Thinking Insights

Table of Contents 3-15-2010

2010-03-15T01:55:00.000-07:00

Rebbe Seen By Millions on Iranian TV
The Kosher Ego
The swine Flu- G-d's Kindness and mercy- The Rebbe...

The World is stretcing, as the infinite light, com...
Never lose hope (thougth)
The Last Poem

Survey of Happy Marriages
Romantic Dating / Rabbi A Moss
Israel has become an eco-pioneer/ By Matthew Kalma...

The Jewish Cardinal?
The Baba Sali and The Rebbe
Great Thoughts

Many paths- One Goal / Rabbi A. Moss
Dear Tech Support: (funny)
Baba Sali Dream

The Eternity of Shabbat Candles (story)
Sunspots- A Sign of Moshiach?
Moment of Silence - The Jewish forward

Matisyahu-NBC's promotion of the 2010
Socialism and the Law of Gravity (Great example!)...
LaGuardia Flight Diverted to Philly

What's a soul" By Rabbi Aaron Moss
Great Thoughts (short)
Special Delivery- Rabbi A. Moss

Avatar and Moshiach
Lakewood is ready for Moshiach!
Accusing Others (moral)

The Mezuzah- joke
Shema Yisroel!
Funny: The Economy is so Bad that

True Friends
Record breaking storm- Nature is changing, ie. Mit...
__________
ENERGY HOMEOPATHY
Great story for our times
__________
An Empty Container Makes a Lot of Noise
I asked G-d
The Journal of Chinese Medicine and Tefillin

An Easy Explanation of Derivative Markets
Curse of the Lottery Winners
Advice about life from Bill Gates
__________
The Rebbe
Bar Mitzvah Test
Help Make the world A Better Place

Reaching ra threihts
What I Give away
King Solomon and Jerusalem

This is because human love, is rooted in the Divin...
________
The Test of out Times!
Quotes Various
This Year

Short Thought: Ignorance
The Year 5770
Bittle- Light and Darkness

Irish mobster converts to Judaism
Not an Angel/ Rabbi Moss
The Ultimate Mitzvah - Loving Your Fellow Jew

Internet Volume of Chabad Rises 21%
The Rebbe: Advice
Joke True but Sad

Health going to Doctors
Rabbi’s Donates Kidney in order to Help Family
Don’t Become Rich

The Rebbe: A Jews inferiority Complex (Great)
The Rebbe and Einstein & Nuclear Theory
Moshiach is coming very soon!

Can't Chabad be like “Mainstream Orthodoxy”?
Kaddish with Oprah
Forced Change and Growth

The Circular Timeline of Judaism
Korbonos Sacrifices
Short Thought

A Test of Faith
The Year 5770
China (joke)

What to do with Stolen Money.
Eliezer Ben-Yehuda - the Father of Modern Hebrew
The Name Rachel in Kabbalah

Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche
True Love- G-dly Space (very deep and meaningful)
Napoleon Bonaparte

Elul Inner Introspection
Rabbi’s Donates Kidney in order to Help Family

Advice the Rebbe gave concerning marriage, ect.
Don't Become Rich
Predictions?

The Heels of Moshiach
King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba
The Rebbe: A Jews inferiority Complex

Short Thought: Everyone is Special!
The Rebbe and Einstein & Nuclear Theory
Moshiach is Coming Very Soon

Why can't Chabad be “Mainstream Orthodoxy”?
Kaddish with Oprah
Forced Change and Growth!

The Circular Timeline of Judaism
Korbonos Sacrifices
Short Thought - Spirtual Beings

Short Thought: We Carry the Temple in our Bodies
Definition of True Faith
Joke - China

What to do with Stolen Money
The name Chana (Hannah)
The Father of Modern Hebrew- Eliezer ben Yehuda

The Name Rachel
Nietzsche: The Existence of the Jews
True Love - G-dly Space

Napolean Bonaparte:The Three Weeks
Advice of the Rebbe
"The Heels of Moshiach"
________
To do List: for the New Year
Scientist says: Immortality only 20 years away
Real Teshuvah

To Understand the "Birthpangs of Moshiach"
The Month of Holidays
Wild Animals will become Tame

Moshiach's Principle Goal
Bringing Moshiach through Joy
Acts of Kindess

Home
Ikvot Meshicha: The Time Immediately Before Moshia...
The Greatest Test of Faith in History!

Signs of Moshiach
Limited Mind-set
The Alter Rebbe- Revealing Essence

Man and Money
Sicha of the Lubavticher Rebbe, Parshas Vayera 575...
The Cosmic Split- Tzimtzum

Resurrection an intermediary stage
Come Home to Yourself
Rambam- Moshiach

Chai Elul in Depth
Thoughts
Moshiach’s Unity

The Rebbe: The G-dly Purpose of the Scientific Rev...
Holy Eating Effects Atonement
Humility

The Unique Mitzvah of Ahavas Yisroel
The Test of our Times
The Year that Shook the World

Short Thoughts
Blessings from Above
Doom filled Prophecies

The Last Test
Florida governor cites Kotel prayer, in absence of...
Bittle- Light and Darkness

The Circular Timeline of Judaism
Korbonos Sacrifices
Everyone is Special

Moshiach Times
______
Victor Frankl- World-famous Psychiatrist and The L...

Mumps
Sugar
PUSH

The Silent Majority
“Rather Cut Off My Hand, but Don't Touch My Beard"...
Colonel Kemp and anti-Israel rhetoric

Israel look up / Rabbi Adin Even-Yisrael (Steinsa...
A G-dly Beginning/ Rabbi A. Moss
_______
Story: IN THE ROOM OF THE REBBE IN WARSAW 65 YEARS...
A letter from Moses Seixas to President George Was...
From Mexican priest to Rabbi- The Soul Connection

Now Anonymous It’s here, we have entered 5770. ...

Rebbe Seen By Millions on Iranian TV

2010-03-11T22:58:00.000-08:00

21 Adar 5770
(07.03.2010)

Iranian television aired a special program, in which it delved into the unique and somewhat mysterious lives of ultr-Orthodox Jews.

The show suggested, to adopt certain elements of the insular lives of Orthodox Jews, like: the Kosher phone, the Kosher food industry, limited internet viewing and more.

Explaining the concept of the Kosher phone, is Chabbad Rabbi Avraham Kanelsky of Kiryat Malachi.

As he speaks, a huge picture of the Rebbe is affixed to the wall behind him, which was seen by millions of viewers in Iran!
● Video

The Kosher Ego

2010-03-11T22:57:00.000-08:00

Positive ego is:
Say: “I need to do what G-d wants. I have to help others to be better. I have to help the world take a one step closer to Moshiach.
"I need, to make this happen, I have, to see this done."

There is no “I”, only us.

This "I" is necessary, to reveal G-d in this limited, physical world.
___________
Negative ego:
Is to believe, that the "I" is only me.
Everything was created, only to serve me.

The swine Flu- G-d's Kindness and mercy- The Rebbe's words

2010-03-11T22:54:00.000-08:00

(The swine flu was a pandademic, that was suppose to kill millions. Instead, this flu season is milder than a regular flu season.)

The swine Flu
3-1-10

This has been a flu season like few others.

Normally at this time of year, influenza is rampant in the U.S.; prompting hundreds of thousands of people, to stay home in the dead of winter, with fever, aches and pains.

Now, after raging through college campuses and communities, last summer and fall, cases of the new H1N1 swine flu virus, have dwindled to a trickle; and run-of-the-mill seasonal flu has barely made an appearanc

The percentage of all doctors' visits by patients with influenza-like symptoms, has dropped from a high of 7.8% in late October—(the largest peak since the agency began surveillance in 1997)—to 1.8% in late February, well below the norm for flu season.

Doctors and flu experts say the lull is unusual. "This is typically the peak of flu," said James Turner, executive director of the University of Virginia's department of student health. He said the Charlottesville, Va., student health center usually sees as many as 130 students a week, complaining of flu symptoms this time of year.

Recently, no more than three to five students a week, have been coming in with fever, cough or other signs of flu, he said.

It is not clear why there is so little flu, particularly swine flu, going around, experts say. "Surely there's a sufficient number of people who haven't been infected or vaccinated,"

Flu has peaked, in late February or early March, in 20 of the past 26 flu seasons,

By mid-January, swine flu had sickened about 57 million people in the U.S. and killed roughly 11,700—mostly young adults and children—from the time it emerged in late April through mid-January. Young people, who ordinarily fight off flu easily, ended up in intensive care units, on advanced life support
_________
In past years, when seasonal flu was the big worry, influenza has typically sickened about 25 million people a year, and directly killed about 8,000, according to the CDC.

The H1N1 flu virus hasn't disappeared, and another wave could still come this winter. "We've had peaks [of flu] as late as May, so we're not out of the woods yet," said Dr. Fiore of the CDC's influenza division.

The virus could also mutate, spawning more new infections, though it hasn't done so yet.

Flu experts estimate, that more than half the country's population, may still be vulnerable to the H1N1 virus, either because they haven't been sick, or gotten vaccinated.

H1N1 virus, is likely to eventually become a seasonal strain,

The World is stretcing, as the infinite light, comes into an finite world.

2010-03-11T22:53:00.000-08:00

Chilean Quake May Have Shortened Earth Days
3-1-10

The Feb. 27 magnitude 8.8 earthquake in Chile may have shortened the length of each Earth day.

JPL research scientist Richard Gross, computed how Earth's rotation should have changed, as a result of the Feb. 27 quake.

Using a complex model, he and fellow scientists came up with a preliminary calculation: that the quake should have shortened the length of an Earth day, by about 1.26 microseconds. (a microsecond, is one millionth of a second).
________
Mr. Gross claimed, the calculated changes in the length of a day, are permanent.

An earthquake can make Earth rotate faster, by nudging some of its mass closer to the planet's axis, just as ice skaters can speed up their spins, by pulling in their arms.

Conversely, a quake can slow the rotation, and lengthen the day, if it redistributes mass away from that axis.
________
Perhaps more impressive, is how much the quake shifted Earth's axis. Gross calculates, the quake should have moved Earth's figure axis (the axis, about which Earth's mass is balanced), by 2.7 milliarcseconds (about 8 centimeters, or 3 inches).

Earth’s figure axis, is not the same, as its north-south axis; they are offset by about 10 meters (about 33 feet).
Islands could have shifted or raised in the ocean; such as Santa Maria Island near Concepcion.
_________
By comparison, Gross said, the same model estimated the 2004 magnitude 9.1 Sumatran earthquake, should have shortened the length of day by 6.8 microseconds, and shifted Earth's axis by 2.32 milliarcseconds (about 7 centimeters, or 2.76 inches).

Gross said, that even though the Chilean earthquake, is much smaller than the Sumatran quake, it is predicted to have changed the position of the figure axis, by a bit more for two reasons.

First, unlike the 2004 Sumatran earthquake, which was located near the equator, the 2010 Chilean earthquake, was located in Earth's mid-latitudes, which makes it more effective in shifting Earth's figure axis.

Second, the fault responsible for the 2010 Chiliean earthquake, dips into Earth at a slightly steeper angle, than does the fault responsible for the 2004 Sumatran earthquake.

This makes the Chile fault, more effective in moving Earth's mass vertically, and hence more effective in shifting Earth's figure axis.

Never lose hope (thougth)

2010-03-11T22:52:00.000-08:00

Never lose hope:
The impossible, just takes a little longer.

The Last Poem

2010-03-11T22:49:00.000-08:00

Slow Dance

This young girl has 6 months left to live.
She wanted to send a letter telling everyone, to live their life to the fullest.
___________

Have you ever watched kids, on a merry-go-round,
or listened to the rain, slapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's, erratic flight,
or gazed at the sun, into the fading night?

You better slow down, don’t dance so fast,
time is short, the music won't last.
__________
Do you run through each day, on the fly,
when they ask how you are, Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done, do you lie in your bed,
with the next hundred chores, running through your head?

You'd better slow down, don’t dance so fast.
Time is short, the music won't last.
__________
Ever told your child, we’ll do it tomorrow,
and in your haste, not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch, and Let a good friendship die,
cause you never had time, to call and say, 'Hi!'

You'd better slow down, don't dance so fast.

Time is short, the music won't last. _____________

When you run so fast, to get somewhere,
you miss half the fun, of getting there.

When you worry and hurry, through your day,
it is like an unopened gift, that’s thrown away.

Life is not a race; do take it slower,
Hear the music, before the song is over.

Survey of Happy Marriages

2010-03-11T22:48:00.000-08:00

A new survey indicates that, over the long term, Orthodox Jews have happier marriages than the general public.

2-22-2010

According to the Aleinu Marital Satisfaction Survey—an anonymous online study conducted by the Orthodox Union in conjunction, with a program of Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles and the Rabbinical Council of California—
_________

The General Social Survey, was conducted by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago found:72% of Orthodox men, and 74% of Orthodox women, rated their marriages as excellent or very good.

By contrast, only 63% of men, and 60% of women, in the public at large, said that they were very happy in their marriages.
__________

The Aleinu results, are consistent with previous research indicating, that couples who participate regularly in religious activities, report greater marital contentment, and are less likely to divorce.

The Orthodox Union, at a press conference last month, highlighted the top stressors to Orthodox marriages:

Common complaints of couples religious and not, are:
Lack of communication, not enough time together, and conflicts with in-laws.
Major financial strain, was also a top complaint.
__________

For the 17% to 25% of Orthodox couples who struggle with infertility, not being able to have children, results in significant marital conflict

Prof. Pelcovitz:
“Perhaps the Orthodox approach marriage, with different expectations. There's a very strong valuing of family, as the center of one's life, which may override individual needs.”

This probably has people weathering storms, that in other couples might lead to divorce.”
_________

Rachel Pill, (a Lawrence, N.Y., clinical social worker with a primarily Orthodox clientele):
“Despite the difficulties inherent in raising children, this family-centeredness, gives couples a sense of satisfaction. They feel they're part of something, really important.”
_________

Mental health professionals often advise couples: to schedule every week a date-night.

Eliezer Schnall, (a psychology professor at Yeshiva University):
“For Orthodox Jews, the Sabbath is a built-in time, to reconnect with one's spouse, without the distraction of TVs, BlackBerries or the Internet.

And maybe the purity laws, that narrow the opportunities for marital sexual intercourse, as well as physical affection, play a role.
________

Rabbi Weitzman:
There's a time to invest in physical contact, and time to invest in the spiritual relationship between the couple. The Torah speaks about the union between husband and wife, as a holy thing, something G-d is part of.”

Romantic Dating / Rabbi A Moss

2010-03-11T22:47:00.000-08:00

Question:

My relationship is moving ahead. We certainly love each other, and we have from the start, but we do have our differences.

All my friends say, the main thing is, that you are in love, and everything else will fall into place. But is this true?

Answer:

What you need to know about relationships, you can learn from making model airplanes.

A mistake when making a model airplane is, to start by first putting glue, on all the parts. You wind up having glue in the wrong places, on the wrong parts. And later, when you realize your mistake it’s too late, because now it is almost impossible to remove the glue.

It makes things much more difficult, when you put the glue on too early.

The way to build a model airplane, is to first find the right part, and then apply the glue on it. Then you will end up having, a functional model airplane, instead of a mess.
_________

The parts may not fit perfectly at first. You may have to make some adjustments. You may need to shave off some rough edges, or bend some parts into shape.

Minor imperfections can be overlooked, a drop of glue, can fix them up. Then with a bit of work, all the pieces come together, and become one.

But if you find, that there are parts missing, or they don't fit, then you can’t make an airplane. Then don’t use glue, it won’t help. You have to look for a different model.
____________

A relationship, is like a model airplane. You and your partner are the pieces, and love is the glue, that sticks you together. Without the binding power of love, two individuals could never become one.

But that power, like glue, is indiscriminate. It must be applied carefully, because it could stick, just about anything together; meaning, that you can love someone, who is simply not for you.

Before opening our hearts, we must ensure first, that we have the right pieces to build a relationship. The building blocks of a solid relationship are: shared values and common purpose.

Our priorities in life, beliefs, and visions for the future, must fit together.

We can have different opinions, different tastes, and different ways of expressing ourselves; but as long as we can, share those differences respectfully, then we can become one.

But if our values are not in synch, then we simply have different futures - we are not going in the same direction.
_________

All you need is: shared values, and commitment, and a wholesome view of what a relationship really is.

Model airplanes are not exactly poetic, but what's better - romantic dating, that crashes; or sticking together, for a lifetime?

Israel has become an eco-pioneer/ By Matthew Kalman

2010-03-11T22:46:00.001-08:00

When Warren Buffett, the world’s wealthiest man, decided to make his first investment outside the United States, he chose Israel.

“Some Amerircans have come to the Middle East looking for oil so they didn’t stop in Israel. We came to the Middle East looking for brains and we stopped in Israel,” Buffett explained as he put $4 billion into Iscar, a precision tool maker.

“We found that the real trick in business, is not to be a genius yourself, but to go around associating with geniuses; who are already doing a good job, and stay out of their way.”
________________

Israeli innovations range from Intel microprocessors; to messaging systems, that ensure the safety of nearly all the world’s financial transactions.

These companies all have research and development centers in Israel, drawing on the brainpower of those genius: Microsoft, Intel, IBM. NDS, a firm that designs TV set-top boxes, to unscramble cable and satellite signals,

There are more than 1,000 clean-technology start-up companies in Israel, a country that has attracted more foreign investment in high-tech businesses in the past decade, than all of Europe.

It has more companies quoted on the high-tech NASDAQ stock exchange in New York, than any other country outside the United States.

In innovation, between 1980 and 2000, Israelis registered 7,652.

The Jewish Cardinal?

2010-03-11T22:44:00.000-08:00

The following commentary was given by Scott Simon on NPR radio on Saturday morning, Aug 11, 2007.
___________
"There used to be a joke in Paris. What is the difference between the Chief Rabbi in France and the Cardinal of Paris? The Cardinal speaks Yiddish!"

Jean Marie Cardinal Lustiger was buried yesterday. He died this week of cancer. He was born almost 81 years ago to Polish parents who ran a dress shop in Paris.

When the German army marched into their city, his parents sent him and his sister into hiding with a Catholic family in Orleans. Their mother was captured and sent to Auschwitz.

In 1999 as Cardinal of Paris, Jean Marie Lustiger took part in reading of the names of France's day of remembrance of Jews who had been deported and murdered. He came to the name of Gesele Lustiger, paused, teared and said, "my Mama!" The effect in France during a time of revived anti-Semitism was electric.

He was just 13 and in hiding when he converted to Catholicism, not to escape the Nazis he always said, because no Jew could escape by conversion, and not of trauma, he said. Among his most controversial observation, I was born Jewish and so I remain, even if that is unacceptable for many.

For me, the vocation of Israel is bringing light to the goyem. That is my hope and I believe that Christianity is the means for achieving it.

There were a great number of Rabbi's who consider his conversion a betrayal, especially after so many European Jews so narrowly escaped extinction.

Cardinal Lustiger replied, "to say that I am no longer a Jew is like denying my father and mother, my grandfathers and grandmothers. I am as Jewish as all other members of my family that were butchered in Auschwitz and other camps."

He confessed to a biographer that he had a spiritual crisis in the 1970's provoked by persistent anti-Semitism in France. He studied Hebrew and considered emigrating.

He said, "I thought that I had finished what I had to do here and I might find new meaning in Israel." But just at that time the Pope appointed him bishop of Orleans. He found purpose in the plight of immigrant workers. Then he was elevated to Cardinal, the Archbishop of Paris.

Jean Marie Lustiger wsas close to the Pope. They shared a doctrinal conservatism. He also battled bigotry and totalitarianism. For years, Cardinal Lustiger's name was among those who was considered to succeed John Paul.

