The first line of defense for controlling our eyes and heart is Torah study. The Rambam explains that the heart only occupies itself with one thought at a time. If a man's heart is left to its own meanderings, it invariably gravitates towards unclean thoughts. However, if the heart is occupied with Torah, it will be filled with holy thoughts. He concludes that Torah study is indispensable to gaining mastery over improper inclinations.
The positive thoughts stimulated by Torah study will empower us with the capability to serve Hashem.
Today: Set up the first line of defense to mastering your eyes by dedicating daily time to Torah study.
I knew there would be more to this than just keeping a journal. Yesterday, Dave advised me to buckle down on my Torah study. We're good friends, so he knows that I look over the parshah on Shabbat, but since I entered the working world, my Torah learning isn't as regular as it used to be."
But he was insistent. "Look," he said, "I know you're really trying to master your eyes, so it's logical to spend at least a little time each day studying Torah. Can't you find twenty minutes a day? C'mon, just twenty minutes."
Now how did he know that Rabbi Levy had announced that day that he would be starting a class right after Shacharit? Most of the men in our minyan are on their way to work, so he said he'd keep it short.
I think I should give it a try. Going to an early-morning Torah class will give me something worthwhile to think about all day - especially when those visual challenges come my way.
These e-mails are excerpts taken from the book "Windows of the Soul" by Rabbi Zvi Miller of the Salant Foundation.