Some thoughts and inspiration from my beloved friend D.Z.

Growth Within the Secular World

How can we continue to grow religiously, when we are forced to devote a significant amount of our time to secular matters? Whether we are in school or work, most of us are probably in situations that make it difficult to find time in which we can truly devote ourselves to Hakadosh Baruch'Hu. Yes, we may find time to learn and daven, but having to deal with the stresses that go along with working or being a student, can impede our thoughts, and distract us from being solely focused upon Hashem.

One time, the Steipler zatzal was telling over a story about how he escaped persecution. In order to ensure his survival, he had to walk across a huge forest, while barefoot, on snow! In response to the story, one of his talmidim remarked, "wow that must have been the hardest thing you ever had to do," to which the Steipler responded - "no, saying mincha with kavanah is!" We see from this story that even great Rabbanim experience the nisayon of focusing on Hashem when other matters may be on their minds, and if they have to deal with this test, Kal v'chomer we do!

One way, in which we can improve, is by slowly separating ourselves from our distractions. The perfect example of an item that takes away our ability to focus is the cell phone - an object to which (unfortunately) most of us have become slaves. (One may want to think about what the bracha "shelo asani aved," is referring to). Regardless of where we are, or what we are doing, our cell phones come with us. Perhaps if we start by saying that while studying, we'll put our phone on “silent” for just 15 minutes, and then slowly increase that amount of time. With constant progression, we will soon begin to see improvements in our ability to focus. By taking such action with all items that distract us, we will enable ourselves to concentrate for extended periods of time. This is a key to becoming a "masmid." According to Rabbi Yisroel Salanter, a masmid is not just someone who sits down and learns from morning until evening. A masmid is someone who puts sixty minutes into every hour, whether it's learning, or studying! Being a masmid is someone who is able to solely focus upon what they are involved in, and is able to overcome distractions.

IY”H, as we become more efficient in dealing with secular matters, we will continuously find more and more time to devote to Hashem! Which in my humble opinion is the Ikur! Clearly, this is not an easy task, and we must pray to Hashem to give us the strength to overcome such nisyonos, and to constantly assist us on our journey to improve ourselves. May our efforts to grow, find favor in Hakadosh Baruch'Hu's eyes, and may we all reach that madrega of being a masmid! By devoting that additional time we find in our days to Hashem, may we become zoche to bring Moshiach bimhara b'yamenu, and to finally have Hashem's shechina return to Yerushalayim!