Without putting himself forth, the Cardinal joked that few things would bedevil bigots more that a Jewish Pope. The don't like to admit it, but he said, "What Christians believe, they got---through Jews."

The funeral for Cardinal Lustiger began at Notre Dame Cathedral yesterday with the chanting of Kaddish, the Jewish prayer for the dead.

Sometimes, there are profound inconsistencies in our world.

The Baba Sali and The Rebbe

2010-03-11T22:43:00.000-08:00

The late Rabbi Nosson Ashkenazi once related:When I was a yeshiva bochur, I was sent with two other boys to the Baba Sali, to bring him a letter from the Rebbe.

When we arrived at the Baba Sali’s home in Netivot, we announced, that the Lubavitcher Rebbe had sent us, to deliver a personal letter from him to the Baba Sali.

We were quickly ushered into the Baba Sali’s room, where the Baba Sali greeted us warmly. He offered us a glass of arak, to say Lechaim.When the Baba Sali had finished reading the letter, I asked him why he did not visit the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

Raising his hands slightly, the Baba Sali replied, “We see each other sometimes…”

Great Thoughts

2010-03-11T22:42:00.000-08:00

We have exploited the poor, and called it the lottery.

We have rewarded laziness, and called it welfare.

We have killed our unborn, and called it choice.

We have shot abortionists, and called it justifiable.

We have neglected to discipline our children, and called it building self-esteem.

We have abused power, and called it politics.

We have coveted our neighbor's possessions, and called it ambition.

We have polluted the air, with profanity and pornography, and called it freedom of expression.

We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers, and called it enlightenment.

Many paths- One Goal / Rabbi A. Moss

2010-03-11T22:40:00.000-08:00

Question:

Due to my business, I travel a lot and meet many people from different religions. I have met Buddhists, Hiandus, Muslims and Christians, and each and every one believes, that their religion is the one true religion, and it is the right one to follow.

Answer:

Imagine there was one belief, that Jews, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus, all accepted as true. Wouldn't that be amazing?

For these very different religions to agree on something - anything - is nothing short of a miracle. If all the major religions, would concur on one divine revelation, there could be no stronger indication, that this revelation is true.

It exists. There is one revelation, that all believe to be true. All religions agree, that the Torah was given to the Jewish people at Mt Sinai. This fact is written clearly, in the Christian and Muslim scriptures.

And the eastern masters, have veneration for the Torah and its divine wisdom, to the point, that they actually send Jewish seekers, back to Judaism.

The Dalai Lama is known to have told Jews who come to him "Why do you come to me, go home and study Torah!"
______________

All major religions believe, in the divine origin of Judaism. The same cannot be said, for any other belief system. This is an incredibly significant point.

It means, that while so many Jews walk around, unsure of their beliefs; most of the world today believes, that G-d gave the Torah to the Jews.
____________

But there's more. Believing Judaism is true, does not mean, negating other spiritual paths. Judaism teaches, that while Judaism is the way for Jews, it is not for everyone.

We are not out, to convert the world to Judaism. Unlike almost every other religion, Jews do not missionize. This is because, we believe, not everyone needs to be Jewish.

A non-Jew can be close to G-d, go to heaven, and lead a moral and meaningful life, all the while remaining a non-Jew.

Spiritual paths other than Judaism, can be valid, as long as they conform to the seven basic laws, for all humanity; known as the Laws of the Children of Noah. Noah being the father, of all humankind.

The seven laws are: do not serve idols, do not curse G-d, do not murder, do not commit acts of sexual immorality, do not steal, set up a fair justice system, and treat animals mercifully.
_____________

This is amazing. All religions believe in Judaism, and yet Judaism leaves room for other religious expressions. I am proud to be part of a belief system, that can accept others, and is accepted by others.

Not that this is the basis of my faith. Judaism doesn't need outside confirmation, to be acceptable. But this is a strong argument, against those who think, that faith is a zero-sum game.

And it provides a vision, for how the world can live in harmony - many paths, yet one divine truth.

Dear Tech Support: (funny)

2010-03-11T22:39:00.000-08:00

Dear Tech Support:

Last year I upgraded from BochurLife 7.0, to Wife 1.0, and noticed, that Wife 1.0, installs itself into all other programs; and launches during system initialization, where it monitors all other system activity.

Applications such as FarbrengenNight 3.0, PartyNight 2.5.1, and Hangout 5.0, no longer run; they crash the system whenever selected.

In addition, applications such as Garbage Out 3.3, and House Work 2, have gone from select-as needed to continuous schedule. Ignoring them, causes Night-on-the-Couch 1.0m to take over all activity.

I cannot seem to keep Wife 1.0 in the background, while attempting to run some of my other favorite applications. I am thinking about going back to BochurLife 7.0, but the uninstall does not work, on this program.

Can you help me, please!!Thanks! -
A TROUBLED USER
______________
Dear TROUBLED USER:

This is a very common complaint, which is mostly due to a primary misconception. Many people upgrade from BochurLife 7.0, to Wife 1.0, with the idea, that Wife 1.0, is merely a UTILITIES program.

Wife 1.0, is an OPERATING SYSTEM, and was designed to run everything.

It is unlikely that you would be able to purge Wife 1.0, and still convert back to BochurLife 7.0. It is impossible to uninstall, delete, or purge the program files from the system, once installed.

You cannot go back to BochurLife 7.0, because Life1.01, is not designed to do this. Look in your manual under: "Warnings-Alimony/Child Support".

I recommend you keep Wife 1.0, and just deal with the situation. I also suggest installing background application program C:\YES DEAR, to alleviate softwareaugmentation.

Having Wife 1.0 installed myself, I might also suggest, you read the entire section regarding General Partnership Faults (GPFs). You must assume allresponsibility for faults and problems that might occur, regardless of their cause.

The best course of action will be, to enter the command C:\APOLOGIZE.
In any case, avoid excessive use of YES DEAR, because ultimately, you will have to give the APOLOGIZE command, before the operating system will return to normal. The system will run smoothly, as long as you take the blame for all the GPFs.

Wife 1.0 is a great program, but also is very high maintenance.
Consider buying additional software, to improve the performance of Wife 1.0.

I recommend Flowers 2.1, and Diamonds 5.0.
Best of luck. Tech Support

Baba Sali Dream

2010-03-11T22:38:00.001-08:00

Baba Sali Dream
January 21, 2010

26 years have passed since the petirah of the Baba Sali. Baba Baruch, the Bab Sali’s son, leads the kehillah in Netivot,

The most fascinating part of the recent interview with Baba Baruch, was when he was asked, if he had any other dreams recently, in which he saw his father.

He went on to tell about a dream, that he said he had “not long ago” - less than two weeks ago, - in which the Baba Sali appeared.

The Baba Sali, he said, told him: “Moshiach will come this year. Be ready, get ready; and prepare a Seudah, because of this dream…. Because there is no solution for Am Yisroel, except for Moshiach Tzidkeinu.”

The Eternity of Shabbat Candles (story)

2010-03-11T22:37:00.000-08:00

The Eternity of Shabbat Candles

Story which appeared in Nshei Newsletter, a while back.
In 1994, a Jewish advertising executive in New York, came up with an idea:

What if the New York Times (considered the world's most prestigious newspaper) listed the weekly Shabbat candle lighting time, each week.
Sure someone would have to pay for the space.

But imagine the Jewish awareness and pride, that might result from such a prominent mention, of the Jewish Shabbat each week.

He got in touch with a Jewish philanthropist, and sold him on the idea. It cost almost two thousand dollars a week, but he did it.

And for the next five years, each Friday, Jews around the world would see "Jewish Women: Shabbat candle lighting time this Friday is..."
___________
Eventually the philanthropist, had to cut back on a number of his projects. And in June 1999, the little Shabbat notice and stopped appearing in the Friday Times. And from that week on it never appeared again, except once:

On January 1, 2000, the NY Times ran a Millennium edition. It was a special issue, that featured three front pages. One had the news from January 1, 1900. The second was the actual news of the day, January 1, 2000.

And then they had a third front page, projecting future events of January 1, 2100. This was a fictional page.

In addition to the articles, there was one more thing. Down on the bottom of the Year 2100 front page, was the candle lighting time in New York, for January 1, 2100. Nobody paid for it, it was just put in by the Times.
__________
The production manager of the New York Times, an Irish Catholic, was asked about it.

He answered: "We don't know what will happen in the year 2100, it is impossible to predict the future. But one thing you can be certain, that in the year 2100, Jewish women, will be lighting Shabbos candles!"

Sunspots- A Sign of Moshiach?

2010-03-11T22:35:00.000-08:00

Before Moshiach comes, Hashem will remove the natric (covering ) from the sun:
__________
The Sun has been dramatically inactive," commented Richard Harrison, a co-investigator on SDO from the UK's Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.

"The last two years has had more than 250 days of no sunspots whatsoever.
____________
"We believe this minimum is coming to an end; all the signals are there. We are seeing new active regions. They actually start at the higher latitudes in the Sun's atmosphere.

Sunspots are forming; we're seeing the first big solar flares."

Moment of Silence - The Jewish forward

2010-03-11T22:31:00.000-08:00

Moment of Silence

By Debra Nussbaum Cohen
February 03, 2010

At the border of Crown Heights and Brownsville, in an impoverished corner of Brooklyn, stands the hulking, tan brick building that houses P.S. 191, the Paul Robeson School.

The school serves a student population, that is remarkable in its disadvantage: 99% of its roughly 300 students, in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, qualify for free or reduced-price lunches; some live at the homeless shelter next door.

But every morning at 8:30, half an hour after rambunctious kids come bouncing into the building, in their blue school uniforms, this school becomes remarkable in a different way.
It gets quiet. For a full minute, there is only silence.
___________
After a teacher, and a handful of students, announce the moment of silence over the loudspeaker system, and offer something to think about for that day (a personal goal, or how to help someone else), each and every person at P.S. 191, from the littlest 4-year-old pre-kindergartener, to the principal, pauses for 60 seconds.

P.S. 191 has been observing this morning ritual, for the past three years; ever since Avraham Frank, a Hasidic Jew, heeding the last Lubavitcher Rebbe’s call, for a daily moment of silence in public schools; walked in off the street, and introduced the idea to the principal.

So far Frank, (a white-bearded 59-year-old, with a day job managing home attendants, for New York City’s Human Resources Administration); has persuaded administrators at 13 public schools in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens, to institute a moment of silence.

His goal, he said, is to get moments of silence into schools, “all over the city.”
_________
Though school-sponsored prayer in American public schools, has been prohibited, since the 1962 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Engel v. Vitale; voluntary, student-initiated, private prayer is not.

In response to the ban on school-sponsored prayer, there has been a nationwide push, for the introduction into public schools, of daily moments of silence, that students can use to pray or reflect.
__________
New York State, is one of about 30 states, that has a law authorizing a daily moment of silence in schools; said Marc Stern, acting co-executive director of the American Jewish Congress, and an expert in religion-state issues.

In many places, however, moments of silence remain controversial. Federal courts have been divided, on the constitutional issues surrounding moments of silence in public schools.

A Texas law, requiring the state’s schools to offer a moment of silence each day, for students to “reflect, pray, meditate, or engage in any other silent activity, that is not likely to interfere with or distract another student,” was upheld in March 2009, by a panel of judges from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The American Civil Liberties Union, had objected to the Texas legislature’s addition of the word “pray,” to the list of designated activities for the moment of silence; a word that had been omitted from the state’s previous moment-of-silence law.

In January 2009 a federal judge ruled the opposite way, and struck down as unconstitutional, a similar statute in Illinois.
__________
Frank, for his part says: “This is for the good of the children, so that they grow up to be upstanding citizens of society. It encourages morality, and this is what we want to get in the schools; which is not there now, since they cut out school prayer in the 1960s.”

“These children, will bring the parents back, to being moral upstanding citizens.
__________
After a school, has observed the moment of silence for a while, Frank asks school officials and students, to write letters about their experience; which he then photocopies and shares, with anyone who will read them.

This was part of what the Lubavitcher Rebbe called for, starting in the early 1980s in his public talks, to “arouse public opinion,” and urge legislators to institute moments of silence in public schools.
__________
A few years ago, Frank sent out 535 packets, filled with letters of appreciation from students and principals, one to each member of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

He said, he got only a single form letter in response. But Frank remains undeterred. “The Rebbe foresaw, how to spread the idea; and the letters are the soul, behind this whole movement,” he said.
____________
Frank, who lives in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, is not an official Chabad-Lubavitch emissary; and his effort to introduce moments of silence in public schools, has not received resources, or official backing, from Chabad representatives; though the movement’s emissaries in Illinois, publicly backed the mandatory moment-of-silence law, that was adopted there in 2007.

Rabbi Motti Seligson, a spokesman for the international Chabad movement said: “When the Rebbe spoke, about the importance of instituting a moment of silence in public schools, he was speaking to all people, not just Hasidim; and for the most part, the people who took on this initiative, with the inspiration from the Rebbe’s call to action, were not necessarily Lubavitchers.”
___________
Whatever happens on a larger scale, staff members at P.S. 191 say, they are happy to have a moment of silence in their school.

Sonia Witter-Clue, the supervising school aide said: “I have seen tremendous changes behavior-wise, and in terms of punctuality.” “The kids want to be here for the moment of silence. When they miss it, you can see they’re upset.”

Her 5-year-old granddaughter, and 8-year-old son, both students at P.S. 191, love it so much, that they insist on having a moment of silence, even at home on the weekends, she said.

Hadar Gafhi, the school’s assistant principal said: “It has had a direct impact, on the kids’ academic success.”

“It focuses the children. During the moment of silence, they’ve made their resolutions for the day, and are ready to learn, and they get right to work.” “We’re seeing tremendous academic growth, in our kids.”

Tuishawn Burke, a 10-year-old fifth- grader said: “I think about, how I’m going to make today, a great day.” “It helps me focus more, so I can complete my work.”

Matisyahu-NBC's promotion of the 2010

2010-03-11T22:30:00.000-08:00

Singer Matisyahu in sync with Olympic spirit

Nov 13, 2009

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Matisyahu, whose music merges Hasidic Judaism with reggae beats, hip-hop and rock, is lending his voice to NBC's promotion, of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

The network has chosen his uplifting anthem "One Day," as the theme song for its "Countdown to Vancouver" promotional campaign.

"One Day" is the lead single from Matisyahu's third album, "Light," which Epic released in August.

He describes the song as being about "unity and coming together for one common cause; about putting aside all differences and issues, to connect in some way."

___________
The spot premiered November 3, and ran November 4 on all of NBC's affiliated cable networks, including Bravo, Oxygen, MSNBC and USA; and will air on NBC through February.

It features Vancouver contenders Apolo Ohno (speed skating), Lindsey Vonn (alpine skiing), Shaun White (snowboarding), Gretchen Bleiler (snowboarding) and Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto (figure skating); describing what the Olympics means to athletes and spectators alike.

__________
The Winter Games take place February 12-28. Matisyahu said: "When you see what those athletes go through, and being the background for that," "it pulls on the heartstrings."

For the week ended November 8, "One Day" experienced a 13 percent increase in download sales -- its first weekly increase, since the beginning of October. To date, the song has sold 117,000 downloads, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

In keeping with his cross-genre style, Matisyahu said, fans can expect a new version of "One Day" featuring Akon, to premiere in the next few weeks, by Kelly Staskel.

In the meantime, Matisyahu is touring in support of "Light," working with Kenneth Cole on the "One Day for Change," viral campaign on Twitter, and participating in a Charity Folks online auction. The prize being, a Brooklyn bike ride, with the recording artist.

Matisyahu is also finalizing details, for his fourth annual Festival of Light, in New York, during Hanukkah, which begins December 11.
_____________
(Editing by Sheri Linden at Reuters)

ORIGINAL URL:
http://ca.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idCATRE5AC5NZ20091113

Socialism and the Law of Gravity (Great example!)

2010-03-11T22:27:00.000-08:00

An economics professor at a local college, made a statement: that he had never failed a single student before, but had once failed an entire class.
___________

That class had insisted, that Obama's socialism worked, and that no one would be poor, and no one would be rich, a great equalizer.

The professor then said, "OK, we will have an experiment in this class, on Obama's plan".

All grades would be averaged, and everyone would receive the same grade; so no one would fail, and no one would receive an A. __________

1. After the first test, the grades were averaged, and everyone got a B. The students who studied hard were upset, and the students who studied little were happy.
___________
2. The second test, the students who studied little, had studied even less; and the ones who studied hard, decided they wanted a free ride too, so they studied little.

The second test average was a D!
No one was happy.
______________
3. The 3rd test, the average was an F.
__________
The scores never increased, as bickering, blame and name-calling, all resulted in hard feelings; and no one would study, for the benefit of anyone else.

All failed, to their great surprise; and the professor told them, that socialism would also ultimately fail, because: when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great; but when government takes all the reward away, no one will try, or want to succeed; as a result, the economy will self-destruct.

LaGuardia Flight Diverted to Philly

2010-03-11T22:24:00.000-08:00

http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/93331?fp=1

In the wake of the news, online searches on both "phylactery" and "tefillin" both surged from nothing into breakout status.

Other related queries also quickly popped up. "What is a phylactery" and "tefillin pictures" were on top of peoples' minds.

Those who researched the religious item learned that the phylactery boxes contain prayers inside them. You can see an image here, courtesy of Wikipedia.
__________

What's a soul" By Rabbi Aaron Moss

2010-03-11T22:21:00.002-08:00

Question:
Why do you speak of a soul, how can you put souls in boxes?

To me, the essence of spirituality is: there is a transcendence, that we can experience, that is beyond divisions.
Gary
__________
Answer:
Dear Gary,
The idea, that all souls are the same, is one of the biggest mistakes of modern spirituality. We are so used to thinking, that definitions create barriers, and barriers cause hatred; that we are convinced, that to be spiritual, means to have no borders.

From a Kabbalistic perspective, this totally misses the point of existence.
___________
Before creation, G-d had unity. G-d was all there was; there were no borders, definitions or distinctions. If unchallenged unity, is what G-d wants, He had it already. He would, not have created the world.
Creation was an act, of making borders (limitations). From unity, came multiplicity.

Ours is a world of divisions: body and soul, male and female; as well as the divisions of nations, families and individuals.

Why did G-d create multiplicity? Doesn't that go against the oneness of G-d?

No, it doesn't. Because the deepest unity, is unity found specifically within diversity. If we are all the same, then unity is no big deal. So G-d gave us all particular souls, each with its unique and diverse characteristics.

When each individual as an individual, and each nation from within its own culture and perspective, recognizes the same G-d, that is real unity.

In other words, a unity that is challenged by diversity, yet emerges from that very diversity, is an invincible unity. That is something G-d "couldn't" have, without a world like ours.
___________
To blur the boundaries, between nations, genders and individuals, is to avoid facing the challenge, which lies at the very heart of G-d's purpose in creation -- to find unity in our differences.

For the unity of humankind, we need one G-d; but for G-d's unity to be complete, we need human diversity.

Jews should be Jews, non-Jews should be non-Jews, men should be men, and women should be women. And every individual, has to be himself. Only then, can we learn from each other, the wisdom that we ourselves lack.
___________
The majesty of G-d is revealed, when each individual and community, connects with Him, from his/her/their unique vantage point. There is a contribution, that only you can make, to G-d's master plan.

That's why, you were born as you are -- a Jew, a male, and the other distinctive spiritual characteristics, that make you "Gary."

Great Thoughts (short)

2010-03-11T22:21:00.001-08:00

Instead of talking about the negative:
Focus on being a lamp-lighter: Because You are very bright!

