Rav Yisroel Reisman gave a remarkable Shiur over a decade ago entitled “A Sense of History.”  As I recall, his main point was that we would live our lives differently if we knew the historical significance of the choices we make.  A simple example is Shemiras Shabbos, which, as we all know, was an incredible Nisayon in the earlier part of the previous century.  To be sure, we cannot judge those who succumbed to this test, and there is no reason to believe that most of us would have fared any better.  But one thing is certain: The success of Yiddishkeit in America today is, in no small part, thanks to the Mesiras Nefesh of those who were Omed b’Nisayon, and kept Shabbos under the most trying circumstances.  Those who keep Shabbos today (which is relatively easy, with the advent of the five-day workweek) are, for the most part, descendants of those who kept Shabbos under the most trying circumstances.  Rabbi Reisman wondered how many people realized that their decision would have long-term ramifications for their descendants, and for all of Klal Yisrael, and if such realization would have deterred many from throwing in the towel.

Rabbosai, it’s the same with the Nisayon of our generation.  Our decision to do whatever it takes to remain clean, one day at a time, will have long-term ramifications for our descendants l’Dorei Doros, and for Klal Yisroel as a whole.  Even if we can't succeed for ourselves, we must make sure to succeed for the future of Klal Yisrael.  

kedusha,

i like the comparision...im sure the garment workers all considered themselves "religious" but found some rationale to go work on sabbath..perhaps, they believed, it was okay since everyone else was doing it...kinda like the rationals we gave ourselves at one point or another...ive said it before, i long thought gd lost this war...whats really great about this network is the strength we get from simply knowing that while the published reports may say that gd lost, there is a powerful underground revolutionary movement going on that is still fighting...

ratm

Rage AT Machine wrote on 23 Sep 2009 15:31:


LISTEN TO RATM PEOPLE HE SPEAKS THE TRUTH!!!

WE ARE THE  REVOLUTION!!!

G-D HAS NOT LOST

TA-ISI KI-SEH OVED BAKESH AVDECHA!!!!!!!!!!!

RAGE ON RAGE ONN!!!

Rage AT Machine wrote on 23 Sep 2009 15:31:


shkoiyach!
i like being a revolutionary- it's dangerous, heroic, secretive, and brave