Getting a handle on Torah study

The blessings that learning Torah brings to ones life is unlimited. Some say finding time is a problem. Rabbi Avigdor Miller suggested that all you need to find is 15 minutes.  If one learns for 15 minutes and truly enjoys it, he will automatically find that another half hour was added to his day...

When I was a bochur in yeshiva one of my teachers saw me sitting on one tosfos (it was small) for 3 days.  He said: "Betzalel, the gemara is not a pilpul sefer".  I didn't take his words to heart.   

Over the years I continued to write and published some of it.  

I really enjoyed the in-depth study.  Yet I always felt that I was so empty of Torah.  Yes, I have flipped a lot of pages but didn't really retain much.  It was often very depressing that I would learn 40 pages of gemara and barely remember any of it.

I was involved in chinuch for 4 years, teaching gemara to 9th and 10th graders.   This frustration was often voiced. "We learn so much, yet come out with so little. Even when I review it a few times I don't really remember it after a few weeks".

This point was actually made over 400 years ago by the Maharsha on his commentary to Temura 16. He said: "One of the main reasons people give up learning is due to frustration over forgetting what they have learned". 

I found some hope.  I would like to share it with you.

Everyone talks about review.  The key is doing a proper review. What is a proper review? A proper review is a lifetime of review. 

Check out this program that can change your life, as it has for many.  Taking "chazara" to a whole new level.  The success stories include 10 year old and 80 year olds.  It is based on scientific research.  

I believe those that are looking to turn their 15 minutes a day of learning into more - by pumping it with some "geshmak", should take a serious look at this program.  

[As a side note, those that follow the rulings of the Alter Rebbe - the Baal HaTanya, have even more reason for investing more time into chazara. For his ruling puts the prohibition of forgetting Torah on even one that doesn't do a proper review.  See more on that here.] 

Rabbi Twerksi and the Lubavitcher Rebbe on kosher meditation

I saw Rabbi Dr. Tweski last Shabbos in Pittsburgh. I was a bit unsure about what I was about to do, but I did it anyway. I had recently read an interview with him, and he said some things that I wanted to clarify. 

He said: “He [the Rebbe] also suggested that meditation could be very therapeutic, but that we needed to develop meditation in accordance with Judaism, not based on Oriental religions. I told the Rebbe that it was early in psychiatric training, and I was not familiar with meditation but would look into it when I had the opportunity. And later I received a three-page letter from the Rebbe on meditation.”

[The Rebbe talks here on the topic of kosher meditation].

Reading this reminded me of another interview that Rabbi Twerski gave to Rabbi Chaim Dalfin printed in his book “Conversations with the Rebbe”. There (I don’t have the book on hand to quote from) Rabbi Twerski said that he didn't end up getting too involved in meditation and he even lost the letter the Rebbe sent him on the topic.

Him losing the Rebbe’s letter was on my mind when I approached him last Shabbos. I respectfully asked him if the story was true. I said is it true that you lost the letter from the Lubavitcher Rebbe on meditation! (I said Lubavitcher Rebbe because he is not a Lubavitcher.) He said to me: “The Rebbe (he didn't say Lubavitcher) didn't send me a letter on meditation, rather he had a scholarly paper from some journal, to which he added some notes”.

I then said that I have read some of his books, and my favorite are the ones with daily meditations…

There are so many different kinds of meditations. I like to keep it simple. I even stopped calling it meditation. I call it quiet time, with myself and Hashem. I try to do it every morning and night. For me it is probably the most important part of my day.

[On the topic of Twerski and the Rebbe, it’s known that the Rebbe encouraged him to move from Pittsburgh to NY to help frum Jews. He didn't want to go. He claimed he would have no time to learn Torah if he would be living in NY. In the end he moved from Pittsburgh to NY and continues to help 1000’s of yidden. And he seems to have much time to write and learn. I think he’s on his 60th book or something.]