Special Delivery- Rabbi A. Moss

2010-03-11T22:18:00.000-08:00

Question:

It's my birthday this weekend, but I have always felt funny about celebrating it. My birth was a bit of an accident - my parents said I was a surprise, and I was born six weeks premature.

Is there any meaning in celebrating the day, that I wasn't really supposed to have been born?

Answer:

Your birthday is chosen by G-d; not your parents, your astrologer, or the obstetrician. Birth is G-d saying that, the world can't go on without you. It is the day, that your soul's mission had to begin.

There were already more than six billion people on earth, when you were born. Did the world really need you? Can one more soul, really make a difference?

Obviously the answer is yes. Otherwise G-d would not have sent your soul to this earth. The fact that you were born means, there must be some unique gift that you have to offer the world, that none of those other six billion people, could possibly achieve.
____________

A birthday is an opportunity to reflect: This is the day that my soul was dispatched on its mission.

How is the mission going, Have I been contributing my part, to the furthering of G-d's purpose, to create heaven on earth?

Have I been doing my part, to enhance and improve myself, and my world?

How much time and energy do I spend, on meaningful pursuits?

How much more time could I spend, on what really matters in the coming year?
____________

Far from being an accident, your birth was clearly, a deliberate act. The fact that you surprised your parents, and you arrived early just shows, how urgently the world needed you. Your soul couldn't even wait a few weeks, for the due date, to get down here. G-d had another due date in mind.

Your soul was sent down by priority delivery, make sure your soul always takes priority.

Avatar and Moshiach

2010-03-11T22:17:00.000-08:00

Avatar and Moshiach

Are these the fellings we should have, longing for the Geula world?
________

Avatar, a 2½-hour Virtual 3D movie, was too real, for some fans who say, they have experienced depression and suicidal thoughts, after seeing the film; because they long to enjoy the beauty of the virtual alien world Pandora.

The movie was so beautiful, it showed something we don't have here on Earth. I think people saw, that we could be living in a completely different world, and that caused them to be depressed."

"All I have been doing as of late, is searching the Internet, for more info about 'Avatar.' I guess that helps. It's so hard, I can't force myself to think, that it's just a movie, and to get over it, that living like the Na'vi will never happen

Ever since I went to see 'Avatar,' I have been depressed. Watching the wonderful world of Pandora, and all the Na'vi, made me want to be one of them. I can't stop thinking about, all the things that happened in the film, and all of the tears and shivers I got from it.

I even contemplate suicide, thinking that if I do it, I will be rebirthed in a world similar to Pandora, and the everything is the same as in 'Avatar.' "

Other expressed feelings of, disgust with the human race, and disengagement with reality.

Compared with life on Earth, Pandora is a beautiful, glowing utopia.

When I woke up this morning, after watching Avatar for the first time yesterday, the world seemed gray. It was like my whole life, everything I've done and worked for, lost its meaning. It just seems someaningless. I still don't really see any reason to keep doing things at all. I live in a dying world."

One can say, my depression was twofold: I was depressed because I really wanted to live in Pandora, which seemed like such a perfect place; but I was also depressed and disgusted, with the sight of our world, what we have done to Earth. I so much wanted, to escape reality."
_________

After discussing on the forums for a while now, my depression is beginning to fade away. Having taken a part in many discussions concerning all this, has really, really helped me.

Before, I had lost the reason to keep on living -- but now it feels like these feelings are gradually being replaced with others

Creating relationships with others, is one of the keys to human happiness; and that even if those connections are occurring online, they are better than nothing.

Lakewood is ready for Moshiach!

2010-03-11T22:15:00.000-08:00

11-20-09
http://redirectingat.com/?id=593X1004&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmatzav.com%2Frav-matisyahu-salomons-dream

On Sunday, at what was the largest Hachnosas Sefer Torah event,in the history of the Ihr HaTorah of Lakewood.

Some 6-7,000 men, women and children took part, together with the roshei yeshiva and mashgiach of Beth Medrash Govoha; as well as Rabbonim and Poskim, from throughout the town. For the pesichah of the Kleinman Family Campus of BMG, and a Hachnosas Sefer Torah, dedicated by the Kleinman family.

Following the Hachnosas Sefer Torah, guests gathered for a Seudas Mitzvah in a tent behind the new Forest Avenue-Eleventh Street bais medrash. At the Seudah, the crowd was addressed by several speakers,

including the Mashgiach of Beth Medrash Govoha, Rav Matisyahu Salomon; whose remarks have been quoted, and have been making the rounds in frum circles.
_________
In his speech, Rav Matisyahu spoke about a dream that he had this past summer.

The Mashgiach’s rebbetzin was very ill at the time, and he dreamt that the Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l, appeared to him; looking exactly the way he remembered him from when he saw the Rosh yeshiva as a Bochur in Gateshead Yeshiva.

The Rosh Yeshiva told him, that if he’s Mekabel (agrees) to remain in Lakewood, then his Rebbetzin (wife) will have a Refuah Sheleimah (a complete recovery): and both he and his Rebbetzin will merit, to greet Moshiach!
__________

He was Mekabel that, and the Rebbetzin has been Zocheh (mereited) to a miraculous recovery.The Mashgiach commented, the he is quite old and that we’re living in Moshiach’s times, and it’s incumbent upon every person to realize that.

{Dovid Bernstein-Matzav.com Newscenter/Yated Ne’eman contributed to this report.}

Accusing Others (moral)

2010-03-11T22:14:00.000-08:00

The summons hanging on the milkman’s door, bewildered him. He was an honest man, who always behaved appropriately.
_________
The baker used to buy butter and cheese from the milkman, for his baking, but he felt that he was being cheated. One day, he decided to check out the matter, and weighed every lump of butter, that he bought from the milkman.

The baker was angry “he is cheating me,” he told his wife angrily, “I am not going to be quiet about it”. He went to the local court and complained about the milkman. “We have to prosecute him” said the baker. “We can’t let him cheat all the villagers, people trust him!”

That same day, the court messenger hung a notice on the milkman’s house, that he had to come to court.
________
The Judge asked: “I assume you have a very accurate scale in your dairy.”

The milkman said: “No your honor, I do not have a scale.”
“So how do you weigh the butter?”
‘
I built myself a scale – the kind that needs a weight on one side, to balance the butter on the other.

Every morning when I come to weigh the butter for the baker, I place a kilo loaf of bread, on one side of the scale.’

The Judge said: You are telling us, that the amount of butter that you give the baker, is exactly the weight of the loaf of bread that he supplies to you?”

“Yes” said the milkman

The baker’s face suddenly fell…
_________
Before we judge others, we must first check that our own house is in order. Maybe we have the same failings, that we accuse others of.
Chazal say: “Straighten oneself first, then straighten others.”

The Mezuzah- joke

2010-03-11T22:13:00.000-08:00

Opening his front door, the Rabbi found himself face to face with the local priest.

"Rabbi, may I have a few words with you?" asked the priest. "Of course," replied the Rabbi, somewhat nervously. "Rabbi," began the priest, "It must be evident to you, that in this town we are plagued by thieves.

Scarcely a day passes, without one of my members coming to me, bemoaning the fact, that his house has been broken into.

On the other hand, I have noticed, that thieves do not bother you Jews, nearly as much." The Rabbi answered: “You are correct." Inquired the priest: "Yes, but why is that?"
___________
The Rabbi then said: "Look at this little box, on the side of my door post, it's called a Mezuzah.

We Jews believe, that when we put a Mezuzah on the entrances to our houses, the Holy One, may His Name be blessed, protects both us, and our property."

"In that case", replied the priest, "I must have one!" Not wishing to be the cause of a pogrom, the Rabbi reluctantly handed over a mezuzah to the priest.
_________

Two weeks later the Rabbi was awakened, by the sound of someone pounding violently on his door. Dressing himself hastily, he made his way down the stairs. "Who's there?" the Rabbi asked. "Open the door, open the door!" screamed a voice on the other side.

Leaving the door on the chain, the Rabbi racked the door open wide enough, to see the priest standing in front of him, in great distraught. "What happened?" asked the terrified Rabbi. "Were you not protected from robbers?"
____________
"I was! But these people were worse than robbers!" screamed the priest. "Who?" asked the Rabbi. "The Fundraisers!!"

Shema Yisroel!

2010-03-11T22:12:00.000-08:00

After the Holocaust, R. Yosef Kahaneman zt'l, (the Ponevezhe Rov), began looking for Jewish children.

It was known, that some of the children had ended up in churches, and were being raised as Christians.

The Rov encountered one church, that denied the existence and presence of Jewish children within their midst. He was granted permission to enter the children's quarters, to inspect for himself.

When he entered, he began calling out "Shema Yisroel;" and instinctively, many of the children raised their hands, to cover their eyes, and started screaming out: "Mama, Mama!"

Funny: The Economy is so Bad that

2010-03-11T22:09:00.000-08:00

The Economy is so Bad that

I got a pre-declined, credit card in the mail.I ordered a burger at

McDonald's, and the kid behind the counter asked, "Can you afford fries with that?"

CEO's, are now playing miniature golf.

If the bank returns your check marked "Insufficient Funds," you call them and ask, if they meant you or them.

Hot Wheels and Matchbox stocks, are trading higher than GM.

McDonald's is selling the, 1/4 ouncer.

Parents in Beverly Hills, fired their nannies, and learned their children's names.

A truckload of Americans, were caught sneaking into Mexico.

Motel Six, won't leave the light on anymore.

The Mafia, is laying off judges.

ExxonMobil, laid off 25 Congressmen.

Congress says, they are looking into this Bernard Madoff scandal.
Great, the guy who made $50 Billion disappear, is being investigatedby the people, who made $1.5 Trillion disappear!
_________
And, finally...I was so depressed last night, thinking about the economy, wars, jobs,my savings, Social Security, retirement funds, etc., I called the Suicide Lifeline.

I got a call center in Pakistan; and when I told them I was suicidal, they got all excited, and asked if I could drive a truck!

True Friends

2010-03-11T22:07:00.000-08:00

History has shown, that those, who throughout the years, have chosen the path of social detachment, have oftentimes fallen into the traps of futility, hopelessness, and despair.

Because, when one chooses to be alone in the world, he thereby rejects the mission, that G-d has given each and every human being: to make the world, and all of its inhabitants, a better and more divine place, specifically through social interaction.

This idea led the Talmudic Sages to exclaim: “Either friendship and peer study, or death!” In contrast, the second path encourages a person to battle solitude, by actively interacting with society.

The followers of this path hold, that a man must ‘go out of the bubble,’ and fully interact with his surroundings. Yet, despite the superiority of this approach, there lies within it two prominent dangers:

1. First, society can influence a person’s conduct negatively. Maimonides, the 12th Century scholar writes: “It is natural to be influenced, in sentiments and conduct, by one’s neighbors and associates.”

2. Second, if one is not morally and emotionally equipped, it is very easy to fall for the illusion of love, offered by the opportunists. Tiger Woods’s plunge, epitomizes the vulnerability of human beings, when faced with seducing exploiters, who wear fake masks of love and care.

Unfortunately, by the time Mr. Woods, and so many others discovered the real faces, behind the masks of their exploiters, it was all too late.
_________
The Winning Path
So what is the secret formula to human interaction? How can we mingle with society, without being influenced or exploited by it? Perhaps, the answer is found, in the fascinating biblical story of Joseph3.

When Potiphar’s beautiful wife allured Joseph, he strongly hesitated. But, at the last minute, he overcame the immense temptation, as a result of an omnipotent revelation, that suddenly captured his sight: “The face of his father, Jacob, appeared before him,” as Rashi’s commentary states 4.

It was the vision of his saintly father, that pulled Joseph back to his roots and values. This sheds light, on the exemplary education that Joseph received. The image of one’s father, does not appear to him by coincidence.

It can only appear, and have such miraculous effects, if it has been established in a person’s mind, over a long period of time, as a loving authority, that shiningly personifies G-d’s finest values and ethics.

Joseph’s triumph was a powerful testament, to his father’s extraordinary education; and a strong reminder, to all parents and educators, that education is not about the words you preach, or the love that you cultivate.

Rather, it is about the ethical values, that you embody; and the authority of divine morals, that you establish, deep within the conscience of your children and disciples.
__________
A Brilliant Advice to a young man a few years ago, a talented young man sought the advice of my dear mentor, world-renowned scholar, Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, on how he should grow and succeed.

“My wife says you’re skilled,” Rabbi Steinsaltz complimented the young man, a rising Rabbinic leader. “But be cautious, of the illusions that you may encounter. People will invite you to speak, and provide enjoyment and pleasure.

They will even smile at you, and pay you a decent compensation; but, at the end of the day, many of them really care for their own pleasure, more than they care for you.

Therefore, always surround yourself with a base of people, that really love you, and care about you. And it is that base, that you must cultivate and trust!”

Record breaking storm- Nature is changing, ie. Mitzraim

2010-03-11T22:04:00.000-08:00

Blizzard warnings, as holiday storms hit central US
12-25-09

At least 18 people have died as a result of blizzards and freezing temperatures enveloping the US Midwest.

A state of emergency has been declared in South Dakota, Texas and Oklahoma, where the authorities have shut down highways after a series of accidents.

The winter weather, has stranded hundreds of travelers trying to make it home for the holidays. Flights have been delayed or cancelled. The conditions have also led several churches, to cancel Christmas services.

'Raging blizzard'
"The storm is spanning two thirds of the country," said Chris Vaccaro, a spokesman for the National Weather Service.
"Its effects run the gamut from severe thunderstorms in the Gulf Coast to ice in New England to really what is a raging blizzard in the lower plains," he added.

Parts of at least 10 central states, stretching from North Dakota to Oklahoma in the south, are now under blizzard warnings.
Winds of up to 50mph (80kph) buffeted central Kansas; while gusts of up to 65mph in Texas, left 5ft snow drifts, in some areas.

The storm began in the south-west on Tuesday before spreading to the east and north.

The Midwest storm comes, as the East Coast recovers from record snowfall last weekend, which brought much of the capital Washington DC to a standstill.

Forecasters warned of dangerous travel conditions in the eastern seaboard over the weekend, with freezing rain and heavy downpours expected from North Carolina to New England.

Flood warnings have been issued for parts of the north-east as the snow begins to melt.

Socialism and the Law of Gravity (Great example!)

2010-01-31T20:40:00.000-08:00

An economics professor at a local college, made a statement: that he had never failed a single student before, but had once failed an entire class.
___________

That class had insisted, that Obama's socialism worked, and that no one would be poor, and no one would be rich, a great equalizer.
The professor then said, "OK, we will have an experiment in this class, on Obama's plan".
All grades would be averaged, and everyone would receive the same grade; so no one would fail, and no one would receive an A. __________

1. After the first test, the grades were averaged, and everyone got a B. The students who studied hard were upset, and the students who studied little were happy.
___________

2. The second test, the students who studied little, had studied even less; and the ones who studied hard, decided they wanted a free ride too, so they studied little.
The second test average was a D!
No one was happy.
______________

3. The 3rd test, the average was an F.
__________
The scores never increased, as bickering, blame and name-calling, all resulted in hard feelings; and no one would study, for the benefit of anyone else.

All failed, to their great surprise; and the professor told them, that socialism would also ultimately fail, because: when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great; but when government takes all the reward away, no one will try, or want to succeed; as a result, the economy will self-destruct.

Noah's Ark thought

2010-01-31T20:39:00.000-08:00

Amateurs built NOAH’S ark,
but professionals built the Titanic.

True Love

2010-01-31T20:38:00.000-08:00

Friday, May 9, 2008 at 1:04pm

A nurse:

It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's arrived, to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry, as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.

I took his vital signs, and had him take a seat; knowing it would be over an hour, before someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound.

On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures, and redress his wound.While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry.

The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health. He told me, that she had been there for a while, and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease.

As we talked, I asked if she would be upset, if he was a bit late. He replied that, she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now. I was surprised, and asked him, 'And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?'

He smiled as he patted my hand and said, 'She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is.'

I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, 'That is the kind of love I want in my life.'

True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love, is an acceptance of all that: is, has been, will be, and will not be.
________
We all have our problems B"H, and must deal with life accordingly. But it is our choice, on how we deal with it.The happiest people, don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best, of everything they have.

'Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.'

Thoughts

2010-01-31T20:34:00.000-08:00

Instead of talking about the negative:
Focus on being a lamp-lighter: Because You are very bright!

Special Delivery- Rabbi A. Moss

2010-01-31T20:33:00.000-08:00

Question:

It's my birthday this weekend, but I have always felt funny about celebrating it. My birth was a bit of an accident - my parents said I was a surprise, and I was born six weeks premature.

Is there any meaning in celebrating the day, that I wasn't really supposed to have been born?

Answer:

Your birthday is chosen by G-d; not your parents, your astrologer, or the obstetrician. Birth is G-d saying that, the world can't go on without you. It is the day, that your soul's mission had to begin.

There were already more than six billion people on earth, when you were born. Did the world really need you? Can one more soul, really make a difference?

Obviously the answer is yes. Otherwise G-d would not have sent your soul to this earth. The fact that you were born means, there must be some unique gift that you have to offer the world, that none of those other six billion people, could possibly achieve.
____________

A birthday is an opportunity to reflect: This is the day that my soul was dispatched on its mission.

How is the mission going, Have I been contributing my part, to the furthering of G-d's purpose, to create heaven on earth?

Have I been doing my part, to enhance and improve myself, and my world?
How much time and energy do I spend, on meaningful pursuits?
How much more time could I spend, on what really matters in the coming year?
____________

Far from being an accident, your birth was clearly, a deliberate act. The fact that you surprised your parents, and you arrived early just shows, how urgently the world needed you. Your soul couldn't even wait a few weeks, for the due date, to get down here. G-d had another due date in mind.

Your soul was sent down by priority delivery, make sure your soul always takes priority.

The Magen Dovid

2010-01-31T20:32:00.000-08:00

The Bible makes no direct mention of the Star of David.

The six-pointed star, is commonly used both as a talisman, and for conjuring spirits in the practice of witchcraft.
The exact origins of the symbol's relation to Jewish identity, are unknown.
The Shield of David, is not mentioned in ancient rabbinic literature.

A magic ring called the "Seal of Solomon" was supposedly given to Solomon, and gave him power over demons. The magical symbol said to have been on the Seal of Solomon which made it work is now better known as the Star of David.

Avatar and Moshiach

2010-01-31T20:31:00.001-08:00

Are these the fellings we should have, longing for the Geula world?
________

Avatar, a 2½-hour Virtual 3D movie, was too real, for some fans who say, they have experienced depression and suicidal thoughts, after seeing the film; because they long to enjoy the beauty of the virtual alien world Pandora.

The movie was so beautiful, it showed something we don't have here on Earth. I think people saw, that we could be living in a completely different world, and that caused them to be depressed."

"All I have been doing as of late, is searching the Internet, for more info about 'Avatar.' I guess that helps. It's so hard, I can't force myself to think, that it's just a movie, and to get over it, that living like the Na'vi will never happen

Ever since I went to see 'Avatar,' I have been depressed. Watching the wonderful world of Pandora, and all the Na'vi, made me want to be one of them. I can't stop thinking about, all the things that happened in the film, and all of the tears and shivers I got from it.

I even contemplate suicide, thinking that if I do it, I will be rebirthed in a world similar to Pandora, and the everything is the same as in 'Avatar.' "

Other expressed feelings of, disgust with the human race, and disengagement with reality.

Compared with life on Earth, Pandora is a beautiful, glowing utopia.

When I woke up this morning, after watching Avatar for the first time yesterday, the world seemed gray. It was like my whole life, everything I've done and worked for, lost its meaning.

It just seems someaningless. I still don't really see any reason to keep doing things at all. I live in a dying world."

