Pacific Jewish Center | Rabbi » Luzzatto

Mesillas Yesharim 12/06/09

rabbifink — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 01:16:30 +0000

We ventured further into Chapter 9 today.

The Ramchal’s insights into laziness, anxiety and rational fear continue to amaze me.

Today contrasted rational fear for one’s safety with imagined fear used to excuse laziness.

Worth a listen, as always…

Audio is below.

All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.

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Mesillas Yesharim 11/22/09

rabbifink — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:08:03 +0000

Today’s class was another really informative and relevent topic.

We learned about fear, worry and anxiety.

With anxiety affecting tons of us it was interesting to find sources bemoaning the difficulty of dealing with anxiety as well as its debilitating nature.

Very enjoyable class, as always.

Audio is below.

All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.

You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.

Mesillas Yesharim 11/15/09

rabbifink — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:35:41 +0000

Last week we talked about the Healthcare plan that was ratified by the house the night before.

This week we got back on track and started Chapter 9.

In my opinion, this was one of the best Mesillas Yesharim classes to date. The Ramchal was so insightful and I shared an insight of my own which I think is very poignant. It all goes back to Adam and Eve being ousted from the Garden of Eden.

Audio is below.

All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.

You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.

Enjoy.

Mesillas Yesharim 11/1/09

rabbifink — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:23:11 +0000

Today, we learned the methods of acquiring zrizus.

Ramchal hearkens back to the methods of acquiring zehirus that we studied earlier and for the benefit of us all, we reviewed them together.

Along with any review comes new insights and understanding. Today was no different.

Audio is below.

All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.

You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.

Mesillas Yesharim 10/25/09

rabbifink — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 04:39:19 +0000

We began today’s class by delving deeper into the ground-breaking concept we studied last week.

Basically, the Ramchal teaches us that we can use our physical actions to arouse spiritual and emotional change.

We discussed a number of applications for the concept.

Then we began the next chapter.

Audio is below.

All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.

You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.

Listen live here.

Mesillas Yesharim 10/18/09

rabbifink — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:20:53 +0000

After a Holiday break, the Mesillas Yesharim class returned today. Today’s class was a bit shortened due to the extra long Rosh Chodesh prayers.

What was short on time was long on content. The end of the Seventh Chapter of Mesillas Yesharim contains what I find to be the most profound insight in the entire text.

We all are familiar with the common idea that if “one doesn’t feel ‘it’” we don’t feel comfortable acting that in way. We even call people who act in a way not consonant with their feelings hypocrites. The Ramchal has a completely different perspective and I strongly recommend listening to today’s class.

Audio is below.

All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.

You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.

Listen live here.

Mesillas Yesharim 9/13/09

rabbifink — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 06:59:54 +0000

Chapter 7 continued with more inspirational words to help us do our Mitzvos with more Zrizus.

We completed Zrizus part A, beginning your good deeds with speed and we began Zrizus part B, completing your good deeds quickly.

There was also a short discussion on good review habist for Mesillas Yesharim. Aside from reviewing by listening online it is integral to review the text.

Learn all about it by listening to the class below.

All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.

You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.Listen to the class here.

Mesillas Yesharim 9/6/09

rabbifink — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 18:54:19 +0000

Today we began Chapter 7 of the Mesillas Yesharim. Having established that Zrizus is the opposite of Laziness the Ramchal explains how and when we must implement Zrizus.

We need to know how to use good behaviors to maximize their benefits.

Learn all about it by listening to the class below.

All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.

You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.Listen to the class here.

Mesillas Yesharim 08/30/09

rabbifink — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 17:38:01 +0000

This week we completed Chapter 6 of Mesillas Yesharim.

We began with a great discussion about Truth. We talked about how people fall into two categories. There are those who choose what they do and base their decision on what they believe to be the “truth” and there are others who merely follow the path in front of them and do not choose that path.

Another point of emphasis was the understanding that our natural state as humans is to be stationary. We are naturally lazy. Our task is to rise up from that laziness and elevate our lives to the point that we are thinking and choosing the life we live.

There’s plenty more of interesting Torah in the audio.

All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.

You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.

Listen to the class here.

