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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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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
