Machshovos Zoros - Foreign thoughts: Difference between revisions

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There are different types of foreign thoughts, such as thoughts related to parnassa that confuse a person and prevent concentration, or forbidden thoughts like thoughts of sin or thoughts of avodah zarah.

Although usually the term refers to various thoughts that arise in a person's mind during avodas Hashem, in a more general sense any action that a person does with personal motives is considered a 'foreign thought', since these thoughts and interests are 'foreign' to what they are involved in.

Although usually the term refers to various thoughts that arise in a person's mind during avodas Hashem, in a more general sense any action that a person does with personal motives is considered a 'foreign thought', since these thoughts and interests are 'foreign' to what they are involved in<ref>Sicha of 12 Tammuz 5713 (1953) and others.</ref>.

The Torah forbids a person from dwelling on foreign thoughts, but if it wasn't expressed in actual deed, the person is not punished for the thought, since one cannot be punished for matters of thought.

The Torah forbids a person from dwelling on foreign thoughts<ref>This concept is learned from the verse (Bamidbar 15:39): "and you shall not follow after your heart," which is recited in Krias Shema.</ref>, but if it wasn't expressed in actual deed, the person is not punished for the thought, since one cannot be punished for matters of thought.

== Dealing with Foreign Thoughts ==

In a letter responding to a Yid who complained about having disturbing foreign thoughts, the Rebbe instructed him to check his tefillin to ensure they were kosher according to halacha. On another occasion, the Rebbe instructed to memorize the beginning of Chapter 41 in Tanya (until the words "lifnei hamelech"), a section discussing how Hakadosh Baruch Hu constantly watches over a person, and to review this section each morning before davening.

In a letter responding to a Yid who complained about having disturbing foreign thoughts, the Rebbe instructed him to check his tefillin to ensure they were kosher according to halacha<ref>Igros Kodesh 5720 (1960) Volume 18, page 270.</ref>, On another occasion<ref>Igrot Kodesh Volume 16, page 263 </ref>, the Rebbe instructed to memorize the beginning of Chapter 41 in Tanya (until the words "lifnei hamelech"), a section discussing how Hakadosh Baruch Hu constantly watches over a person, and to review this section each morning before davening.

It is explained in Chassidus that the most important thing to know about avoiding foreign thoughts is that the garment of thought is compared to skin - just as one cannot remove the garment of skin, one cannot not think at all. However, one can replace thoughts with other thoughts (of kedusha, or if necessary of kelipas nogah), therefore everyone who is literate must know divrei Torah by heart so they can always "draw out" an alternative thought.

It is explained in Chassidus<ref>Dibur Hamaschil "Vayishlach Yehoshua" in Sefer HaMaamarim Melukat volume 2</ref> that the most important thing to know about avoiding foreign thoughts is that the garment of thought is compared to skin - just as one cannot remove the garment of skin, one cannot not think at all. However, one can replace thoughts with other thoughts (of kedusha, or if necessary of kelipas nogah), therefore everyone who is literate must know divrei Torah by heart so they can always "draw out" an alternative thought<ref>Hayom Yom Yud Aleph Teves</ref>

In Tanya (Chapter 27), the Alter Rebbe writes that when one diverts their mind from evil thoughts and desires, "they should be happy with their portion" that even though these thoughts fall into their mind, they divert their attention from them to fulfill the verse "and you shall not follow after your hearts and after your eyes."

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He explains that the reason for this is because the foreign thoughts that fall to most people aren't truly 'foreign', but thoughts that come from the person themselves - meaning these thoughts have already occurred to the person in the past and are now just rising and surfacing. Therefore, there's no point in fighting with the foreign thoughts that arise, rather the way to deal with them is simply to replace them with other thoughts.

To prevent foreign thoughts from confusing a person during learning or davening, the Rebbe suggests holding an open sefer and specifically davening or learning from the sefer.

To prevent foreign thoughts from confusing a person during learning or davening, the Rebbe suggests holding an open sefer and specifically davening or learning from the sefer<ref>Igrot Kodesh Volume 9, Letter #2,875 </ref>

== In Chassidic Folklore ==

In Chassidic stories, it appears that one of the Polish chassidim asked the Rebbe Maharash why chassidim don't daven quickly to shorten the time of davening and 'escape' from the foreign thoughts that arise during davening. He compared it to Jews traveling in a wagon when boys start throwing stones at them - surely the advice in such a case would be to whip the horses and flee the place.

The Rebbe answered: This advice is correct when the boys are chasing after the wagon, but when they've managed to climb onto the wagon, it won't help to whip the wagon and speed up its journey. Rather, one must stop the wagon, struggle with them, and drive them away.

The Rebbe answered: This advice is correct when the boys are chasing after the wagon, but when they've managed to climb onto the wagon, it won't help to whip the wagon and speed up its journey. Rather, one must stop the wagon, struggle with them, and drive them away<ref>Naftali Tzvi Gottlieb, Pearls of the Crown - Prayer, page 357</ref>.

