How is perseverance connected with self-control or hard work (Mesirut Nefesh) or repentance (Teshuva)? How we can acquire it and develop it? How do you connect perseverance with all the Jewish history? How do you apply perseverance in Jewish life?

Hi! You asked a lot of questions, and I will try to deal with a few of them. The word for perseverance in Hebrew is “akshanus.” It also means stubbornness. Like any character trait, it can be bad, as when a person sticks to the wrong way after his mistake has become apparent. But, like any character trait, it can be very good, and even essential to our service of G-d. The Jewish People are called in the Torah a “stiff-necked people”. It’s a criticism, but it’s also our strength. We don’t give up. We keep trying. All other nations, exiled from their lands, vanished and became absorbed. We have stayed focused and remained true to our task. Because of that, we’ll ultimately come to our complete success and perfection.

How does one develop this persistence? I could use some advice on that myself! I think there are two components to working on it. The first is to keep a long view. What is my goal? Is it what I feel I want now, or what I want to accomplish with myself? Am I here to do what I want, or to slowly slowly succeed in serving G-d properly?

The second component is rejuvenation. At a moment of extra inspiration, one resolves to do something. That inspiration is not permanent. Later, one won’t feel that way. So, one has to go back, every so often, preferably at specified times, and rethink the resolution, check out how it’s going, reaffirm the commitment.

The truth is that there’s also a third component. “Even with all of a person’s strength, he can only overcome the yetzer hara, man’s inclination to do wrong, with G-d’s help.” We have to pray for help. This can help us stay focused, and it helps because – G-d helps.

Best wishes and a lot of success,
Michoel Reach