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Of course, you must focus on a single topic. Take a few books Thus, it is not without reason that Rabbi Nachman stated
that deal with that subject. Alternatively, take some books that deal regarding Sefer Hamidot:
with a variety of topics, such as the well-known books, Orchot
Tzaddikim, Rabbi Nachman’s Sefer Hamidot, Rabbi Natan’s This is my good, faithful and dedicated friend. This
Likutei Eitzot or Rabbi Eliezer Papo’s Pele Yoetz, and learn only book made me into a Jew.
the parts and chapters that deal with your topic. Take a notebook
and pen, a pencil and ruler, and begin to go through the books Regular Learning Times and Review
that you have chosen. Categorize the material that you are learning
under the following headings:
Therefore, the preferable way to learn is to follow this approach
of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov. Every day, you must review the
1.The importance of the topic. conclusions of your learning, in order not to forget them. This
learning is useful when you carefully review all of the points that
you have elucidated. Conversely, when a person does not review,
2.The advantages of mastering the topic. the prince of forgetfulness reigns and causes him to forget what
he learned, and that allows doubts to return and dominate him.
Therefore, you must learn and review a great deal every day. This
idea is stated in the famous introduction to Mesillat Yesharim:
3.The losses caused by not mastering the topic.
I did not compose this work to teach people what they do not
know, but to remind them of what they already know, of that
4.Advice on attaining mastery and progressing. which is quite well-publicized. In most of what I have written, you
will only find matters that most people know and do not question
at all. But although these matters are evident and their truth is
5.Which elements keep a person from mastering this topic and revealed to everyone, people commonly ignore them and regularly
progressing. forget them. Therefore, the utility to be gained from this book
does not result from a onetime reading, because the reader might
only attain a few intellectual insights that he did not have before.
6.Summing up, and helpful dictums with which to continue to Rather, the usefulness results from consistent review of the
material, because the reader will remember these matters that
work and pray. people naturally forget, and he will take to heart his obligations
that he had been ignoring.
Each time you learn and categorize the material, mark the date
and time in your notebook. Make the topic memorable by providing Similarly, the great leaders of Israel had the custom of learning two
your own examples, and visualize applications with striking and halachot a day on guarding one’s tongue from the Chafetz Chaim,
vivid imagery. Write down every idea that occurs to you—whether because as much as a person hears classes, goes to assemblies and
insights from other books, your own observations and associative receives encouragement, and no matter how much he is inspired
thoughts, or prayers and other fine words that Hashem has sent you here and there to change his conduct, the routine of life and its
in your personal work. In this vein, we learn that “on a number of habits dampen his enthusiasm and make him forget all of his resolve.
occasions, [Rabbi Nachman] would speak to Hashem, may He be But if you learn and remind yourself of such simple matters every