One can say, my depression was twofold: I was depressed because I really wanted to live in Pandora, which seemed like such a perfect place; but I was also depressed and disgusted, with the sight of our world, what we have done to Earth. I so much wanted, to escape reality."
_________

After discussing on the forums for a while now, my depression is beginning to fade away. Having taken a part in many discussions concerning all this, has really, really helped me.

Before, I had lost the reason to keep on living -- but now it feels like these feelings are gradually being replaced with others

Creating relationships with others, is one of the keys to human happiness; and that even if those connections are occurring online, they are better than nothing.

Lakewood is ready for Moshiach!

2010-01-31T20:30:00.001-08:00

11-20-09
http://redirectingat.com/?id=593X1004&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmatzav.com%2Frav-matisyahu-salomons-dream

On Sunday, at what was the largest Hachnosas Sefer Torah event,in the history of the Ihr HaTorah of Lakewood.

Some 6-7,000 men, women and children took part, together with the roshei yeshiva and mashgiach of Beth Medrash Govoha; as well as Rabbonim and Poskim, from throughout the town.

For the pesichah of the Kleinman Family Campus of BMG, and a Hachnosas Sefer Torah, dedicated by the Kleinman family.

Following the Hachnosas Sefer Torah, guests gathered for a Seudas Mitzvah in a tent behind the new Forest Avenue-Eleventh Street bais medrash.

At the Seudah, the crowd was addressed by several speakers, including the Mashgiach of Beth Medrash Govoha, Rav Matisyahu Salomon; whose remarks have been quoted, and have been making the rounds in frum circles.
_________
In his speech, Rav Matisyahu spoke about a dream that he had this past summer.

The Mashgiach’s rebbetzin was very ill at the time, and he dreamt that the Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l, appeared to him; looking exactly the way he remembered him from when he saw the Rosh yeshiva as a Bochur in Gateshead Yeshiva.

The Rosh Yeshiva told him, that if he’s Mekabel (agrees) to remain in Lakewood, then his Rebbetzin (wife) will have a Refuah Sheleimah (a complete recovery): and both he and his Rebbetzin will merit, to greet Moshiach!
__________

He was Mekabel that, and the Rebbetzin has been Zocheh (mereited) to a miraculous recovery.The Mashgiach commented, the he is quite old and that we’re living in Moshiach’s times, and it’s incumbent upon every person to realize that.

{Dovid Bernstein-Matzav.com Newscenter/Yated Ne’eman contributed to this report.}

Accusing Others (moral)

2010-01-31T20:29:00.000-08:00

The summons hanging on the milkman’s door, bewildered him. He was an honest man, who always behaved appropriately.
_________
The baker used to buy butter and cheese from the milkman, for his baking, but he felt that he was being cheated. One day, he decided to check out the matter, and weighed every lump of butter, that he bought from the milkman.

The baker was angry “he is cheating me,” he told his wife angrily, “I am not going to be quiet about it”. He went to the local court and complained about the milkman.

“We have to prosecute him” said the baker. “We can’t let him cheat all the villagers, people trust him!”
That same day, the court messenger hung a notice on the milkman’s house, that he had to come to court.
________
The Judge asked: “I assume you have a very accurate scale in your dairy.”

The milkman said: “No your honor, I do not have a scale.”
“So how do you weigh the butter?”

‘I built myself a scale – the kind that needs a weight on one side, to balance the butter on the other.

Every morning when I come to weigh the butter for the baker, I place a kilo loaf of bread, on one side of the scale.’

The Judge said: You are telling us, that the amount of butter that you give the baker, is exactly the weight of the loaf of bread that he supplies to you?”

“Yes” said the milkman

The baker’s face suddenly fell…
_________
Before we judge others, we must first check that our own house is in order. Maybe we have the same failings, that we accuse others of.
Chazal say: “Straighten oneself first, then straighten others.”

The Mezuzah- joke

2010-01-31T20:28:00.002-08:00

Opening his front door, the Rabbi found himself face to face with the local priest.

"Rabbi, may I have a few words with you?" asked the priest. "Of course," replied the Rabbi, somewhat nervously. "Rabbi," began the priest, "It must be evident to you, that in this town we are plagued by thieves.

Scarcely a day passes, without one of my members coming to me, bemoaning the fact, that his house has been broken into.

On the other hand, I have noticed, that thieves do not bother you Jews, nearly as much." The Rabbi answered: “You are correct." Inquired the priest: "Yes, but why is that?"
___________
The Rabbi then said: "Look at this little box, on the side of my door post, it's called a Mezuzah.

We Jews believe, that when we put a Mezuzah on the entrances to our houses, the Holy One, may His Name be blessed, protects both us, and our property." "In that case", replied the priest, "I must have one!" Not wishing to be the cause of a pogrom, the Rabbi reluctantly handed over a mezuzah to the priest.
_________
Two weeks later the Rabbi was awakened, by the sound of someone pounding violently on his door. Dressing himself hastily, he made his way down the stairs. "Who's there?" the Rabbi asked. "Open the door, open the door!" screamed a voice on the other side.

Leaving the door on the chain, the Rabbi racked the door open wide enough, to see the priest standing in front of him, in great distraught. "What happened?" asked the terrified Rabbi. "Were you not protected from robbers?"
____________
"I was! But these people were worse than robbers!" screamed the priest.

"Who?" asked the Rabbi.

"The Fundraisers!!"

Funny: The Economy is so Bad that

2010-01-31T20:28:00.001-08:00

The Economy is so Bad that

I got a pre-declined, credit card in the mail.I ordered a burger at McDonald's, and the kid behind the counter asked, "Can you afford fries with that?"CEO's, are now playing miniature golf.If the bank returns your check marked "Insufficient Funds," you callthem and ask, if they meant you or them.Hot Wheels and Matchbox stocks, are trading higher than GM.McDonald's is selling the, 1/4 ouncer.Parents in Beverly Hills, fired their nannies, and learned theirchildren's names.A truckload of Americans, were caught sneaking into Mexico.Motel Six, won't leave the light on anymore.The Mafia, is laying off judges.ExxonMobil, laid off 25 Congressmen.Congress says, they are looking into this Bernard Madoff scandal.
Great, the guy who made $50 Billion disappear, is being investigatedby the people, who made $1.5 Trillion disappear!And, finally...I was so depressed last night, thinking about the economy, wars, jobs,my savings, Social Security, retirement funds, etc., I called theSuicide Lifeline.
I got a call center in Pakistan; and when I told them I was suicidal, they

got all excited, and asked if I could drive a truck!

True friends

2010-01-31T20:26:00.000-08:00

History has shown, that those, who throughout the years, have chosen the path of social detachment, have oftentimes fallen into the traps of futility, hopelessness, and despair.

Because, when one chooses to be alone in the world, he thereby rejects the mission, that G-d has given each and every human being: to make the world, and all of its inhabitants, a better and more divine place, specifically through social interaction.

This idea led the Talmudic Sages to exclaim: “Either friendship and peer study, or death!” In contrast, the second path encourages a person to battle solitude, by actively interacting with society.

The followers of this path hold, that a man must ‘go out of the bubble,’ and fully interact with his surroundings. Yet, despite the superiority of this approach, there lies within it two prominent dangers:

1. First, society can influence a person’s conduct negatively. Maimonides, the 12th Century scholar writes: “It is natural to be influenced, in sentiments and conduct, by one’s neighbors and associates.”

2. Second, if one is not morally and emotionally equipped, it is very easy to fall for the illusion of love, offered by the opportunists. Tiger Woods’s plunge, epitomizes the vulnerability of human beings, when faced with seducing exploiters, who wear fake masks of love and care.

Unfortunately, by the time Mr. Woods, and so many others discovered the real faces, behind the masks of their exploiters, it was all too late.
____________
The Winning Path
So what is the secret formula to human interaction? How can we mingle with society, without being influenced or exploited by it? Perhaps, the answer is found, in the fascinating biblical story of Joseph

When Potiphar’s beautiful wife allured Joseph, he strongly hesitated. But, at the last minute, he overcame the immense temptation, as a result of an omnipotent revelation, that suddenly captured his sight: “The face of his father, Jacob, appeared before him,” as Rashi’s commentary states

It was the vision of his saintly father, that pulled Joseph back to his roots and values. This sheds light, on the exemplary education that Joseph received. The image of one’s father, does not appear to him by coincidence. It can only appear, and have such miraculous effects, if it has been established in a person’s mind, over a long period of time, as a loving authority, that shiningly personifies G-d’s finest values and ethics.

Joseph’s triumph was a powerful testament, to his father’s extraordinary education; and a strong reminder, to all parents and educators, that education is not about the words you preach, or the love that you cultivate. Rather, it is about the ethical values, that you embody; and the authority of divine morals, that you establish, deep within the conscience of your children and disciples.
__________
A Brilliant Advice to a Young Man
A few years ago, a talented young man sought the advice of my dear mentor, world-renowned scholar, Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, on how he should grow and succeed.

“My wife says you’re skilled,” Rabbi Steinsaltz complimented the young man, a rising Rabbinic leader. “But be cautious, of the illusions that you may encounter. People will invite you to speak, and provide enjoyment and pleasure.

They will even smile at you, and pay you a decent compensation; but, at the end of the day, many of them really care for their own pleasure, more than they care for you.

Therefore, always surround yourself with a base of people, that really love you, and care about you. And it is that base, that you must cultivate and trust!”

Yeshiva System of learning

2010-01-31T20:23:00.000-08:00

The benefits of learning in a Yeshiva, are vast and far‑reaching. I will attempt to list a few, but by no means should one think that these are the only advantages to be gained.

I. 1. First of all, apart from the material itself that is being learned, which has innumerable benefits, the system of study alone is an amazing endeavor.
The method of learning most often used in a non‑yeshiva environment, is that a teacher lectures to students. This is passive learning, where the student is judged by the facts he remembers. This results in a lack of interest to the point of falling asleep, at worst, to remembering enough to pass a test and then forgetting what was learned, at best.
In the yeshiva it is quite different. The method of learning is called the "Chavrusah" system. Here you have two students sitting directly across from one another, discussing the topic to be learned. This is active learning.
Active learning not only is much more interesting, but it also develops the ability to think logically. How? Through constantly being forced to prove your opinion to your partner. As everyone knows the best way to learn is to teach, because to be able to explain something to someone else, you yourself have to understand it. Even if you don't, through the process of explaining, you come to understand it.
2. Also, by your partner continually questioning what you say, you learn to refine your thinking to look only at the essential main points, and realize the difference between main and side points. This is like two knives, with each sharpening the other. Your partner motivates you to come up with things you never would have been able to on your own. In this way a person learns to become a thinker, and think on his feet. Not just be able to spit out facts, but to be able to assimilate and apply facts into beneficial results. Being able to apply the same facts to different situations.
3. It is a known fact that in order to remember something for a long period of time, the more of ones senses a person uses, the more he will remember. So too here, by using speech, by a person hearing what his partner says, by using hands to emphasize points, by getting excited about making your point understood, by simply being interested in what your doing, you as a result are able to remember a tremendous amount. Of course repetition is necessary, but now even this becomes an interesting endeavor, since your not doing it alone, but with a friend.
4. In addition to this, the material itself, (the Gemmora), is extremely logical. Each page using a different type of logic, which constantly challenges and stretches a persons mind, not allowing him to rest even for a second.
The Talmud is constantly aggressive. It constantly asks questions, tearing apart a subject, leaving no stone unturned in its quest for truth. This is opposed to other studies where you only memorizes facts, and do not learn how to think.
The Talmud stretches a persons mind to be able to see all sides of a question, and then to make a final decision based on all the points involved. This type of mental activity prepares a person to such a high degree, that anything else he may have to do later in life to make a living, will be child's play in comparison.

II. In addition, a person does not go home to learn alone in his room, but all Chavrusahs sit together in one large room called a Beit‑midrash. Here 25 or more students sit and discuss the subject in a normal tone of voice. Included are emotional outbursts at times, where an over zealous "Bacher" is trying to explain a seemingly obvious point to his "obstinate" partner. As a result of all this, the Beit‑Midrash is literally a live with activity. In this way, each group adds life and excitement, and a sense of unity, to the other.
An additional benefit is that if a person has a question he can go to any of the groups and get an immediate answer, so that he can go further in his studies.
Of course this is all watched over by a Rabbi, who is also there for guidance and questions.

III. Not only is the material very logical, but also it all relates to a persons being. How? By being spiritual, because it comes from G‑d. So it is not just the learning of sterile facts with no meaning, purpose, or direction; but it is all directed towards G‑dliness. Which includes: ethics, morals, personal growth, and true justice.

IV. To be a true Talmud Chocham, it is not enough to be an intellect, this does not automatically connect one with G‑d. As a matter of fact it can have just the opposite effect. By making a person a bigger ego, he therefore becomes self‑centered, not able to relate to something outside of himself, like G‑d for instance.
The epitome of a Talmud Chocham, is different than what the world views as the epitome, this being a great intellect in any area of endeavor. In Hebrew the word for intellect is Chochmah. We know that Hebrew being a holy language, every word has deep meaning, so too here. Chochmah is made up of two words, “Koach mah”. Which means the "power of what is". Which means that in his "minds eye", everything he sees in the physical world, he has the ability to see the G‑dliness in it.
In order for a person to become one with G‑d he has to refine his character to a very high degree, removing the coarseness of the body so that the soul can shine through. In this way he becomes sensitive to spirituality to a higher degree.
Therefore, just as important as the intellectual growth, is the emotional growth. A human, in order to be complete, must develop in all ways. If he only develops in intellectual ways there is a tendency to be a egomaniac and very self‑centered, not caring or relating to other people. It is also possible to be very smart intellectually, but be a child emotionally, which makes a person frustrated and unhappy. The goal is the putting of intellect into emotion.
The emotional growth is achieved by one having to worry about the progress of his partner. It is said that if one can get along with his Chavrusah he will make a good marriage partner. He has to develop patience, by having to explain his point many times, especially if his partner is not as smart as he is. He has to learn to break himself, and force himself to relate to his Chavrusah level. He has to be able to see things from his partners’ perspective, so that when he explains something to the other person he will be able to grasp it on his own level. In this way each person has to come out of himself and empathize with the other.
Ultimately a person should realize that he shouldn't just want to have the smartest Chavrusah so that he can learn much more, and as a result grow intellectually. Rather he also will want to learn with a slower student, because he realizes that it is for his own good, that he himself will grow emotionally. In addition to this, by slowing down he will see things and understand things in the material, down to its basics. To learn to teach takes a lot of patience. One has to develop the ability to relate to the other person on his own level. This is why not everyone who knows a lot can teach.
Eventually a person should develop to the point that the reason he wants to learn with another is not only for his own personal growth, but simply he wants to help others to fulfill their own potentials, since all Jews are brothers, and part of one body.

V. The main goal is to become one with Torah, which ultimately means one with G‑d. The ultimate of knowledge is, to know you don't know. Which means you've learned so much, for so long, so deeply, that you "see" the infinity of Torah. You know for a fact that there is a G‑d, and in comparison to him you know nothing. This knowledge connects a person with G‑d on a very high level. To where he can continually be connected with Hashem even when he eats, drinks, sleeps, works, etc.. Leading to total contentment, and happiness beyond words.
Does one have to be an intellectual to achieve this awareness? No. Every person, since they have a G‑dly soul, can make this connection. Try it!

Nature is changing

2010-01-31T20:22:00.000-08:00

Story: IN THE ROOM OF THE REBBE IN WARSAW 65 YEARS AGO

2009-12-24T16:00:00.000-08:00

IN THE ROOM OF THE REBBE IN WARSAW 65 YEARS AGO

It has become my custom, to distribute this story annually, in time for the fifth night of Chanukah.

IN THE ROOM OF THE REBBE IN WARSAW 65 YEARS AGO
(As told by Reb Moshe Chaim Greenwald – NY –

The story was released shortly following Gimmel Tammuz.)
__________

My father, Reb Avrohom Tzvi Greenwald Z"L (of blessed memory), was bornin Lodz, Poland. At the young age of 8 years, he was orphaned from hisfather. His mother was left with 7 little orphans, and was very worriedabout raising her oldest son.

She sent him to her cousin, Reb MenachemZiemba ZT"L (May Hashem avenge his holy blood).

Reb Menachem Ziemba raised my father with great devotion; and understandably worried about my father's learning, and even personally learned with him.

My father was almost 17 years old, when the "great wedding" took placein Warsaw in 1927. This was the wedding of the daughter of theprevious Rebbe to the Rebbe. My father always used to talk about thewedding in itself, and about all the great leaders of that generationwho had attended.

My father also used to tell us, how he merited meeting the young groom, the Rebbe personally.

How did my father get to meet with the groom?My father, who was then a young boy of almost 17 years, went to thewedding with his relative and teacher Reb Menachem Ziemba.

The dayafter the wedding, Rabbi Ziemba told my father, that he would like to go visit the groom at the hotel, where he was staying. He also invitedmy father to escort him, if he was interested. Of course, my father agreed, and together they went to meet the groom.

My father could not remember the entire conversation which took placebetween the Rebbe and Rabbi Ziemba, but he remembered well the words,the parting words of the Rebbe.

The Rebbe faced them and said, "There are several days left to Chanukah - do you know why on the night thatwe light the 5th candle there is joy and happiness in the "Shtiblach" (small Chassidic synagogues)?"

My father didn't know what to answer, and remembers how Rabbi Ziemba looked at the Rebbe intently waiting for his answer. The Rebbe then faced my father and said, "The fifth night symbolizes the greatest darkness, because this day can never fall on a Shabbos.

Therefore, the fifth candle can even illuminate the greatest darkness. Therefore, the power contained in the light of Chanukah expresses itself mostly on the fifth night of Chanukah, which symbolizes darkness. And this is the job of every Jew in every place; whether in Warsaw or London to illuminate the darkest spot."

As I already mentioned, my father could not recall what details werediscussed between Rabbi Ziemba and the Rebbe, but he will never forgethow the whole Talmud was traversed by these two great men.

When theyleft the hotel, - my father recalled - Rabbi Ziemba was in awe of thegroom, the REBBE, and for many days thereafter, did not stop talking about his conversation with the Rebbe.
____________
Almost 20 years later, my father lived through the atrocities of the war, first in the ghettos and then in the concentration camp. His wife and five children were slaughtered in front of his eyes. When the war was finally over, he was left alive thank G-d, but was broken in body and spirit.

For the next two years, he went from camp to camp, in search of anyfamily members who might have remained alive. This was in vain, as allhis family members were killed, by the accursed Nazis.

In the year 1948, my father traveled to the United States to visit hisuncle, an Amshinover Chassid, (Reb Moshe Chaim Greenwald), who hadmoved there before the war. His uncle tried to put my father back onhis feet, since he was broken physically and spiritually from all that he had encountered in Europe.

Under pressure from his uncle, my father remarried my mother OB"M,also a war survivor. My mother was born in Kharkov to a prominent Alexander Chassid, Reb Zusia Shimkevitz. She and her sister were saved right at the outset of the war, when they escaped to Canada. There they were raised by an uncle, Reb Kopel Schwartz from Toronto.

Before their wedding, Reb Kopel took my father to a Yechidus with theprevious Rebbe for a blessing. My father told me, how much the previousRebbe had changed, since his daughter's wedding to the Rebbe in Warsaw. (It was very difficult to understand the speech of the previous Rebbe,and the previous Rebbe was saying.)

Reb Kopel told the previous Rebbe, that my father was a sole survivorof the the war. A stream of tears poured from the holy eyes of theprevious Rebbe, as he blessed my father with a good life and long years. Before my father left the room, he mentioned to the previous Rebbe, that he was at the great wedding in Warsaw.

