Shema-Reb Zusha-Kindling the Love

The 11th of Adar is the Yahrtzeit of Rav Eliezer Lipman Weisblum, father of Reb Elimelech of Lizhensk and Reb Zusha of Annipoli: I heard from our master, Reb Zusha, that when he wanted to have love in his heart for God, and for prayer, he would remind himself of some worldly love. So for anyone, when you are reminded of what you love, your children, or your money, when you have aroused happiness in your heart by this thought, and brought the love hidden within you into revelation, then, afterward, when you reflect on God’s wondrous doings and kindnesses, great love for God will be aroused within you. For all loves and good things are rooted in Him Who is their source. I saw this holy way used by the Maggid of Mezritch. For when you want to burn some wood and it will not take fire, you bring straw and light it first, and then the wood begins to burn. And so sometimes it is good to light your inner fire first with “straw,” the joys of this world, and afterwords use this light to light a fire in your soul. (Menorat Zahav, Page 119)