As we have begin the period of Shobabim, when we try to improve ourselves in the area of purity, we will study from the work Tib Ha’teshuba (starting on p. 201; listen to audio recording for precise citation) the ten suggestions for maintaining purity and avoiding bodily emissions.
1) The most important means of avoiding this sin is Torah learning. Torah study purifies one’s thoughts, and it is the "wife" of the soul, corresponding to one’s physical wife. It protects a person from harm, including the impure forces that threaten us at night while we sleep, and direct us along the proper path. The Torah we learn will advocate on our behalf at the time of the resurrection, and it in fact advocates for us each morning, for, as the Zohar writes, we are judged each night as to whether we will wake up from our sleep.
2) Reciting the "Berich Shemeh" prayer on Shabbat at the time the Torah is removed from the ark, and receiving an Aliya to the Torah at least once a month.
3) One should try to be a Sandak – the one who holds the baby on his lap during a Berit Mila. One should also ensure that his body becomes heated during the performance of Misvot, especially during the baking of Masot on Ereb Pesah, and also when performing Misvot such as carrying a coffin or digging a grave, Heaven forbid. Whenever one performs a Misva, he should do it with energy so that his body is exercised.
4) One should eat the leftover crumbs and pieces from the bread over which the Beracha of "Hamosi" was recited.
5) Raising an orphan in one’s home also serves as protection from this sin.
6) Being among the first ten men in the synagogue.
7) Being especially careful with regard to the Misvot of Sisit and Tefillin.
8) One should try to shed tears while praying, and ensure to recite the Amida immediately after the Beracha of "Ga’al Yisrael," without making any interruption in between, even to respond to Kaddish.
9) One should ensure to light the Shabbat candles, and to properly observe Shabbat in thought, speech and deed, and by eating fine foods and wearing fine clothing. The special Shabbat clothing should be worn already before Shabbat; one should not wait until Shabbat begins, and certainly not until Shabbat morning, to don his special Shabbat garments. We correct "Pesha" (sin) through the abundance of "Shefa," which stands for "Shabbat," "Pizur" (charity) and "Anava" (humility).
10) One should study Torah before going to sleep at night. This practice is an especially effective Tikkun (means of correcting the results of our sins). There are those who study eighteen chapters of Mishna each day, which is also very effective. One should ensure to recite Keri’at Shema Al Ha’mita each night before going to sleep, slowly, word by word, as well as the Vidui ("Ana"). A person should also try to fall asleep amid thoughts of Torah. Additionally, it is advisable to sleep on the left side, which is beneficial for digestion, and also serves to restrain the harmful spiritual forces.
It is especially important to make every effort to repent and to guard oneself against these sins, and the period of Shobabim is an especially propitious time for such efforts.