The previous Rebbe'seyes lit up and he said, "My son-in-law is in the other room, so go inand give him Shalom."Reb Kopel and my father walked down together to the room of the Rebbe.They knocked on his door, and when they entered, they told the Rebbe, that the previous Rebbe has sent them to him.

My father was really surprised that the Rebbe recognized him. The Rebbe then asked my father, for a description of the last days of the life of Reb Menachem Ziemba, who was killed in the Warsaw Ghetto uprising.

After my father told the Rebbe all he knew about the days of Rabbi Ziemba, the Rebbe said, "Since my father-in-law sent you to me, I feel obligated to tell you a Dvar Torah. As we are now in the month of Kislev I will tell you something pertaining to Chanukah." The Rebbe then continued, "Do you know, why on the night that we light the fifth Chanukah candle, there is such great joy amongst Chassidim?

"The Rebbe then answered the question himself saying, "The joy of the 5th night is so immense, because that night cannot fall out on Shabbos.Therefore the strength of the light of the candles gives forth the, most light on this night. This is then the role of any Jew, whether he finds himself in New York or London, it is his responsibility to illuminate the darkest spot.

"There is no need to say, how shocked my father was to hear these same words, that he had heard from the Rebbe 20 years earlier. These werethe exact words that the Rebbe, then the groom, had said 20 years agoin the hotel in Warsaw.
_______________
After his wedding, my father began teaching in Adas Yisroel inWashington Heights, NY. There, my sister and I were born. When I was 5years old, we moved to Toronto to live near my grandfather, Reb KopelSchwartz. My father continued his teaching career in Toronto.

During our years in Toronto, my father became a Satmar Chassid, butsent us to learn in the well-known Yeshiva of Nitra. Even though my father's way of life, was similar to the system ofSatmar, he never spoke a negative word about Lubavitch. On the contrary, he always wanted his children to know about Lubavitch.
__________
In the year 1969, I got married. My father said, that even though we didn't stem from Lubavitcher Chassidim, he would like me to go to the Lubavitcher Rebbe for a blessing, just as he had done before hiswedding. It was 20 years since my father had last seen the Rebbe, andfelt a great desire to see again.

I agreed full-heartedly, but was told, that it was not that simple togain entry to the Rebbe. After explaining that we could not wait formonths for an audience with the Rebbe, (since I wanted to get ablessing from the Rebbe before my wedding), we were granted permissionto see the Rebbe, but just for a blessing, and of course we were notto hold the Rebbe up with any other matters.

We left Toronto to meet with the Rebbe on our designated day.

I don't recall the exact time we finally entered the room of theRebbe, but I do remember, that it was during the very early morninghours. This was the first time I saw the holy face of the Rebbe. My father gave the Rebbe a note, with my name and my bride's name, and asked the Rebbe to give us his blessing.

The Rebbe took the note, and even PRIOR to opening it said, "20 years;it's high time, especially since my father-in-law had sent you tome…"My father stood shocked, not able to answer the Rebbe.

At this point, The Rebbe then unfolded the note, and gave his blessing. He thenturned to my father and said, "Just like you rejoiced at my wedding, may Hashem give you the strength, to be at your grandchild's wedding.

"My father's eyes streamed with tears of emotion, since he had suffered much torture in the past, and was now blessed with such fortune. Before we turned to go, my father asked the Rebbe if he could ask aquick question.

To this the Rebbe answered, "Since the previous Rebbe,my father-in-law, sent you to me, I will answer any question you mayhave. "Again they heard a further knock on the door; however the Rebbe motioned us, to ignore the persistent knocking. My father faced the Rebbe and said, "For various reasons I have lived amongst the Satmar Chassidim.

From some of them, I have heard severalcomplaints against Lubavitch. Of course, I never believed what I have heard. Nevertheless, I have one question regarding the work of Lubavitch.

There is a well-known verse of 'The Enemies of Hashem, I should dislike.' How is it, that Lubavitch goes into the midst of these people, who are against Hashem?"

The Rebbe faced my father and said, "What would a zealous neighbor ofyours do, if G-d forbid his daughter strayed from the proper path oflife? Would he help her, or would he say 'The enemies of Hashem Ishould dislike,' and 'It is forbidden to associate with wicked people', and therefore distance himself from her, and not want to show her friendship?"

The Rebbe did not wait for an answer, and immediately continued: "This zealot would certainly answer that this case is different, since we are dealing with HIS daughter, since there is a verse that states, 'you should not turn a blind eye to your flesh'".

At this juncture the Rebbe's face took on a serious look, and he closed his eyes, and banged on the table and said: "As far as the Almighty is concerned, EVERY Jew is as dear to HIM, as his only son. As far as theRebbe my father-in-law is concerned, the concept of "not turning a blind eye to one's flesh,' applies to EVERY YID.

"My father apologized profusely, for asking such a question, but he justwanted to understand the system, that the Rebbe had implemented, in order that he would be better able to explain it to others.
___________
Following this, the Rebbe looked at me and my father OB"M, with apenetrating look and said: "And we will conclude with a blessing. Asis well-known, it has been the custom of Chassidim to celebrate the5th night of Chanukah. What is the reason?

The 5th night of Chanukah cannot fall out on a Shabbos (Sabbath), therefore it symbolizes the greatest darkness the power of the light of Chanukah illuminates the greatest darkness. This is the job of every Jew whether he is in Toronto or London.

Every Jew has a part from Above in him and it ishis duty to awaken a Jew who is in the darkest situation."My father was so shocked to hear these words, that he didn't hear therest of the Blessing of the Rebbe. He didn't even remember leaving theRebbe's room.

The whole way back to Toronto my father whispered these same words over and over, "Very strange, very strange indeed."
___________
Another twenty years passed. In the year 1978, my younger brother was getting married in London. My entire family, including my parents, sister, brother-in-law and myself all traveled to London for his wedding.

On the way to London, I noticed that my father was perturbed by something. I asked my father what was bothering him, but he wouldn't tell me. Finally after pestering him several times, he told me the following: Several minutes before my father left the house in Toronto, his neighbor came into him crying uncontrollably.

He told my father not to tell anyone a secret that he was going to entrust to my father. He then commenced telling him his secret. He told my father how his daughter left the path of Yiddishkeit (Jewish way of life).

They did not realize how bad it was, until two weeks ago when they received the tragic news, that she ran off to London with a "Goy" (gentile).

All his relatives in London had tried to help, and bring her back to her religion, but all efforts were in vain. He then asked my father, who was going to London, to see if he could possibly help, and do something to bring her back.

My father who was a close friend of this neighbor, was terribly shaken by this story. I was also distraught, and began thinking about what we could possibly do, about this situation in London.
____________
The wedding passed propitiously and with great success, and on thefirst night of Sheva Brochos, (seven days of rejoicing with the bride and groom), my father turned to the bride's father, and told him the story of his neighbor's daughter. He asked if perhaps, he could help my father contact somebody, who could help them.

When the bride's father heard the story he said, "I know someone amongst the London Lubavitcher Chassidim, to whom the Rebbe hadpersonally sent on several missions. His name is Rabbi Avrohom Yitzchok Glick, and if there is anyone who can help, it's Rabbi Glick.

He has already helped many people throughout Europe, who have strayedfrom Judaism."The bride's father called Rabbi Glick that same night, and told him thetragic story. Rabbi Glick called Toronto, to get some more information in order to give him a hint as to where to start looking. Rabbi Glick then gave his word, that he would do all he could, to help.
___________
I don't know where Rabbi Glick looked, or where he went, or who heasked, but one night, (my parents stayed in London for 12 days, untilafter Chanukah), Rabbi Glick called the bride's father, to come to hishouse urgently, because he had a real surprise.

The bride's father called my father, and they quickly went to see RabbiGlick. As they walked into his apartment, they saw a girl sitting in the living room crying bitterly. At the door of the living room there, was a lit Menorah.

As soon as my father saw the Menorah lit with 5 candles, he felt faint.He remembered the words, that the Lubavitcher Rebbe had told him 50years ago, 30 years ago, and again 20 years ago: "The fifth night ofChanukah symbolizes the power of the Menorah.

It is the job of every Jew to illuminate the darkest spot, whether in Warsaw or LONDON, inNew York or LONDON, in Toronto or LONDON.

What would that zealous neighbor do, if his daughter strayed from her religion? For the Al-mighty, every Jew is like an only child. For the Rebbe every Jew ispart of his own flesh, that he cannot turn a blind eye to." ____________
There is no need to say, that this young girl returned from her wrong-doings. There is also no need to say, that from that day on this "zealous neighbor," stopped speaking against Lubavitch.
_________
When my father returned to Canada, he felt a strong desire to see theRebbe again. But by this time, it was very difficult to get a private audience with the Rebbe.

In 1980, the following October, my father succeeded in having a private audience with the Rebbe, along with all the guests who came for the Holidays.

My father told me, how when he finally got into the Rebbe, he could not speak, and burst out crying, as a result of great emotion. The Rebbe heard only several sentences from my father. The Rebbe then faced my father and said, "My father-in-law, the previous Rebbe (who sent you to me in Warsaw), had a far-reaching look."
______________
Every time my father retold this story, he could not get over the wondrous miracle of the Rebbe. Fifty years ago when he was a bridegroom, the Rebbe saw what would happen 50 years later. But even more so, he could not come to terms with the modesty of the Rebbe, who said with such simplicity, "My father-in-law had a far-reaching look. ___________
The chain of miracles did not end there:

On the 15th day of Kislev, 1989, the moment the last Sheva Brochos of my daughter ended, (the Rebbe had blessed my father, with a long life, and to live to see the wedding of his grandchild), which was exactly 60 years, since the great wedding of the Rebbe in Warsaw; that same day, my father returned his soul to it's Maker.

A letter from Moses Seixas to President George Washington

2009-12-24T15:57:00.000-08:00

A letter from Moses Seixas to President George Washington

During a visit to Newport, R.I., in 1790, a year before the Bill of Rights was ratified; the then President George Washington, received a letter from Moses Seixas, warden of the Touro Synagogue.

Below is the transcript of the letter and its reply.
_____________
To the President of the United States of America.
Sir:

Permit the children of the stock of Abraham, to approach you with the most cordial affection, and esteem, for your person and merits — and to join with our fellow citizens, in welcoming you to NewPort.

With pleasure we reflect on those days — those days of difficulty, and danger, when the G-d of Israel, who delivered David from the peril of the sword, — shielded Your head in the day of battle: — and we rejoice to think, that the same Spirit, who rested in the Bosom, of the greatly beloved Daniel, enabling him to preside over the Provinces of the Babylonish Empire; rests and ever will rest, upon you, enabling you to discharge the arduous duties of Chief Magistrate in these States.

Deprived as we heretofore have been, of the invaluable rights of free Citizens, we now, with a deep sense of gratitude to the Almighty, disposer of all events, behold a Government, erected by the Majesty of the People — a Government, which to bigotry gives no sanction, to persecution no assistance — but generously affording to all Liberty of conscience, and immunities of Citizenship: — deeming every one, of whatever Nation, tongue, or language, equal parts of the great governmental Machine: —

This so ample and extensive Federal Union, whose basis is Philanthropy, Mutual confidence and Public Virtue; we cannot but acknowledge, to be the work of the Great G-d, who ruleth in the Armies of Heaven, and among the Inhabitants of the Earth, doing whatever seemeth him good.

For all these Blessings, of civil and religious liberty, which we enjoy under an equal benign administration, we desire to send up our thanks to the Ancient of Days, the great preserver of Men — beseeching him, that the Angel who conducted our forefathers through the wilderness, into the promised Land, may graciously conduct you, through all the difficulties and dangers of this mortal life:

— And, when like Joshua, full of days and full of honour, you are gathered to your Fathers, may you be admitted into the Heavenly Paradise, to partake of the water of life, and the tree of immortality.
Done and Signed, by order of the Hebrew Congregation, in NewPort, Rhode Island, August 17th 1790.
Moses Seixas, Warden
________________
The letter from George Washington in response to Moses Seixas
To the Hebrew Congregation in Newport Rhode Island.

Gentlemen,
While I receive, with much satisfaction, your Address, replete with expressions of affection and esteem; I rejoice in the opportunity of assuring you, that I shall always retain a grateful remembrance of the cordial welcome I experienced, in my visit to Newport, from all classes of Citizens.

The reflection on the days of difficulty and danger, which are past, is rendered the more sweet, from a consciousness, that they are succeeded by days of uncommon prosperity and security. If we have wisdom to make the best use of the advantages with which we are now favored, we cannot fail, under the just administration of a good

Government, to become a great and happy people.
The Citizens of the United States of America, have a right to applaud themselves, for having given to mankind, examples of an enlarged and liberal policy: a policy worthy of imitation.

All possess alike, liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship. It is now no more, that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent national gifts.

For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance; requires only, that they who live under its protection, should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions, their effectual support.

It would be inconsistent, with the frankness of my character, not to avow, that I am pleased with your favorable opinion of my Administration, and fervent wishes for my felicity.

May the children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety, under his own vine and figtree, and there shall be none to make him afraid.

May the father of all mercies, scatter light and not darkness in our paths; and make us all, in our several vocations, useful here; and in his own due time and way, everlastingly happy.
G. Washington
_____________

This work published before January 1, 1923, therefore it is in the public domain worldwide, because the author died at least 100 years ago.

From Mexican priest to Rabbi- The Soul Connection

2009-12-24T15:55:00.000-08:00

12-06-09

Rabbi Yehudah Peretz, Shlita explains: It's not that I'm a Tzaddik (righteous person), that I merited to convert to Judaism; it's more, that in my previous life, I ruined so much.

After my conversion to Judaism, it led me to the autistic Ben Golding. After meeting with Ben, I asked Rav Kanievsky Shlita, if he approves of the facilitated communication with the autistic, and if I'm permitted to distribute my story. The Rav answered, "Yes, distribute it, and know that it's a Mitzvah".
__________

When my wife, Roni (an Israel-born Jew), and I, went to Ben for the first time, he told us extraordinary things. Roni asked Ben, why she needed to marry a convert, and not a regular Jew. Ben answered her, that it was her, that requested and pleaded for it.

Not understanding Ben's answer, Roni asked Ben to explain. Ben told us, that we were a married couple in our previous lives, right before the Holocaust.
__________

When Roni met her future husband, Rav Yehudah, for the first time, she was not religious, and was not looking to marry a convert. On their first date, she felt she knew this person from some place, but she did not know from where.

She was certain, that she never met him before, since he grew up in Mexico; and their worlds were as different, as day and night. She was an Israeli born Jewess, and he was a non-Jewish Mexican priest.

“As time when by, and Roni got to know me better, we both felt very emotionally involved, deep in our souls.”

Both my wife and I, feel very connected, to what Ben revealed to us. I never had inner peace as a non-Jew, and my wife Roni, never felt connected to her family.

She has more of Ashkenazi mentality, though she was born into a Moroccan family. When I met her, she was a student in Bar Ilan University, and not religious.

Today we B”H both did Teshuva, and we have 6 children, and live in Kiryat Sefer.
___________

Ben revealed to the couple, that they were a married couple in their previous lives, and lived in Europe. They both came from Orthodox families, and when they married, they completely abandoned Judaism.

Together they joined the university, and with their many friends, went to the opera, and continuously searched for materialistic contentment. Both caused much pain to their parents, such an extent, that both parents sat Shiva (mourning) for them.

Ben said, that it was Roni whom influenced her husband and others, to seek worldly pleasures.When World War II began, both were murdered in the holocaust.

Before dying, Roni had many misgivings, for all the sins she committed. And at the last minute before her death, she did Teshuva. But Rav Yehudah, did not have the time to do Teshuva, before dying.
___________

Ben also told them, what happened in the Heavenly court:
Because of their sins, the Heavenly court decided, that Rav Yehudah's punishment was, to reincarnate as a non-Jew; and would need to make a great effort, to return to Judaism.

For Roni it was ruled, that she would return to earth, to correct her past sins’ but because she did Teshuva at the last second, Roni was permitted to return as a Jewess.

When Roni heard her husband's strict punishment, she begged and cried to the Heavenly court, that they grant her permission, to meet with her reincarnated husband, in order to help him convert into a Jew.

When Ben revealed all this, Roni began crying excitedly, because she felt, he was saying the truth.

2009-12-24T15:53:00.000-08:00

Now

Anonymous

It’s here, we have entered 5770.
Put away the newspapers and the radio; the television and the online updates. Get real, drop all the trappings of exile, and start walking, start running– to Geulah!

Big things are going to happen, big changes. It is all for the good, it is all from G-d Almighty’s love, for his “only child” Israel.
Moshiach is here, it’s only a matter of time…
___________
These are “pregnant times”, we are preparing for lift-off.
Every moment counts. Pack your bags, with Torah and Mitzvot, and help others to do the same. Fill your moments, with sincere Tefillah, words of Tehillim, study Chassidus. Fill the air with holiness. These are the weapons of the future: Torah and Mitzvot and Tefillot. Fill the arsenal now, do them today!

We are rapidly approaching, the elevation of the worlds,the elevation of Malchut. Eyes will be opened, and our perception will be beyond words. Then we will understand, all the prophecies.

Don’t squander these last days. Recite words of Torah, while you sit at your desk. Tell the person next to you, about Mashiach,–his soul already knows all about it.
Tell him, that it is 5770!
___________
The darkness will cease, the exile will cease; and the children of Israel, will return home. Goodbye, to this dusty rock; this dusty lower world, of shells/klipah. Arise shake of the dust!
___________
This is the end, of the Jewish presence, in this dark, hard, cold world.
We will ascend (each and every member of the Jewish nation) to the state of GEULAH. To the true, supernal Land, of Israel.
Smile, and finish your mission!
_____________

Mumps

2009-11-09T19:58:00.000-08:00

Many of the cases in the current outbreak, have occurred in children, who had previously received 2 doses of the vaccine.

This obviously raises questions, about the effectiveness of the mumps vaccine currently in use, against the strain currently circulating.

What is mumps? Mumps is a highly contagious viral illness, spread by droplets.

(i.e. the tiny droplets of saliva, and other respiratory secretions, that are exchanged when people are close to one another).What is the incubation period for mumps?

The incubation period of mumps is a long one, extending from 2-3 weeks.
That means, that a person exposed to mumps, will not present with the illness, until 2-3 weeks later.

The infectious period of mumps begins 2-3 days prior to the onset of symptoms, and extends for at least 5 days after the onset of symptoms.What are the symptoms of mumps?

Most symptoms begin, with mild non-specific symptoms such as headache and fatigue, during which time the infected individual is contagious.

They might then progress to the clinical illness of mumps, which is often mild involving swelling of the salivary glands (the glands that make saliva), located in front of and below the ear.

Other salivary glands, under the jaw may also be involved.

The swelling may be on one or both sides, and is commonly associated with pain during eating; particularly food stuffs, that stimulate the flow of saliva such as citrus. The illness usually lasts up to a week, and gets better spontaneously.

Are there complications from mumps?About 10-15% of all those infected with mumps may, G-d forbid, develop complications such as: severe headache, inflammation of the gonads (testicles or ovaries) and less frequently damage to the hearing apparatus, and inflammation of the pancreas.

Although most of the complications do resolve without consequence, rarely, there is long-lasting damage to the affected organ(s).

Sugar

2009-11-09T19:56:00.000-08:00

Too much sugar (and white flour) in the diet, is the biggest nutritional mistake people make. I include white flour because of its ability to change to glucose (sugar) rapidly.

1 tsp of sugar will depress the natural killer cell activity of the white blood cells by 50% for 2 days. (“Lick the Sugar Habit” by Nancay Appleton).

