The Library

The Rizhiner explains that in one way, Purim is greater than Yom Kipur (Yom Ki- Purim. A day that is only "like" Purim, but not as great). Yom Kippur atones for the Shavim (Those who return - i.e. repent), while Purim atones for the Shavim and the Aino Shavim (those who r...

R' Tzadok Hacohen of Lublin explains (in the beginning of "Machshivos charutz") the deepest secrets of the battle with our evil inclination. He explains that there are two paths in fighting the Yetzer Hara, and that they are both legitimate only when used together, i.e. a...

It seems to me that nobody can really tell anyone else that they are an addict, because it probably will not be accepted to the depth that it needs to be to make any difference at all for the addict. This has been my own experience and what I have seen meeting many people...

The tragedy of addiction and powerlessness can turn into the biggest blessing, if we use it the way it was intended by G-d; i.e. as a springboard for inner-change and spiritual growth. "You cannot see My face, for man cannot see My face and live... you will see My back, b...

The Apter Rav - the Ohaiv Yisroel writes that one of the reasons why we dress up in masquerade on Purim is to show that the miracle of Purim came from something that actually would have initially caused us much grief. This, says the Apter Rebbe, stresses that the greatest...

"Rashkebehag" wrote on the forum: I want this thing behind me. Just today I innocently downloaded updates that were offered for my iPod and there it was - the youTube and safari with all its shmutz. Boy did I feel tempted to go on it. I ran in a panic to my expert and he...

To my fellow yidden, I would like to share with you some of the benefits/rewards that come with being clean in the hope to give you chizuk. This comes from MYSELF, and not 2cd hand evidence: 1 - When you daven, you don't feel like a hypocrite. Davening is SO much more mea...

Is it possible for men and women who experience unwanted same sex attraction to change from homosexuality to heterosexuality? Or were such individuals born that way and efforts to change their sexual orientation are harmful? These questions have been the subject of raging...

This site is absolutely amazing. Thank you so much whoever you are for starting the site. There are tons of great organizations out there all doing good things, but you are simply changing lives. Without you (and all the people giving encouragement on the forum), so many ...

R' Yeruchum explains a Rashi in parshas Shelach (by the Meraglim). Rashi brings down that Hashem said, "I will give them room to make a mistake ." R' Yeruchum explains that Hashem didn't MAKE them do an aveirah - He just took away the help that he always provides, and onc...

This is a sickness. Yes, it's a sickness that involves an aveirah, but right now, you're limited in what you can do about that, until you treat the sickness. So your goal (as far as your avodas hashem goes) HAS to be to focus on dealing with the addiction (see the handboo...

R' Leib (Lawrence) Kelemen mentions how at one point, he was forced to plan a trip to Eilat with one of his sons to take care of something there. (He notes that for those unfamiliar with the standards of dress in Eilat, "people there don't walk around wearing winter coats...

Have you destroyed what you worked for in the last 89 days? Well, the chofetz chaim says about lashon hora that if someone restrains himself from speaking, even for a minute, he gets access to a spiritual light that even the angels cannot fathom. That's even if he can't c...

Here is SilentBattle's first post: Hi. I call myself "SilentBattle" because these are battles that we all fight silently, on some level or another. There is no public honor. The plaques on the wall that declare our victories are in Heaven. For me in particular, I feel lik...

Someone asks Dov: "Are you saying that the true nature of addiction to this stuff is just the need to give to others which is just being misplaced? It sounds too simple. If so, let's all join "Tomchei Shabbos" and be free of this!" Dov Responds: First off, it's not me w...

Complacency + Depression + Stress = Disaster Remaining vigilant + upbeat + reaching-out to friends = Battle won!

Dearest Brothers in Arms, Permit me to share what I learned from my last fall. I was clean for months and months at the time. This was prior to having found the GYE network and I was not counting days, nor did I have a sobriety date. Why should I be counting days? A chosh...

The pivotal motivation for much of the stuff we all do, is to feel connected to something even greater than us - to others and to Goodness. Not to "be loved", but to Love. The Hope that we all have, is that "maybe, just maybe, there is something worthwhile in me and out t...