Dvar Torah on Parshas Devarim | Acceptance

We begin entirely new safer, the last of the five books of Moshe Rabbeinu. Rashi tells us that living inside each one of these words, is a specific piece of Mussur, a specific piece of rebuke to his people, his parting words, his last charge to the people before they enter into the land without him. Midrash Rabah the the words of Moshe Rabbeinu could also be referring to a famous verse in Mishlei quote (hebrew) The person who gives rebuke will find favor in your eyes after some time more than the person who flatters you with your praises. The midrash continues saying who is the Rebuker who is a Royfey who is the doctor, the specialist, Mshe rebbeinuI mean, who is the person looking for some advice for some rebuke? The Jews clearly sorrow. And who is the flattering blandish tongue that is billam? Who told us you guys are great yet Only continued to try to tear us down. Mussar there was nothing mentioned about Be careful going forward. There was nothing mentioned about what future or what is currently going on. It was merely a Giloy a revelation of past sins, complete exposure of previous flaws, shortcomings, the entire topic of giving criticism is not in the scope of this conversation because it's really a large topic, when to do it, how to do it if at all to do it. We find that only Moshe and Yaakov gave Musser at the very end of their lives. So clearly, it's not something that we should use half heartedly. However, when Moshe who finally gives us His truth gives us his parting words, there's nothing of the present and the future is all referring back to previous mistakes. And you did the Aigel of which came from a certain route of too much money. And then you went and sent in spies and that was because you didn't trust in God. All previous faults, says Rav Yerucham That's exactly right. That's exactly how Mussar goes. Mussar is supposed to remove the curtains and an earth all previous faults to look at them with a true and honest eye. The YH capable of enabling us to think of we're perfect. We've never we've never sinned. That's why step one in any recovery program is we have admitted that we are powerless over whatever it is and that our lives have become unimaginable step one to any amount of growth is a truthful recognition of a shortcoming. Mussar focuses on the past, we're saying a chiddush Mussar is not about the future. That comes Memaila that comes naturally Mussar is about clarifying where it is that I struggle. Messsilas Yesharim begins introspection about what is it that I need to fix? The past! What are my pros? And what are my cons Recognizing your past and your specific talents and your specific shortcomings is ground zero to your greatness. And conversely, Billam constantly praising us look at his blessings of Israel they nearly made it into the Liturgy of the siddur but he had nothing practically productive for Israel he just wanted to watch us burn. A true friend somebody you can bring out somewhere that you struggle you should give him a hug and say thank you rabbi now I can begin to grow. These are the words of Moshe Rabbeinu on accepting the criticism and looking to growThese are the words of Moshe rebuke bringing out our laws to spur us on to success. Not some half hearted compliment. That's mere flattery and leads us nowhere. Acceptance is our Vort acceptance is our beginning, recognition of our previous shortcomings for without acceptance, for without recognition of our inadequacies, there can be no victory