from the GYE Handbook
In general, those who struggle a lot with these issues, have a great deal of emotional and spiritual
energy inside them. It is they who actually have the capacity and potential for the most intense
spiritual connection with Hashem. We just need to learn how to channel the energy of our souls in
the proper ways.
It is also known that people with particular character traits, such as creativity, love for people and
spiritual sensitivity, are more prone to seeking alternate expression for their inner strengths
through a stronger than usual lust drive. That is why it is so important to learn how to channel the
strengths we have in the proper ways. Heightened lust is actually a symptom of a deep
subconscious need that, for some reason, has still not reached fulfillment.
Our Sages have said (Sukkah 52a, discussing the desire for lust): "Whoever is greater than his
friend, his Yetzer is greater as well". It is important to understand that, in a psychological sense,
the Yetzer Tov and the Yetzer Hara are really the same inner force. The greater a person is, the
more his soul's strengths require expression, and these strengths will ultimately burst forth and
find expression in either a positive or negative way.
As Rav Tzadok (in Tzidkas Hatzadik #44) writes, if a person has major temptations, he should not
be saddened about blemishes in his soul; on the contrary, he should be glad to realize that he
has special strengths that need to be properly channeled. This, he explains, is what Chazal
meant by "One who is greater than his friend, his Yetzer is greater as well."
Later on, Rav Tzadok explains (based on the Zohar) that the Dor Hamabul and the Dor Hamidbar
who received the Torah, shared the same souls. And he explains that the reason is based on the
above principle. The Dor Hamabul's major sin was spilling seed, as is well known from all the
kabalistic oriented seforim, and the Dor Hamidbar were Zoche to receive the Torah. Rav Tzadok
explains that the spiritual energy is one and the same. The fake desire for lust is the flip side of
the same coin of a true desire for Torah and spirituality. And he explains further, that this
generation will appear once again in the days before Moshiach, where the spiritual Kochos will
once again succeed in overpowering the koach of lust.
So let us direct our spiritual vigor into our prayers. We will be amazed at how uplifting they can
become! And let us start doing the mitzvos with enthusiasm and learn Torah with passion! We
were given a gift by Hashem because the struggles we experience are really just the vibes of our
souls, striving for genuine expression and a true connection with the Almighty.
Our Divine service can be so much more than average if we use the struggle in the way it was
intended by Hashem, as a spring-board for growth. Spiritual progress that might take other
people many years of intense Divine service to achieve, we can attain through this struggle in a
very short time if we use it right!
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