Q:
When each of us is born, are we born with differences of ability to accomplish in the perfection of awareness of Hakodosh Boruch Hu?
A:
Are we all born with equal abilities?
And the answer is no. Each person has different abilities. Some people are more slow to look through the materialism and see the spirit behind it; yes, there are some people who are slow to see the secret. However, every man is judged by his abilities. And according to his abilities, if he utilized them to the best that he can, that’s his reward.
If somebody has a more agile mind, a quicker mind, more nimble thoughts, he gets less credit and he’s expected to achieve more.
So no; nobody is born exactly the same. Just like we say that nobody is the same in his face, אין פרצופיהן דומין זה לזה, so too nobody is the same in his mind: אין דעתם דומין זה לזה (Brachos 58a). And Rashi explains, no two minds are the same in this world. So if you have a slow mind, you can utilize it to become great according to your abilities.
January 1990
