I recently began re-learning hil. Isurei Bi'a in Mishne Torah. I covered the chapters there about the laws of nida. I finished last week, and on Shabbat I randomly opened up to Torah 30 in Liquttei Moharan ("LM"), which I went through twice during Shabbat. Then, the next day, I opened up Liqutei Halakhoth ("LH") (concepts from R' Nahhman's teachings, mainly from LM, explained regarding halakha). As I opened LH to the section covering the laws of nida - lo and behold it began quoting Torah 70 of LM, the Torah I'd just happened to open to on Shabbat.
Showing posts with label tikun habris. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tikun habris. Show all posts
Monday, February 15, 2016
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Is the Torah Fair to Women?
I hate to mention the beliefs of apiqorsim, since there is a general prohibition of even mentioning their words even in jest. However, some points just need to be addressed directly.
There is a huge wave of heresy that has attacked the Jewish people, and we see more real (spiritual) casualties from this than from anything else.
There is a huge wave of heresy that has attacked the Jewish people, and we see more real (spiritual) casualties from this than from anything else.
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Everything About Everything
In parashath Paqudhei, the final parasha of Shemoth, Midrash Raba comments on the beginning of the parasha where the word 'mishkan' is doubled. It states, basically, that the Mishkan is related to the word 'mashkon', meaning a pledge or a loan. Thus as it's written in the Torah "mishkan, mishkan" and the Sages in M"R state to read it "mishkan, mashkon".
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Likutei Etzot, Speech 1-9
Speech
The greatness of its power for good, and the opposite, God forbid.
1. Poverty comes through lashon hara and idle talk, but through [giving] charity to a Torah scholar, this is fixed and one merits wealth. (From Likutei Moharan I, 4)
2. By speaking out Torah in words, the speech enlightens the person in all the places he needs to repent, until he merits complete repentance. By this, one merits to come to understandings of the Torah in its depth (see sec. Torah Learning, #1-11). (From Likutei Moharan I, 11)
3. Via wholeness of holy tongue, meaning holiness of speech, wherein one increases speaking words of Torah, prayer, supplications, requests, and conversations between himself and his Creator, and he is careful not to speak defective words which include lashon hara, lies, etc - through this [holiness of speech] one merits tikun habrit. Also, to the opposite: through tikun habrit one merits wholeness of holy speech. (From Likutei Moharan I, 19)
4. Speech that isn't listened to and received isn't called speech at all. The rectification for speech, that it will be listened to and received, is through praise of the true tzadikim - this is [in fact] the overall rectification of speech. (From Likutei Moharan I, 29)
5. Words are the vessels of abundance [from HaShem]; abundance is received by them. According to speech, thus is the abundance [received] - if speech is whole and in its fullness [in holiness], then one can receive much abundance through it. For this reason is it necessary to speak prayer [and not merely think it]. (From Likutei Moharan I, 34)
6. When one blemishes speech, which is the breath of the mouth of the Holy One Blessed is He, then through the blemish, the breath (ruah) of his mouth is made into a storm wind (ruah). The storm wind is the great Accuser, that from him come all the prosecutions and tests [that a person goes through], and he "assaults the bodies of human beings" (Tikunei HaZohar, Tikun 18). All the bad informing (tattling) that people speak about a person comes from this storm wind, because it is the aspect of "the end of all flesh" (Genesis 6), since he makes an end and finality to all flesh. All of this comes from a blemish in speech. (From Likutei Moharan I, 38)
7. The rectification of speech is through the Torah learned in poverty and hardship at a time when a person is pressed. A cord of mercy is drawn over a person from this, and all prosecutors and the whole side of impurity (evil forces) are banished from him. [Also] through this, speech is rectified and elevated to it's source. Then, the speech comes out in song, praise, and glorification of the Holy One Blessed is He, [and one] merits to to pray to, thank, and praise HaShem. By this, one will merit to speak between himself and his Creator with a blaze of power, arousing himself to [true] service of HaShem, until he'll merit to true speech - to the choicest truth within the speech, meaning he'll speak before HaShem in great and full truth, and he'll spread out his conversation and speak with the heat (passion) of the heart words of truth within the heart, with great arousal to repentance, until he'll see his [own] insignificance and the greatness of the Creator until he comes to great shame from this, becoming ashamed from before Him over the greatness of his sins.
