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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 relevant material, summarize it and study it deeply until he realizes
that deal with that subject. Alternatively, take some books that deal regarding Sefer Hamidot: that without attaining his desired trait he is not really alive. Only
with a variety of topics, such as the well-known books, Orchot when he realizes that his life depends on that trait, only when that
Tzaddikim, Rabbi Nachman’s Sefer Hamidot, Rabbi Natan’s This is my good, faithful and dedicated friend. This awareness enters his soul and he is on fire with it, can he stand
Likutei Eitzot or Rabbi Eliezer Papo’s Pele Yoetz, and learn only book made me into a Jew. before Hashem and plead with Him to attain that trait. Thus, the
the parts and chapters that deal with your topic. Take a notebook introduction to Sefer Hamidot states that the purpose of this type
and pen, a pencil and ruler, and begin to go through the books Regular Learning Times and Review of learning is to strengthen a person so that he will be able to stand
that you have chosen. Categorize the material that you are learning and pray to attain the nullification of his evil traits and cravings:
under the following headings:
Therefore, the preferable way to learn is to follow this approach
This book contains wonderful teachings that our pure
of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov. Every day, you must review the and holy rabbi assembled in his childhood, which, in his
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 great wisdom, he was able to infer [from Torah sources].
you have elucidated. Conversely, when a person does not review, He gathered together all of the material that he found

2.The advantages of mastering the topic. the prince of forgetfulness reigns and causes him to forget what in all of the holy books dealing with ethics, behavior
he learned, and that allows doubts to return and dominate him. and upright traits. He wrote these down for himself as a
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
3.The losses caused by not mastering the topic.
in the way of good people and keep to the pathways of
I did not compose this work to teach people what they do not the righteous….
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 He directed us to copy everything that he had written
at all. But although these matters are evident and their truth is … so that this book may not leave our mouths, but
5.Which elements keep a person from mastering this topic and revealed to everyone, people commonly ignore them and regularly that we may study it always until we will put an end to
progressing. forget them. Therefore, the utility to be gained from this book our evil traits, because when a person sees a well-
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
6.Summing up, and helpful dictums with which to continue to Rather, the usefulness results from consistent review of the and the terrible blemish that it engenders, he will
material, because the reader will remember these matters that
have pity on himself and gird his loins to firmly
work and pray. people naturally forget, and he will take to heart his obligations withstand it, pleading with the Compassionate
that he had been ignoring. One to rescue his soul from destruction by saving
Each time you learn and categorize the material, mark the date him from those evil traits or evil cravings and the like.
and time in your notebook. Make the topic memorable by providing Similarly, the great leaders of Israel had the custom of learning two And the opposite applies to good traits.
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 “He who considers a matter will find good” (Proverbs
insights from other books, your own observations and associative receives encouragement, and no matter how much he is inspired 16:20). He will find proper advice on how to protect
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. himself from some evil trait….
occasions, [Rabbi Nachman] would speak to Hashem, may He be But if you learn and remind yourself of such simple matters every