Great (Mature) Understanding.

Every Intellectual concept has two elements. The first is the “mathematical” element, the dry facts that can be explained and defined very clearly.

The second element is the “light” of the concept. When you hear a brilliant speaker explaining a idea you will have a better understanding then if you heard the same words from a not so brilliant speaker. Something about his way of speaking, his facial expressions, will allow the “light” of his understanding to shine forth to you.

The mathematical element of the concept is empowering, you have something clearly defined and you can pass it on to anybody you wish. You have it in your “back pocket”.

The “light” element is humbling, it is the awareness of what is greater then yourself.

(Perhaps this is “chochmoh” and “binah”, “chochmoh” is “bitul”.)

Usually emotions that derive from the intellect derive from the “bichen” the conclusion of the idea. Chasidus talkes about “mochin digadlus” the great - mature understanding, and the emotions that are derived from the great understanding are humble, unlike “regular” emotions that are egocentric.

Perhaps the great understanding is the ability to relate to the “light” of the idea, the light which is humbling produces humble emotions, then the focus is not on the self “I love what is good for me” rather the focus is on the greatness of the beloved.

Are you a INTELLECTUAL?

Intelligence as defined in Chasidic philosophy is the ability to use your intellect to examine and understand the complexities and details of a issue.

A child becomes angry at insignificant things. The child becomes overwhelmed and is not able to grasp and “contain” the issue angering him. The child cannot break it up into details.

When you have a strong desire or emotion, you can use your intelligence to justify your desire, or to figure out how to achieve your desire.The intellectual approach would be to examine your desire, break it up into details, figure out why you have this desire? What is the benefit to you? will it have a negative affect in the long run? Etc.

Often the intellectual approach will weaken the desire because it is broken into details, thus loosing some of it’s intensity. by examining the negative aspects of your desire it will be Weakened.This will give you the freedom to live your life intellectually objective, not blinded by the temptations of the world around you.

Challenge yourself! Be a intellectual not only when you examine the world around you, but more importantly in the way you live your own life, in the way you respond to your inner struggle.

(KI TISA - ETER)

TREE OF KNOWLEDGE.

Knowledge is not just understanding, it is the ability to feel and connect personally to a subject.The tree of knowledge is the ability to know good and evil.

The ability to know good, lends the potential for evil. Emotions are egoistic. When we love, we love ourselves we are then drawn to what we think is good for us.

The same is true even concerning our most spiritual love - the love of G-d. We tell ourselves, and when we are in a spiritual state we realize, that the best thing for us is to connect to G-d. We therefore run the risk of loosing the love of G-d and being drawn to worldly matters, because the underlying most important issues is ourselves, and what is good for us.

Only when our love to G-d is based on the greatness of G-d, and G-d is the focus of our relationship - as oppose to ourselves – will we always maintain our connection to G-d.

(VAYAKHEL - ETER )

Giving an idea is giving nothing

When you teach something you're not giving anything. It's different than pouring someone water. Even if he has no cup his hands will still be wet. You gave him something.

When you teach an idea you haven't given anything. No substance. The proof: no matter how long you try to knock it into his head, if he doesn't get it, he doesn't get it. His brains are dry.

You might ask; but when he does get it, you did give him something? Good question. But you didn't give it to him, you only showed him how to get there.

Y"T ShR"H, Rana"t. The last line I heard from Rabbi
Shlomo Zarchi

Four directions in my mind

Talking about talking. You have an idea then you speak it, you understand it better.

Now that could take you in four directions.

Deeper. You get to the core of the issue.

Wider. You've open your mind. It's no longer a small minded idea.

Longer. You can now explain it to a five year old.

Different. You can now speak the same thought in a totally different context.

How about an example?

Y"T Shel R"H, Rana"t.

Speaking

Did you ever notice when you know something and then you talk it out you understand it much better? Why? Or you love someone and then you talk about it, you get stronger feelings? Why?

Something I learned. You're Davening and you already said a word and then you think about the meaning of that word, you missed the boat. On the other hand when you already got the idea and you got some feeling and then you say the word... Now that'll get you going.

Yom Tov Shel Rosh Hashanah, Rana"t.