Through this, one merits the light of tefillin, which are an aspect of devekut to HaShem, the aspect of the radiating skin of the face (Exodus 34). By [attaining all of] this, all of one's transgressions are forgiven and one clings himself to the Tree of Life (see Shame and Brazenness, #2). (There^)
8. One must be careful not to hear words from a knowledgeable wicked person because his words are venomous air of promiscuity and they give birth to promiscuity in the listener. (From Likutei Moharan I, 43)
9. Words that are not holy words, cause the awakening of the sukot of the Christians, the suka of the nations of the world, and the right hand of falsehood overpowers, the exile increases, and [the Jewish people] is distanced from the holiness of the Land of Israel. And [also] through this, the Rabbi of truth is ignored, and conflict and dispute increase, and the Divine Presence comes into dispute with her children (Israel) in exile (Tikunei HaZohar) who had been exiled from their Father's table and had left their Land.
However, through holy speech, which is powerful prayer, the truth overcomes (see sec. Prayer, #45). (From Likutei Moharan I, 48)
The greatness of its power for good, and the opposite, God forbid.
1. Poverty comes through lashon hara and idle talk, but through [giving] charity to a Torah scholar, this is fixed and one merits wealth. (From Likutei Moharan I, 4)
2. By speaking out Torah in words, the speech enlightens the person in all the places he needs to repent, until he merits complete repentance. By this, one merits to come to understandings of the Torah in its depth (see sec. Torah Learning, #1-11). (From Likutei Moharan I, 11)
3. Via wholeness of holy tongue, meaning holiness of speech, wherein one increases speaking words of Torah, prayer, supplications, requests, and conversations between himself and his Creator, and he is careful not to speak defective words which include lashon hara, lies, etc - through this [holiness of speech] one merits tikun habrit. Also, to the opposite: through tikun habrit one merits wholeness of holy speech. (From Likutei Moharan I, 19)
4. Speech that isn't listened to and received isn't called speech at all. The rectification for speech, that it will be listened to and received, is through praise of the true tzadikim - this is [in fact] the overall rectification of speech. (From Likutei Moharan I, 29)
5. Words are the vessels of abundance [from HaShem]; abundance is received by them. According to speech, thus is the abundance [received] - if speech is whole and in its fullness [in holiness], then one can receive much abundance through it. For this reason is it necessary to speak prayer [and not merely think it]. (From Likutei Moharan I, 34)
6. When one blemishes speech, which is the breath of the mouth of the Holy One Blessed is He, then through the blemish, the breath (ruah) of his mouth is made into a storm wind (ruah). The storm wind is the great Accuser, that from him come all the prosecutions and tests [that a person goes through], and he "assaults the bodies of human beings" (Tikunei HaZohar, Tikun 18). All the bad informing (tattling) that people speak about a person comes from this storm wind, because it is the aspect of "the end of all flesh" (Genesis 6), since he makes an end and finality to all flesh. All of this comes from a blemish in speech. (From Likutei Moharan I, 38)
7. The rectification of speech is through the Torah learned in poverty and hardship at a time when a person is pressed. A cord of mercy is drawn over a person from this, and all prosecutors and the whole side of impurity (evil forces) are banished from him. [Also] through this, speech is rectified and elevated to it's source. Then, the speech comes out in song, praise, and glorification of the Holy One Blessed is He, [and one] merits to to pray to, thank, and praise HaShem. By this, one will merit to speak between himself and his Creator with a blaze of power, arousing himself to [true] service of HaShem, until he'll merit to true speech - to the choicest truth within the speech, meaning he'll speak before HaShem in great and full truth, and he'll spread out his conversation and speak with the heat (passion) of the heart words of truth within the heart, with great arousal to repentance, until he'll see his [own] insignificance and the greatness of the Creator until he comes to great shame from this, becoming ashamed from before Him over the greatness of his sins.
Through this, one merits the light of tefillin, which are an aspect of devekut to HaShem, the aspect of the radiating skin of the face (Exodus 34). By [attaining all of] this, all of one's transgressions are forgiven and one clings himself to the Tree of Life (see Shame and Brazenness, #2). (There^)
8. One must be careful not to hear words from a knowledgeable wicked person because his words are venomous air of promiscuity and they give birth to promiscuity in the listener. (From Likutei Moharan I, 43)
9. Words that are not holy words, cause the awakening of the sukot of the Christians, the suka of the nations of the world, and the right hand of falsehood overpowers, the exile increases, and [the Jewish people] is distanced from the holiness of the Land of Israel. And [also] through this, the Rabbi of truth is ignored, and conflict and dispute increase, and the Divine Presence comes into dispute with her children (Israel) in exile (Tikunei HaZohar) who had been exiled from their Father's table and had left their Land.
However, through holy speech, which is powerful prayer, the truth overcomes (see sec. Prayer, #45). (From Likutei Moharan I, 48)
Friday, June 12, 2015
Open My Eyes and I'll See Wonders from Your Torah I
Use Rabenu's Torah in everything you learn.