There are also other immune factors that sugar inhibits so this is VERY IMPORTANT!It is important to read labels on all your food.

You MUST read the fine print to look for added sugar. Many foods and drinks have naturally occurring sugar that is included in the Nutrition Facts box on labels. This sugar is not harmful.If a product has high fructose corn syrup, it is especially bad for your immune system.

This means that having a lot of sugar seems normal to most people. You may not even realize how much sugar you are eating.

I would suggest keeping a diary for one day to see what you are really eating.Many health care professionals feel this is a contributing factor to chronic diseases as well as acute illnesses such as the flu.

It is OK to have a little sugar in the diet but if you are ill, or going somewhere you are likely to be in contact with people that are ill, it is best to eat a healthy diet. A simple healthy diet is one with lots of vegetables, whole fruits, whole grains, a protein with every meal; and only a few boxed, processed foods.
____________
Friction is the most important part of good hand washing. This makes soap and water a much better choice then antibacterial cleansers or towels.

PUSH

2009-11-09T19:53:00.001-08:00

A man was sleeping one night in his cabin, when suddenly his room filled with light. G-d appeared and told the man, that He had work for him to do. G-d showed him a large rock in front of his cabin, and explained, that the man was to push against the rock, with all his might...

So, this the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sun up to sundown; his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might!

Each night, the man returned to his cabin, sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.
__________
Since the man was showing discouragement, the Adversary (Satan) decided to enter the picture, by placing thoughts into the weary mind:
"You have been pushing against that rock for a long time, and it hasn't moved."

He gave the man the impression, that the task was impossible, and that he was a failure. These thoughts discouraged and disheartened, the man. The Yetzer Hora said, "Why kill yourself over this? Just put in your time, giving just the minimum effort, and that will be good enough."
___________

That's what the weary man planned to do; but decided to make it a matter of prayer, and to take his troubled thoughts to the One Above."G-d, I have labored long and hard in Your Service, putting all my strength, to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter.

What is wrong, why am I failing?"G-d responded compassionately, "My friend, when I asked you to serve Me and you accepted, I told you, that your task was, to push against the rock with all of your strength, which you have done.

Never once did I mention to you, that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to Me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed.

But, is that really so? Look at yourself, your arms are strong and muscled, your back brown; your hands are callused from constant pressure, your legs have become massive and hard.

Through opposition, you have grown much; and your abilities now surpass that, which you used to have.

True, you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient, and to push and to exercise your faith and trust, in My wisdom. That you have done. Now I, will move the rock."
__________
At times, when we hear a word from G-d, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what He wants; when actually what He wants is just simple obedience and faith in Him.

Although, no one can go back, and make and change the past; anyone can start from now on, and make a brand new beginning."

The Silent Majority

2009-11-09T19:51:00.000-08:00

The hard, quantifiable fact is, that the peaceful majority, the 'silent majority,' is cowed and extraneous.

Communist Russia was comprised of Russians who just wanted to live in peace, yet the Russian Communists were responsible for the murder of about 20 million people. The peaceful majority were irrelevant. China's huge population was peaceful as well, but Chinese Communists managed to kill a staggering 70 million people.

Peace-loving Germans, Japanese, Chinese, Russians, Rwandans, Serbs, Afghans, Iraqis, Palestinians, Somalis, Nigerians, Algerians, and many others have died,

because the peaceful majority did not speak up until it was too late. As for us who watch it all unfold, we must pay attention to the only group that counts--the fanatics who threaten our way of life.

The average Japanese individual prior to World War II was not a warmongering sadist. Yet, Japan murdered and slaughtered its way across South East Asia in an orgy of killing that included the systematic murder of 12 million Chinese civilians; most killed by sword, shovel, and bayonet.

And who can forget Rwanda, which collapsed into butchery. Could it not be said that the majority of Rwandans were 'peace loving'?

History lessons are often incredibly simple and blunt, yet for all our powers of reason, we often miss the most basic and uncomplicated of points.

“Rather Cut Off My Hand, but Don't Touch My Beard"

2009-11-09T19:50:00.000-08:00

I merited hearing the following story from the grandson of the Kapischnitzer Rebbe zt’l (R’ Avrohom Yehoshua Heschel, 1888-1967), who heard it directly from his grandfather.

[It was recently published in “Heroes of Spirit – 100 Rabbinic Tales of the Holocaust” by Rabbi Dovid Hoffman (Israel Bookshop, 2009), pg. 320].
_____________
The Kapischnitzer Rebbe zt’l was one of the most widely respected and beloved Torah leaders of our times*. With the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, the Rebbe fled with his family to Vienna.

When Jewish life was shattered by the German occupation of Vienna, the Rebbe was seized, and forced to clean the streets, to the amusement of the jeering Germans.

On one occasion, in an attempt to humiliate the Rebbe, the Germans sent one of their offices with a scissors, to cut off his beard. The Rebbe promptly stuck out his hand and told the officer, “Rather cut off my hand, but don’t touch my beard.” The German, startled by the Rebbe’s courage, miraculously left without carrying out his evil orders.

[ The Kapischnitzer Rebbe won the respect and the esteem of all the gedolim of his era. He was a member of Moetzes Gedolei Torah of Agudas Yisroel, and founding member of Chinuch Atzmai.

The Ponovezer Rov, R’ Yosef Kahanaman zt’l, would often say, that from the day the Chofetz Chaim was niftar, he hadn't had a Rebbe, until he met the Kapischnitzer Rebbe.]
_________
Throughout Jewish history, Jews were moser nefesh not to cut their beards. An entire chapter in sefer Hadras Ponim Zokon (Part II, Chapter 14), features documented, amazing incidents regarding Jews of all backgrounds, who risked their lives and livelihoods, rather than cut their beards -- including under Nazi persecution during World War II, and under Communist persecution in Russia.

“Jews considered the beard, as ‘an organ, on which the soul depends’....

The possibility of living without a hand or a foot, was more acceptable, [even to a simple Jew], than the possibility of living without a beard. (Imrei Simchah, Vol. I, p. 310).
____________
For a comprehensive treatment, regarding the cutting and growth of the beard, in Jewish law, please see sefer Hadras Ponim - Zokon

[A third, greatly expanded edition (1,024 pages), is now available at Seforim stores].

The sefer may also be purchased on-line at:
http://store.kehotonline.com/index.php?stocknumber=HL-HADR&deptid=&parentid=&page=1&itemsperpage=10

or (for the deluxe edition) at:

http://store.kehotonline.com/index.php?stocknumber=HL-HADR.D&deptid=&parentid=&page=1&itemsperpage=10

Rabbi Moshe Wienerm.wiener@jccgci.org

Colonel Kemp and anti-Israel rhetoric

2009-11-09T19:48:00.000-08:00

During the one-sided debate, at the United Nations Human Rights Council, regarding the Goldstone Report in Geneva, Switzerland; the anti-Israel rhetoric and condemnations of the Jewish State, were momentarily halted, during a heartfelt and honest assessment of the situation, by Colonel Richard Kemp.

Colonel Kemp, (a well-respected military personality, who is the former commander of the British forces in Afghanistan); immediately captured the attention of the people in attendance, by unequivocally stating at the outset of his remarks that:
“during Operation Cast Lead, the Israeli Defense Forces did more to safeguard the rights of civilians in a combat zone, that any other army in the history of warfare.”

According to Colonel Kemp, “the civilian casualties were a consequence, of Hamas’ way of fighting.”
_____________
To view a video of Colonel Richard Kemp’s speech, to the United Nations Human Rights Council; or to read a transcript of his remarks, click here:

http://www.unwatch.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=bdKKISNqEmG&b=1313923&ct=7536409

Israel look up / Rabbi Adin Even-Yisrael (Steinsaltz)

2009-11-09T19:47:00.000-08:00

10-18-09

"Israel is in a difficult position. We try to move to the right, and the way is blocked. We try to move to the left, and the way is blocked. We try to go forward, but we cannot. We are surrounded and blocked on every side.

There is one direction, however, that is not closed: upward!

That route is still open, and it is the way we should try to move. We should do this, not as a statement or a slogan; but to propel us, toward a different way of life."

A G-dly Beginning/ Rabbi A. Moss

2009-11-09T19:44:00.000-08:00

Question:
Recently my son and I, were talking about the origins of humankind.

He said, that he was offended by the belief, that man had descended from the ape family; and was adamant, that we all came from Adam and Eve.

I, on the other hand believe, Darwin's theory to be a more reasonable explanation of our evolution.

As this discussion can go round in circles, are you able to shed some light, on this age old topic?
___________
Answer:

An elderly Rabbi was once on an airplane to Israel, sitting next to a self-professed atheist. They were amicably chatting, the whole trip.

Every now and then, the Rabbi's grandchild, sitting in another row, would come over to him, bringing him a drink; or asking if he could get anything to make him more comfortable.

After this happened several times, the atheist sighed, "I wish my grandchildren would treat me with such respect. They hardly even say hello to me. What's your secret?"

The Rabbi replied, "Think about it. To my grandchildren, I am two generations closer to Adam and Eve, the people made by the hand of G-d. So they look up to me.

But according to the philosophy which you teach your grandchildren, you are two generations closer to being an ape. So why should they look up to you?"
___________
Beliefs have consequences. Why do you think children today lack respect and are unable to honor their elders? Why is tradition looked down upon, and the values of the past all but forgotten? Is it not a natural consequence of modern education?

If we teach our children, that they are merely advanced animals, then they will act that way. And they will treat their parents and teachers, like the obsolete versions of humanity, that they are.

We have to be aware, of the affects of our beliefs. If we believe that humans came about by accident, then life has no meaning. There can be no meaning to something, that happens by chance.

A random explosion or mutation, cannot give us purpose. My life, your life, and all human history, has no real significance whatsoever. Whether I live a good life, or one full of evil, makes no difference. It is all a big accident anyway.

We only have purpose, if we were created on purpose. Our lives only have meaning, if we were created by a meaningful being. If we teach our children, that they were created on purpose, with a purpose; then they will know, that more is expected from them, than from an animal.

The Adam and Eve story needs to be taught; not just because it is true, but because it is the basis of morality.
__________
Both creationism and Darwinism have ramifications . To accept that G-d created man and woman, has ramifications.

To accept that a single-celled organism spontaneously mutated billions, of times to form the human being, also has ramifications. But only one of these beliefs demands, that we live a moral life. That's the one I want my kids, to know about.

Victor Frankl- World-famous Psychiatrist and The Lubavitcher Rebbe

2009-10-02T09:49:00.000-07:00

This is a story about a Jewish girl, (who became an opera singer, performing in front of Adolf Hitler); The Lubavitcher Rebbe; and Victor Frankl, a world-famous psychiatrist; – and how their three lives converged.
_____________
It was a strange phenomenon. The famed professor Victor Frankl, author of the perennial best-seller Man's Search for Meaning, and founder of Logotherapy, would send a check each year to Chabad of Vienna, before the High Holidays.

Nobody in the Chabad center or in the Jewish community, understand why. Here was a man, who was not affiliated in any fashion with the Jewish community of Vienna. He did not even attend synagogue on Yom Kippur. He was married to a very religious Catholic woman. He is not even buried in the Jewish cemetery in Vienna . Yet, he would not miss a single year, of sending a contribution to Chabad before Yom Kippur.
____________
The enigma was answered only in 1992.

Margareta Chajes walked into the office of my colleague, Rabbi Jacob Biederman, the ambassador of Chabad to Austria. Rabbi Biederman built the magnificent “Lauder Campus” in Vienna; creating a Jewish renaissance in Austria, (the country which gave birth, to the greatest monster in Jewish and human history, Adolf Hitler (yemach shemo)).

Margareta, an 85 year old woman, was dressed very classy, and looked youthful and energetic. She told Rabbi Biederman: “I know you think you are the first Shliach, (emissary, of the Lubavitcher Rebbe) to Vienna; but that is not the case. I have served as the first ambassador of the Lubavitcher Rebbe to the city, many years before you.”

In the 1930’s Margareta was a young Jewish opera singer in Vienna. She even performed at the Saltzburg Opera Festival, in 1939, in the presence of Hitler himself. She escaped to the US, but lost her family in the Holocaust. Years later, she paid a visit to the Lubavitcher Rebbe, who she said, became like a father figure to her.
___________
From the Chassidim to the Opera

She began to relate her story. Margareta’s maiden family name was Hager; she was an heir to the famed Chassidic Hager family; producing the Rebbe’s and leaders; of the Vishnitz Chassidic group.

As a young girl, she left home. The lifestyle and belief system of her parents, did not inspire her. She traveled to the cultural center of the world, Vienna; where Margareta Hager, a granddaughter of the Vishnitzer Chassidic Rebbes, became an opera singer.

Margareta performed during the 1930’s in the Salzburger Festspiele (pronounced: Fest Shpile) -- The Salzburg Festival. A prominent festival of music and drama, held each summer within the Austrian town of Salzburg, the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
__________
On 12 March 1938, German troops marched into Salzburg. The Anschluss (the annexation of Austria by Germany) was now complete. Nazi ideology immediately began to affect the Salzburg Festival. All Jewish artists were banned; the leading Jewish conductors and composers, were “deleted.” Yet Margareta Chajes, was still performing.

For the Festspiele in August 1939, Hitler himself made an appearance at two Mozart operas. He did not know, that one of the young women singing so majestically, was a young Jewess, a scion of a Chassidic family, Margareta Chajes.

Shortly thereafter, the general management made a surprise announcement, that the Festival would terminate on August 31, a week ahead of the scheduled finale, on 8 September. The reason was, supposedly, that the Vienna Philharmonic was required, to perform at the Nuremberg Party Convention.

But the Germans were cruel liars.
The true reason became apparent on September 1, when the German army invaded Poland, and unleashed the Second World War (exactly 70 years ago) which exterminated a third of our people, including much of Margareta’s family.
_____________
On the very night after her performance at the Salzburg Festspiele, close friends smuggled her out of Germany to Italy. From there, she managed to embark on the last boat to the US; before the war broke out, just a few days later.

Margareta settled in Detroit, where she married a fine Jewish young man, with the family name Chajes (a grandson, of one of the most famous 19th century Polish Rabbis and Talmudic commentator, the Maharatz Chayos). And they gave birth to a beautiful daughter.
___________
Fast forward the tape recorder of history. It is now many years after the war. Jews were rebuilding their lives and their careers. The Rabbis were rebuilding their communities. But one Rabbi was thinking of, not just of his own community.

The daughter of Margareta, married a prominent Jewish doctor; who was honored by the dinner of a Chabad institution in the US. And his mother-in-law, Margareta, acquired an audience with the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson.

Related Margareta to Rabbi Biederman: “I walked into the Rebbe’s room. I cannot explain why, but suddenly, for the first time since the Holocaust, I felt that I could cry.

I, like so many other survivors who have lost entire families, never cried before. We knew, that if we would start crying, we might never stop; or that, in order to survive, we can’t express our emotions.

But at that moment, it was a though the dam obstructing my inner waterfall of tears, was removed. I began sobbing like a baby. I shared with the Rebbe my entire story: Innocent childhood; leaving home; becoming a star in Vienna; performing in front of Hitler; escaping to the US; learning of the death of my closest kin...

The Rebbe listened, but not only with his ears. He listened with his: eyes, his heart, his soul, and he took it all in. I shared everything, and he absorbed everything. That night, I felt like I was given a second father. I felt that the Rebbe adopted me as his daughter.”
____________
“At the end of my meeting with the Lubavitcher Rebbe, I expressed my strong desire to go back and visit Vienna. The Rebbe requested from me, that before I make the trip, I visit him again.”

“A short while later, en route to Vienna, I visited the Rebbe. He asked me for a favor: to visit two people during my stay in the city.

The first was Viennese Chief Rabbi Akiva Eisenberg, and give him regards from the Rebbe (the Rebbe said, that his secretariat would give me, the details and literature, to give to Rabbi Eisenberg.)

The second person he wanted me to visit, I would have to look up myself. The Rebbe said, that he was a professor at the University of Vienna, and his name was Dr. Victor Frankl.”

The Lubavitcher Rebbe said to me: “Send Dr. Frankl my regards, and tell him in my name, that he should not give up. He must remain strong, and continue his work with vigor and passion. If he continues to remain strong, he will prevail.”

The Rebbe spoke for a long time (using the German dialect, so Margareta would understand), about the messages he wished to convey to Dr. Frankl.
___________
Close to forty years later, she did not recall all of the details, but the primary point was, that Frankl should never give up, and he should keep on working to achieve his goals, with unflinching courage and determination.

I didn’t understand a word the Rebbe said. Who was Dr. Frankl? Why was the Rebbe sending him this message? Why through me? I did not have an answer to any of these questions, but I obeyed.
______________
Margareta traveled to Vienna. Her visit with Rabbi Eisenberg was simple, but meeting Victor Frankl, proved far more difficult. When she arrived at the University, they informed her, that the professor has not shown up in two weeks.

There was thus no way that she can meet him. After a few failed attempts to locate him at the University, Margareta gave up.

Yet feeling guilty not to fulfill the Rebbe’s request, she decided to violate Austrian mannerisms. She looked up the professor’s private home address, traveled there.
__________
She found the address, and knocked at the door.
A woman opened the door. “May I see Herr Frankl please?”
“Yes, please wait."

“I saw a room filled with crosses. It was obvious, that this was a Christian home. I thought to myself, that this must be a mistake; this can’t be the person whom the Lubavitcher Rebbe, wanted me to encourage."

But in 1947, Frankl married his second wife -- a very devout Catholic, Eleonore Katharina Schwindt.
__________
Victor Frankl showed up a few moments later. After ascertaining, that he was the professor at the University, she said that she had regards for him.

“He was extremely impatient, and frankly looked quite uninterested. It felt very awkward.”

“I have regards from Rabbi Schneerson in Brooklyn , New York ,” Margareta told him.

“Rabbi Schneerson asked me to tell you in his name, that you must not give up. You ought to remain strong, and continue your work, with unflinching determination, and you will prevail".

Rabbi Schneerson said: “Do not fall into despair. March on with confidence; and I promise, that you will achieve great success.”
____________
Suddenly, the uninterested professor broke down, and began sobbing like a baby. He could not calm down.

I did had no idea what was going on, I just saw him weeping uncontrollably.

Dr. Frankl finally said to me: “Wow, this Rabbi from Brooklyn, knew exactly when to send you here.” He could not thank me enough.
___________
Margareta then completed her tale: “You see Rabbi Biederman,I have been an emissary of the Rebbe to Vienna, many years before you came around.”

Rabbi Biederman was intrigued. Victor Frankl was now 87 years of age, and was an international celebrity. He had written 32 books, which were translated into 30 languages.

His book “Man's Search for Meaning,” has been deemed by the Library of Congress, as being one of the ten most influential books of the 20th century.

What was the secret behind the Rebbe’s message to Victor Frankl?
_________
Rabbi Biederman recalls: “I called him immediately.”
I asked Dr. Frankl: “Do you remember Margarete Chajes?”

“No,” the professor responded. But, he can be forgiven, because more than 40 years had gone by.

“Do you remember a regards she gave you, from Rabbi Schneerson in Brooklyn?”

Suddenly, a change in his voice. Dr. Frankl melted like butter in a frying pan.

“Of course I remember. I will never forget it. My gratitude to Rabbi Schneerson is eternal.”
Victor Frankl then began to unveil the “rest of the story.”

This story captures one of the greatest debates of the last 100 years, encapsulates the essence of Jewishness, and reveals to us the secret of Kol Nidrei.
___________
In the Camps

Victor Frankl was born in 1905, (three years after the Lubavitcher Rebbe) in Vienna. The young Frankl, studied neurology and psychiatry. In 1923 he became one of the inner circle, of one of the most famous Jews of the time, Dr. Sigmund Freud, the "Father of Psychoanalysis," who lived and practiced in Vienna.

