Staying Focused While Living in Age of Distraction

Rav Preida once had a student that had to be taught something 400 times before he could understand it.

One day, the Rebbe was asked to do a mitzvah, and the student failed to learn the lesson.

“Why is it different today than all other days?” he asked his student.

“Because,” he answered, “from the moment the master was asked to do the mitzvah I was distracted, thinking to myself, ‘Soon the master will have to get up . . . Soon the master will have to get up . . .'"

Rav Preida said, “If that is so, let me teach the lesson to you again.” He then repeated the teaching another 400 times, and because of this a heavenly voice called out to Rav Preida, “Which reward do you want? Either you can live a long life, or you and your generation can merit The World-to-Come?”

He answered, “I request that I and my generation merit The World-to-Come.” To this God responded, “Give him both rewards!

(7) Rabbi Elazar, man of Bartuta, says: Give Him from what is His, for you and yours are His, and thus with David it says, "For all comes from You, and from Your hand we have given to You" (I Chronicles 29:14). Rabbi Shimon says: He who is walking on the way and repeating his studies, and interrupts his studies and says, "How lovely is this tree! And how lovely is this newly plowed field!" - Scripture considers him as if he is liable for [forfeiture of] his life.

(7) "'How lovely is this tree! And how lovely is this newly plowed field'": This is true of all idle talk, but it is is speaking according to what is common; as it is the way of wayfarers to speak about what they see with their eyes.

And some say that it comes to make us understand a new idea- that even though s/he will make the blessing, 'Blessed is God, Who it is like this in His world;' nonetheless, Scripture considers it as if s/he was liable for his or her life, because s/he interrupted his or her study.

The Sefer HaChasidim (Section 944) wrote that a person, who interrupts his learning and speaks idle chatter or looks at women, is punished for his learning as well. It is a pity that there are people who are not careful in this matter and will inherit two Gehinoms, Heaven save us. Therefore, a person must be very careful! Especially if he said before his learning, “For the sake of the unity of the Holy One Blessed Be He and His Presence…”, his carelessness will be like a powerful axe that separates [rather than unites]. If he needs to talk, he should close the book, as if he finished his learning, and afterwards start learning again. Perhaps, by doing this, it will be a remedy and he will be untainted by sin...

(2) The heavens declare the glory of God, and the land speaks of His handiwork.

(6) In all your paths know Him, And He will make your paths smooth.