In Yalqut Shim`oni on Bereshith 50, it states about the burial of Ya`aqov:
In Yalqut Shim`oni on Bereshith 50, it states about the burial of Ya`aqov:
בתחלה עד שלא ראו כבודן של ישראל לא נהגו בהן כבוד, ולבסוף שראו כבודן של ישראל נהגו בהן כבוד, שנאמר: ויבואו עד גרן האטד.
וכי יש גורן לאטד?
אמר רבי אבהו:
מלמד שהקיפו כתרים לארונו של יעקב, כגורן זה שמוקף לו אטד. שבאו בני ישמעאל ובני עשו ובני קטורה למלחמה, וכיון שראו כתרו של יוסף תלוי בארונו של יעקב, נטלו כולן כתריהם ותלאום בארונו של יעקב.
The important information above is that the sons of `Esaw, Yishma`el and Qettura (descendants of Yishma`el's brothers) came to wage war among each other and they saw Yosef's crown placed at the head of Ya`aqov's sarcophagus. Instead of fighting they came and placed their crowns upon Ya`aqov also.
What does this mean?
In the books of Kabbalah and Breslov:
- Ya`aqov signifies the idea of da`ath (and tifereth), which is knowledge of HaShem and Torah.
- Yosef signifies the sadiq who is called such because of the purity of sexuality he attained, which is considered as keeping the whole Torah. Only one who guards the brith, keeps pure sexuality, can truly attain da`ath. One who damages it throws his da`ath out the window, because semen is derived from "drops of the mind/brain".
- Crown refers to the maqifin, attainments of knowledge, awareness, and information in Torah. It is Ruah HaQodesh, "divine inspiration" as commonly translated. Torah 21 of Liqutei Moharan explains this and how to attain it.
So, what we see in this story is Yosef, the sadiq, leading all Israel at the passing of their father Ya`aqov, who signifies da`ath. The crown is placed upon Ya`aqov/da`ath, meaning that the people of Israel, under the Sadiq, achieve tiqun habrith (pure/corrected sexuality) and thus achieve divine knowledge, then the nations see this and react. Annulling their warfare against each other because they attain a higher perception of da`ath of HaShem - symbolized by placing their crowns on Ya`aqov. Greater da`ath leads to the annulment of idolatry and greater mercy. This is what the prophets speak about that in the future the wolf will dwell with the lamb, and that the nations won't wage war anymore.
Filter this through the fact that the war of Gog uMagog must happen as it is a great mercy to Israel and a vengeance upon the 70 prototype nations who are divided 35-35 under the dominions of `Esaw and Yishma`el (Hayyei Moharan 6) - this short passage in Yalqut Shim`oni means this:
After or during the war of Gog uMagog, when the Messiah will come and bring Israel into an elevated state of purity through tiqun haklali/tiqun habrith and wage war against them to throw their control off of the people of Israel, the nations will eventually cease their fighting and attain a higher state of da`ath - perhaps initially through revelation of an inexplicable miracle from Heaven - through which they will cast away their idols, their false religions, and they will submit to Torah and to King David's restored kingdom. All war will cease and we will enter into the days of Messiah, which should come soon and speedily in our days.
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
How Do We Prepare for Geula?
Someone asked me this great question on Facebook in response to a post of mine about the possibility of the impending and inevitable WW3 beginning perhaps sooner than is comfortable. While I am skeptical of the predictions of several sages that I cited in that post, I do not disregard it as a possibility, and we all must be prepared.
I put together a list of things that will help a person prepare for the coming geula and, with HaShem's help, survive the process to greet Mashiah.
1. Spend Time Conversing With HaShem
This is the first and foremost point. You MUST have a spiritual and personal connection with HaShem. This is formed through conversing with HaShem in private, in your native language and in your own words, about anything and everything that is on your mind. We have the Creator of all the universes ready to listen to us at any time and in any place - and get this: he ENJOYS your speaking to him.
This is not some feel-good stuff or some inspirational garbage that you see on internet memes. This is an absolute must for every Jew. Without this, how can you truly serve HaShem? There are many people, talmidei hakhamim, and even Rabbis today who go through their lifetime observing mitzvot without having this necessary connection to HaShem.
You conversation with HaShem will not always flow, but keep at it daily for at least an hour. When you reach the time when the dam bursts and the conversation comes out and you hold nothing back, all the previous words you spoke to HaShem which were said without this same fluidity will rise up with them.
2. Guard Your Covenant
Sex is a very good thing in the right context. However, in the wrong context, especially the act of wasting seed, it is a horrible thing.
Semen is essentially drops of the brain, and they contain the life-force of creation. One who wastes it damages all the 22 letters of Torah which are the building blocks of creation. He also creates demonic forces through this act, since the souls he wastes essentially become demons.