The “Final Solution” did not skip over the Frankl family (7). Victor’s mother and father were murdered in Auschwitz; his first Jewish wife, pregnant, was murdered in Bergen Belsen. All of his siblings and relatives, were exterminated.

Professor Frankl was a lone survivor (he had one sister, who emigrated to Australia before the war.) He returned to Vienna, where he taught neurology and psychiatry, at the University of Vienna.
__________
Already before the war, and even more so, during his three years in the Nazi death camps; Victor Frankl developed ideas, which differed radically from Freud.

Yet the entire faculty of his department at the University, consisted of staunch Freudian scholars. Academically, they hunted down Victor Frankl, calling his ideas: “pseudo-science,” and the joke of the century.

This was no small debate. These two Jews, were debating the very meaning of human identity; and Victor Frankl had been advocating a view, extremely alien to the then-dominant Freudian outlook. In a word: A human being has a SOUL; what we Jews call, a Neshamah.

Freud, like most medical schools, emphasized the idea, that all things come down to physiology. The human mind and heart, could be best understood as a "side effect" of brain mechanisms.

Humans are like machines, responding to stimuli from within or from without; a completely physical, predictable and godless machine; albeit a very complicated machine. Creating psychotics, neurotics, and of course psychiatrists.
_____________
Victor Frankl disagreed. He felt, that Freud and his associates reduced the human being, to a mere mechanical creature, depriving him or her of his true essence.

“If Freud were in the concentration camps,” Frankl wrote, "he would have changed his position." Beyond the basic natural drives and instincts of people, he would have encountered the human "capacity for self-transcendence."

"Man is that being, who invented the gas chambers of Auschwitz; however, he is also that being, who entered those chambers upright, with the Shema Yisrael on his lips.”

"We who lived in concentration camps, can remember the men, who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread.

They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof, that everything can be taken from a man, but one thing: The last of the human freedoms — to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.”

Of course, there are many things about our life we have no control over. But there is a dimension of the human self – the essence of human identity -- which nothing and nobody can control. It is transcendent by its very “nature” – free, uninhibited, wholesome and deeply spiritual.

Never defined by life’s circumstances and limitations, but rather free to define them, to define their meaning and message.

He taught: A person was not a son of his past, but the father of his future.
______________
But in the University in the 40’s and 50’s, they defined Frankl’s ideas, as fanatic religiosity. Raising up all the old, unscientific notions, of conscience, religion and guilt. It was unpopular, for students to attend his courses.

Frankl told Rabbi Biederman: “The situation was horrible. Rabiner Biederman! I could survive the German death camps, but I could not survive the horrific derision of my colleagues at the university, who would not stop taunting me, and undermining my every iota of progress.”

“The pressure against me was so severe, that I decided to give up. It was simply too much to bear emotionally. I was drained, exhausted, depressed. I fell into a melancholy. I was watching all of my life-work fade away, right before my eyes.

Then one day, sitting at home, I began drafting my resignation papers for my University job. In the battle, between Freud and Frankl – Freud would be triumphant. Soul-less-ness, would prove more powerful, than soul-full-ness.
__________
And then suddenly, as I am sitting in my home, depressed, defected, feeling down; in walks a beautiful woman. She gives me regards from a Chassidic master, Rabbi Schneerson from Brooklyn, New York.

His message: “Don’t dare give up! Don’t dare to despair! If you will continue your work, with absolute determination, you will prevail!”
I could not believe my ears.

Somebody in Brooklyn, no less a Chassidic Rebbe, knew about my predicament? And what is more – he cared about my predicament? And what is more – he sent someone to locate me in Vienna, to shower me with courage and inspiration?

"I began to sob. I cried uncontrollably. I was so moved. I felt like a transformed man. That is exactly what I needed to hear. Someone believed in me, in my work, in my contributions; in my ideas about the infinite transcendence, and potential, of the human person; and in my ability to prevail.

“That very moment, I knew that I would not surrender. I tore up my resignation papers. New vitality was blown into me, I was confident, secure, and motivated.”
_____________
“Indeed, a few months later, I was given a chair at the University!"

And a short while later, Frankl’s magnum opus “Man's Search for Meaning,” was translated into English.

It became not only an ongoing bestseller to this very day; but has been deemed as one of the 10 most influential books, of the 20th century.
____________
Then professor Frankl’s career began to soar. The once-scoffed-at professor, became one of the most celebrated psychiatrists of a generation. “Man’s Search for Meaning,” has been translated into 28 languages, and has sold over 10 million copies, during his life time.

Frankl became a guest lecturer, at 209 universities, on all five continents; he held 29 honorary doctorates, from universities around the world; and received 19 national and international awards and medals, for his work in psychotherapy.

His brand of therapy, inspired thousands of other books, seminars, workshops, new-age and spiritual groups; which have all been based on Frankl’s ideas, of the unique ability of the human, to choose its path discover meaning, in every experience.

From Scot Peck’s “Road Less Traveled,” to Steven Covey’s Seven Habits; and hundreds of other bestsellers, during the last 30 years; all of them were students of Victor Frankl’s.
__________
Victor Frankl concluded his story to Rabbi Beiderman in these words:
"איך וועל אים אייביק דאנקבאר זיין"
“I will forever be grateful to him,” to the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
__________
Not knowing, who he was talking too, Frankl added:
A number of years ago, Chabad established itself here in Vienna. I became a supporter. You too should support it, they are the best.

Finally, Rabbi Biederman understood why he was getting a check in the mail, before each Yom Kippur.
____________
The story is not over

In 2003, Dr. Shimon Cown, (a Lubavitch Australian expert, on Frankl), went to visit his non-Jewish widow, Elenor, in Vienna..

She took out a pair of Tefillin and showed it to him. She said to him: “My late husband would put these on, each and every day.”

Then she took out a pair of Tzitzis, he made for himself to wear.

At night in bed, Victor would recite the book of Tehilim (Psalms).

On Yom Kippur nobody saw him in Shul, but he did not miss a day of Tefillin!

When they asked in interviews, whether he believed in G-d, he would usually not give a direct answer.
But he would not miss a day of Tefillin!
___________
In 1973, an Israeli soldier lay in the hospital, depressed and dejected, saying that he feels like committing suicide.

You see, he lost both his legs during the Yom Kippur war. He felt, that without legs, his future was hopeless.

One day, his doctor walked into the room. The soldier was sitting upright, and looked relaxed and happy. The doctor looked at him, and saw that his eyes regained that passionate gaze.
What happened? The doctor asked.

The soldier pointed to his night table. He has just finished reading “Man's Search for Meaning,” and the stories, about how certain Jews behaved in the death camps.

He learnt of the capacity of the human being, to choose to turn adversity into triumph, by discovering the meaning in his life’s experiences. “This transformed me,” the soldier said.
_____________
This was the potential, the Rebbe saw, when he sent Margareta on a mission. to Vienna.

Imagine: One single message from a man in Brooklyn who cared, transformed tens of millions of lives!

And what was the message: Don’t despair, you will prevail.
Because the Lubavitcher Rebbe was determined to get out to the world this message: we really do have a soul; the soul is the deepest and most real part of us; and that we will never be fully alive, if we don’t access our souls.
__________
What is a soul?

A soul is our inner identity, our raison d’être. The soul of music, is the composer’s vision, that energizes and gives life, to the notes played in a musical composition. The actual notes are like the body, expressing the vision and feeling of the soul within them.

Each soul, is the expression of G-d’s intention and vision, in creating that particular being. The soul, is the very fabric of our being—as conceived by G-d’s vision, in wanting us to exist.

Each of us is a unique musical note, in a grand cosmic composition. It is incumbent upon us, to discover our soul—our higher calling,—and play its unique music...

To do List: for the New Year

2009-09-24T12:29:00.000-07:00

Here are some examples of the “little things,” that when I remember, I try to do, that go a long way and add up… on the “good side…”

When my wife says something, that clearly pushes my buttons; and I am clearly right and she is clearly wrong; I don’t respond. Or, I just acknowledge it, or nod in agreement instead.

When the other driver is clearly cutting me off, I let him, and then I back off.

I do jobs at work or at home, that are not my “job”.

When those around me, are bashing the person-de-jour, boss-de-jour, I don’t join in. I don’t get caught, in the downward spiral.

When I’m feeling pain, hurt, resentful, angry; and I find myself engaging in whatever non-productive “taiva-de-jour” is; I try to slow down, and stop and ask, “Why am I doing this?”
It at least gives me pause, if not a total victory.

Let’s begin the year 770 with “Faratzta” which is, Simcha Poretz Geder; and focus on the side of Simcha. This will bring faster, better results!

Scientist says: Immortality only 20 years away

2009-09-24T12:26:00.000-07:00

Scientist Ray Kurzweil claims, humans could become immortal, in as little as 20 years' time; through nanotechnology, and an increased understanding, of how the body works.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/6217676/Immortality-only-20-years-away-says-scientist.html

9-24-09

The 61-year-old American, who has predicted new technologies arriving before, says, our understanding of genes and computer technology, is accelerating at an incredible rate.

He says theoretically, at the rate our understanding is increasing, nanotechnologies, capable of replacing many of our vital organs, could be available in 20 years time.

Mr Kurzweil adds, that although his claims may seem far-fetched; artificial pancreases and neural implants, are already available.

Mr Kurzweil calls his theory, the Law of Accelerating Returns. Writing in
The Sun, Mr Kurzweil said: "I and many other scientists now believe, that in around 20 years, we will have the means, to reprogramme our bodies' stone-age software, so we can halt, then reverse, ageing. Then nanotechnology, will let us live for ever.

"Ultimately, nanobots will replace blood cells, and do their work, thousands of times more effectively.
_________
"Within 25 years, we will be able to do an Olympic sprint for 15 minutes, without taking a breath; or go scuba-diving for four hours, without oxygen.

"Heart-attack victims – who haven't taken advantage of widely available bionic hearts – will calmly drive to the doctors, for a minor operation, as their blood bots keep them alive.

"Nanotechnology will extend our mental capacities to such an extent, that we will be able to write books within minutes.

"If we want to go into virtual-reality mode, nanobots will shut down brain signals, and take us wherever we want to go. And in our daily lives, hologram like figures will pop in our brain, to explain what is happening.

Extraordinary nanotechnological secrets should allow us, according to Kurzweil, to replace our kidneys, livers, hearts and, our minds; with functioning vital organs, made by human hands.

"So we can look forward to a world, where humans become cyborgs, with artificial limbs and organs."

Real Teshuvah

2009-09-18T08:18:00.000-07:00

Teshuvah is not only a compensation for deficiencies in our divine service. It is also, in itself, a positive spiritual impulse, that enhances our relationship with G-d

Since "Israel and the Holy One, blessed be He, are one," (18) G-d's essence in its entirety, is reflected within every Jewish soul.
The level at which Teshuvah is not necessary, finds expression in a constant and single-minded dedication, to G-d.
____________
At this level, a person does not need, to rise above the challenges of our worldly existence. Instead, his life is one of simple connection, which does not allow for any possibility of separation.

When the "part of G-d" (viz., the soul) becomes enclothed in the materiality of the body, its essence of "truly a part of G-d," can then be revealed.

When person recognizes, the core of his existence, and thus identifies as "a part of G-d," he has only one desire - to fulfill G-d's will. Nothing else can even come to mind.
Therefore, as a spontaneous response, one "bows naturally,"
_____________

Every individual has the potential, to experience a personal redemption, from the obstacles that inhibit, the overt expression of his G-dly core.

In a life dedicated to one goal, connection with G-d, there can be nothing more rewarding, than the performance of a Mitzvah, an act which strengthens this connection.

To Understand the "Birthpangs of Moshiach"

2009-09-13T11:47:00.000-07:00

To Understand the "Birthpangs of Moshiach" by the Mitteler Rebbe, (2nd Rebbe of Lubavitch)

Golus (exile) is likened to pregnancy, and the Geulah (redemption) is likened to birth...Just as at the end of nine months a pregnant woman will begin to cry out in pain (from "birth pangs").

Similarly, the time at the end of the period of golus, right before the Geulah, when the moment of salvation is near (which is the "pregnancy" of the time of Galus), is referred to as "birth pangs".

This is the idea of "birth pangs of Moshiach," which occur to Israel "from the straits," which are called "eis tzora", "time of trouble’" and precisely from these troubles we will be saved.
______________
This is a sign of the beginning of the Geulah, as is known; but it is specifically after finishing the time of pregnancy, which is at the end of nine months.

Although she is pregnant before this, and she has painful contractions, these are not called labor pains; because labor pains only occur, right before the onset of the actual birth. And they are the sign, that the time has arrived for birth.
________
Pregnancy is the opposite of birth, because pregnancy is confinement and concealment of the baby in the womb of its mother.

At the time of birth, it turns over, and goes out from the higher part of the womb, to the lower part in order to come out and be revealed. This is leaving the narrow strait which presses the baby out, which requires birth pangs.

The birth pangs do the opposite of birth (by squeezing and confining the baby even more); but specifically through them, is the birth accomplished.

As is known, birth pangs are a strong, gripping pain, on the sides of the baby, to make it come out, which is the main part of the pain. But it is specifically through this, that there is the strength and ability for birth.

And this is why the birth pangs are called, "mashber" ("crisis").

It was at the moment of Israel's distress, in the days of Yechezkiya, king of Yehuda, who was beseiged by Sancheriv, king of Ashur.

So it is regarding the birth pangs of Moshiach--that close to his coming, there will be the upheaval of the war of Gog and Magog, which is the opposite of redemption, similar to birth pangs. But specifically through this upheaval, will come the strength of the Geulah, which is called birth.

All this is because the Geulah is the opposite of exile; because exile is the ultimate concealment (the level of pregnancy), and the Geulah is the level of birth.

Thus, birth pangs are required, (to break the hold of the Galus), to bring about the Geulah; because they are the main things, which facilitate the birth.
____________
Like a river, gains speed as it narrows, the strength for giving birth (pushing the baby out) comes specifically from the birth pangs...Thus it is understood, that on the supernal level of, "birth" of the collective entity of Jewish souls; the birth pangs arise, to give the strength for birth.

That is to say, specifically at the end, right before the time of birth -- which is the time of the coming of Moshiach --

is when she begins to cry out from the birth pangs;
which are the troubles for Israel, from which she will be saved.

And this is the sign, of the beginning of the redemption.

The Month of Holidays

2009-09-13T10:38:00.000-07:00

Tishrei

Rosh Hashanah, is a day for saying, "I am a Jew, I belong with this people, I connect, I identify."

Rosh Hashanah is called "the birthday of the universe." It's the day that the Grand Programmer of All Things, sits back to consider, whether this universe is really worth creating, and then He “decides” to recreate it again.

Rosh Hashanah, actually means, "Head of the Year": Like a head contains all the switches for every part of the body, Rosh Hashanah is the time, when every day of the year is judged for its needs. It's a crucial stage, when every moment must be filled with good thoughts, words and deeds.

Without our prayers, G-d directs the universe as a distant King, with strict, impersonal judgment. But we can transform this into a closer two-way relationship, a warm parent-child relationship. In fact, the sounds of the Shofar are meant to emulate, the pleading cries of a child.
That's why we pray, "Our Father, Our King!"
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On Rosh Hashanah, it is customary not to eat foods which are sour or tart. Instead, the focus is on sweet foods, symbolizing our desire to have a sweet year, with blessings and abundance.
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Tashlich: from the Hebrew word meaning "to cast, we recite a prayer, that G‑d, out of His great compassion, will throw our past failures, into the sea.

Though we do Tashlich beside an earthly river or sea, this watery entity actually represents its Heavenly counterpart. Jewish mysticism teaches, that water corresponds to the attribute of kindness. On Rosh Hashanah, we beseech G‑d, to treat us with kindness, during the new year.

Water with fish, is optimal, since fish are not subject to the "evil eye," and are also known to have many offspring. Fish do not have eyelids, so their eyes are always open.

This is likened to G‑d's constant supervision over us; and we pray, that He mercifully care for us. Also, just as fish may be caught in a fisherman's net, so, too, we are caught in the net of judgment. This awareness, helps awaken us to repent.

The prayer of Tashlich, correspond to G‑d's thirteen attributes of mercy (which are very powerful), which we seek to arouse on Rosh Hashanah, as we are being judged.

The goal of Tashlich, is to cast both our sins and the Heavenly prosecutor (a.k.a. the Satan), into the Heavenly sea. And when we shake our clothes after the Tashlich prayer, achieves the spiritual goal, of shaking off our sins from our soul.
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Teshuvah is too often mistranslated as "repentance." Repentance implies that you were bad and now have to become good. Teshuvah means simply to return.

Meaning, that you were always essentially good, just that certain behaviors may have been somewhat off base—and now all you have to do is rediscover your true place, and your true self, and return to there.

This is the most spiritual season of the year, a time when our souls are closer to heaven than to earth, whether we notice it or not. On any day of the year, the soul can reach high. On these days, it can touch its essence. Therefore we spend these days in meditation, prayer, and study of Torah.

Fixing a soul, is like fixing a relationship: You need a bond so powerful, that all flaws are overlooked, and no one has any desire other than the good of the other.
That's why Yom Kippur is called The Day of At-One-ment: The day that we are at one, with our Source Above.

If someone feels you've wronged him or her, try to make up before the fast. At the same time, forgive the misdemeanors of others against you. According to how we forgive others, that's how G‑d forgives us.
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The most vital prayer—repeated eight times over the 25 hours—is the Vidui. That is when we accept responsibility for every possible human mistake that we may have made, removing their residue from within us. It's not easy to remember all of them, so the prayer book provides a list, in alphabetical order.

With each Vidui, the soul is freed, and climbs higher and higher’ until the ultimate high with Neila, which is recited as Yom Kippur is about to come to an end, as the Gates of Heaven begin to close.
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Some think Yom Kippur is a sad day. But how could the highest day of the year possibly be sad?

It's just that dealing with physical needs on this day, would be the biggest downer, it would unplug that connection, and hurl us back into the mundane world.

That's also why we dress in white on this day, because we are as high as the angels, who need neither food nor drink. And even higher.
According to the Baal Shem Tov, we are now in the purest day of the year, since all the souls are clean like new.
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The Sukkah is an all-encompassing, embryonic, virtual world, where whatever we do is a mitzvah. Eat, were doing a mitzvah. Talk, were doing a mitzvah. Just sitting there—and we are powerfully connected from head to toe.

Upon release from this immersive environment, you'll treat the big world the same way: Discovering how everything we do, is another way to connect to the Infinite. Which is the whole idea of Torah.
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Each one of us on our own, affects a corner of the world; but together, we reveal the wonders of the entire universe.

The four Minim (sprcies): Here, four very diverse floras, create one integral whole. If one is missing—even a humble willow branch—the circuit is broken. Just like the Jewish People: Regardless of knowledge or observance, each individual is unique and essential. And untied, we turn over the world.

The custom, is to wave the arba minim, three times in all six directions: East, west, north ans south. We bring G-dliness to all the world.
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Shemini Atzeret & Simhas Torah- The power of joy.
These are days, dedicated to the joy of being a Jew.

For the Jewish people, Torah is not just a book to study, it is life. For over 3300 years, we have held tight to it, despite all odds, and it has kept us in existence. On Simchat Torah, the Torah itself wants to rejoice—and we provide the legs.
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The High Holiday month, is one long, grand high. But it's just a preparation. Our true mission begins now, as we blast off into the everyday, workaday world.

