Mindfulness Hitlamdut (התלמדות) In Judaism
An introduction to and workshop in Hitlamdut, a Mussar idea that we should always strive to be learning from everyone and everything on this earth.
What is Hitlamdut?
  1. Mindful observation of daily (mundane) routine
  2. Mindful observation of those around us
  3. Lifelong Learning and Growth Mindset
  4. Letting what we learn actually impact our feelings and thoughts
  5. Always "in training;" Avoid arrogance and self-deprecation
Cultivating Hitlamdut:
A Step-by-Step Guide
1. A large part of hitlamdut is seeing the familiar as if it were new. Think about something mundane that you do on a regular basis - brushing your teeth, checking Facebook, crossing the street. How do you do that? For example, how hard do I grip my toothbrush? How softly am I brushing? Do my teeth feel cleaner?
*What can I learn from this action?

(4) One should put on the right shoe first and not fasten it, then after that put on the left one and fasten it, and return and fasten the right one. Rem"a: And in the case of our shoes which do not have a fastening, one puts the right one on first. (Tosafot)

Upon hearing the sound of the rooster, one should recite: Blessed…Who gave the heart [sekhvi] understanding to distinguish between day and night.
Upon opening his eyes, one should recite: Blessed…Who gives sight to the blind.
Upon sitting up straight, one should recite: Blessed…Who sets captives free.
Upon dressing, one should recite: Blessed…Who clothes the naked, as they would sleep unclothed.
Upon standing up straight, one should recite: Blessed…Who raises those bowed down.
Upon descending from one’s bed to the ground, one should recite: Blessed…Who spreads the earth above the waters, in thanksgiving for the creation of solid ground upon which to walk.
Upon walking, one should recite: Blessed…Who makes firm the steps of man.
Upon putting on his shoes, one should recite: Blessed…Who has provided me with all I need, as shoes are a basic necessity.
Upon putting on his belt, one should recite: Blessed…Who girds Israel with strength.
Upon spreading a shawl upon his head, one should recite: Blessed…Who crowns Israel with glory.

2. What minor behavior, trait, or piece of wisdom can I learn from a friend of mine? Refocusing from an instinct of critique to one of hitlamdut, constant learning, what three positive things can I learn from my friend?

The Gemara cites other expositions that deal with Torah study. Rabbi Ḥama, son of Rabbi Ḥanina, said: What is the meaning of that which is written: “Iron sharpens iron, so a person sharpens the countenance of his friend” (Proverbs 27:17)? This verse comes to tell you that just as with these iron implements, one sharpens the other when they are rubbed against each other, so too, when Torah scholars study together, they sharpen one another in their legal studies.

3. We interact with many acquaintances everyday. Bus drivers, canvassers, cashiers, homeless people, children. Hitlamdut asks us to learn from them.
It also challenges us to learn from those we might instinctively blame or critique.
Share a time when a friend, acquaintance, or college found themselves in trouble after poor decisions.
What was your instinctive reaction? Did you find yourself blaming them at all? If so, why do you think that is?
How might you be similarly vulnerable?
(based on Tikkun Middot Project Curriculum)

Ben Zoma says: Who is the wise one? He who learns from every peron, as it says, "I have acquired understanding from all my teachers" (Psalms 119:99).

4. Everything on this earth has something to teach us, otherwise why would it have been created? What are three things you can learn from the animal kingdom?

Similarly, Rabbi Yoḥanan said: Even if the Torah had not been given, we would nonetheless have learned modesty from the cat, which covers its excrement, and that stealing is objectionable from the ant, which does not take grain from another ant, and forbidden relations from the dove, which is faithful to its partner, and proper relations from the rooster, which first appeases the hen and then mates with it.

5. We are so connected, yet so spread out. We are over-saturated emotionally detached to what we read in the news. What can we learn from what we read in the news? About God, the world, or ourselves? How can we emotionally connect or react to the events we hear about and not feel apathy towards them? What is an example of something you learned/observed recently that really had an impact on you?
Dr. Viktor E. Frenkl, Man's Search for Meaning
Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.
6. Think about your siblings, your parents, or your children. How in tune are you with their feelings? When you feel anxious, stressed, or upset, how easily do you respond to their needs? When do you lash out, and when do you really try to understand why they are behaving a certain way, or are you acting out of habit? What can I learn about myself in these moments? Try three times a day to think about your loved ones and understand why they are feeling or behaving in a certain way. As well, what can I learn about how I behave with or speak to them?

(יח) לֹֽא־תִקֹּ֤ם וְלֹֽא־תִטֹּר֙ אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י עַמֶּ֔ךָ וְאָֽהַבְתָּ֥ לְרֵעֲךָ֖ כָּמ֑וֹךָ אֲנִ֖י יקוק

(18) You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against your countrymen. Love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.

(*alternatively: Love your neighbor [who is a fellow human being] like yourself. I am the LORD [who created all of you in my image].)