Mashpia Writes Book for Bochurim

Life in Yeshiva is supposed to be “Gan Eden”, the best years of our lives. Indeed, Tomchei Temimim is supposed to be the antidote to assimilation.

So why is it that so many Bochurim feel overwhelmed, unfulfilled and unmoved?

It is this challenge that Rabbi Mendel Itzinger, Mashpia in London Mesivta and Director of Igud Yeshivos Lubavitch attempts to address in his new book Chossid Yerei Shomayim Lamdon – The Three to Succeeding as a Bochur.

In the only book of its kind, written directly to the Bochur, in a clear and concise manner, Rabbi Itzinger addresses head on the purpose for studying in Yeshiva, its goals, and clearly maps out the path to achieving them.

“In my years of guiding Bochurim, I have often fielded complaints that they don’t feel successful,” he writes in the introduction. “The key challenge is that very, very, few Bochurim can actually describe what success means, and when I challenge them, I often get the same answer: “I’m not exactly sure”.

“Too many Bochurim it seems that the goal of Yeshiva is simply learning and learning, often spending hours on topics they don’t yet relate to or enjoy. Is it a wonder, then, that many Bochurim feel the way they do”?

“The main goal of Yeshiva is not learning,” Rabbi Itzinger fervently declares. “It is about developing a passion for Ruchanius and the tools to live a Ruchniyusdike passionate Yiddishe life”.

To help Bochurim become passionate about learning and start to love Yeshiva, it is imperative that we help them understand the what it does for their lives.

But in addition to defining the goal and purpose of Yeshiva, it is also necessary that a Bochur understand why those goals are important.

Let’s take learning as an example: although some Bochurim love every second of it, others become frustrated by the sheer number of hours spent learning each day. Some find learning challenging in general, while others find certain topics harder than others.

Whatever their personal challenge is, it can seem to Bochurim, that there is an uneven emphasis placed on learning and, for many, this is extremely hard. The frustration only magnifies their question, “Why do we spend so much time learning”?

This is just one of the questions that Rabbi Itzinger addresses in his book. Because knowing “why” helps a person become, and remain, motivated in what we do.

However, knowing “why” is not enough, because to succeed one also needs a clear vision on “how” to achieve said goals, in this book, Rabbi Itzinger maps out the path clearly, bringing these goals within the reach of every Bochur who wants to succeed.

The book unravels the answers to questions like, “How do we learn how to learn?” and “What is the path a Bochur needs to take to actually gain a love for Hashem?”

The book is now available in stores and at seforimdeals.com

DOWNLOAD: Excerpt of the book