Chizuk

It's normal to struggle

• See Rav Shlomo Wolbe
• See The Steipler
• See Normalization

No one is immune

• Bava Basra 164b. Tosfos Chullin 37b that only Yechezkel Hanovi was able to attest that he was immune to this.
• Even the greatest Gedolim have struggled with such thoughts and temptations. Kiddushin 81a-81b regarding R’ Amram Chasida, R’ Meir, and R’ Chiya bar Ashi. Rashi Sanhedrin 31b about Mar Ukvah. Bava Metzia 85a regarding the son of R’ Elazar ben R’ Shimon.
• Rabbi Yaakov Emden related in Megilas Sefer (Ed. Warsaw, 5657) p. 82 how he was personally tempted, and barely withstood the test.

See also Rav Elyah Lopian, Reb Itche der Masmid.

Heavenly Reward

• See Heavenly Reward

Related entries

• Perspectives on the Struggle