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Q. What Mussar work do you recommend for a student in yeshiva gedola or ketana to study?

A. Mesillas Yeshorim

Q. If a rebbe sees that his students lack a love for Torah, what should he do to instill it?

A. He should ask them challenging questions.

Q. And if he sees that this is not enough?

A. Try again.

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By HaRav Mattisyohu Salomon, Mashgiach Ruchani of Beis Hamedrash Govohah, Lakewood

This important essay was first published in our print edition 20 years ago.

Awareness of the Need for Change

In our times, we are witnessing a widespread awakening of interest in the study of the halochos of loshon hora and rechilus. The enormity of the sin of speaking loshon hora and the tremendous merit for refraining from derogatory speech, have become common knowledge, as a result of the influence of the holy Chofetz Chaim. Yet the trials involved in keeping one's speech untainted remain very great. Even those who study the halochos complain of their difficulties in avoiding this sin altogether and they look for ways of repenting for lapses and of steering clear of

A special gathering took place at the home of the Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Gershon Eidelstein, attended by gedolei Yisroel, rabbonim and roshei yeshiva regarding a solution for the pressing problem of shidduchim. This gathering was initiated by the "Lev Echad" organization, established by HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, rosh yeshiva of Slobodka in Bnei Brak, who has undertaken to solve the problem through various activities geared to ease the burden of parents seeking to find a suitable match for their children.

The disciples of Rabbi Akiva died during the period between Pesach and Shavuos for not having accorded due respect to one another. HaRav Yaakov Neiman said that Chazal did not blame their deaths upon a natural occurrence, such as an epidemic but pinned the prime reason upon the sin of lack of respect for one another. Had they not had this fault, they would not have died.

If someone tells us that he doesn't feel well, we are inclined to ask if he ate something spoiled that upset his digestive system or to offer other possible reasons for his malaise. No one would ask him if had sinned recently which would have caused his illness.