Mesillas Yesharim 08/16/09

rabbifink — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 20:08:03 +0000

I returned to Venice after a short Summer break and today we resumed our Mesillas Yesharim class.

Highlights today included a very interesting insight from Maimonides regarding laziness and the “Golden Path”. My father told me that in the Shmona Prakim, Maimonides gives a very surprising opposite to laziness.

Back in Mesillas Yesharim we learned about the inherent danger in laziness of action and thought.

Messilas Yesharim 6/6/09

rabbifink — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 01:08:41 +0000

We began Chapter 5 of Messilas Yesharim.

Ramchal begins to define for us the word “Zrizus”.

The basic idea we learned this week was the parallel from Zehirus to Zrizus.

Zehirus helps us avoid morally harmful activity. Zrizus helps us take action to do morally good activity.

We also discussed Sotah and some of the ideas that were mentioned in my Monday Lunch N Learn.

Click through to listen.

Enjoy the class (26 minutes)

Mesillas Yesharim 05/24/09

rabbifink — Sun, 31 May 2009 21:26:49 +0000

You may recall that last week we did not get any further in the Messilas Yesharim text.

Oh yes, we had a great discussion about getting serious about life. We devoted much of our discussion to clothes.

Clothes has been a hot topic at the Pacific Jewish Center lately.

Yesterday, we supposed to talk about the number 50 in Judaism and why Shavuos is the only Jewish holiday with no set date. Instead, we talked more about clothes. Unbelievable.

This week we got back on track.

We completed Chapter 5 in Messilas Yesharim and learned about the 3rd and final detriment to “Watchfulness”. Do you want to know what it is?

Click through to listen.

Enjoy the class (29 minutes)

Mesillas Yesharim 05/17/09

rabbifink — Tue, 19 May 2009 06:16:03 +0000

This week we ventured further into the detriments to watchfulness.

The last two weeks (catch up here and here) have focused on setting aside time for Torah and spiritual growth. This is to avoid becoming mired in materiality and neglected our spiritual needs.

Today we moved on to the next detriment. The next thing Ramchal teaches us to avoid is an overarching lack of seriousness. Perhaps it could be more precisely defined as immaturity.

Ramchal says that being un able to take things seriously and scoffing anything important is going to impede our growth.

Find out how by clicking below.

Enjoy the class (28 minutes)

Mesillas Yesharim 05/10/09

rabbifink — Tue, 12 May 2009 07:16:22 +0000

Moving right along in Chapter 5

We quickly reviewed last week and continued until we wrapped up category number 1 of “things to avoid’ so as not to hinder our “Zehirus”.

The main idea is to avoid overwhelming oneself in materiality.

Also, a discussion ensued regarding our natural resistance to morality. It’s like a magnet pulling us towards our instincts.

It was a great class with super pace and as always great questions.

Click through to listen online.

Enjoy the class (38 minutes)

Mesillas Yesharim 05/03/09

rabbifink — Sun, 03 May 2009 19:09:09 +0000

Mesillas Yesharim was electric today!

The 5th Chapter is all about avoiding the things that may hinder our ability to be “watchful”. We need to know what we are doing before we can improve our actions. We need to avoid traps that will take our minds off of watching what we are doing.

This is in the spirit of “Sur Merah, Vaaseh Tov” – Psalms 34. First we must turn away from evil and then we go towards good.

Ramchal gives us 3 things to avoid. We began the first of these today.

During the class we had 3 really great discussion.

Our first discussion was about the distance from our heads to our hearts and Tefillin.

The second discussion was about working for a living. The Torah approach is that one should earn a living to take care of our material needs and set aside time for Torah study to take care of our spiritual needs.

We ended with a lengthy discussion about absolute truth. Our Rabbis teach us that one can only become righteous and moral if they study Torah. What is the meaning behind this? Why is intellectual information a prerequisite for moral growth?

Click through to find out.

Enjoy the class (38 minutes)

Mesillas Yesharim 04/26/09

rabbifink — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 18:21:05 +0000

…And we’re back. After a brief hiatus the Mesillas Yesharim class returned today with a bang.

We completed the fourth chapter of Mesillas Yesharim!

We began our class today with a re-reading of what we studied during our last class (just added – sorry about that).

It was just as incredible as the first time we studied this idea – it truly blows my mind.