Thoughts of sexual immorality are also extremely horrible and damage a lot. If you would like to commit suicide slowly, cut off your lifeline to HaShem, become depressed, and lose your life in the world to come: then I suggest you waste your seed and think bad thoughts regularly. Otherwise, if you are sane, you will eliminate spilling seed, thinking bad thoughts, and seeing forbidden images.
For those who think this is just a Breslov thing: it is actually all over the Torah, including in halakha. The Rambam, citing the Gemara, states that one who things bad thoughts is one of the people who loses his life in the world to come. He states this is so because the person thinks he did no wrong since he didn't physically do anything to the women he looked at and thought of; but he is horribly wrong and he sins constantly because he doesn't control his thoughts or his eyes.
The Zohar, also states that pure sexuality is the foundation of the whole Torah, as is stressed by Rebbe Nahman. The Parashath WaYeshev of the Zohar, it states such things about spilling seed as stated above.
To rectify any sins, past or present, in this area, you must admit what you've done to HaShem, feel ashamed, and resolve never to return to the sin again. Say 10 Tehillim that have the power to fix, cleanse, and purify the damage from this sin, as revealed by Rebbe Nahman. They are Tehillim 16, 32, 41, 42, 59, 77, 90, 105, 137, 150.
3. Don't Be Scared and Don't Be Depressed
Every event that transpires, every word you hear, every thought that enters your mind is all from HaShem. Not the smallest detail of your daily life is an accident. With this in mind, know that any threat that comes to you is only from HaShem and that he is fully capable of stopping just as he was to cause it in the first place.
Fear no one and nothing besides HaShem. Besides conditioning your mind for this, when you speak to HaShem before you sleep about all the things you did wrong that day and judge yourself and ask for forgiveness, this elevates the fallen fear from among the people and things you naturally fear and elevates it back to becoming fear of HaShem only.
Depression, like fear, is also a lack of ascribing power to forces other than HaShem. Depression is not like a broken heart. A broken heart is good, and that must be taken to HaShem in conversation. As a result, it will change to happiness instead of degrading into depression if you just let it sit.
There is always hope, and when someone knows that HaShem sends every detail of every occurrence their way for a reason, they are able to never become depressed and remain in a state of happiness constantly. Please note that the things HaShem sends are never for a person's detriment: all things HaShem does are good, even the tragedies which occur to us. They are also all to send us messages to encourage us to draw closer to him and to fix problems we need to fix. If you were to see why HaShem did everything, you would see how it is all a huge favor to us all. But we can't usually see the reasons why. That is where emuna comes into play.
4. Take the Above Advice While Outputting Physical Effort
Do not fall into the misunderstanding that you must only trust in HaShem for everything and not do anything. When a person wants to make money, even though the money he will make was already allotted to him by HaShem, he still must do his part on the ground. Since HaShem's active involvement is [intentionally] hidden in this world and we cannot often see his hand at work directly, we must work within that concealment. This means that when you need money, you should first cry out to HaShem for help and then go out and make an effort to find a job or some source of income.
Hishtadlut, effort, is an essential part of serving HaShem in this world. We cannot annul all responsibility for our actions via a twisted idea about faith. However, to ascribe the achievement of accomplishing something to yourself because "you" went out and found a job and worked hard is a big mistake. HaShem is responsible for all. We must do our part knowing that everything we accomplish is only as a result of HaShem allowing us to, and allowing us to merit such things. Without that, if he showed no interest, we would have nothing.
These are paradoxes that our human minds cannot fully understand. How can someone have free will yet everything is pre-ordained? The purpose for this paradox is so we will have free will. When a person has free will to do whatever he pleases, yet he chooses to go against his natural inclinations and serve HaShem and have the above-stated emuna that HaShem runs it all, he takes immense pleasure from this.
5. Learn How to Fight
It is all over Tanakh and Midrashim: our fathers were warriors greater than any among the nations. This was lost to us over our exile, however, our forefathers' ancient method can be learned today in Jerusalem. It is called Abir-Qesheth and it is more effective and practical than anything else out there - by far. It is not an art, it is a necessity and a way of life, intertwined with Torah; since it is itself a part of Torah.
Abir is so in-depth and so intricate, and provides such a huge advantage over any opponent just by learning its entry-level concepts which offer a whole different way at fighting than the linear systems known throughout foreign systems of warfare, that any one of the fools who think that this is something made up are essentially saying that the Grandmaster is the biggest genius to ever walk to earth for having designed such a mindbogglingly effective and in-depth system.
There are a lot of sources within our Torah and from personal accounts, that attest to the authenticity and effectiveness of Abir.
