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This occasionally happens to those of us who, for various reasons, self-imposed or otherwise, feel bound to write articles or blogs on a regular basis. Sometimes, this obligation is a weekly one, and there are even those who undertake producing their wisdom and observations in writing on a daily basis. But no matter what the time schedule - daily, weekly, monthly or even annually - anyone who writes will sooner or later meet up with the dreaded enemy called writer’s block and simply feel that he or she has nothing of value to say at that particular time. This is especially true if one has written a great deal, for then it feels as though one has exhausted all of his or her wisdom on many subjects, especially when those subjects reappear in the course of human events, as they always do. The writer feels that there is nothing new that can be added to what has already been written. Hence, this form of writer’s block is extremely frustrating.
Another even more insidious form of writer’s block occurs when one has formulated in one's mind the topic that one wishes to write about, but because indolence, preoccupation or other distractions, the writer does not arrive at the computer with alacrity to dictate the article that has already formulated in his/her mind. There is, so to speak, a switch that must be turned on to allow the words and thoughts that are within the writer to start to flow and to be recorded on paper or computer screen. This is an exceedingly difficult form of writer’s block to overcome, since, invariably, the writer does not know where the switch is that must be turned on.
The writer then spends a great deal of effort trying to convince himself to actually go ahead and sit down in front of the computer and write or dictate that which has already been prepared and formulated, to a great extent, within the mind and thoughts of the writer. I find that this is especially true when one is writing a book or essay of great length. It is impossible to finish the task at one sitting, and great discipline is required to ensure that a certain amount of words are written on a daily basis, in order that somehow, at the end of a set period of time, the book or essay can be completed.
The great American historian of the American Civil War, Shelby Foote, wrote a magisterial three volume narrative of that titanic struggle. It contained well over a million words. But he remarked that he did it by setting for himself a goal of writing 500 to 600 words a day, and to do so every day until the project was complete. That, my friends, takes enormous discipline and mental and physical fortitude – take my word for it.
Since I have not overcome the first type of writer's block that I described above – having nothing really important or earth shattering to write about this week – I chose to write about the fact that I really had nothing to write about. That drove me directly into the obstacle of the second form of writer’s block, forcing myself to somehow express my frustration, which I clearly formulated in my mind and even in potential words, into an article about writer’s block. It took me three days to force myself to sit down and dictate this article, even though I was fully aware of the subject that I intended to write about. But, as you can now see and read, I was able to write an article about nothing of great importance, and to dictate it to my computer, so that all of you can identify and benefit from the ideas expressed herein.
Shabbat shalom
Berel Wein
Rabbis in Midrash
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Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
