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There are great differences, infinite levels, between levels of intent. take one topic and pray over it every day for at least half an hour, Originally, this was personal prayer, in which every individual spoke
There are not only the opposite extremes of Yossi and Danny. The he will not change. And he should not deceive himself. with Hashem in his own words and in his own simple language. As
intent of a single individual, says Rabbi Nachman, changes from Rambam teaches (Mishneh Torah: Hilchot Tefillah 1), originally prayer 3
day to day and from moment to moment. Similarly, there is a great Therefore, tens of thousands of scholars from the “generation did not have a set form and set time, but everyone spoke with
difference between the goals that people are striving for. There are of knowledge” (Psalms 34:15) in the desert fell from two central Hashem at any time of the day, in keeping with his own ability to
goals that one can attain with a small amount of intent; there are and basic foundations of this world: faith and holiness (as will be praise, request and thank. Presumably, they devoted a significant
goals that demand a greater amount of intent; there are goals that discussed in greater detail). These are the two foundations of the amount of time to that every day. “There is a person who prays
demand a firm and stubborn amount of intent; and there are goals rectification of the entirety of this world, because all of a person’s once a day and there are those who pray many times.” If in our days,
that demand years of intent and prayer. Thus: “There are a number work is included in two central areas of endeavor: “Turn aside when the generations have descended, people devote at least an
of types of object of desire, one higher than the other, and the from evil and do good” (Psalms 34:15). The central way of “turning hour and a half to prayer every day, certainly the generation of the
size of a person’s desire must correspond to the size of the desired aside from evil” is to distance oneself to the greatest extent from desert devoted much more than an hour and a half. Nevertheless,
object” (Likutei Moharan I 66). all sensuality and from lack of holiness and modesty—which, Rabbi that did not help them. That is because they did not focus and work
Nachman says, is the all-encompassing evil (Likutei Moharan 19) (as on one thing at a time, day after day, until they would bring about
Let us look more deeply at the example of the student who is discussed at great length in Brit Shalom, The Covenant of a fundamental change in that area.
overcame his anger. What was the principal cause of the change Peace). And the central way of “doing good” is to have faith,
that took place in him and led to the eradication of this trait? The because faith is the foundation of all of the good of this world: all A Torah scholar approached me and told me that over the course
main factor is that he set aside time to bring his intent into his good traits and all Torah and mitzvot. As Rabbi Nachman states, of the years he had dedicated much time to daily self-reflection and
prayers. He bolstered his will and did not relinquish it. “The foot indicates the realm of faith, upon which all of the traits personal prayers. After hearing me teach, he began to dedicate at
and the entire Torah stand” (Sichot Haran 261; as explained at length in least half an hour a day to the work of will and prayer, focusing
Let us look at another difference between Yossi and Danny—and In the Garden of Faith). only on guarding his eyes. He prayed, entreated and expressed his
between all Yossis and Dannys. All of them want. All of them focus. will. After just a few months, he saw a tremendous change. He
All of them encourage themselves. The question is: what happens Freefall reached such a level of absolute purity that, he told me, “I didn’t
with this intent afterwards? They must arouse that intent, fortify it know that even in this generation I could reach the level of the Baba
and strengthen it. Without strong and firm intent, it is impossible to After 40 uninterrupted years of learning Torah, the nation of Sali.” Yes, even in this generation a person can reach every level.
move forward. Therefore, a person’s intent requires a framework. Israel degenerated into promiscuous behavior with the non-Jewish Even in this generation, a person can be entirely pure.
If he wants his intent to be actualized, he must dedicate time to daughters of Midian, who induced them as well to engage in idolatry.
intend. Without that, all that he learns about the topic will go in Here we must ask the distressing and painful question: how was it You Too Are Able
one ear and out the other. Everything will be ungrounded theory.
True, as a result of a little intention, he will attain small goals here possible that after 40 years of such pure spirituality (as described This is only one story of a great many. These are verified matters
above), they descended to such grievous behavior? That seems
and there, and he will see minor changes. But he will not achieve illogical. The answer is pointed and the message is unambiguous: that I saw with my own eyes and heard with my own ears. A person
the factors upon which his entire life and all true success in his life nothing changes a person—nothing!—but personal work. This is a who engages in this work changes. Therefore, be intelligent. Test
depend, great achievements that demand true and firm intent. This clear demonstration that cannot be dismissed: 40 years of perfect this and see for yourself. It would be a pity to reach conclusions
means that a person must devote time to the work that will be
discussed in this book: the service of the will. Thus, the principal conditions—unclouded spirituality, learning Torah day and night, on the basis of merely theoretical discussions. “Taste and see that
the greatest rabbi and tzaddik—did not help them withstand the
Hashem is good” (Psalms 34:9). First of all, taste and see right
answer to the question of what constitutes the difference between test. That is because, without doing the work of the will, a person before your eyes that everything that is written here is absolutely
Yossi and Danny inheres in the work of the will.
does not change but remains with all of his cravings; and if he faces true. Choose one small area where you want to see a change in
a challenge, he is in the greatest danger of falling. yourself, and spend ten minutes a day for a month with intentions
and yearning to achieve that change, and you will see it happen.
Everyone is aware of the cravings that entice him, fill him, burn You must realize that ten minutes a day will work to achieve small