We wrapped up the class with the final thoughts of Chapter 4 and next week we will begin Chapter 5.

Click through to hear the end of Chapter 4.

Enjoy the class (30 minutes)

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Mesillas Yesharim 03/15/09

rabbifink — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 18:02:15 +0000

Incredible.

Today we learned about an amazing concept in Judaism. We learned Ramchal’s reconciliation of a very important conceptual contradiction.

We learned recently that we believe GD’s judgment is exact. He is truth and truth is absolute justice. We use this to contemplate the consequences of our actions. When we contemplate the consequences of our actions we may be able to control our animal instincts.

What about GD’s mercy? What about His compassion. How are we to understand mercy in the context of judgment? If we deserve to suffer the consequences of our actions how can GD “overlook” those consequences and show mercy?

You will be absolutely blown away by Ramchal’s answer.

Click through for the secret.

Enjoy the class (35 minutes)

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Messilas Yesharim 03/08/09

rabbifink — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 17:50:13 +0000

We changed the clocks the night previous to this class. You can tell because I sound extra groggy!

Walking along Ramchal’s “straight path” we continued to analyze the impact of our actions.

There are no small things, nothing gets brushed under the carpet. Meditating on this idea can help us remember that all of our actions all have consequences – that is Ramchal’s goal in this section.

The questions were insightful and I really enjoyed the class despite the effects of the clocks moving ahead an hour…

Click through to listen to the class.

Enjoy the class (27 minutes)

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Messilas Yesharim 03/01/09

rabbifink — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:55:36 +0000

We had a really exciting class today. We began the most practical method for instilling watchfulness in our lives and this sparked a very vibrant discussion.

Ramchal mentions many situations where great people in Jewish history going back to Biblical times found that their actions, while nearly perfect, demanded retribution from GD.

The questions were insightful and I really enjoyed the class.

Click through to listen to the class.

Enjoy the class (35 minutes)

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Messilas Yesharim 02/15/09

rabbifink — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 17:16:10 +0000

This week we did a review of the first way Ramchal provides to inspire us to be watchful. This is a method useful for very spiritual people who just need a small push to get them started on the path of watchfulness. Then we went over the second way to become watchful. This way is for the type of person who senses and feels his portion in the next world as real and tangible.

What about the rest of us? That is what we began this week. We concluded with a very interesting irony in the way GD deals with his closest adherents. Next week we take it all to the next level.

You can listen to the class by clicking through.

Enjoy the class (22 minutes)

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Messilas Yesharim 02/15/09

rabbifink — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 19:59:11 +0000

Last week PJC was honored with a guest speaker and the Messilas Yesharim class took a one week siesta. The class returned this week.

We took another step forward along the “Pathway of the Just”. We continued Chapter 4 and learned how to channel our thirst for respect into inspiration for growth.

We also had a discussion about using all your talents for good. Each of our character traits can be used to help us if used properly. The question is if we are capable of channeling our abilities or if they are masters over us.

Enjoy the class (30 minutes)

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Messilas Yesharim 02/01/09

rabbifink — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:45:48 +0000

Today we began the 4th Chapter of Messilas Yesharim.

The 4th Chapter deals with the method by which we can acquire the very useful characteristic of Zehirus (watchfulness). The fist step in the process is study of Torah. By studying sections of Torah that deal with inspiration and motivation we can give ourselves a much needed boost. This is in addition to the inspiration which comes standard with any Torah study. Ramchal first talks about the type of person who has already acquired much Torah and cares desperately about living his life the fullest. He needs little motivation to be vigilant in his Zehirus – he already cares passionately about using his time well. This serves as his inspiration. It is the fear of not succeeding that drives him.

Next week we will learn about Ramchal’s method advice for those of us still lacking in the Torah study department.

We enjoyed a nice discussion about the fear of failure as well.

Click through to listen now.

Enjoy the class (25 minutes)

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Messilas Yesharim 01/25/09

rabbifink — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 17:38:34 +0000

Today we completed the 3rd chapter of Messilas Yesharim.

