Rabbi Offers Spiritual Strategy to Overcome Temptation

Rabbi Zamir Cohen has outlined a spiritual strategy to help individuals overcome temptation and make righteous choices, particularly during moments of intense personal struggle. He suggests that when faced with a strong urge to sin or a desire to avoid a mitzvah (commandment), one should pause and ask, "What is God's will for me right now?" This question, he explains, is intended to foster humility towards God and guide one's actions.

To cultivate this humility, Rabbi Cohen proposes a mental exercise involving perspective. He advises imagining oneself on a map, starting with one's city, then expanding to the country, the world, Earth's relation to the sun, the sun's place in the Milky Way galaxy, and finally, the vastness of the universe with its countless galaxies. This contemplation of the Creator's immense power and the insignificance of human scale, he believes, helps individuals realize their place in the grand scheme and reduces the likelihood of transgressing divine will.

Beyond fostering humility, this perspective shift also offers a sense of security. Rabbi Cohen explains that recognizing the same immense Creator who fashioned the universe actively manages human lives can provide profound reassurance. This understanding, drawing on the verse from Psalms, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear what man can do to me," helps individuals face difficulties with the knowledge that they are not alone.

The rabbi emphasizes the interconnectedness of faith and security. By acknowledging a Creator and trusting that reality is not random, individuals can achieve peace of mind. This contemplation of creation's grandeur, therefore, serves a dual purpose: reminding individuals of their standing before God during moments of temptation and assuring them of divine protection during times of fear.