Nervous Issues
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Question
1- When I recite the passages of the Shema, due to confusion, I intend several times for the sake of the mitzvah because it seems to me that I did not concentrate. And, for example, in a matter where one needs to concentrate to evoke a holy name, I concentrate many times. What is the advice and halacha regarding this? 2- I heard that thought is considered like speech when a person intends to think instead of speaking. Does this also apply to a curse in thought, that if one intends to think the curse, it is considered as speech?
Answer
Hello,
As you defined yourself, you know that it is related to 'nerves', not real doubts. Because you write that you concentrate 'several times', and you also know that it is enough to concentrate once.
The method that has helped several people I have spoken to is as follows:
You need to know that 'intention' is merely understanding what you are saying. I have never seen anyone say 'I want chocolate', and not understand what they are saying... That is, we do not have a problem with understanding, but in that we sometimes seek something abstract called 'intention', and then it is not clear to us if we have found it...
Try from today to read what you say, Shema, prayer, blessing, with a simple and clear understanding of the words, and that is it, that is the desired intention, and nothing more.
2. A curse is not a 'law', and 'thought as speech' does not apply to it.