Hakhel Email Community Awareness Bulletin

 

 

WEEK ONE:  TALMUD TORAH

 

This week’s method, the first of the 48 “Ways” listed in Avos, is “Talmud”, which, the commentaries explain, refers to activity which evinces a sincere desire to study Torah.  Accordingly, as this week’s goal, the individuals of the group have undertaken not to allow themselves to be disturbed by any diversions (such as a phone call, “Gotta moment?”, or even a need for advice, etc.) during the first 15 minutes of a designated Torah study program during the day (all of which represents the will to improve quality Torah time).

 

As a second, related objective for the week, the individual members of the group have undertaken to study Torah (any topic) for five minutes before going to sleep (which represents the desire to improve the quantity of Torah study).

 

 

WEEK TWO:  ATTENTIVE LISTENING

 

This week’s Kinyan is Shemayas Ha’Ozen—Attentive Listening

 

The commentaries explain that this relates to:

 

1)  Being able to hear yourself learn (as theTorah is then better

understood and remembered); and

 

2)  Listening to others as they speak to you.

 

Accordingly, the Kabalos, B’li Neder, are

 

1)  When learning by yourself, learn loud enough to hear yourself for a minimum of 15 minutes daily (this may be divided throughout the day, such as morning and evening).

 

2)  On a daily basis, listen to someone else tell you something without interrupting him, for the purpose of fulfilling this Kabola.  A “Hiddur” in this is to repeat back to him what he has told you, if the situation presents itself.

 

 

WEEK THREE:  ARTICULATE SPEECH

 

The third Kinyan is “Arichas Sefisayim”--articulate speech.

 

This week’s Kabala, Bli Neder,is for ten to fifteen minutes a day (depending upon your stamina) to learn by yourself aloud,and if possible to the extent to have a conversation with yourself about what you are learning. Example: Recite a Rashi aloud,then ask why did Rashi say this...  Could it be because of that....etc.

 

WEEK FOUR:  PROPER UNDERSTANDING

 

The fourth Kinyan is “Binas Halev”--proper understanding.

 

This week’s Kabala, bli neder, is, once a day, to THINK ABOUT the proper response or reaction to someone’s thought or question to you, instead of responding immediately with what first comes to mind.

 

WEEK FIVE: AWE

 

This week's Kinyan is Aimah--Awe How can we feel the awe of a moment of Torah Study? The commentaries explain that unlike Yirah, which is an internal fear, Aimah is an awe or trepidation that emanates from an external source. The Tomer Devorah writes that if we fear a lion or a bear, which are simple creatures of our Maker, we must certainly feel the awe of their Maker.

 

Accordingly, this week's Kabala, bli neder, is before learning at least one time a day picture yourself as sitting in front of Hashem Himself. If this does not evince enough of of a fearsome feeling--picture a lion in front of you as you are about to learn!

 

WEEK SIX:  FEAR

 

The sixth Kinyan is “Yirah”--fear

This week’s Kabala, bli neder, is, prior to learning Torah once a day, to realize one’s lowliness as compared to the greatness of Hashem, and feel an internal fear of the awesome privilege of studying Torah--as Hashem’s handiwork!

 

WEEK SEVEN: HUMILITY

 

This week’s midah is Anava, Humility. It is suggested that at least one time a day before learning, one say aloud the first words of the Rosh in the Orchos Chaim LeRosh--“LeHisrachek Min HaGaava BeTachlis HaRichuk--To be kept far away from haughtiness with a complete distancing.”

 

WEEK EIGHT:  SIMCHA

 

This week's  Kinyan (the eighth) is Simcha-joy.

 

Simcha is essential to Torah study.  This week’s Kabala, bli neder, is, before studying at least one time a day, appreciate the honor and

privilege of Torah study and rejoice.

 

Also, feel this joy when making Birchos HaTorah in the morning.

 

WEEK NINE:  SERVING THE SAGES

 

This week's Kinyan is Shimush Chachomim-Serving the Sages.

 

One can learn a tremendous amount from being in the presence of a Talmud Chachom.

 

Once a week, approach a Chachom with a Halacha or Haskafah question and carefully review the content of his response, and the manner in which he conveyed it.