המאמר קרבת אלהים בספר מאמרי הראיה עמ' 32-39
We can recognize the purity of the human soul during the period of childhood before the soul has been contaminated by the illicit desires and forbidden yearnings of life. With a clear penetrating perspective we can observe how easy it is to inculcate children with spiritual feelings, holiness and fear of G-d, from the time the child has reached the most basic level of intellectual comprehension.
Rav Tzvi Yehuda Kook used to show his students an article written by a Communist Russian psychologist in the 1920's. He observed that small children are more inclined to believe in G-d and not to accept Commnist ideas. After being continuously indoctrinted with atheistic ideals eventually the child moves away from religious belief. [The article can be found in the sefer Tzadik Be'emunaso Yichye page 433-434.]
I once read about a well known Rav that he couldn't stand children. He said that adults at least can cover up their evil intentions whereas children are often openly, unabashedly cruel. I have stopped learning this Rav's sfarim. Someone who can't see the beauty and purity in children is missing it....
."לפעמים יש עוד אור של ילדות מבורכת גם אצל הבאים בשנים"
"Sometimes the light of the blessed childhood still remains with older people"
Igros Haraayah 3/19
The most pursued quality in this world is HAPPINESS. Everybody wants it - but many find it elusive. My idea is that we are TOO adult like and should try to restore more child like qualities.
Some qualities I see in children more than in adults. This is just my list. You can have your own.
Little children aren't "too busy" to play. Either should we be.
Little children laugh easily - so should we.
Little children are completely themselves - we should be too.
Little children cry when they are sad - we should also.
Little children crave attention - we also need attention and we should realize that.
Little children live with wonder - we should also.
Little children aren't cynical or suspicious of others - we should be a LITTLE less cynical and a LITTLE less suspicious.
Little children don't have an inflated sense of importance thinking that people should listen to them because only they truly understand. We should have a little of that too.
Little children are sweet. Adults could use some of that sweetness. The world would be a better place.
Little children are pure - we could use some of that purity.