I’ll give a shout out to Rus Devorah Wallen whom I admire very much. She is doing a lot of work with kosher meditation.  Check out her website.

See this interesting video (at 1:45)where Rabbi Twerskey brings his grandchildren to the Rebbe and the Rebbe blesses his that they wont need his services.  The Rebbe then asked him to send him his seforim.

The Kabbalah of Bankruptcy

This is not a podium for politics (although I do have a thing or two to say about that…) 

The largest municipal bankruptcy filing in U.S. history estimated to be $18–20 billion was filed by the city of Detroit some weeks ago and we just had our Government shutdown for over two weeks. Millions of American families are suffering bankruptcies, foreclosures and worse.

Many bankruptcies come from irresponsible behaviors and reckless spending.  Yet, countless people suffer from major financial catastrophes even though they basically "followed the rules".

In order for a seed to grow it first needs to rot. In Kabbalistic terms the “yesh (something)” can only come after there is first an “ayin (nothingness)”.

We all know that “everything comes from G-d”, but as obvious and simple as this idea is, it’s SO easy to forget. Beyond the constant mantra like reminders – one sometimes needs a major – big bang – reminder.

THUD!!! FARPLUMP!!!

Yes, those that needed it - myself included (sometimes more than twice and thrice) know what I mean…

You come out with a new way of looking at things – until we forget and need the next shutdown to keep us in check.

It’s so easy to say: “Hay that guy if he just tried a little harder, stopped being lazy - you know, picked up a shovel and got to work, then everything would be fine.” “You gotta wake up in the morning and do the right thing, and then everything goes good.” “You just got to put in the effort.”

The Chofetz Chaim wrote a letter (Michtevey Chofetz Chaim p. 39) in response to the claim about the poor that “they are just lazy”. The Chofetz Chaim responded: “(paraphrasing) G-d set up the world in a way that there are the “givers” and the “takers”. G-d wants it like that. There are supposed to be those people that just can’t make it. How does this take place? G-d created certain people with the ability to not be lazy, to do exactly what they need to do, make a lot of money and be able to give it to others that were not wired like that”.

[Don’t take this the wrong way; I can throw countless quotes of the Sages against the lazy…]

So what is the Chafetz Chaim saying, “the well-oiled Wall Street millionaire, don’t think you’re so hot – bankruptcy – kabooom. Madoff lost millions of your dollars. You didn't do anything wrong, you were cheated.

But maybe you have a little too much faith in your “effort” and you’re “hishtadlus”. You think you were so smart – who do you think gave you the brain? Who gave you the ability to be so organized, street smart and shrewd, likable and a leader?

[The same can be said to the president, chief rabbi, top of the class, and most handsome/pretty in the room etc.]

It all comes from G-d Almighty.

POOF…

Loshon Hora

Loshon Hora (evil tongue) is lately getting me really nervous. This might have to do with the fact that I’m guilty of this grave sin myself and therefore I am self-conscious about it. Or, if you want to quote the Baal Shem Tov, “the bad one sees in others always traces itself back to oneself.” 

I waited until after Tishrei – so as not to speak ill of others before the days of judgment. 

It’s not the sin aspect, the aveira-transgression stuff that really worries me (Although that in itself is huge!). The part that really gets to me is the after-effects to the person or group being spoken about. I recently heard someone say that it would be hard for a frum Jew to be a good comedian, because most good jokes are putting others down. 

There is an anecdote that the Chafetz Chaim sent one of his students to the Rebbe Rashab (5th Lubavitcher Rebbe) to get a haskama-approval for his famous “Chofetz Chaim” manuscript on the laws of loshon hora. The Rebbe Rashab supposedly responded: “In Chabad we work on not even thinking loshon hora”(1). 

