble getting hold of myself. I was so good this week, I feel like crying. When I drove home tonight I passed town and I felt such mixed feelings. ...

Growing old is mandatory - Growing up is optional

At first it will seem next to impossible. You will feel antsy and be unable to focus. You will barely be able to stifle your yawns. You won't be able to wrap your mind around a simple piece of shaklah ve'taryah. But rejoice. That is the perfect raw material to work with. ...

A man told me that he was at the airport, and he had his tallis and tefillin in his carry on. "I had to go to the men's room, so I left my carry on outside the men's room, because I didn't want to take my kedusha items in there. Then it occurred to me, that my neshama is ...

Now in recovery, I can wake up and say "Good morning G-d" instead of "Good G-d, its morning!!"

Don't count the days. Make the days count