Perhaps the most famous of Ramchal’s ideas is present in this week’ section. I won’t ruin it for you so you will need to check it out for yourself…

As we completed the section we talked about practical applications of “Zehirus” and in what ares we need watchfulness. We are not rehabilitating murders, thieves and rapists in our class so where is the moral struggle for which we need watchfulness? As a group we discussed following our intellect over our instinct and areas where that may be helpful.

We also briefly mentioned the idea that when we make good choices they can become instinctive as well – but that is an acquired instinct resulting from our good choices. The bad instinct is the “child” within us that is selfish and is reminiscent of animal instinct.

What we are learning about is how to stop the child instinct from controlling us. Then we make good choices which in turn become instinctual… And that is a good thing!

Click through to listen now.

Enjoy the class (32 minutes)

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Messilas Yesharim 01/18/09

rabbifink — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 18:01:02 +0000

As we continued the 3rd Chapter we learned more about the necessity for watchfulness. Ramchal compares each of us to merchants which must check, double check and triple check our wares to ensure their quality. Similarly, we must check our actions for their quality.

There was a tangential discussion about how the Rabbis will use verses form TanaKh to teach us ideas using puns or plays on the words – very interesting stuff.

We concluded with Ramchal’s introduction of a new set of problems. We are blinded by the darkness of our world – how can we even begin to evaluate our actions to know what is right and wrong?

Click through to listen now.

Enjoy the class (35 minutes)

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Messilas Yesharim 01/11/09

rabbifink — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 19:48:13 +0000

Today we started the 3rd Chapter of Messilas Yesharim. Ramchal has given us the importance of Zehirus (watchfulness) and has taught us that we need to integrate this idea into our lives. What remains is the definitions of Zehirus. Today we began to uncover just what Zehirus actually is. Ramchal gives us the two main areas of Zehirus. Firstly we need to figure out what is right and what is wrong and then we need to figure if what we are doing is helping or hurting us in doing what is right.

We also discussed my previous blog post which prompted a short discussion on preparing for moral challenges and not just relying on our skill as moral warriors.

Finally we discussed examining your actions to see what is good and what is bad and then examining your good actions to see if they can be refined or improved in any way.

Enjoy the class (25 minutes)

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Messilas Yesharim 01/04/09

rabbifink — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:16:20 +0000

We had quite an interesting class today. Ramchal continues his explanation of the importance of Zehirus – watchfulness. The first point we discussed today was the idea that our animalistic instinct inside of us is very clever. One of his mian tricks is to keep us so busy with distractions that we don’t have time to think about our lives. We see this in our own lives all the time. We want to analyze ourselves and try and improve – there is just no time… This is one the many weapons in the arsenal of our evil inclination. It is the same idea George Orwell uses in 1984 to prevent all creative thought crushes the spirit and does not allow for any growth. The second topic discussed today was that we are promised that if we try our best then and only then we are promised the assistance of God. The idea is that if we don’t care enough about ourselves to make changes in our lives then no one – not even God is going to do it for us. The Ramchal ends off by invoking the Talmudic principle that if one does not care to grow then we are not supposed to work on that person Our time is much better spent other ways. This prompted a great discussion.

It is all here – just click. (30 minutes)

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Messilas Yesharim 12/28/08

rabbifink — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 22:30:51 +0000

We began the Ramchal’s chapter describing the characteristic of “watchfulness”. The main thrust of the section is that it is necessary to think about our actions that we normally take in advance of the actions occurring. So we prepare for life’s challenges by thinking about the potential challenges we will have and the past challenges we have had. After we are mentally prepared for all situations and circumstances we can be confident that we will prevail in those challenges that we encounter. Ramchal compares being unprepared for life’s challenges to a blind man walking along a river bank. The danger is near and the chance of catastrophe is greater than the chance of survival. I think it is clear that we must be watchful and to do this we need to begin by analyzing the situations life throws at us before they happen. There was also a discussion about how to cope with daily issues and we tried to use R’ Wolbe’s ideas about Seder. R’ Wolbe’s main idea is that Seder is a system / routine that we live by so that in case of a challenge we have a framework from which to react. In other words – the Seder is not for the sake of Seder rather it is for clarity when we need it.