With all the Jews getting stabbed and attacked here and there - even butchered in a synagogue in Jerusalem - you'd think people would get it. But no, many tend to listen to leaders who do not live in reality and teach them a mentality of the battered galut Jew. All I am saying here is that you should know how to defend yourself and that every Jew should strive to walk in the ways of their forefathers by learning an aspect of our Torah, Torath Lehima.
6. Learn How to Live Without Electricity and Running Water
If, God forbid, something happened like, say, an EMP blast which would render much of our technology useless and basically send us back straight to the dark ages, this advice is a must. Even if something else happened, it may be likely that you will have to travel long distances on foot for your survival.
To get anywhere to find a natural water source, some source of food, you'll need to know point 4, above. Not only will people be rioting and panicking, but if you live anywhere around Arab neighborhoods, you will likely be in serious danger if you know nothing about fighting off multiple attackers.
These points are where I lose a lot of backing from some of my own crowd who tend to be completely ignorant about these things. Some, thank God, are not ignorant, but it seems to be the majority who are. I'm 'sorry' to tell you, but you cannot just rely on a miracle to save you. You have to put in effort and try. If you did your job and learned the re-revealed aspect of Torah, Abir, then you'll have made yourself a vessel for HaShem's protection in a much greater way.
7. Learn Torah Daily
Learn Tanakh, halakha, and the Zohar and/or Breslov books every single day. Go to this link for free downloadable Breslov books, and start learning. You have no idea, and neither do I, of just how immensely important studying Torah is. This gives you much more favor in HaShem eyes when you put point 1 to use. It helps your words of prayer be received and it helps draw upon yourself HaShem's providence.
When you begin to force yourself to sit and learn daily, you will begin to crave it and look forward to it and feel naked without it. It is especially important to study halakha daily, in order to know HOW to do all of HaShem's commands and to clarify your mind.
8. Repeat Point One
Cry out to HaShem, ask him to save you from any difficulties that will come. Ask him to save all of his people Israel from what is to come, from any harsh decrees. Ask him to save the lives of Jews he has already allotted not to make it. Ask him to save all of us from our enemies and spare us all to be able to make it through the process of our redemption.
Don't hold back your thoughts, emotions, angst. Let it all out. This is the most important advice, because the Torah and all the other points here, and more, will become apparent to you as a result of conversing with and crying out to HaShem on a regular basis.
The level of hitbodedut, secluded prayer/meditation, is so high, it is beyond anything else. You will find that when you want to take that hour, your natural inclination will even try to get you to learn Torah instead. That's how much the spiritual side of death does not want you to sit down and talk to HaShem, even when it doesn't flow well.
If you're having trouble getting your words out, try Rebbe Nathan's Liquttei Tefilloth. I often begin with this and then continue on various topics on my own words. It is extremely good to say even just one tefilla from this book a day. On days you find it hard to converse with HaShem, try to put your whole heart and soul into the words of the prayers in this book.
This is not some feel-good stuff or some inspirational garbage that you see on internet memes. This is an absolute must for every Jew. Without this, how can you truly serve HaShem? There are many people, talmidei hakhamim, and even Rabbis today who go through their lifetime observing mitzvot without having this necessary connection to HaShem.
You conversation with HaShem will not always flow, but keep at it daily for at least an hour. When you reach the time when the dam bursts and the conversation comes out and you hold nothing back, all the previous words you spoke to HaShem which were said without this same fluidity will rise up with them.
2. Guard Your Covenant
Sex is a very good thing in the right context. However, in the wrong context, especially the act of wasting seed, it is a horrible thing.
Semen is essentially drops of the brain, and they contain the life-force of creation. One who wastes it damages all the 22 letters of Torah which are the building blocks of creation. He also creates demonic forces through this act, since the souls he wastes essentially become demons.
Thoughts of sexual immorality are also extremely horrible and damage a lot. If you would like to commit suicide slowly, cut off your lifeline to HaShem, become depressed, and lose your life in the world to come: then I suggest you waste your seed and think bad thoughts regularly. Otherwise, if you are sane, you will eliminate spilling seed, thinking bad thoughts, and seeing forbidden images.
For those who think this is just a Breslov thing: it is actually all over the Torah, including in halakha. The Rambam, citing the Gemara, states that one who things bad thoughts is one of the people who loses his life in the world to come. He states this is so because the person thinks he did no wrong since he didn't physically do anything to the women he looked at and thought of; but he is horribly wrong and he sins constantly because he doesn't control his thoughts or his eyes.
The Zohar, also states that pure sexuality is the foundation of the whole Torah, as is stressed by Rebbe Nahman. The Parashath WaYeshev of the Zohar, it states such things about spilling seed as stated above.
