Rabbi Eliyahu of Vilna, commonly known as the Gaon (literally "genius") was probably the most influential Jewish leader in modern history. He never assumed any official position of leadership and spent his time in almost total isolation toiling day and night in torah study. He became the undisputed greatest torah scholar and kabbalist in modern history.
various advice the Gaon gave his students
#6. Tzava lilmod rachok mebeso shelo yhiye bitul mebeso (he recommended us to learn far from home so as not to be disturbed by the house (kids, etc.))
#7. terufa lekaas, devarim betalim, lashon hara - yakdim tefila letzara (the cure for anger, idle chatter, and slander - pray beforehand)
#12. lehitrachek m'chevrat bnei adam (to distance oneself from hanging out with friends - (due to wasting time))
#21. if to learn seder nashim or review seder moed - tzarich shetehi baki bseder moed v'melech al seder echad,like zohar ..inherit world. (better to be king over one seder)
#23. tanach tov lilmud rak im p'rashi (good to learn tanach only with rashi's commentary)
#24. limud vchazara mishnayos is segula lehasmada. v'tachzor 3 perakim kol yom ulehavin hapshat adsheyargil 3 (18 nusach acher) perakim kol yom.
#60. klal hateshuva m'dina nekel letzet - hayinu im yigmor bdato shelo yease od im yavo leyado. vyitron meriros halev hu rak mida chasidus
(generally, it is easy to fulfill one's obligation to do teshuva - namely that one takes on to not do anymore (the sin) if it comes to his hand. The rest such as bitterness of the heart (in regret) is just extra piety.)
#62. devarim betelim - hakol bklal levad ma shetzarich le massa umatam v'gam mipne hakavod, aval tov leharchik...ein heter...tzarich lishkol bmozne sichlo techila al kol dibur vdibur sherotze lehotzi mipiv im hu muchrach...
(the prohibition of useless words - everything is included, except what is necessary for business dealings and honoring others, but it is good to distance oneself. There is no heter, one must weigh with the scales of his intellect, in the beginning, on each word that he wants to speak whether it is necessary.)
#68-teshuva doreita charata vazivat hachet (the mitzva of teshuva, according to the torah is regret and dropping the sin)
#99. ikar kavanato bekol tefila v'afilu bakashot gashmius sheyihiye nachas ruach mi-ze lehaBore yisborach. Shekesheadam mitztaer...ulevakesh al tzaaraso kebyachol.
(the main kavana (intent) during prayer, even for material things is to give pleasure to the Creator, may He be blessed, because when a man is suffering, He (G-d) also suffers, so one is like requesting on His (G-d's) suffering, so to speak.)
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