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Thus, it is not without reason that Rabbi Nachman stated relevant material, summarize it and study it deeply until he realizes blessed, with words of pleading and beseeching from his heart. In
regarding Sefer Hamidot: 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
This is my good, faithful and dedicated friend. This 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
book made me into a Jew. 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
Regular Learning Times and Review 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
Therefore, the preferable way to learn is to follow this approach
of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov. Every day, you must review the This book contains wonderful teachings that our pure them throughout the day.
conclusions of your learning, in order not to forget them. This and holy rabbi assembled in his childhood, which, in his
learning is useful when you carefully review all of the points that great wisdom, he was able to infer [from Torah sources]. We Increase Joy
you have elucidated. Conversely, when a person does not review, He gathered together all of the material that he found
the prince of forgetfulness reigns and causes him to forget what in all of the holy books dealing with ethics, behavior I will provide a practical example to help you understand the
he learned, and that allows doubts to return and dominate him. and upright traits. He wrote these down for himself as a proper way of learning. This model can be applied to any topic.
Therefore, you must learn and review a great deal every day. This memory aid…, so that he might see with his own eyes the
idea is stated in the famous introduction to Mesillat Yesharim: 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
I did not compose this work to teach people what they do not the righteous…. that trait. First of all, he should categorize what he has learned,
know, but to remind them of what they already know, of that as I described above. To illustrate, I have selected a few passages
which is quite well-publicized. In most of what I have written, you He directed us to copy everything that he had written from two books, Sefer Hamidot and Likutei Eitzot, which I have
will only find matters that most people know and do not question categorized so as to show you the proper manner of learning, and
at all. But although these matters are evident and their truth is … so that this book may not leave our mouths, but the power and inspiration that such learning brings:
revealed to everyone, people commonly ignore them and regularly that we may study it always until we will put an end to
forget them. Therefore, the utility to be gained from this book our evil traits, because when a person sees a well- 1. The importance of the topic:
does not result from a onetime reading, because the reader might organized exposition of the baseness of some evil
only attain a few intellectual insights that he did not have before. trait, showing the tremendous loss that it causes When a person is joyful, Hashem is with him, whereas
Rather, the usefulness results from consistent review of the and the terrible blemish that it engenders, he will when he is depressed, Hashem is not with him.
material, because the reader will remember these matters that have pity on himself and gird his loins to firmly
people naturally forget, and he will take to heart his obligations withstand it, pleading with the Compassionate It is a great mitzvah to be constantly joyful.
that he had been ignoring. 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.
Similarly, the great leaders of Israel had the custom of learning two
halachot a day on guarding one’s tongue from the Chafetz Chaim, And the opposite applies to good traits. Joy is a person’s highest connection with Hashem,
because as much as a person hears classes, goes to assemblies and and he feels pleasure in Hashem, in the fact that he is
receives encouragement, and no matter how much he is inspired “He who considers a matter will find good” (Proverbs in the light of the face of the King of life. Conversely,
here and there to change his conduct, the routine of life and its 16:20). He will find proper advice on how to protect
habits dampen his enthusiasm and make him forget all of his resolve. himself from some evil trait…. depression is an absolute disconnection from Hashem
But if you learn and remind yourself of such simple matters every and it is great darkness.