To rectify any sins, past or present, in this area, you must admit what you've done to HaShem, feel ashamed, and resolve never to return to the sin again. Say 10 Tehillim that have the power to fix, cleanse, and purify the damage from this sin, as revealed by Rebbe Nahman. They are Tehillim 16, 32, 41, 42, 59, 77, 90, 105, 137, 150.
3. Don't Be Scared and Don't Be Depressed
Every event that transpires, every word you hear, every thought that enters your mind is all from HaShem. Not the smallest detail of your daily life is an accident. With this in mind, know that any threat that comes to you is only from HaShem and that he is fully capable of stopping just as he was to cause it in the first place.
Fear no one and nothing besides HaShem. Besides conditioning your mind for this, when you speak to HaShem before you sleep about all the things you did wrong that day and judge yourself and ask for forgiveness, this elevates the fallen fear from among the people and things you naturally fear and elevates it back to becoming fear of HaShem only.
Depression, like fear, is also a lack of ascribing power to forces other than HaShem. Depression is not like a broken heart. A broken heart is good, and that must be taken to HaShem in conversation. As a result, it will change to happiness instead of degrading into depression if you just let it sit.
There is always hope, and when someone knows that HaShem sends every detail of every occurrence their way for a reason, they are able to never become depressed and remain in a state of happiness constantly. Please note that the things HaShem sends are never for a person's detriment: all things HaShem does are good, even the tragedies which occur to us. They are also all to send us messages to encourage us to draw closer to him and to fix problems we need to fix. If you were to see why HaShem did everything, you would see how it is all a huge favor to us all. But we can't usually see the reasons why. That is where emuna comes into play.
4. Take the Above Advice While Outputting Physical Effort
Do not fall into the misunderstanding that you must only trust in HaShem for everything and not do anything. When a person wants to make money, even though the money he will make was already allotted to him by HaShem, he still must do his part on the ground. Since HaShem's active involvement is [intentionally] hidden in this world and we cannot often see his hand at work directly, we must work within that concealment. This means that when you need money, you should first cry out to HaShem for help and then go out and make an effort to find a job or some source of income.
Hishtadlut, effort, is an essential part of serving HaShem in this world. We cannot annul all responsibility for our actions via a twisted idea about faith. However, to ascribe the achievement of accomplishing something to yourself because "you" went out and found a job and worked hard is a big mistake. HaShem is responsible for all. We must do our part knowing that everything we accomplish is only as a result of HaShem allowing us to, and allowing us to merit such things. Without that, if he showed no interest, we would have nothing.
These are paradoxes that our human minds cannot fully understand. How can someone have free will yet everything is pre-ordained? The purpose for this paradox is so we will have free will. When a person has free will to do whatever he pleases, yet he chooses to go against his natural inclinations and serve HaShem and have the above-stated emuna that HaShem runs it all, he takes immense pleasure from this.
5. Learn How to Fight
It is all over Tanakh and Midrashim: our fathers were warriors greater than any among the nations. This was lost to us over our exile, however, our forefathers' ancient method can be learned today in Jerusalem. It is called Abir-Qesheth and it is more effective and practical than anything else out there - by far. It is not an art, it is a necessity and a way of life, intertwined with Torah; since it is itself a part of Torah.
Abir is so in-depth and so intricate, and provides such a huge advantage over any opponent just by learning its entry-level concepts which offer a whole different way at fighting than the linear systems known throughout foreign systems of warfare, that any one of the fools who think that this is something made up are essentially saying that the Grandmaster is the biggest genius to ever walk to earth for having designed such a mindbogglingly effective and in-depth system.
There are a lot of sources within our Torah and from personal accounts, that attest to the authenticity and effectiveness of Abir.
With all the Jews getting stabbed and attacked here and there - even butchered in a synagogue in Jerusalem - you'd think people would get it. But no, many tend to listen to leaders who do not live in reality and teach them a mentality of the battered galut Jew. All I am saying here is that you should know how to defend yourself and that every Jew should strive to walk in the ways of their forefathers by learning an aspect of our Torah, Torath Lehima.
6. Learn How to Live Without Electricity and Running Water
If, God forbid, something happened like, say, an EMP blast which would render much of our technology useless and basically send us back straight to the dark ages, this advice is a must. Even if something else happened, it may be likely that you will have to travel long distances on foot for your survival.
To get anywhere to find a natural water source, some source of food, you'll need to know point 4, above. Not only will people be rioting and panicking, but if you live anywhere around Arab neighborhoods, you will likely be in serious danger if you know nothing about fighting off multiple attackers.
