Many believe that
spirituality is a blessing bestowed from above, as a consequence of good deeds.
The Kotzker Rebbe felt
that the problem with this approach is that it does not allow one to take
ownership of one’s own spirituality.
Spirituality must never be projected even
onto G-d, to the extent that we become passive recipients of His bounty.
As the Kotzker said
(referring to Yom Kippur, which tradition teaches, innately has the ability to
purify); “Nevertheless, it is upon you
to purify yourselves.”[1]
In Kotzk, one constantly
pursues a proactive path of emotional and spiritual development waiting for no
one, not even G-d. One assumes full and total responsibility for the state of
the personality that emerges in the end.
[1]
Amud HaEmet p. 71, par. 2 The Kotzker
plays with the verse (Vayikra 17:30): ‘Ki bayom hazeh yechaper aleichem, letaher
etchem’ – and says; ‘aleichem letaher etchem’.
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