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. Now all my Chabad readers are hopefully happy. No thinking loshon hora! We love all Jews (as long as you love us back). The 32nd chapter of the Tanya, the “lev” of Chabad Chassidus (the numerology of 32 is lamed-bet, spelling “lev,” or heart) is (I’m paraphrasing): “All Jewish souls are one body and when we elevate the body over the soul, it’s easy to love every Jew like oneself [for the body that separates one from another is subservient to the soul]…” So, while we’re working on controlling our thoughts and bodies, it might be a good idea to review a good book on the laws of loshon hora (there are hundreds to choose from). 

I try really hard to keep sarcasm out of my writing, but it does sometimes sneak in. I don’t have complete mind over body control. Or mind over mouth… 

(1). A similar story is told that the Chofetz Chaim asked the Rebbe Rashab why Chassidim make a big deal about not cutting their beard but not about loshon hora. The Rebbe Rashab supposedly answered that cutting a beard is a calculated act, as opposed to loshon hora, which is usually an accident.

The Rebbe’s take on taking a vacation

Over the last couple of years I have read a number of volumes of the Rebbe’s letters (recorded in over 40 volumes – most of his letters have not been printed yet).  One of the many benefits of reading the letters, is my getting a better sense of the Rebbe’s opinions in one-on-one related issues.  

The Rebbe delivered 10’s of thousands of public talks including directives and ideas for the masses.  The issue I often have is how to implement the many diverse ideas on a practical level.

In the public sphere the Rebbe often generalized, but in the individual letters you see his wisdom on a more personalized level. 

Why do I bring this up now?  The summer is a time for vacation and after Labor day I think according to all shitos vacation is over.  

The Fridiker Rebbe often took time off to just relax.  You see many pictures of him kind of taking it easy in a big nice chair with a cigarette etc.  There are many pictures of Gedolim going to the country smiling and relaxing in the field.  I recently heard that some chassidim ‘caught’ two big Rebbe’s with their feet up drinking beer (I won’t say who).

With the Rebbe you did not see this at all.  He made many statements especially in the 80’s and early 90’s that we can’t take off even a second.  We “need to go crazy and help every Jew, and bring Moshiach NOW!”  He himself slept precious little maybe 3-4 hours a night into his 90’s.   He did not stop for a second.  He told his wife that a 2 minute break he took looking out the window was enough for his to be ‘yotzei’ vacation for a of couple years.  He stood for thousands of hours talking to yiddin, teaching and learning NON STOP.  Pick up any sicha of the Rebbe and after reading one paragraph and you will see what I mean.

Yet in the Rebbe’s letters you see a much lighter tone.  He is writing to the individual.  

He writes to a student that taking a break from learning is a mitzvah.  He writes to a husband that he shouldn’t stay at shul 

on Shabbos davening too long, he needs to spend the time with his family at home.  He writes to the teacher that from his letter it seems he’s getting burned out, telling him that maybe he isn’t being paid enough.  On and on.

I hope you all enjoyed your summer vacations.

A few things I learned from Rabbi Immanuel Schochet of blessed memory

Rabbi Immanuel Schochet of blessed memory was not someone I knew on a personal level, yet during the 4 years I spent in the yeshivah in Toronto I had the opportunity to hear and observe him quite a bit.

He was a very independent thinker.  At the same time he was a strong and passionate chossid of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.  What was unique was that his independent thinking was a part of his relationship with the Rebbe.  

I know I am treading on thin ice here, so I will try to do it carefully. 

Rabbi Manis Friedman likes to relay the following talk of the Rebbe that framed his understanding of what it means to be a ‘follower’ of the Rebbe.  The Rebbe was raving about the fact that finally a chossid did something without asking him.  He was not happy that most chassidim asked the Rebbe’s opinion before they make any move.  He wanted that chassidim should reach a level where they internalize what is right and wrong and make their own decisions.  After they made their decision they can then ask for the Rebbe’s blessing.

Rabbi Schochet spoke and lived a life where he was not the Rebbe’s puppet or parrot.  He questioned, he asked, he didn’t just blindly follow like a fish.  At the end he surrendered to the Rebbe’s will, but not until he did his part in internalizing the message.

