What we can learn from babies

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Forum -> Chinuch, Education & Schooling

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Motek

Sun, Nov 07 2004, 2:29 pm

R' Zushe of Anipoli said you can learn three things from a baby (as well as 7 things you can learn from a thief!):

1) always be busy

2) when you need something, cry out for it

3) when your needs are satisfied, be happy

I find this fascinating. Re #1 - I once read that an athlete tried to copy every move a baby made, and quickly became exhausted!

re #2 - a reminder to turn to Hashem who is the source for everything we need

re #3 - that an unhappy baby (I would add an older child too) is one whose needs aren't being met, that an unhappy child is not one who was born with an unhappy nature, but is someone whose physical or emotional needs are not being met!

what do you think of R' Zushe's analysis?

Tefila

Sun, Nov 07 2004, 5:16 pm

We can also learn to forgive! just like babies can be mad with u one min and next min smiling. Halavay we can forgive and 'forget' like them.

sarahd

Mon, Nov 29 2004, 3:42 pm

Motek wrote:

Thank you so much for this post!! I have been trying to think of the third thing we learn from babies for ages and couldn't remember it! (I thought it was R' Yisrael Salanter who said it, but never mind.)

AweSumThenSum

Sun, Dec 19 2004, 4:30 pm

I especially like the 2nd thing, because in our society, it has become tabboo to ask for help, especially emotional help.

ForeverYoung
Guest

Sun, Dec 26 2004, 9:21 pm

Also, babies always do what they're supposed to be doing!!!

AweSumThenSum

Sun, Dec 26 2004, 9:35 pm

really? perhaps from the baby's point of view, but try telling that to a mom who's up w/ her baby at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, AND 7 am.

ForeverYoung
Guest

Sun, Dec 26 2004, 9:47 pm

Babyes have to grow and learn.
they do it 24/7, regardless of what we think about it.

But I never said it was easy on the mother.... Wink

proudmom

Thu, Feb 17 2005, 2:42 pm

we can also learn zrizus. (spelling)

Tefila

Thu, Feb 17 2005, 2:45 pm

Proud how true Very Happy

Motek

Thu, May 12 2005, 7:01 pm

and here's the one about a thief:

Quote:

It is possible to utilize for G-d's service, according to Torah, all behavior-traits. This includes those traits that are unwholesome, and even those that are evil, as their names and descriptions indicate.
Exclamation

For example, the tzadik Rabbi Meshulam Zusya of Anipoli, of blessed memory, learned a number of methods of serving G-d - from a thief: a) He works quietly without others knowing. b) He is ready to place himself in danger. c) The smallest detail is of great importance to him. d) He labors with great toil. e) Alacrity. f) He is confident and optimistic. g) If he did not succeed the first time, he tries again and again.

I think the concept is quite remarkable!

smile

Fri, May 13 2005, 4:17 am

Quote:

g) If he did not succeed the first time, he tries again and again.

The same thing can be said about babies too.

Pearl

Fri, May 13 2005, 5:56 am

this is all very interesting, thank you!

Motek

Sun, Jul 03 2005, 1:58 pm

this article:

http://www.chabad.org/magazine.....90658

perfectly illustrates what R' Zushe said

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