לבית מלא תבןThe House Full of Straw

le-vayit male tevenIn Gamatria ↗

Hidden pride leaks out, like straw through a cracked wall.

Clean traits are harder than clean deeds. Ramchal takes four. Pride: one moves slowly, as if made of lead; another storms so none dare approach; another plays the humblest of all to be praised for it. The Midrash pictures a house full of straw with cracks in its walls. In time the straw pokes through and shows what the house holds. Anger runs from the man who rages at everything, likened to an idolater, down to one slow to anger and quick to calm. Hillel felt not even its stirring. Envy gains nothing; no one touches what is prepared for another by a hair. Desire reaches for money and honor, and honor brought down Jeroboam, Korah, the spies, Saul and Joab. The only true honor is Torah. Once the will is fixed, Ramchal says, it is easier than it looks.

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