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This is the highest type of learning. Thus, the mishnah states that 5. As you have learned in this book, the core of the work of the you? Is this all that Hashem wants from you? To be an animal
“a person who learns in order to do is given the ability to learn, will that leads to change is daily prayer in which a person verbally with sidelocks and a beard? It is right that you must rejoice in this
teach, keep and do” (Avot 4:5). That is the greatest promise made expresses his intentions. However, the first and necessary step is throughout the day, and it is really wonderful—but should you
in regard to learning. A person who learns in this way is assured that learning. Learning is the “starter” of the work of Hashem, because be satisfied with that and give up all of your spiritual ambitions?
he will attain everything, because he will acquire a strong intent, it gives a person the power to strengthen himself in prayer. Torah That is absolute falsehood! Your self-encouragement is fitting for
which in turn will lead him to learn, teach, keep and do. learning and prayer complement each other. As the verse states, the 23 hours of the day that begin right after you finish crying
“You shall know today and you shall place upon your heart” out to Hashem on behalf of your life. Then you are obligated to
This has been the approach of all of the tzaddikim, because they (Deuteronomy 4:39). Learning the Torah corresponds to “you experience tremendous happiness and rejoice in your every good
know the great power of learning, and they thus learn with the shall know today”—you shall have the knowledge that you must point. Indeed, after you have cried out to Hashem with all your
proper intent. Therefore, everything that they learn helps them revitalize and enhance the Torah every day. Then you engage in heart, you truly have tremendous cause to feel encouraged no
experience intent, implement what they have learned and engage prayer and pleading, beseeching Hashem to inject your mental matter what you might go through, because you have performed
in a very great amount of prayer asking Hashem to help them knowledge into your heart. That corresponds to “You shall place your responsibility and cried out to Hashem with all your heart.
continue to learn and implement their learning in a practical way. upon your heart.” However, it is absolutely, completely forbidden for your self-
As a result of all this, they procure their surpassing achievements. encouragement, faith or thanksgiving to weaken your prayers and
6. Rabbi Nachman says that when we learn Torah forcefully, all of outcries.
What evidence indicates that you are learning properly? If your our prayers and requests are accepted. “Learning Torah forcefully”
learning sets your intent aflame and fills you with energy that does means that a person spends time every day learning about the topic People have told me: “You have taught that we should go on
not allow you to rest until you implement your intent, that is proper that he is working on. That learning has the power to help his good the path of giving thanks, of saying that everything is good and
learning: learning whose purpose is to do. If, on the other hand, inclination overcome his evil inclination. Also, learning Torah helps that there is no evil, and so forth. How can you suddenly change
your learning does not arouse your will sufficiently, that is a sign a person understand the hints and advice that exist in all reality on direction?” I reply: “You are right. This is indeed a new light.
that it is woefully inadequate, that you do not see in a coordinated how to come close to Hashem. The Torah consists of the names But there is absolutely no contradiction. At the time that you do
arrangement the superior qualities, importance and advantages of of the Holy One, blessed be He. Thus, learning the Torah helps a the work of the will on spiritual matters, Hashem wants you to
attaining your goal—and, conversely, the detriments attendant on person subjugate the spirit of foolishness from which all sins result. make demands of Him. That is the purpose for which He created
failing to attain it. Therefore, you are not inspired to engage in As a result, his words will have grace in the eyes of Hashem, and you and the entire world. But after you have cried out, you must
spirited work and you remain undistinguished, one foot here and Hashem will want him and accept his prayers (cf. Likutei Moharan I certainly give thanks to Hashem for everything.” We must clearly
one foot there, wavering between two paths. With such learning, 1). Learning Torah in this way is called “learning Torah forcefully,” understand that there is no contradiction. In serving Hashem, there
you will not attain your goal, because the central element is missing. because with this learning a person makes a special effort to insert is a time and place for everything. The totality of serving Hashem
all that he has learned into his mind, heart and life. means that we know how to rejoice, how to give thanks and how
“Open My Heart to Your Torah” to see the good throughout the entire day. Yet on the other hand
7. The essence of a person’s character and the measure of his we must know how to stand and pray with utter devotion, and
When you learn, you must open your heart and learn with success correspond to his knowledge or awareness. “If you have battle for our lives in the strongest way imaginable. That is not a
fervor, enthusiasm and yearning. You must focus exclusively on acquired knowledge, what do you lack?” (Nedarim 41a). Only a contradiction. That is wholeness.
your learning. After you have come upon especially inspiring person’s awareness determines whether or not he will withstand
words or a discussion of matters regarding which you need especial the tests that he undergoes. Learning Torah enhances a person’s To the degree that you are connected to goodness, faith and
encouragement, when you find yourself stumbling, you must review awareness, and when he prays, he inserts that awareness into joy, you have the power to see Hashem’s love and kindness, and
such a passage over and over again. Such learning has especial power his heart. As a result, he will certainly be able to withstand the thus you can cry out to Him from the depths of your heart. And
to result in change. Such learning is the work of the will itself, and challenges of life. the more you cry out to Hashem, the more you can strengthen
it also leads to the work of the will. Only learning that leads to the yourself, because you are truly performing your work in the best
8. When a person is tested—for instance, when he is under possible way. And you cannot do more than that.
pressure or angry, or especially vulnerable—his mind is not settled.