Hayom Yom 23 Iyar - The first stage in a person’s spiritual decline

Day 38 of the Omerרֵאשִׁית הַיְרִידָה, רַחֲמָנָא לִצְלַןThe first stage in a person’s spiritual decline (Heaven forbid)הוּא הֶעְדֵּר הָעֲבוֹדָה בִּתְפִלָּהis a lack of effort when serving G‑d in prayer.עֶס וועֶרט אַלץ טְרוּקעֶן אוּן קאַלטEverything becomes parched and cold.דִי מִצְוַת אֲנָשִׁים מְלוּמָּדָה וועֶרט שׁוֹין אוֹיךְ שְׁוועֶרEven the routine performance of mitzvos1 becomes burdensome.מעֶן אַיילטOne hurries [through their observance]מעֶן וועֶרט אָן דעֶם געֶשְׁמאַק אִין תּוֹרָהand loses a taste for Torah study.וְהָאֲוִיר מִתְגַּשֵּׁםThe very atmosphere becomes more materially oriented.וּמוּבָן הַדָּבָר שֶׁאֵינוֹ שַׁיָּךְ כְּלָל לִפְעוֹל עַל הַזּוּלַתAnd it goes without saying that a person in such a state cannot positively influence others at all.Text and Translation courtesy of Sichos in EnglishFor questions and follow-up: [email protected]