“The Principle of Power gives us just what we ask of it; if we only undertake little things, it only gives us power for little things; but if we try to do great things in a great way it gives us all the power there is” – Late 19th century American writer, Wallace D. Wattles from The Science of Being Great
Willpower is not everything, but it is significant. The Vilna Gaon says thatratzon (will) is a tremendous force in the universe. Rav Wolbe in his Aley Shor says that ratzon is scary because you can look at a person and identify what was important to them. Why? If somebody wanted to become an ethical human being then they would have become an ethical human being. Such is the power of ratzon. Properly understanding this statement from the Vilna Gaon and pairing it with L’havdil Wallace D. Wattles “principle of power” – we are left with one great charge: will great things into your life. Don’t sell yourself short.
Rabbi Shlomo Einhorn