Jeremy Finn - "Speak with Hashem"

Jeremy Finn lives in Ramat Bet Shemesh, where he has been giving shiurim for the past 15 years.

He has worked for Aish HaTorah and Ohr Samayach and is the author of the Sheva DeNechemta series of sefarim - dedicated in memory of his mother.

 

1. What was a place, person or event that transformed your ideas, thinking, or perspective? 

My parents shaped most of my thinking - I never wanted to do anything other than to copy their example of people who love and enjoy being religious, give to the community and created a happy home for my siblings and I. 

I consider my father to be my Rebbi in almost every aspect of life, and when I need to know what to do in any situation I will either ask him or think what he would do!

 

2. What (Jewish) message does the world need to hear?

Make people smile!  You can dramatically affect someone's life by cheering them up and making them laugh or smile. Just a friendly Hello or showing genuine interest. 

 

3. How do you deal with failure?

Experience is the greatest teacher. Failing has helped me be aware of the pitfalls the next time around, and to know what I am good at, and what is best left to others! 

 

4. If you were to give advice to your younger self, what would it be?

Use my time in Yeshiva to better effect.  

5. What is one way that you spoil yourself a little?

Biscuits! (Too many!)  

Sefarim - I am addicted to buying sefarim - espcially on the Parsha!

6. How do you get back on track if you have had an unproductive or distracted period?

When saying Modeh Ani in the morning, add a silent prayer to ask Hashem to help me avoid the mistakes of the past. (A good Shllof also helps!) 

 

7. What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?

From my father - never make important decisions when very happy or very sad. Everything should be analysed when you are calm, cool and collected! 

 

8. What do you consider as your biggest achievement in the last 5-10 years?

Managing to remember to vote in every election! On a serious note, I have been blessed to give regular Shiurim, which take great effort to prepare, and the fact that people still attend pushes me to continue. 

 

9. What area do Rabanim/teachers not stress enough?

Listening! We should teach our children to be good listeners. If we learn to listen when someone else is speaking, and do not at the same time check our emails, WhatsApp, Facebook etc, we will change the world!

 

10. What part of Jewish learning is your main focus or favourite? How would you recommend people to get more deeply into it?

Great question! I spend most of my day preparing Parshat Hashavuah and Gemarah shiurim, so those two would have to be my main focus.

My advice is to find an area in Torah that speaks to you. Go to Shiurim, listen online, find a speaker/teacher whose style appeals to you, and stick with them. 

The best example is Daf Hayomi. Learning Shas frightens most people, but so many who have done it say that they managed to do so because they found a great shiur online and stuck with it by learning one shiur a day until they completed the whole Shas.

Bottom line - find something and someone who inspires you and stick with it!

 

 

11. I have often thought that we in the modern orthodox community are walking a tightrope between different worlds both of which we want to belong to and be active in which may detract from our full attention to one or the other particularly to the Jewish side. Can you give some ideas or direction how to connect more deeply to the Torah and Hashem? (Books, ideas, programmes, activities)

 

Firstly, learn the translation of the Tefillot. If you understand what you are saying, and why you are saying it, it will transform your relationship with G-d. A relationship with the Almighty is vital for success in every part of Judaism. Whether you are Modern Orthodox, Charedi or any other label is not important. Whatever you are, you MUST develop a relationship with G-d, in the same way as you would develop a relationship with someone with whom you wanted to be close. Speak to G-d, cry to G-d, laugh with G-d, ask, plead and perhaps most important, thank G-d!

Secondly, set aside time to learn Torah on a regular basis - every day without exception, and ensure you are learning a part of Torah that inspires you. Torah is vast and has something for everyone. Find which part of Torah excites you and run with it!