Thursday, March 28, 2024 -
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Thirteen middot

Every seven-and-a-half years, with the celebration of the completion of Daf Yomi, that is, learning all 63 Talmudic tractates, I am reminded of an observation made by Rabbi Israel Salanter: Changing one habit is more difficult than learning the entire Talmud.

I’m sure I tell myself this in part to make me feel better about not having studied one page, let alone 2,711 pages of the Talmud.

Perhaps I even trick myself into thinking: “Well, I may not study Daf Yomi, but I work really hard on my personal habits.”

You know, kind of like the people who do horrible things but find comfort in reminding themselves that most great men are also great sinners? (Problem is, it’s a logical fallacy because while accomplished people may also be sinners, being a sinner doesnmake one a highly accomplished person!)

Still, I find it a good reminder about how hard it is to change, and how much focus and energy it requires.

Why is it so hard to change personal traits?

First, one must recognize that there is something to change. That can be the most challenging part. It requires self-awareness.

If we do succeed at identifying a weakness, then the hard work follows. It’s kind of like learning a foreign language. It requires commitment and constant practice.

The smarter thing to do — and I’m thinking this is the wisdom contained within Rabbi Salanter’s observation — is to choose activities that improve one’s personal traits. His observation is perhaps not intended to set up a dichotomy, but a path.

Let’s take his example: Someone who has completed Daf Yomi must have already mastered several of the middot, or personal characteristics, among the 13 that Rabbi Salanter promotes. It seems impossible to complete such a task without diligence, forbearance and order. I’ve never studied Daf Yomi, but I could imagine it also engenders respect and humility.

This is not the part of the column where I declare to undertake Daf Yomi. But I could consider what other pursuits may facilitate the qualities already mentioned — along with Rabbi Salanter’s truth, alacrity, tranquility, pleasantness, cleanliness, justice, thrift and silence. Any suggestions?

Shana Goldberg may be reached at [email protected]

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