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relevant material, summarize it and study it deeply until he realizes blessed, with words of pleading and beseeching from his heart. In
that without attaining his desired trait he is not really alive. Only the midst of his words he received [inspiration for] fine arguments
when he realizes that his life depends on that trait, only when that and proper and well-arranged prayers. These were pleasing in his
awareness enters his soul and he is on fire with it, can he stand eyes, and he would write them down in order to remember them
before Hashem and plead with Him to attain that trait. Thus, the so that he might regularly recite them in prayer afterwards as well”
introduction to Sefer Hamidot states that the purpose of this type (Shivchei Haran 11). Rabbi Nachman guided others in this path and
of learning is to strengthen a person so that he will be able to stand said that “it is good to write one’s prayers for oneself” (Sichot Haran
and pray to attain the nullification of his evil traits and cravings: 145). Similarly, it is good to write small notes as a memory aid and
to take sentences from one’s learning, give them a melody, and sing
This book contains wonderful teachings that our pure them throughout the day.
and holy rabbi assembled in his childhood, which, in his
great wisdom, he was able to infer [from Torah sources]. We Increase Joy
He gathered together all of the material that he found
in all of the holy books dealing with ethics, behavior I will provide a practical example to help you understand the
and upright traits. He wrote these down for himself as a proper way of learning. This model can be applied to any topic.
memory aid…, so that he might see with his own eyes the
excellence of every good trait and vice versa, and thus go A person who chooses to work on acquiring the trait of joy must
in the way of good people and keep to the pathways of learn every day from books that discuss and teach how to attain
that trait. First of all, he should categorize what he has learned,
the righteous….
as I described above. To illustrate, I have selected a few passages
from two books, Sefer Hamidot and Likutei Eitzot, which I have
He directed us to copy everything that he had written categorized so as to show you the proper manner of learning, and
… so that this book may not leave our mouths, but the power and inspiration that such learning brings:
that we may study it always until we will put an end to
our evil traits, because when a person sees a well- 1. The importance of the topic:
organized exposition of the baseness of some evil
trait, showing the tremendous loss that it causes When a person is joyful, Hashem is with him, whereas
and the terrible blemish that it engenders, he will when he is depressed, Hashem is not with him.
have pity on himself and gird his loins to firmly
withstand it, pleading with the Compassionate It is a great mitzvah to be constantly joyful.
One to rescue his soul from destruction by saving Conversely, depression is a great sin. It is the Sitra
him from those evil traits or evil cravings and the like. Achra itself, and the Holy One blessed be He, hates it.
And the opposite applies to good traits.
Joy is a person’s highest connection with Hashem,
“He who considers a matter will find good” (Proverbs and he feels pleasure in Hashem, in the fact that he is
16:20). He will find proper advice on how to protect in the light of the face of the King of life. Conversely,
himself from some evil trait…. depression is an absolute disconnection from Hashem
and it is great darkness.