One story that brings out this point happened when he was bochur learning in 770.  Usually one was only able to go into the Rebbe’s study once or twice a year on a birthday or a very special occasion like a bar mitzvah or wedding, and even this only after booking months in advance.  There were a few exceptional individuals that had an open door policy, and they were able to come and go into the Rebbe whenever they wanted.  Rabbi Schochet was one of those – even as a bochur.

During one of his visits the conversation went something like this.  [The Rebbe was strongly opposed to students going to college.  Even after marriage the Rebbe usually did not favor going to college.  The Rebbe knew of Immanuel’s passion to go to college and study religion and philosophy to go and help Jews that were straying into Christianity and cults.  In addition he wanted to debate missionaries and priests.  The Rebbe told him he can go study after he gets married].  

He now came into the Rebbe to convince him to allow him to go to university now.  I’m told he spent over 30 minutes debating the Rebbe regarding his request.  Believe it or not he could not convince the Rebbe.  When he saw that the Rebbe wasn’t budging he said in Yiddish ‘farfalin’ – it’s a lost cause, I give up!  The Rebbe said to him, “nisht farfalin, nor getrafin” – [you’re] not lost, rather [you’re] found!

-          -      -

Rabbi Schochet's writing and scholarship is to be awed.  Most English Chabad publications in his times [and also now] are mainly translations of assorted discourses and texts.  Rabbi Schochet also translated much important text, but many of his books are studies at great depth.  

His footnotes show his encyclopedic knowledge of Shas Bavli and Yerushalmi, the Rambam and Jewish law, the Medrash, Zohar, Shaloh and hundreds of other texts which he was known to be fluent in.  This is obviously in addition to his knowledge of Chabad thought.  He was always out to show the original source for any Chabad thought, and to express what the Chabad thought added in the chain of the classical texts. 

I myself have spent hours going through a single footnote of his looking up all the sources.  In the introduction to a number of his works he points out that he chose to use footnotes as opposed to end-notes. The reason for this was so that even a beginner student would see that while the idea he articulated was brought down to their level,  the concept is really quite complex and a single sentence can be based on numerous intricate texts.

I can go on and on, but I’ll conclude with one story on this topic of scholarship in Torah.  His brother Rabbi Elisha Schochet taught us Halacha.  He was once talking about a line the Rebbe sometimes used.  The Rebbe at times would say that bochurim should learn Torah with such passion “that they even dreamt about Torah”.  After some pressing by some of the students Rabbi Elisha Schochet said that he first dreamt Torah when he was 11.  He then said that his brother Immanuel did it even earlier. 

Once when I was at Rabbi Immanuel Schochets’s Shabbos table, I confirmed this [using a little healthy chutza].  He said he thinks he was 10.

Is everyone entitled to an opinion?

Yes!  But there is one condition, that it’s your field of expertise.  The plumber will opine on the latest pipes.  The doctor will offer his choice of treatment for nose bleeds, and the cheder rebbi will tell you what kind of discipline works best.  

Ok, I get it; you’re all saying, well what right do you have to give your opinion.  I can honestly say I don’t think I give my opinion on issues outside of my league.  I do try to get my writings proofed by those that can give me their unbiased opinions, and more is erased then printed (thank G-d!). 

There's a story of a famous rabbi that was puzzled as to why his children were not following in his ways, while his neighbor the simpleton, merited that many of his children grew up to be great scholars. 

He went to a Tzadik for advice.  The Tzadik explained  to him: "Since you’re a rabbi of great prestige, you therefore feel entitled to give opinions regarding your peers – all the others great sages (and his comments about them were not always that complimentary – to put it mildly).  Your neighbor on the other hand realizes that it's not his place to talk ill about others that are not on his level.  His children therefore only heard great things about rabbis.  Hence they strongly aspired to become big in Torah themselves".

Possibly the simple neighbor was not all that simple.  His approach comes from a place that many don’t reach.  Sometimes the simple path is the truer path.