By Rabbi Moshe Meir Weiss
The posuk says, “Al kein yomru hamoshlim, ‘Bo’u cheshbon.’” The Gemora in Bava Basra [78b] interprets this verse homiletically as referring to hamoshlim b’yitzram, those who rule over their evil inclination. The Medrash in Esther Rabbah teaches us, Resha-im br’shus libom – The wicked are controlled by their hearts.” On the other hand, “Tzadikim libom b’reshusom – The righteous control their hearts.” One rules over their yeitzer when they know how to say no to temptation, when they stop short from revealing someone’s secret, from talking about a neighbor, when they are able to avert their gaze from immodesty, when they have the conviction to avoid distraction during their prayers.
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