Way 23: The Engine of All Virtues – Cultivating a Good Heart

In episode twenty-three of the 48 Ways series during the Omer, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe teaches Tov Lev — “with a good heart.” This quality is the engine that drives all other positive traits and actions. The Shema’s command to love God “with all your heart” (b’chol levavcha) refers to the two inclinations battling within us: the yetzer tov (good inclination) and the yetzer hara (evil inclination). We must consciously choose the good heart every day.

Rabbi Wolbe explains that a good heart brings clarity and virtue to everything else we do. Before every decision, we should ask: What does my soul want versus what does my body want? The yetzer hara pushes for immediate comfort or pleasure (chocolate cake, procrastination, TV), while the soul yearns for growth, wisdom, and connection to God. In Pirkei Avot, when the students were asked for the best way a person should conduct himself, Rabbi Elazar ben Arach answered “a good heart,” and that was deemed the correct response because a good heart energizes and perfects all other traits.

Key teachings include: do not get caught up in the facade of the world (beautiful cars or walls hide twisted metal and wires underneath); resist the “I” generation’s self-centered culture that cannot tolerate differing opinions; learn to appreciate small steps forward and differences in others; let children experience healthy failure so they learn to push themselves; be proactive about filling life with good deeds and emulating God; and constantly evaluate priorities — money versus happiness, comfort versus growth.

Rabbi Wolbe reminds us that the heart inspires action while the body performs it. A good heart keeps us aligned with our true mission, helps us discern real from fake, and ensures that even when we fall (the righteous fall seven times and rise), we get back up with renewed direction. Ultimately, having a “tov lev” is the key to maximizing life and achieving true happiness.
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Recorded in TORCH Centre - Studio A on May 24,  2022, in Houston, Texas.
Released as Podcast on July 8, 2022

The 49 days we count between Pesach (Passover) and Shavuot are an exciting time for powerful and impactful change. The Mishna (Avot 6:6) teaches us 48 masterful tools and ways to maximize life and get the most out of each day.
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About the Host:
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: [email protected]

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Listen More
Other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: 

• NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodes
• Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodes
• Jewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodes
• Parsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodes
• Living Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodes
• Thinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodes
• Unboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodes
• Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodes

For a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org
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Keywords:
#JewishInspiration, #Omer, #Count, #48Ways, #SpiritualGrowth, #TorahWisdom, #PirkeiAvot, #WisdomDaily

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