Hayom Yom 2 Elul - The Jewish people are called “a cherished land”

בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל נִקְרְאוּ אֶרֶץ חֵפֶץThe Jewish people are called “a cherished land,” שֶׁיֵּשׁ בָּהֶם כַּמָּה חֲפָצִים יְקָרִים בְּאַהֲבַת הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרֵךְ וְיִרְאָתוֹ וּמִדּוֹת טוֹבוֹתfor they possess many precious qualities, [including] their love of G‑d, their fear of Him, and their upstanding character traits. וְאֵין דְּבַר גִּלּוּי הַמִּדּוֹת הַטּוֹבוֹת תָּלוּי אֶלָּא בַּמְּעוֹרֵר[But like treasures buried in the earth,] the revelation of these positive qualities depends solely upon the person who evokes them.דָּבָר בָּרוּר הוּאIt is obvious אֲשֶׁר בְּכָל חֶלְקֵי הָאֲדָמָה נִמְצָאִים מַעְיְנוֹת מַיִם חַיִּיםthat springs of fresh water exist in all parts of the earth. וְהַהֶבְדֵּל הוּא רַק בְּקִרוּב וְרִחוּקThe difference lies only in how close or far they are [from the surface]. וְאִם כֵּן הֲלֹא הַכֹּל תָּלוּי בְּהַחוֹפֵר וְכֹחַ סַבְלָנוּתוֹ וּמְתִינוּתוֹIf so, everything depends on the digger and his patience and deliberateness.וְכֵיוָן שֶׁהָרָצוֹן הוּא כֹּחַ עֶלְיוֹן הַגּוֹזֵר וּמְפַקֵּד עַל כָּל הַכֹּחוֹתSince the will is a superior power [within the soul], it decrees and directs [the activity of] all the powers, וּמַכְרִיחָם לַעֲשׂוֹת וְלִפְעוֹל כְּפִי הַפְּקוּדוֹת שֶׁלּוֹcompelling them to function and act according to its orders. אִם כֵּן אֵיפוֹא, עִקָּר הָעֲבוֹדָה הוּאThus one’s main task is לְעוֹרֵר אֶת הָרָצוֹן לִפְעוֹל וְלַעֲשׂוֹת הֵן בְּעַצְמוֹ הֵן בְּזוּלָתוֹto arouse the will to act and function, both with regard to oneself and to others.Text and Translation courtesy of Sichos in EnglishFor questions and follow-up: [email protected]