Why is the Yetzer Hara compared to a fly? The Maharal calls the Yetzer Hara “despicable like a fly.” Because a fly has a very short life span, it is totally transient.
There is so much time and wasted energy put into fulfilling our material desires,which are empty and void of any spiritual satisfaction, that by the time they are accomplished they are short lived.
The point I’m trying to get across is that this world is valueless unless there is purpose and meaning into our endeavors.
Let’s take food for example. You are going out tonight to a fancy restaurant,and all day you have been savoring that dish you love. You get to the restaurant and after eating the food, the pleasure is gone. The food is of great pleasure while it’s in the mouth, then the pleasure is over. The same is true for all the pleasures of the senses, it’s so transient. Unless you use the pleasure to elevate the world. Before eating say a blessing thanking the food. Before buying the fancy shoes, give some tzedakah (charity), while on vacation in a beautiful place, sing praises to H”S for His beautiful world and allowing you to see it.
When we live in this way, our pleasure won’t be transient but eternal and it won’t come from the Yetzer Hara but from our Divine inclination (Yetzer Hatov).
Some excerpts taken from “Battle Plans” Rebbetzin Tzipora Heller &Sarah Yoheved Rigler.
www.livealittlehigher.com
