Description
Based on Netziv - Haemek Davar
Rebbi Yishmael's astounding explanation of Shlomo HaMelech's statement in Koheles to "follow your heart." What is the deeper meaning of the Torah's verse: "velo sassuru acharei levavchem" (don't stray after your hearts). It's not about following your heart to have a good time - the age-old disagreement between parents and children. We are supposed to learn Torah with joy and gladness of heart; therefore, we have to learn (within reason) those topics that bring us joy; but we cannot completely abandon the other topics. One of the root problems of why even observant Jews often cannot get along. The one mitzvah (commandment) which is special to me, to which I connect my life and at which I excel. But we should not look for new ways to do mitzvos. If only it were possible to have the father teach his son - he knows him better than anybody else, and it's one-on-one.
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