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a person to improve” (Eichah Rabbati). The Torah has the power to work of the will is called “learning for its own sake,” because it is a person is just like an animal. Rather, I composed my
subjugate the tremendous evil inclination that overwhelms a person literally learning in order to know and implement Hashem’s will. book for a person who thinks deeply about what his end
and prevents him from walking on the path of life. As our sages will be, a person whose heart yearns and longs deeply to
said, “If this reprobate encounters you, drag him to the study hall” The Vilna Gaon learned Mesillat Yesharim 101 times, and serve Hashem, may He be blessed, a person who knows
(Kiddushin 30b). And they also quoted God as saying, “I created Rabbi Nachman of Breslov learned Reishit Chochmah “endless what overwhelming [tests] he will face (as we know).
the evil inclination, and I created the Torah as its antidote” (ibid.). times” (Shivchei Haran 7). That raises a question: presumably these It is this type of person whom my words are meant to
Thus, the greatest tool with which to conquer the evil inclination is great Torah masters and geniuses knew the books clearly and
deep practical learning and review. learned them by heart the first time they learned them. So why encourage and strengthen (Kochavei Ohr).
did they learn them so many times? The reason is that they wanted
2. As a person engages in his daily learning of advice and practical to integrate that learning into their hearts and arouse their will, A person who senses the danger he is in requires a great
ideas, he will find that God’s wondrous individual providence will because the purpose of learning ethical literature is not to gain deal of encouragement.
provide him with the inspiration that he needs that day, so that he knowledge but to build the will and fully acquire what one learns.
And here is a quote from another source about strong prayer for
may draw down heavenly assistance to help him overcome his evil spiritual goals that is immediately and wondrously effective (Beit
inclination. If such giants learned a book hundreds of times in order to master
it, how much more must people of scant worth such as ourselves Avraham: Tetzaveh):
3. This type of learning inspires a person to do the work of the will review our learning again and again with fervor and enthusiasm
seriously. Hashem created man in such a way that by nature he is until the material enters our hearts, arouses our will and brings “Command the children of Israel…” (Exodus 27:20). The
egotistical, self-interested and focused on his own benefit. Everyone about its proper effect. Hebrew word for “command,” tetzaveh, is the acronym
wants a good life, peace in the home, a decent income, health, and of the phrase, tza’akat hadal takshiv vetoshe’a—“the
goodness for his family. Everyone wants to be saved from troubles It is important to learn with enthusiasm, but it is even more outcry of the poor You heed and You save” (Siddur:
and misfortune. And in spirituality, everyone wants to succeed in important to learn with unwavering regularity. Therefore, even if Nishmat Kol Chai). We learn (Zohar III 195a) that there are
learning Torah, in acquiring good traits, and in becoming a true, on a certain day you have no free time and your mind is unsettled, three types of prayer: “a prayer of Moses,” “a prayer
holy and pure sage who has faith and who engages in prayer. so that you cannot learn in depth and with enthusiasm, do not of David” and “a prayer of the poor person.” Of these
abandon your learning entirely. Instead, show yourself that it is three, the greatest is “a prayer of the poor person.” His
Therefore, when we are aware of the substantial benefits that possible to learn at least a few lines of text, even if you read them heart is broken within him because there is no heart as
we will attain when we succeed and the losses that we will sustain hastily and superficially. The main thing is to keep up the regular
if we do not succeed, our human nature is aroused to want that flow of daily learning so as not to allow your good will to cool off broken as the heart of a poor person. Therefore, the
which will benefit and help us, and which will keep us far from entirely, heaven forbid. Holy One, blessed be He, accepts the outcry of the poor
harmful and injurious elements. We are all familiar with our nature person, takes heed of him and saves him.
embedded within us. We must direct it properly and use it for the Good Points of Learning
good. The holy rabbi, the author of Yesod Ha’olam, may
Every resolution and good decision you make is very good. But his merit protect us, said that in the phrase, “the outcry
In short: When a person is aware of the benefits of attaining his of the poor,” the word used for “poor” is dal. Dal can
goal and vice versa, his will to change is aroused, and he is thus the most useful resolution to enhance your knowledge and arouse also mean “to lift up,” as in the phrase, “My eyes were
impelled to engage seriously in the work of the will. your will is to engage in daily learning about the topic that you are lifted (dalu) to the heights” (Isaiah 38:14).
working to acquire. Why is that learning so important and decisive
in the work of the will?
4. Relatively few obstacles stand in the way of learning. Learning That means that when a Jew asks and pleads with
is not especially hard and does not make unusual demands on a 1. That learning is very effective because “the power of the the Holy One, blessed be He, “Raise me from my
person. Therefore, it is possible to regularly implement this advice, Torah is very great” (Sichot Haran 19) and “the light within it causes
which arouses the will.

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