LEARNING WITH R' PLISKIN IN THE OLD CITY

BS"D


Feb 17th, 1998
CHESED (kindness) is the gateway to happiness.

Love - Ahavah - you can't define an emotion. It's a personal experience.

RAMBaN (Nachmanides) - you ca't really love others as yourself, that's too extreme. But wish for them all the success in study, love, career. Opposite of envy. We can't be envious of anyone except our students & children.

If you identify with someone (with love), you feel as successful or as ________ them.
The energy you give out is what you get back (mirror/pond principle). Love in action.
Do not use kindness to manipulate other people.
No revenge - protect yourself but don't be active back.
No grudge.
Harder to do Chesed for parents 'cause they make demands.
Some acts of kindness are easier than others.
Don't build up on what might happen or could happen when admonishing someone.
"Chassidic Tales of the Holocaust" by..?
When you love someone, it covers over their faults, but it doesn't mean you're blind to the faults - compassion.
If your love doesn't have a kindness aspect it won't last, but if you feel you love someone, you do.

I can't believe that was almost 7 years ago. Which means the Aviel that was living in Yerushalayim learning Torah then is not the same Aviel living in Vancouver learning Torah today. Thank G@d for the time to climb that ladder, Jacob's Ladder, of learning, so we can take steps towards YOU, HaShem, & alter our Selves as we approach (even if sometimes we slip).

These past few days I have learned from blogging old notes on Torah learning that we write about ourselves even when we're writing about someone or something else. What RAMBaN wrote about betrays much about his soul, his self & those who teach RAMBaN also show them Selves through choosing what to teach or how & those of us who learn RAMBaN through the lense of these teachers & take notes that apply to our Selves.