Plumbing the Source of the Problem
At the end of Chodesh Av, a young man approached me. In another two days, Bein Hazmanim would end and the Elul zman would begin. He spilled out his heart, crying painfully that he had no desire to sit and study Torah. He felt that his mind was blocked from learning.
I was truly pained at his words. I told him, “You surely know that a heart attack results from blocked arteries. The more the passageways are blocked, the more severe the heart attack. In order to save one’s life, a catheter must be inserted to open the blockages. This enables the blood to once again flow freely to and from the heart.” Seeing that he understood, I continued, “Likewise, when a Jew’s heart is spiritually clogged, it prevents him from studying Torah with willingness and motivation. The obstruction must be removed immediately.
“You must search your deeds and find the source of the blockage. It may have come from forbidden sights or sounds during the days of Bein Hazmanim. Consuming unkosher foods can also stuff up man’s heart and cool it off toward Avodat Hashem.
“After you have found the source of the blockage, repent for your wrongdoings. Then you will once again feel enthusiasm toward Torah study, and you will learn to serve Hashem in joy and satisfaction.”
