Rav Ovadia MeBartenura, the Rabbi that commented on Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) which is what we hold to learn during this time of Sefirat HaOmer) over 1,000 years ago opens up his commentary on Pirkei Avot with beauty. He explains that all the nations in the world have their own leaders and scholars, and their wisdom is true and accepted. The only difference between the wisdom and advice that is given to our nation, the Jewish people, [through Masechet Avot] is that it is DIVINE.
The beginning of living a life of Mitzvot and following the Torah entails us to first believe and truly act with Fear in Heaven and see the Oral and Written Torah as Divine. There is a fundamental point of view that every Jew needs to implement and live by if they want to get close to G-d and live a life of Jewish meaning and Jewish identity. This ingredient is working on their Middot (characteristic trait).
For example, if someone tends to be an angry person they need to filter their emotions and find out what gets them angry and why they get angry. If an individual cannot control themselves with food then they need to see why and what gets them to build this lack of control. If any individual cannot accept what is happening to them, whether it be missing the subway or getting embarrassed by a stranger in public; maybe they should search within themselves to find out why they cannot accept that G-d controls the world.
I heard a beautiful mashal (fable) that explains the importance of having great middot for life. When an individual slowly trickles down a bucket in a well to get water they must place a weight/stone inside for the bucket to sink and then pull it up to get the water. The lesson is that this weight/stone that helps us get the water is Good Middot (traits) and the bucket symbolizes a person and the water is Torah. The only way to really get some Torah in our system and live a life of getting close to Hashem is via working on our Middot, because if we don't then the bucket will never even get the opportunity to be filled - it will simply float and fail.
With the Hodesh of Iyar beginning as we speak, maybe we should take upon ourselves to change one tiny aspect of our behavior with others to become better people. After all, we are in this world to imitate G-d, to imitate being merciful and caring. Good luck!
Hodesh Tov!
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