שמע בני מוסר אביך וגו' (משלי ב ח) שמע בני מוסר אביך וגו' ר' אבא אמר אורייתא בכלא אתכלילת וכו' (זהר יתרו פה) ר' אלעזר פתח ואמר וכו' מאי מוסר – דא אורייתא וכו' (זהר פנחס ריג) צורך לכתיבה רשימות ענינים לעיון וללימוד
Mussar Avicha: In Place of an Introduction The necessity of composing. Notes for study and learning.
2
בע"ה
With God’s help
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א. נראה שאי־אפשר לצאת ידי חובה בענין חובות הלב רק אם יסדר ספר לעצמו בלימודים הדרושים לו בזה, בין הפרטיים ואפי' הכוללים ג"כ יותר יבין ע"י מה שיחדש בהם מרוחו, ומי שהוא כבר באופן זה של הדעת, שיכול להעריך מערכה שכלית בעצמו, אי־אפשר לו לבוא אל השלמות אם לא יעבוד בשכלו בזה.
A. It seems that a person can only fulfill their obligation in terms of the duties of the heart if they compose their own work relating to the studies that they need to pursue in this field.1If they compose their own work: See the commentary of the [Maharsha on Bava Batra 10b], which states that study that has the greatest impact is study that is combined with writing. Additionally, see the introduction to Chovot Halevavot, where Rabbainu Bachaya explains the reasons he composed his work as follows: “It became difficult for me to remember it all by heart, and I was afraid that I would forget what I have learned of them, and that the ideas … would unravel in my mind … I decided to write them down in a book … so that I might expect of myself always to know them and bring myself to perform them …” Both in matters particular to themselves as individuals and even in general matters [appropriate for others], the person [by writing this work] will gain in understanding through their own innovations. An individual who is already on an intellectual level such that they can formulate their own intellectual analysis can only attain perfection by utilizing their intellect.2 By utilizing their intellect: In addition to serving as a personal "Mussar Sefer" to counter forgetfulness, there are two more reasons for the need to write on this topic, as mentioned in the work Mesillat Yesharim by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzato (the Ramchal). First, to truly grasp the concepts of Avodat Hashem (divine service), one must dedicate time, energy, and intellectual effort, just as one would to study other parts of the Torah. Second, in Chapter Four, the Ramchal explains that acquiring watchfulness (zehirut) requires analyzing the mesSages of the Torah and applying them according to one's individual understanding. Since each person is unique, their reflections and what resonates with their souls will differ from one another.
שמע בני מוסר אביך וגו' (משלי ב ח)
שמע בני מוסר אביך וגו'
ר' אבא אמר אורייתא בכלא אתכלילת וכו' (זהר יתרו פה)
ר' אלעזר פתח ואמר וכו' מאי מוסר – דא אורייתא וכו' (זהר פנחס ריג)
צורך לכתיבה רשימות ענינים לעיון וללימוד
Mussar Avicha: In Place of an Introduction
The necessity of composing. Notes for study and learning.
בע"ה
With God’s help
א.
נראה שאי־אפשר לצאת ידי חובה בענין חובות הלב רק אם יסדר ספר לעצמו בלימודים הדרושים לו בזה, בין הפרטיים ואפי' הכוללים ג"כ יותר יבין ע"י מה שיחדש בהם מרוחו, ומי שהוא כבר באופן זה של הדעת, שיכול להעריך מערכה שכלית בעצמו, אי־אפשר לו לבוא אל השלמות אם לא יעבוד בשכלו בזה.
A.
It seems that a person can only fulfill their obligation in terms of the duties of the heart if they compose their own work relating to the studies that they need to pursue in this field.1If they compose their own work: See the commentary of the [Maharsha on Bava Batra 10b], which states that study that has the greatest impact is study that is combined with writing. Additionally, see the introduction to Chovot Halevavot, where Rabbainu Bachaya explains the reasons he composed his work as follows: “It became difficult for me to remember it all by heart, and I was afraid that I would forget what I have learned of them, and that the ideas … would unravel in my mind … I decided to write them down in a book … so that I might expect of myself always to know them and bring myself to perform them …” Both in matters particular to themselves as individuals and even in general matters [appropriate for others], the person [by writing this work] will gain in understanding through their own innovations. An individual who is already on an intellectual level such that they can formulate their own intellectual analysis can only attain perfection by utilizing their intellect.2 By utilizing their intellect: In addition to serving as a personal "Mussar Sefer" to counter forgetfulness, there are two more reasons for the need to write on this topic, as mentioned in the work Mesillat Yesharim by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzato (the Ramchal). First, to truly grasp the concepts of Avodat Hashem (divine service), one must dedicate time, energy, and intellectual effort, just as one would to study other parts of the Torah. Second, in Chapter Four, the Ramchal explains that acquiring watchfulness (zehirut) requires analyzing the mesSages of the Torah and applying them according to one's individual understanding. Since each person is unique, their reflections and what resonates with their souls will differ from one another.