Snake Poison

Without its poison, the snake is no more and no less than any other of G‑d’s creatures.

Whether it be the snake of hatred, of greed, of indifference, of jealousy, of pride—of any foul aspect of human character—they are only evil because of their poison, the poison of “I am here.”

Because when “I am here,” there is no room for any other being in the world to be here.

Without the “I am here” even jealousy and pride can be glorious animals; even they can drive a person towards greater good.

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Where the Self Lives

No Limits

By Tzvi Freeman

From the wisdom of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory; words and condensation by Rabbi Tzvi Freeman. Subscribe and get your dose daily. To order Rabbi Freeman’s latest book, Wisdom to Heal the Earth, click here.

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13 Comments

Korina Florida December 2, 2015

I Am Here Thanks so much for this thought. Couldn't be more relevant for me right now.
Am struggling so much with former husband marrying the "perfect" girl for him and I am drowning in "I Am Here".
Really need to remove my ego and focus on all that my soul yearns to do. Reply

Justin Roth Staten Island, NY April 6, 2012

"I Exist" and I'm not a snake Acknowledging the fact that "I Exist" is not evil in and of itself. It's when one believes "Only I Exist" that trouble starts. If one believes "I Exist, along with everyone else in the world and the whole universe" I think this is the proper perspective to have. Having this perspective will not lead a person to hatred, jealousy, greed or any other negative trait. This is the proper way to exist. Reply

kameo Holland July 3, 2011

The I i disagree on this, i am sorry but you need the "I" ! Reply

Anonymous Toronto June 25, 2011

Wisdom Dear Honourable Rabbi Freeman:

I always ensure that I read your comments. Your innate wisdom is mind-boggling - it is simply shocking that it still thrives, and grows in today's climate of spectacular falsehoods, distortions, self-serving attitudes, and utter lack of common sense.

I am very very deeply grateful that you make your gifts available to those such as I, who still seek, desperately, to grow and understand.

Todah Rabba Reply

Michelle Andre cc, fl June 24, 2011

Who am I? Reciently while learning how to write a resume for school we where instucted not to use the "I " if we could help it. We the students where told to write how we could be of service to whom we where writing this resume for.
Another way to look at the "i" is if I don't know who I am or if I have never experienced pain how can I help others or feel thier pain?
I is not allways selfish and be a service. I can be used to find out who I am! Reply

Rich Santa Monica June 24, 2011

no clue Usually, I love your daily offerings.This one however, is way too esoteric. What does it mean? Just say it. Reply

David Vienna, Austria June 24, 2011

Hmmm I actually think you are on the mark with this comment. Reply

Miss Judith L Witten Brockton, Ma/USA June 24, 2011

Hey, Stick Up for Yourself The poison of "I" starts from the core-I have this opinion...and inside this core you are being told to listen to the force to deveop your "I" or Ego over all other beautiful beautiful parts that make up the whole of you. Now this force..is very very strong like a tidal wave and it makes you feel that you must must be STRONG in this world and even LONELY and STRONG which is almost funny...noone sticks up for you then certainly wait till someone does certainly you are nice enough. Reply

Anonymous Perth , Australia July 28, 2008

Snake Poison How can jealousy and pride exist without the "I"? Reply

Elie Bashevkin July 28, 2008

For explanation see "Where the Self Lives" thought in this section Reply

Elie Bashevkin July 28, 2008

The Rebbe may mean that many things that we see as GOOD or BAD if we would only percieve them for as they truly are - realities INDEPENDANT OF our true selves, and not percieve them AS our selves, they could be used as major assets. Example: Jealousy, a GOOD thing or BAD thing? Well, look at what it IS: man percieves that X belongs to him, even though in truth it does not. That is not GOOD or BAD, it just is an INCORRECT perception of reality that may stem from one of a numer of causes. Jealousy can Motivate man to do GOOD or BAD, and man is able to choose. If MAN - the true I - chooses, then he may use jealous feeling toward GOOD. However, if man percieves this feeling of jealously to mean that X really does belong to him then this scewed perception of reality can lead him to do terrible things. Man can be motivated to perform well on the basketball court or in his studies, & Man can be motivated to act like a jerk. "The snake is...only evil because of...the poison of 'I exist'" Reply

Anonymous ferndale, mi July 28, 2008

snake's poison i don't understand. Reply

Yochana Bas Chana NYC, NY July 28, 2008

Snake Poison I believe that the point you are making, in this case as in many others, can certainly be made from a positive perspective rather than from this sort of negative perspective. I often wish these messages had its wisdom conveyed in a sweet, loving manner. Please consider this comment, Tavi. Reply

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