Harvey S. Hecker Character Development Series: Our words are a powerful force to build – and destroy.
#12 Spiritual Accounting: Putting It Into Practice
Originally published by Rabbi Shraga Simmons on aish.com
Exploring the principles and techniques for living with more kindness, discipline, patience and compassion doesn’t guarantee success in practical, everyday behavior. Too often, we find ourselves losing patience, having a pang of envy, or making a hasty, undisciplined choice.
What is the secret to putting our ideals into practice?
The Torah (Numbers 21:27) speaks of “the rulers who come to Cheshbon.” (Cheshbon is both the name of a place, and the word for “accounting.”) The Talmud1 beautifully explains: Those who “rule”themselves with discipline are those who practice “accounting,” i.e. ongoing self-assessment.
Without a spiritual accounting, we’re drifting with the winds.
Without Cheshbon, a spiritual accounting, we’re likely to remain in a state of default, drifting with the winds, our precious time and attention constantly diverted.