Free choice and the effect of one’s upbringing and education
Shiur #33 in Rav Aharon Kahn’s Hashkafah Series Based on Mishlei with Biur HaGra.
Content Description: More on the nature of free choice, from Rav Dessler. The internal battle choosing truth versus ‘falsehood dressed up as truth’. Shifting battlefields; we don’t struggle with every issue at every moment. Affect of positive or negative upbringing. Only regarding the issues with which we struggle does the Torah say “uVacharta ba-chaim.” With respect to the other issues we face, where our decisions are largely determined by our positive or negative habit or upbringing, we have no “uVacharta.” There we have only “na’sati li-fanecha.” Bechirah and finding one’s beshert.
Citations: Michtov MiEliyohu 1st chelek, Kuntres haBechira – 1st chelek, 2nd and 3rd perakim, found in the source packet on pages 1-6.