== Further Reading ==

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- Reb Nota Gerlitzky, How Should I Speak with the Mashpia About Foreign Thoughts That I Have? Kfar Chabad Weekly Issue 2089 page 86 (1985)

[[he:מחשבות זרות]]

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 There are different types of foreign thoughts, such as thoughts related to parnassa that confuse a person and prevent concentration, or forbidden thoughts like thoughts of sin or thoughts of avodah zarah.
-Although usually the term refers to various thoughts that arise in a person's mind during avodas Hashem, in a more general sense any action that a person does with personal motives is considered a 'foreign thought', since these thoughts and interests are 'foreign' to what they are involved in.
+Although usually the term refers to various thoughts that arise in a person's mind during avodas Hashem, in a more general sense any action that a person does with personal motives is considered a 'foreign thought', since these thoughts and interests are 'foreign' to what they are involved in<ref>Sicha of 12 Tammuz 5713 (1953) and others.</ref>.
-The Torah forbids a person from dwelling on foreign thoughts, but if it wasn't expressed in actual deed, the person is not punished for the thought, since one cannot be punished for matters of thought.
+The Torah forbids a person from dwelling on foreign thoughts<ref>This concept is learned from the verse (Bamidbar 15:39): "and you shall not follow after your heart," which is recited in Krias Shema.</ref>, but if it wasn't expressed in actual deed, the person is not punished for the thought, since one cannot be punished for matters of thought.
 == Dealing with Foreign Thoughts ==
-In a letter responding to a Yid who complained about having disturbing foreign thoughts, the Rebbe instructed him to check his tefillin to ensure they were kosher according to halacha. On another occasion, the Rebbe instructed to memorize the beginning of Chapter 41 in Tanya (until the words "lifnei hamelech"), a section discussing how Hakadosh Baruch Hu constantly watches over a person, and to review this section each morning before davening.
+In a letter responding to a Yid who complained about having disturbing foreign thoughts, the Rebbe instructed him to check his tefillin to ensure they were kosher according to halacha<ref>Igros Kodesh 5720 (1960) Volume 18, page 270.</ref>, On another occasion<ref>Igrot Kodesh Volume 16, page 263 </ref>, the Rebbe instructed to memorize the beginning of Chapter 41 in Tanya (until the words "lifnei hamelech"), a section discussing how Hakadosh Baruch Hu constantly watches over a person, and to review this section each morning before davening.
-It is explained in Chassidus that the most important thing to know about avoiding foreign thoughts is that the garment of thought is compared to skin - just as one cannot remove the garment of skin, one cannot not think at all. However, one can replace thoughts with other thoughts (of kedusha, or if necessary of kelipas nogah), therefore everyone who is literate must know divrei Torah by heart so they can always "draw out" an alternative thought.
+It is explained in Chassidus<ref>Dibur Hamaschil "Vayishlach Yehoshua" in Sefer HaMaamarim Melukat volume 2</ref> that the most important thing to know about avoiding foreign thoughts is that the garment of thought is compared to skin - just as one cannot remove the garment of skin, one cannot not think at all. However, one can replace thoughts with other thoughts (of kedusha, or if necessary of kelipas nogah), therefore everyone who is literate must know divrei Torah by heart so they can always "draw out" an alternative thought<ref>Hayom Yom Yud Aleph Teves</ref>
 In Tanya (Chapter 27), the Alter Rebbe writes that when one diverts their mind from evil thoughts and desires, "they should be happy with their portion" that even though these thoughts fall into their mind, they divert their attention from them to fulfill the verse "and you shall not follow after your hearts and after your eyes."
@@ Line 37: / Line 37: @@
 He explains that the reason for this is because the foreign thoughts that fall to most people aren't truly 'foreign', but thoughts that come from the person themselves - meaning these thoughts have already occurred to the person in the past and are now just rising and surfacing. Therefore, there's no point in fighting with the foreign thoughts that arise, rather the way to deal with them is simply to replace them with other thoughts.
-To prevent foreign thoughts from confusing a person during learning or davening, the Rebbe suggests holding an open sefer and specifically davening or learning from the sefer.
+To prevent foreign thoughts from confusing a person during learning or davening, the Rebbe suggests holding an open sefer and specifically davening or learning from the sefer<ref>Igrot Kodesh Volume 9, Letter #2,875 </ref>
 == In Chassidic Folklore ==
 In Chassidic stories, it appears that one of the Polish chassidim asked the Rebbe Maharash why chassidim don't daven quickly to shorten the time of davening and 'escape' from the foreign thoughts that arise during davening. He compared it to Jews traveling in a wagon when boys start throwing stones at them - surely the advice in such a case would be to whip the horses and flee the place.
-The Rebbe answered: This advice is correct when the boys are chasing after the wagon, but when they've managed to climb onto the wagon, it won't help to whip the wagon and speed up its journey. Rather, one must stop the wagon, struggle with them, and drive them away.
+The Rebbe answered: This advice is correct when the boys are chasing after the wagon, but when they've managed to climb onto the wagon, it won't help to whip the wagon and speed up its journey. Rather, one must stop the wagon, struggle with them, and drive them away<ref>Naftali Tzvi Gottlieb, Pearls of the Crown - Prayer, page 357</ref>.
 == Further Reading ==
@@ Line 49: / Line 49: @@
 - Reb Nota Gerlitzky, How Should I Speak with the Mashpia About Foreign Thoughts That I Have? Kfar Chabad Weekly Issue 2089 page 86 (1985)
 {{ Chassidus}}
+[[he:מחשבות זרות]]