Quote of the Month

"Few belong to the species that devotes regular thought and study to the perfection of [Divine] service, love and fear [of God], communion [with Him], and all other elements of piety (ḥasidut). It is not that they fail to recognize these matters as fundamental; for were you to ask them, all would say that this is the most fundamental thing of all and that it is unimaginable that a scholar who is truly wise not know all these matters clearly. The reason they do not give them much thought is that they consider them so familiar and obvious that they see no need to expend much time on their study. [...]. But the consequences of this state of affairs are most unfortunate, for wise and unwise alike. For it causes both to be bereft of true piety, so that it is rarely found anywhere. The wise lack it because they study it so little, and the ignorant lack it because they understand it so little."

(Moshe Ḥayyim Luzzatto, Mesillat Yesharim)