The class was shortened due to the long davening for Rosh Chodesh Chanukah. (20 minutes)

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Messilas Yesharim 12/21

rabbifink — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 04:12:57 +0000

Ramchal continues his chapter on the role of man in this universe. Ramchal argues that no sensible person could really believe that the purpose of creation is for our existence in this world. If you think about it, an intelligent creator would not possibly crate the world that we live in as the primary place of existence. People suffer much of their lives and no one dies with their desires and dreams completely fulfilled. The system is constantly in break down mode! No one actually gets what they want. Further argues Ramchal there would no point in creating a soul which does not get any pleasure from our physical world. It seems like cruel joke on the soul! The soul was happy to stay in a spiritual place – why burden the soul with being created in to a physical world?! The only explanation that is sensible is that the soul and all of creation is truly created for its existence in the post physical eternal spiritual world. There the soul can enjoy the benefits of all it accomplished in this world. The soul is thus willing to go through the travails of this physical world in order to gain the pleasure of the next world. The way that the soul earns that pleasure is by perfecting the physical imperfect body that it inhabits. The way we achieve that perfection is by the performance of Mitzvahs. Practicing mitzvahs gives our souls the key it needs for entry into the next world where it can enjoy its place in the spiritual realms.

This soul talk prompted some lively discussion regarding the nature of the soul. The soul has a mission and while it is here it is our body’s job to assist the soul in accomplishing that mission. When the mission is accomplished the soul remains in its eternal home for eternity. If the mission is incomplete then the part of the soul that has not achieved what it was meant to do returns to the physical world. The cycle continues until the soul has done its job to completion. The current souls are all fragments of the original souls which appeared at Sinai for the giving of the Torah to the Jewish people and the rest of the world. The Jewish soul was infused with its mission at that time and therefore the Jewish soul originated at the point which that mission was delivered.

To us humans the soul is an enigma but if we are confident in the existence of the soul then Ramchal makes a strong argument that our ultimate purpose it greater than just the physical life in which we find ourselves.

Click below to listen to the entire class (45 minutes)

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Messilas Yesharim 12/14

rabbifink — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 03:40:58 +0000

Today we continued our discussion of the purpose of man in this world. Ramchal deals with this central issue by offering 2 options for the existence of man.

Option 1: Man is created to perform in this physical world as best as he can. He is given mitzvahs (commandments) by God to help him do the best job possible while he is in this world. After man dies he reaps the rewards for that which he has accomplished in his lifetime.

Option 2: Man is created for his eternal existence in the world to come. That existence is based upon his actions in the physical world in which we live. This world is our opportunity to carve out a wonderful eternal existence. The mitzvahs are given to us as tools to achieve spiritual greatness as our eternal existence is spiritual and being in touch with spirituality will enhance that eternal existence. The physical world can also function as tools for our growth as long at is used properly.

Ramchal chooses option 2 as it justifies such a short lifespan in comparison to the eternity of the world to come. If we are to live such a fleeting existence that cannot be the purpose of our existence. He then goes on to describe the inner battle which we constantly grapple with. The rich has its challenges, the poor has its challenges. The intelligent has its challenges and the not so gifted has its challenges.

This prompted a discussion of a number of relevant topics. Firstly we discussed how each person has the opportunity for spiritual growth when we are presented with moral challenges. Each person’s moral challenges are their own and cannot be compared to another’s moral challenges. In other words when I am grappling with a moral challenge it requires a certain amount of effort to prevail in that particular challenge. That amount of effort is the same level of effort required by another person in their completely different moral challenge. Each one of us is challenged in different areas but it is futile to try and compare our challenges with another’s. I may think that your challenge is easier for me, and it may very be so, but for that person that challenge requires the same amount of moral effort that my challenge demands from me.

We also discussed the incalculable reward for mitzvah observance. This is for 2 reasons. Reason 1: we must do our best to successfully execute each mitzvah and if we were aware of which carried greater rewards then we may neglect some of the mitzvahs. This is tragic because the mitzvahs are all part of an intricate system of personal growth that requires the sum of its parts to function properly. Reason 2: For each person in their individual situation each mitzvah may in fact carry a different weight. For me one mitzvah may be simple while it is a challenge for you. This has an effect on the reward for each mitzvah relative to my effort required to execute that mitzvah.

To be continued next Sunday!

Listen to the entire class by clicking below.

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