These points are where I lose a lot of backing from some of my own crowd who tend to be completely ignorant about these things. Some, thank God, are not ignorant, but it seems to be the majority who are. I'm 'sorry' to tell you, but you cannot just rely on a miracle to save you. You have to put in effort and try. If you did your job and learned the re-revealed aspect of Torah, Abir, then you'll have made yourself a vessel for HaShem's protection in a much greater way.
7. Learn Torah Daily
Learn Tanakh, halakha, and the Zohar and/or Breslov books every single day. Go to this link for free downloadable Breslov books, and start learning. You have no idea, and neither do I, of just how immensely important studying Torah is. This gives you much more favor in HaShem eyes when you put point 1 to use. It helps your words of prayer be received and it helps draw upon yourself HaShem's providence.
When you begin to force yourself to sit and learn daily, you will begin to crave it and look forward to it and feel naked without it. It is especially important to study halakha daily, in order to know HOW to do all of HaShem's commands and to clarify your mind.
8. Repeat Point One
Cry out to HaShem, ask him to save you from any difficulties that will come. Ask him to save all of his people Israel from what is to come, from any harsh decrees. Ask him to save the lives of Jews he has already allotted not to make it. Ask him to save all of us from our enemies and spare us all to be able to make it through the process of our redemption.
Don't hold back your thoughts, emotions, angst. Let it all out. This is the most important advice, because the Torah and all the other points here, and more, will become apparent to you as a result of conversing with and crying out to HaShem on a regular basis.
The level of hitbodedut, secluded prayer/meditation, is so high, it is beyond anything else. You will find that when you want to take that hour, your natural inclination will even try to get you to learn Torah instead. That's how much the spiritual side of death does not want you to sit down and talk to HaShem, even when it doesn't flow well.
If you're having trouble getting your words out, try Rebbe Nathan's Liquttei Tefilloth. I often begin with this and then continue on various topics on my own words. It is extremely good to say even just one tefilla from this book a day. On days you find it hard to converse with HaShem, try to put your whole heart and soul into the words of the prayers in this book.
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Breslov is Not (Just) a Hasidic Sect - Why Everyone Needs Rebbe Nahman
Breslov is usually thought of as a sect of Hasidic Judaism. That, it might be. However, it is much more than that.
The only reason we have various terms describing groups within Judaism is because of the overall evolution of the Jewish people in exile. Even before this past exile, during Bayith Sheni, there were sects among Jews because of our fractured nature even after just 70 years of Babylonian exile. That sectarianism is part of the reason we were eventually exiled for another two thousand years.
I don't like to break things up into labels. It should be simple. There are Jews working towards our redemption, working towards bringing our long awaited Messiah, working towards doing HaShem's will simply and earnestly. Jews not doing this are problematic to us all, and they are those of the second category.
To divide it up into Haredi, Dati Leumi, Masorti, Hiloni, etc, is not always accurate. You will find even Haredim who may learn Torah all day long, yet they are not in touch with HaShem's direction for the time. This is mostly because of Rabbis who are not in tune with the source of wisdom, the true Sadiq who is the aspect of Moshe Rabenu. This may be even if they claim they are, i.e. that they go by the title "Breslov".
Going back a couple hundred years ago, Hasidut came about out of the teachings of one 'Moshe', the Ba`al Shem Tov, who restored to Judaism what had been lost. Rabbi Shim`on Bar Yohai, the Ari, and others were also true Sadiqim who did this. In exile, we were not simply left alone; otherwise we would have never made it.
Rabenu Nahman arrived at a time where Jews were divided into various groups, sects, and around the time when huge waves of atheism, secular science, and assimilation were about to afflict Jews, especially in Europe. Even in secluded, pure, and ancient Jewish communities like in Yemen, this manifested on a lesser level as the Darda`im. For this reason, Rabenu Nahman stressed emuna - straight, simple, and intense faith in HaShem.
He also knew that the holiness of the brith, upon which all of the Torah is based (as also states the Zohar), would come to an all-time low in these final generations. There has been no other time in history when unlimited forbidden images could be accessed by almost anyone at pretty much any time, HaShem have mercy. Sexual impurity is even forced on people these days, even walking down the streets of Jerusalem. The holiness and purity of sexuality has almost completely gone away. This is why Rabenu Nahman stressed tiqun habrith so vehemently. This is why he made it possible to correct the almost impossibly correctable sin of wasting seed, dwelling on impure thoughts, pegam habrith, by discovering and revealing the ten Tehillim which have an immense impact in repairing sexual sin.
