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In every aspect Reb Elimelech ascended. But no matter how high he soared, his humility caused him to view himself as one who has not properly fulfilled his obligations.

Reb Elimelech maintained that a person should view his deeds and actions as incomplete and insufficient, so as to serve as an incentive to strive higher. Furthermore, one is obligated to avoid flattery, dishonesty, laziness, slander, jealousy, hatred, aggressiveness, anger and hubris.

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His aspirations were very much in line with the chassidic approach to observe far more than what is actually required by Jewish law.

All of Judaism’s laws, customs, restrictions and prohibitions do not encompass what chassidus expects – indeed demands – from its adherents. A chassid will go far beyond the letter of the law and flee from the slightest possibility of sin and will be willing to make painful sacrifices to uphold the law.

(To be continued)

Chodesh tov – have a pleasant month!

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Rabbi Hanoch Teller is the award-winning producer of three films, a popular teacher in Jerusalem yeshivos and seminaries, and the author of 28 books, the latest entitled Heroic Children, chronicling the lives of nine child survivors of the Holocaust. Rabbi Teller is also a senior docent in Yad Vashem and is frequently invited to lecture to different communities throughout the world.