אות - סב

Human thought has tremendous potential. Thought can bring about many things, even inflation. 93 This may refer to the inflation mentioned below in “ His Wisdom ” #186.

When thought is intensely concentrated, it can exert great influence. Every faculty of the mind, both conscious and unconscious, down to the innermost point, must be focused without distraction. When many people do this, their thoughts can actually force something to take place.

To accomplish this, the concentrated thought must spell out every step of the desired result in detail.

However a diffused, generalized thought is like an incomplete vessel ( Keilim 12:6; Chulin 25a) . Such an incomplete mental vessel can lead one to error. This is what happened to Nebat, who saw fire emerging from his member and thought that he would be king. 94 Sanhedrin 101b. This error led him to rebel against King David; Nebat being identified with Sheba, son of Bichri, in II Samuel 20. It was actually his son, Jeroboam, who became king.

You can also make use of this in your studies. You can focus on something so strongly that it comes true.

For example, you can concentrate on completing the four sections of the Shulchan Arukh . You can calculate that if you study five pages each day, you will finish all four sections in a single year. 95 Reb Noson actually did this (see Tzaddik #435). Picture in your mind exactly how you will go about this course of study. Concentrate so strongly that you are completely focused on this thought. If your desire is strong and your concentration intense enough, you can suceed.

The same tactics can also be applied to other studies such as the Bible, the Talmud with its major commentaries, the Rif 96 Acronym for Rabbi Isaac al-Fasi (1013-1103), the first major codifier of the Talmud.. and the Rosh , 97 Acronym for Rabbi OSHer or Asher (1250-1327), another major Talmudic codifier. as well as the Arba'ah Turim . 98 "Four Rows,” a halakhic code predating the Shulchan Arukh , written by Rabbi Jacob ben Asher (1270-1343), son of the Rosh .

The Rebbe said that the Talmud alludes to this concept when it states that thought helps, even for the study of Torah ( Sanhedrin 26b) . Rashi might interpret this Talmudic passage differently, but the Rebbe’s explanation is also certainly true. The Rebbe did not elaborate further, but both are the living words of God ( Eruvin 13b; Gittin 6b) .