If it isn't clear to you yet, you might have a problem. You need Rebbe Nahman: to heed his advice, to draw near to him, to become attached to him, to make it through the rough and to come out clean when your eternal soul leaves the temporary body laying there in the grave. For those who say this is something foreign the Judaism, it is right there in the Torah, "they believed in HaShem and in Moshe, His servant." It is not a foreign concept, and it is certainly different than the concept that, lehavdil, lehavdil, xtianity ripped off and perverted, God forbid.
Torah 70 of Liqutei Moharan explains that a true Sadiq as humble as Moshe Rabenu is only able to build the Mishkan because he is the idea of the Mishkan. His humility makes him as dust/earth, which has gravitational pull. The word Mishkan is from the root moshekh, pulling, i.e. gravitational pull. Everyone eventually comes to the true Sadiqim, unless there is a counter-force (like if you throw a ball up into the air, it will return to the earth unless a hand grabs it and prevents it). That counter-force today is all of the Rabbis and leaders who don't point you to Rashbi, Arizal, Besht, and Rabenu Nahman. They want their own kavod instead of being branches of the true Tzadikim.
If you are still unsure, do this and you will not fail: plead to HaShem for the truth and nothing but the truth. Beg him to show you, if you really want it. And do your part by learning Torah for its sake, without bias or ulterior motives.
The only reason we have various terms describing groups within Judaism is because of the overall evolution of the Jewish people in exile. Even before this past exile, during Bayith Sheni, there were sects among Jews because of our fractured nature even after just 70 years of Babylonian exile. That sectarianism is part of the reason we were eventually exiled for another two thousand years.
I don't like to break things up into labels. It should be simple. There are Jews working towards our redemption, working towards bringing our long awaited Messiah, working towards doing HaShem's will simply and earnestly. Jews not doing this are problematic to us all, and they are those of the second category.
To divide it up into Haredi, Dati Leumi, Masorti, Hiloni, etc, is not always accurate. You will find even Haredim who may learn Torah all day long, yet they are not in touch with HaShem's direction for the time. This is mostly because of Rabbis who are not in tune with the source of wisdom, the true Sadiq who is the aspect of Moshe Rabenu. This may be even if they claim they are, i.e. that they go by the title "Breslov".
Going back a couple hundred years ago, Hasidut came about out of the teachings of one 'Moshe', the Ba`al Shem Tov, who restored to Judaism what had been lost. Rabbi Shim`on Bar Yohai, the Ari, and others were also true Sadiqim who did this. In exile, we were not simply left alone; otherwise we would have never made it.
Rabenu Nahman arrived at a time where Jews were divided into various groups, sects, and around the time when huge waves of atheism, secular science, and assimilation were about to afflict Jews, especially in Europe. Even in secluded, pure, and ancient Jewish communities like in Yemen, this manifested on a lesser level as the Darda`im. For this reason, Rabenu Nahman stressed emuna - straight, simple, and intense faith in HaShem.
He also knew that the holiness of the brith, upon which all of the Torah is based (as also states the Zohar), would come to an all-time low in these final generations. There has been no other time in history when unlimited forbidden images could be accessed by almost anyone at pretty much any time, HaShem have mercy. Sexual impurity is even forced on people these days, even walking down the streets of Jerusalem. The holiness and purity of sexuality has almost completely gone away. This is why Rabenu Nahman stressed tiqun habrith so vehemently. This is why he made it possible to correct the almost impossibly correctable sin of wasting seed, dwelling on impure thoughts, pegam habrith, by discovering and revealing the ten Tehillim which have an immense impact in repairing sexual sin.
If it isn't clear to you yet, you might have a problem. You need Rebbe Nahman: to heed his advice, to draw near to him, to become attached to him, to make it through the rough and to come out clean when your eternal soul leaves the temporary body laying there in the grave. For those who say this is something foreign the Judaism, it is right there in the Torah, "they believed in HaShem and in Moshe, His servant." It is not a foreign concept, and it is certainly different than the concept that, lehavdil, lehavdil, xtianity ripped off and perverted, God forbid.
Torah 70 of Liqutei Moharan explains that a true Sadiq as humble as Moshe Rabenu is only able to build the Mishkan because he is the idea of the Mishkan. His humility makes him as dust/earth, which has gravitational pull. The word Mishkan is from the root moshekh, pulling, i.e. gravitational pull. Everyone eventually comes to the true Sadiqim, unless there is a counter-force (like if you throw a ball up into the air, it will return to the earth unless a hand grabs it and prevents it). That counter-force today is all of the Rabbis and leaders who don't point you to Rashbi, Arizal, Besht, and Rabenu Nahman. They want their own kavod instead of being branches of the true Tzadikim.
If you are still unsure, do this and you will not fail: plead to HaShem for the truth and nothing but the truth. Beg him to show you, if you really want it. And do your part by learning Torah for its sake, without bias or ulterior motives.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)