Fix Yourself, Fix the World

There is a famous comment made by Rabbi Yisrael Salanter:

When I was young, I wanted to change the world. Then I realized that I could not change the world. And so I thought, maybe I will change my nation. Then I realized that I could not change my nation. And so I thought, maybe I will change my village. Then I realized that I could not change my village. And so I thought, maybe I will change my family. Then I realized that I could not change my family. And so I thought, maybe I will change myself.

Then I realized, if I would change myself, this would change my family. And if I would change my family, this would change my village. And if I would change my village, this would change my nation. And if I would change my nation, I would change the world.

This comes from the Gra, with his parable of the jug and the glasses.

People like hearing it from Goyim, instead? Fine:

From YouTube, here.

Some other articles:

  1. Our Articles About Non-Judaism: A ‘Declaration of Intent’
  2. The Nesivos On Causing Unintentional Damage
  3. Appreciating the Gifts of Creation
  4. The Apocryphal Story of Brothers on the Temple Mount
  5. ‘What’s the Difference Between Hyehudi and X (a Similar Site)?’

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