Boost #70 The Measuring Rod

The last of the Ten Commandments—“Lo Tachmod,” Do Not Covet—asks something radical: Don’t desire what belongs to someone else. Not their house, their spouse, their success.

This isn’t just about envy—it’s about how we measure ourselves. What measuring rod do we use to measure ourselves? Coveting happens when we compare our inside to someone else’s outside. Do not covet says: Don’t measure yourself against others—measure yourself against truth.

In first-world countries, although we often measure worth by image and possessions, in truth, everyone is a garbage man—quite literally—we all play a role in managing waste to maintain a healthy environment. Figuratively, beneath the surface of polished appearances, we all carry hidden burdens and struggles in one form or another. No one’s life is as perfect as it looks on the outside. The question is, what does God see when He looks at your life? Are you honest? Kind? Trying to improve? When we live by God’s standards, we find clarity. We stop chasing shadows and start embracing purpose. HaShem doesn’t ask us to be like others. He asks us to be righteous. And in His eyes, that’s where true greatness lies.

Cheshbon HaNefesh, Accounting of the Soul, is the practice of honest self-accounting, where a person regularly reflects on their actions, thoughts, and spiritual growth. It was introduced as a daily practice by the great Mussar teacher Rabbi Menachem Mendel Lefin at the beginning of the 19th century.

Each evening, before going to sleep, ask yourself one question: “Did I live today in a way that measures up to the truth? Reflect honestly—Was I kind? Did I speak with integrity? Did I use my time well? Take note of three things you did that channeled God’s light into the world, and one thing to improve tomorrow.