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Our sages direct us: “Make yourself a teacher” (Avot 1:6). The of any topic that a person has placed before his eyes, and which Hashem (Likutei Moharan II 24). It is true that we must appreciate the
Rambam in his commentary on the mishnah explains: he contemplates, studies and clarifies until it grows clear and path of prayer accompanied by a broken heart and we must utilize
certain. Even if he stumbles, he knows the truth and he knows it, but we must always start with joy, and we must always return
Even if he is not worthy of being your teacher, make him your that he stumbled. Therefore, although he failed, he is in a very to joy. Therefore, it is vital to emphasize that after you do the
teacher until you visualize him teaching. As a result, you will good position, because he understands that he is not blameless and work of the will, having cried out to Hashem for half an hour (and
learn wisdom, because learning by oneself is not comparable that he must rectify himself. But when the evil inclination perverts at most an hour, because Rabbi Nachman says that it is forbidden
to learning from someone else. Learning by oneself is good, and distorts the truth and confuses a person’s awareness, he is in to have a “broken heart” for more than an hour), you should
but learning from someone else will have a longer-lasting a very difficult position, because he does not even know that he spend the rest of the day in a state of great joy and express a great
impact and it will be clearer—even if the teacher is merely your is immersed in darkness. He has no way to rectify his situation, deal of thanks and gratitude to Hashem. And pay no attention to
equal in wisdom or even inferior to you. because he does not understand that something in him is not all whether or not you have received what you asked for, because
right. “Every way of a person is straight in his eyes” (Proverbs 21:2). after you have presented all of your arguments to the Holy One,
That is to say, the Rambam states that a person must learn from blessed be He, He has His own reckonings regarding when to give
a teacher even if the teacher is not as wise as he is. Why? Because I will explain this in practical terms in accordance with the 10 you what you have asked for.
when we learn from someone else, we retain that learning for a example of joy with which I began. The evil inclination clothes
long period of time. Thus, when we hear words of encouragement itself in mitzvot and tells a person that depression and bitterness If you have not received what you prayed for, return to that
on a recording, even if we listen to it a few times and do not find are called repentance and regret. Thus, it causes him to spend the request day after day. Every day, begin with thanks: “Thank You
anything new, it has the ability to help us retain the learning—and entire day dejected over his sins. A person who has not learned and very much, Hashem, for bringing me before You another day and
that is the most important thing. does not know the truth, or who knows it on some level but has for wanting me to speak to You with more words as hot as burning
not truly realized it clearly, will suffer terrible desolation, which is coals regarding this matter that I am working on….” Throughout
Therefore, when you want to do the work of the will and you seek a grave sin. In addition, he will think that he is a holy person who the day, remind and console yourself that Hashem does not owe
a way to be inspired, choose a recording on the topic that you want is repenting—whereas he is actually caught deep in the net of his you anything. But that has no place at the time of your strong
to work on and listen to it repeatedly. Then, in accordance with evil inclination. But when a person knows clearly that depression is prayer to Hashem, because at that time He wants you to ask Him
what was said above regarding books, summarize it and categorize absolute evil—as Rabbi Nachman says, “It is the Sitra Achra and to draw close to serve Him.
it. Hashem, may He be blessed, hates it” (Likutei Moharan Ii 48)—he
knows the truth. Even if he does not succeed in inserting joy into his Certainly, when we engage in such prayer we bring about
For example, although my disks, The Honor of the Woman heart (since that awareness is still far from his heart), he knows that salvations, and we see great changes in a short period of time.
and First Place, are not a substitute for learning In the Garden he is in error. He wants to be happy and he is able to plead with As a result, we remember and we apply all of the Torah that we
of Peace, they encompass all of the central points in that book and Hashem to help him place proper awareness in his heart. learn each day. But a person cannot know what he will undergo.
they are good for review. In addition, since the listener is hearing It is possible that his difficulties will increase. He might experience
the speaker himself, that has a different influence than reading from Thus, the first stage in the work of the will is to attain clear descents. He might grow weak and lose his drive, and his awareness
a book. It is always good to absorb messages in a number of ways: awareness by means of deep and fundamental Torah learning. That might grow dull, and so forth. But whatever happens, he must not
hearing, reading, writing, summarizing, categorizing, singing, and learning and constant daily review build a wonderful tool of the let anything bewilder him. He must know that he is proceeding on
more. The main thing is to bring these to the work of the will. will. That is because a person strongly desires only that which is the right path. He must be happy, persevere and go forward to
clear to him, whereas his will is very weak regarding everything the best of his ability. Every day, he should tell Hashem, “I know
Due to the great kindness of Hashem, Who has had pity on the about which he is doubtful. that You want me to be free of the craving for eating and from all
final generation, even people who do not have the opportunity addictions this very day,” and he should forcefully ask to attain
and ability to set aside time to learn quietly from a book can listen Know What You Are Working On that. And the rest of the day he must not let any of his experiences
to a disk while driving or at work. And when a person plays a disk upset him. Instead, he should lovingly accept Hashem’s treatment,
repeatedly, it will influence him. As a result of listening and then which is in accordance with the profound reckonings of heaven.
reviewing what he has learned, he comprehends and appreciates the Without Torah learning, clarity and basic awareness, it is