There are countless works of mussar (self improvement) that exists on the market. Having learnt many of them over the years, I still felt that something was missing. How do you get it in your heart?
Recently, I have begun to learn three seforim that address this issue. While I can't say that any of them have solved the problem for me, they have given me great direction as to how to get the Torah into my heart the way it should be.
First and foremost are the seforim of Rav Sholom Aroush. Offering an approach based on Breslove Chassidus he discusses frankly the issues of truly chaning oneself and how to overcome the challenge. The main factors on which he focuses are emunah and hisbodidus, which in his parlance refers to speaking out your heart to Hashem outside of formal tefilah (prayer). Three of his works are available in English, and many more in Hebrew. Additionally, there are hundreds of CDs that you can listen to from him, or his translator Lazer Brody. They are reasonably priced and reenforce the mesages of the books. There are also many articles available online that share their thoughts.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Why write?
I am starting this new blog in order to share with you my explorations in learning how to purify my heart. I hope that this can become a forum in which others can share their struggles, insights, and achievements with others.
The purpose of Torah study and a life dedicated to Mitzvah performance is to bring a person closer to G-d; essentially to develop a personal relationship with Him. This should result in a nation of people who are refined in their character and all areas of behavior.
Unfortunately, it hasn't quite worked that way. The fact that we remain in exile is eloquent testimony to the failures of our religious experiment. Our sages tell us that it was due to interpersonal issues that we were exiled. As we have not yet fully returned from exile, it is clear that we have yet to rectify that issue.
Why have we failed? How can we change things?
Repeating what hasn't worked will only prepetuate more of the same.
I am not at all advocating a repudiation of Torah, and a Torah way of life. Quite the contrary. I am advocating an honest reappraisal of the principles of that life, so we can get rid of our hearts of stone and develop hearts of flesh.
The purpose of Torah study and a life dedicated to Mitzvah performance is to bring a person closer to G-d; essentially to develop a personal relationship with Him. This should result in a nation of people who are refined in their character and all areas of behavior.
Unfortunately, it hasn't quite worked that way. The fact that we remain in exile is eloquent testimony to the failures of our religious experiment. Our sages tell us that it was due to interpersonal issues that we were exiled. As we have not yet fully returned from exile, it is clear that we have yet to rectify that issue.
Why have we failed? How can we change things?
Repeating what hasn't worked will only prepetuate more of the same.
I am not at all advocating a repudiation of Torah, and a Torah way of life. Quite the contrary. I am advocating an honest reappraisal of the principles of that life, so we can get rid of our hearts of stone and develop hearts of flesh.
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