1.This
lesson is a continuation of last week's theme of infinitizing my life.
We
discussed some of the sources, reasons and day to day applications of
infinitizing.
Infinity is the very essence of the realm of Torah. As our Sages
teach,
the Torah is one with Hashem [and Yisrael]. Just as Hashem is infinite,
so too
is Torah. [...see last week's Parsha essay on this topic for more about
this...].
We are focusing on a specific infinitized aspect of Torah in our essay,
that
of 'personalized' Torah. However it is important to know that torah
contains
many other expressions of infinity. For example, we are taught that
Torah
serves as an external source of sustenance, protection , elevation and
occupation.
Approximately in one week, on the Holiday of Shavuot, we will
return
to Sinai. We will be given our opportunity of receiving our share of
Torah
for
the upcoming year until next Shavuot. In light of all that [and as a
compliment
to the essay that we sent last year and which I am resending
below],
we will present an extended list of alternative learning approaches.
This
is not
meant to take the place of standard learning approaches taught in most
Yeshivot
and places of learning today, but rather to present alternative
approaches
that may speak to speak to the following types of people;
A. Someone
who is hesitant or afraid to get involved in standard Torah learning
B. Someone
who is involved in standard ways of Torah learning, but
could
use a supplementary boost.
C. Someone
who is seeking a more personalized and self-expressed approach
2. SOME
SOURCES FOR PERSONALIZING TORAH
A.
'Educate the youth according to their unique personality and even
when
they grow old they will not veer from the path ...' [Proverbs chap. 22,
verse
6]
King
Solomon is here teaching us that customized and individualized
Torah
stands the test of time, because perhaps the most important factor in
our
lives is ourselves. So when torah becomes a reflection of me, and me a
reflection
Torah, I will naturally seal an everlasting bond with it.
B. 'A
person should always learn Torah in a place [i.e. ... a way] that their
heart
desires' [Talmud - Tractate 'Avoda Zara-('Idol
Worship') pg. 19a
}
Our
Sages here teach us that although there is a standard framework
that
Torah wisdom is universally learned [..i.e. first the Chumash, and this
is
followed
and explained by the Oral Torah on many levels with many types of
explanations
and commentaries - both in the revealed and hidden
realms... and
finally brought to a practical application], nevertheless, there are
woven
into this framework, different personalized approaches for each and
every
person - all that's needed is for the person to open up their heart and
discover
what is their own personal approach.
C. We are
all walking and talking Torah commentaries.....
The
mystical sources teach us that our souls are carved out of the same
stone
or source that Torah emanates from - therefore the soul's
actualization,
perfection
and self expression is accessed by expressing my own unique
commentary
or 'take on’ any part of Torah that attracts me the most. The more
individual
commentaries that I create, the more I [as well as all who are
connected
to my root soul] am actualized.
D. All of
Torah [or as much as I can possibly access] - actualizes all of
me [or
as much of me is engaged in Torah]....
Once
we understand that we and Torah are made of the same stuff, we
then
derive [based again on mystical sources], that more Torah I cover,
the
more of myself I actualize... For that matter, since Torah is the
blueprint,
DNA
and creative source of all that occurs in the world, the greater the
quality
and
quantity of my Torah learning is, the more impact that I have on the
world.