It's going to be a different world now. Because Tishrei has left us a different person. We are connected, so our world is going to be connected. And that's the point of our entire mission: All together, we're going to make a whole new, G-dly world.
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Wild Animals will become Tame

2009-09-09T09:40:00.000-07:00

The wolf, shall dwell with the lamb; and the leopard, shall lie down with the kid..

An infant shall play on the cobra's hole, and a child shall reach into the viper's nest. They shall neither hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of G-d, as the waters submerge the sea." [5]

Accordingly, the Messianic ideal, is not a world, in which everything with a negative trait or potential disappears; but one in which these traits and potentials are eliminated, and the energies that sustain them, are redirected to positive and G-dly ends.
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On Passover, Chametz is utterly rejected: we are forbidden to eat it, derive benefit from it in any way, or even keep it in our possession; there is even a special mitzvah to destroy all leaven that is in our possession on the eve of the festival.

On Shavuot, however, not only is Chametz permitted, and the Torah even commands that two loaves of leavened bread be offered on the altar in the Beit Hamikdash (the Holy Temple in Jerusalem) --- something that is strictly forbidden not only on Passover but all year round.

Leaven, whose primary feature is that it rises and inflates itself, represents the source of all evil in the heart of man: arrogance and pride. But the sefirah-count is the process, through which we sublimate the forty-nine adverse derivatives of pride.

Until we reach the point, that it is divested of its negativity, and now can be included in the G-dliness of the Beit Hamikdash --- Which constituted a "taste" of a future world, that shall be "wholly Shabbat and tranquility, for everlasting life."
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Rabbi Shimon says, that only the destructive nature of "evil beasts" will be terminated, but they continue to exist, in their new peaceful and harmless state.

Rabbi Shimon says, hashbatah implies only the termination of a thing's particular characteristics --- in this case, the destructive nature of "evil beasts."

It is this aspect or feature of their being that G-d will eliminate, while they continue to exist in their new peaceful state.

Moshiach's Principle Goal

2009-09-09T08:42:00.000-07:00

The Rambam emphasizes, that the ultimate and complete performance of all the Mitzvahs of the Torah will be attained, when a King rules over Israel. It is then that we will fulfill the Mitzvos of: waging the wars of G‑d, destroying Amalek, and building the Beis HaMikdash.

Similarly, our observance of the Torah and its Mitzvos will be enhanced and complete. For, as the Rambam writes at the conclusion of ch. 4, "[The king's] purpose and intent is, to elevate the true faith."

This conception of the monarchy found full expression in King David, who united the entire Jewish people, completed the conquest of Eretz Yisrael, secured peace for our nation,and began the preparations for the building of the Beis HaMikdash in Jerusalem.
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Our faith and our yearning for Moshiach - as the Rambam continues, "Whoever does not believe in him, or does not await his coming..." - should therefore focus not only on his coming, but also on his restoration of the Davidic dynasty, and on the complete observance of the Torah and its Mitzvos.

With this, the Rambam emphasizes, that the conception of Moshiach's coming, and the Era of the Redemption which he will bring about, as centering around the complete observance of the Torah and its mitzvos, has its source in the Torah itself.

Indeed, it is one of the fundamental principles of the Torah, for there must ultimately be an era, in which the Torah will be observed perfectly.
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We can now understand why, the Rambam devotes a separate halachah to the designation of the three supplementary Cities of Refuge. For this indicates a further state of completeness in the observance of the Torah and its mitzvos, a state that will be reached only in the Era of the Redemption.

Not only will the Mitzvah of establishing Cities of Refuge be observed as in previous times: it will be observed in a more perfected manner, than ever before. The commandment to establish these new cities indicates, how the Torah itself points to a future era, when the observance of its Mitzvos will be complete.

Since the intent of Moshiach's coming, is to bring about a complete state of Torah observance, he need not perform miracles, since "This Torah, with its statutes and laws, is everlasting."
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When it is referred to Moshiach as "Crushing," it can be interpreted as referring to a single victory; while "breaking down" implies, that one has completely established one's authority.

Furthermore, David was victorious over "the princes of Moab," one nation; while Moshiach will rule "all of Seth's descendants," many peoples.

Bringing Moshiach through Joy

2009-09-09T08:06:00.000-07:00

The concept of Simchah shares a connection to the Future Redemption. For it is in the Era of the Redemption, that we will experience the consummate level of Simchah.

At that time, all undesirable influences will be negated; as reflected in the verse, "And G-d will wipe away tears from every face." Indeed, all the negative influences, will be transformed into good.

As evident from the Rambam's ruling (at the conclusion of Hilchos Taanios in the Mishneh Torah): "In the Era of the Moshiach, all these fasts will be negated. Moreover, they will then become festivals, and days of rejoicing and joy."

Similarly, we must seek out joy, including the ultimate joy, the joy of the Redemption. We must demand that G-d grant us, the consummate joy, of the Era of the Redemption.
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The relation between the concepts of Simchah and Redemption, is alluded to by the fact that, the roots of the words Simchah and Moshiach, share the same three letters shin mem ches.

To explain the connection between the two: Simchah breaks through (poretzes in Hebrew) all barriers. This is also the nature of Moshiach, who is a descendant of Peretz; and is referred to as Haporetz, "the one who breaks through." For Moshiach will break through, all barriers and limitations.
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Similarly, his efforts included the translation of Chassidic texts (including deeper concepts in Chassidus) into foreign languages. He did not remain content, with a translation into Yiddish, but spread these teachings into the seventy secular languages as well.

To refer to the analogy, the precious jewel in the king's crown was pulverized, so that it could be poured into the mouth of the king's son - indeed, the precious stone was spread into seventy languages, so that even a gentile could grasp it.

Through the teachings of Chabad, these wellsprings have been expanded and broadened. In this manner, not only Jews, but also gentiles, have the potential to comprehend these spiritual concepts.
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Nevertheless, in these earlier generations (and even in the beginning of the Previous Rebbe's time) the fundamental emphasis was on spreading the wellsprings of Chassidus outward, and not (as intensely) on the goal of this process - bringing Moshiach.

It was known, that the object of these endeavors was to bring Moshiach, and from time to time this was spoken about; but this purpose was not the focus of attention.

But now in our generation, the emphasis has been placed, on actually bringing Moshiach to the extent that, every phase of our efforts in our Divine service, must be permeated with the intent, to bring Moshiach. For this is the mission of our generation: to actually bring the Redemption.
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It is only in the Beis HaMikdash (to be built in the Era of the Redemption), that there will be perfect happiness. "Then the happiness will reflect the infinite essence of the Ein Sof."

This essential joy can be aroused by the Simchah experienced in connection with a Mitzvah. Indeed, the Simchah reaches higher than the
Mitzvah itself, precipitating the expression of the essential joy, of the Era of the Redemption.

Simchah has the potential to break boundaries and expand, until it reveals Moshiach.
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In the previous generations, people surely experienced Simchah in connection with their observance of Mitzvos. For the experience of this Simchah is a fundamental element of Divine service, as it is written, "Serve G-d with happiness."

Nevertheless, in previous generations, the emphasis was on the service of G-d, and that service was infused with happiness. The suggestion to use Simchah as a catalyst to bring Moshiach, by contrast, puts the emphasis on the Simchah itself, Simchah in its pure and consummate state.

(Needless to say, for a Jew, even this pure expression of happiness, must be connected with his Divine service in the Torah and its Mitzvos, Nevertheless, the emphasis is on the Simchah itself, not on the factors which bring it about.
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When the entire Jewish people - and the Shechinah - are found in the darkness of exile, the pain of exile, prevents a pure and consummate expression of Simchah.

The hardships of the exile should not create an impediment; for since this service is necessary to bring the Redemption, the potential is granted, to experience such pure and consummate Simchah now.

Acts of Kindess

2009-09-09T06:51:00.000-07:00

As a doctor, I have understood, that medicine has its limits, and that ancient wisdom has immeasurable power to heal human hearts. Much of this wisdom, promotes the act of kindness as a tool for healing.

I am often asked whether any particular treatment modality. I always answer, that our strength lies in our belief, in the inherent goodness of every client.

In all my years of treating illnesses of the heart and soul, this belief has never failed me; each individual’s integrity is always there, lurking right beneath the surface, eager to emerge. Goodness tends to propagate itself, form a chain.
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This reminds me of a story of a man named Avi. I first met him while I was in Tel Aviv, speaking before a group of ex-convicts in recovery.

When I began to speak of self-esteem, this man interrupted me. "How can you talk to us of this? I’ve been a thief since I was eight. When I’m out of prison, I can’t find work, and my family doesn’t want to see me."

I stopped him and asked, if he’d passed by a jewelry store lately. "Consider the diamonds in the window," I said. "Try and think what they look like, when they come out of the mine -- lumps of dirty stone.

It takes a person who understands the diamond, to take the shapeless mound, and bring out its intrinsic beauty. That’s what we do here, we look for the diamond in everyone; we help the soul’s beauty come to the surface, we polish it until it gleams."

I looked at Avi, all disheveled and hunched over, nearly hiding in his seat, and said, "You’re like that dirt-covered stone, and our business is to find the diamond within and polish it until it glows."

Two years passed. Avi had graduated from the treatment center, and when the following event took place, he had already completed his stay in the halfway house, and was integrated into the community, working in construction.
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Avi once fond $1,700 in a sofa that he was moving for the center, he immediately gave it to the center.

Avi relayed this story to me in a letter. He wrote, "When I used drugs I would get a high for a very short time, and when the high wore off I felt terrible, worse than before. It’s been three months since I found that money, and every time I think of what I did, I feel good, all over again!
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It is no accident, that as a society we are experiencing a resurgence of belief in things spiritual. As we approach the new millennium, we instinctively sense, that we must turn our priorities around.

Nothing feels better, than performing a kindness for another. Each small good deed, builds on the one before, until you have a mosaic created from gemstones of kindness. And what will happen while you aren’t looking is, you’ll get so much back in return.

Home

2009-09-09T06:03:00.001-07:00

One can enjoy beautiful mansions, and exciting sites. But they cannot duplicate, home.

For any personal roaming and wandering of individuals, separated from their family: the desperate attempt to be independent, only leads to the discovery:

That at some point, one must try to come back, and find the truth, of being home.

Ikvot Meshicha: The Time Immediately Before Moshiach

2009-09-08T12:36:00.000-07:00

Most of these conditions are quite disturbing, clearly displaying a situation of the very “bottom of the pit.” 30

One major source describes the world-condition in those days as follows: Increase in insolence and impudence; oppressing inflation; unbridled irresponsibility, on the part of authorities; centers of learning will turn into bawdy houses; wars; many destitutes begging, with none to pity them; wisdom shall be putrid; the pious shall be despised; truth will be abandoned; the young will insult the old; family-breakup, with mutual recriminations; impudent leadership. 31
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A lack of scholars; succession of troubles and evil decrees; famines; mutual denunciations; epidemics of terrible diseases; poverty and scarcity; cursing and blaspheming; international confrontations — nations provoking and fighting each other.32

In short, it will be a time of suffering. These are the birthpangs of Moshiach, bearable only in anticipation of the bliss that follows them.

“When you see a generation ever dwindling, hope for him .. when you see a generation overwhelmed by many troubles as by a river, await him.”33

“When you see nations fighting each other, look toward the feet of Moshiach.”34.
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The troubles and agony of chevlei Moshiach (birthpangs of Moshiach), however, are not unavoidable:

“What is man to do to be spared the pangs of Moshiach: Let him engage in Torah, and acts of loving-kindness!” 37

There are also good and happy signs, indicating the imminent coming of Moshiach:

A good measure of prosperity; 38

A renewal of Torah-study; 39

A opening of the “gates of wisdom above, and the wellsprings of wisdom below,” 40 evidenced also by scientific and technological discoveries and advances;

A manifestation and propagation of the mystical teachings of the Torah; 41

“In the time that Moshiach will awaken, many signs and miracles will occur in the world.” 42
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29 . Pesachim 54b; Midrash Tehilim 9:2. See Zohar Chadash, Bereishit, 8a.
30 . Midrash Tehilim 45:3. See Ma'amarei Admur Hazaken-Ethalech, p. 103 f.; and Besha'ah Shehik-dimu-5672, vol. I:p. 551; relating this to the principle (Midrash Tehilim 22:4; Zohar II:46a ) that the darkest moments of the night are immediately before daybreak. Cf. Zohar I:170a. For this analogy see also the comment of R. Elijah, the Vilna Gaon, cited in Even Shelemah, ch. 11:5.
31 . Sotah 49b
32 . Sanhedrin 97a; Shir Rabba 2:29.
33 . Sanhedrin 98a
34 . Bereishit Rabba 42:4. Note Pesikta Rabaty 37:2 (ed. Friedmann, ch. 36)!
35 . Sanhedrin 98b
36 . Ibid. See also Zohar II:7a ff.
37 . Sanhedrin 98b
38 . Sanhedrin 97a; Shir Rabba 2:29.
39 . Ibid.
40 . Zohar I:117a
41 . Zohar I:118a. See Zohar Chadash, Tikunim, 96c; and Mayanei Hayeshu'ah, I:2. Cf. below, note 84. Note also Igeret Teyman, ch. 3, that prophecy shall be restored to Israel, prior to the coming of Moshiach.
42 . Zohar II:8a

The Greatest Test of Faith in History!

2009-09-08T12:19:00.000-07:00

Some twenty-seven hundred and thirty years ago, one of the most dramatic events in Jewish history took place atop Mount Carmel, in northern Israel.

The people of Israel were torn, between their allegiance to G-d; and the dominating Baal culture, espoused by King Ahab and his queen, Jezebel. The prophet Elijah challenged Ahab, and the "prophets" of the pagan gods Baal and Aseirah; to a contest before the entire nation.
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Rabbi DovBer, [1] the Maggid of Mezeritch:

Just prior to the coming of Moshiach, the contest of the "Two Bullocks" will again take place.

Again, the people of Israel will be polarized between faith in G-d and the prevailing "gods." Again, a lone prophet of G-d, will challenge the many and the powerful. Again, a nation will await a sign from Above, as to where to place their loyalty.

The showdown atop Mount Carmel will repeat itself, but with one significant difference: this time, the fire will fall on the side of the Baal.

This time, the prophet of G-d will be ignored, while a fire from heaven will endorse the prophets of Baal.

This time, those who call upon the true G-d of Israel will be mocked and derided, as their cries go unheeded, and their prayers unanswered.

Just prior to the coming of Moshiach, the Jewish people will face the greatest test of faith in history.

Those who will persist with their faith in G-d and His prophets despite all, will merit to bring the complete and ultimate redemption.
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1 Leader of the Chassidic movement in the years 1761-1772.

Signs of Moshiach

2009-09-07T14:09:00.000-07:00

Does redemption mean healthier and safer lives?
In the past 30 years, air pollution is down a third.
In the past 20 years, deaths from heart disease are down 50% and US traffic accidents are down 35%.
In the past 10 years, medical advances are up 100% and American recycling is up 1000%.
Over the past 12 years, the crime rate in New York City is down 60%.1

That is the situation we are in. We are cruising toward the redemption on spaceship earth.

The Creator has given us a time frame, and has given us landmarks to watch for while we travel the road to redemption. G-d tells us these signs through prophecy.

The written and oral Torah are full of signs, prophecies about social, political and even environmental changes in the era immediately prior to the redemption.
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Who can count the terrible and insoluble ills that humanity faces today? Hundreds of millions are starving right now. Natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, fires, floods and hurricanes are battering the planet at a quickening pace.

The global environment is speedily deteriorating as it becomes more and more evident that no one can stop the degradation of our oceans, the buildup of greenhouse gases, or the depletion of atmospheric ozone.

Torah scholars have associated these changes with the prophesied "footsteps of Moshiach." Thank G-d for that because only a Divine intervention can remedy these immense problems.

Even (and especially) in the richest of societies there is an insidious erosion of family and community values, total alienation and a consequent plague of random acts of violence including children murdering their parents, teachers, and each other.

For oppressed people there are the additional problems, the ravages of war and terrorism.
The entire populace of Israel is at risk, as their suicidal government continues to release convicted terrorists, and hand over land to a people, whose national covenant calls for the destruction of Israel.

There is no solution to these problems and even if there was, who has the power to heal such pervasive calamities? Clearly any remedy must come from Above. As it surely will, just like the Biblical prophets attest
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Our Sages have told us, that it is our very impatience with the way things are, that will catalyze their remedy.

We must train ourselves to see human misery as an anomaly, a terrible yet transient, abnormal state of affairs that can and must give way to a normal life of goodness, kindness, health, prosperity and G-dliness revealed in the world.
So what if thousands of years of experience have ingrained in us an exile mentality?

The truth is that redemption is eternal, while exile is temporary. If one compares the infinite duration of redemption to the thousands of years of suffering, it is clear that the normal state of affairs is the way it will be in the true and complete redemption through Moshiach.

If we focus on the need to eradicate the bad in ourselves and in the world, we will be motivated to act quickly.
There is even greater motivation with the awareness that the redemption is literally at hand, a hairsbreadth away, ready to be catalyzed by any one good act.

Our sages have taught us, that the joyful anticipation of redemption is merit enough to make the redemption happen, because it demonstrates true and unbounded faith, in the imminent fulfillment of the promises of G-d.

When one looks through the eyes of Torah, at the big and little changes that are happening around us, it is clear, that as bad as things may look, all the pieces are about to fall into place in a most beautiful, harmonious, and timeless way. In fact, many of those pieces have fallen into place already.
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Thousands of years ago, as recorded in the holy book of Zohar, the Sages foretold of an era starting in the year 5600, (corresponding to 1840 CE) where spiritual and worldly knowledge will flood human consciousness prior to the ultimate redemption.

This closely matches the timing of the discoveries which form the basis of modern science. This is true in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology.

This period also marked the publishing of the seminal works of Chassidism, the spiritual discipline focused on the knowledge of G-d, the purpose of man, and the ultimate redemption.

Thousands of years ago, when plagues decimated populations, average life expectancy was short, and death was final; the Sages foretold an era of health, longevity, and eventually eternal life.

Nowadays medical miracles abound, the average lifespan is lengthening, and revival of the dead has been accomplished in the operating room, as well as in the laboratory.

Thousands of years ago, the Sages foretold of an era when people will have lots of leisure time to think about G-d in the world.5

During the time of the sages, survival was a challenge and people worked much harder. Food, clothing and shelter, took a lot more time and effort, than today.

Thousands of years ago, when the world spoke countless languages, and worshipped countless gods, the Sages spoke of a time, when mankind would share a common language, and an interest in one G-d.6

We see the feasibility of a common language coming about, when we consider the pervasiveness of English worldwide. Regarding common interest, who among us doesn't have an opinion on the existence and relevance of G-d?

Thousands of years ago, when the world was thought of as flat, without maps or the internet; the Sages spoke of a time, when all the people in the whole, round 7 world, will share Divine information together.8

The world is round, everybody's logged on, and sharing information. It's not yet divine, but it's a start. Moshiach won't have to search for a way for the whole world to quickly tune in to his message.
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And then there are geopolitical signs.

In the 1950's and 1960's, American citizens were building nuclear fallout shelters. Nuclear war was a very real possibility between America and the Soviet Union. Almost occurring with the Cuban missile crisis.

Contingency plans for rebuilding America, saving the president in the event of nuclear war, were thoroughly developed.

But in 1990-1991, the repressive Communist regimes of the Soviet bloc fell in a series of bloodless revolutions.
They have been followed by more humane governments, which allow their citizens physical and spiritual freedoms undreamed of for over 70 years.

America assisted Russia, its former mortal enemy, in its transition, to redirect itself within the world community, in a manner more favorable to everyone. Fallout shelters are a thing of the past, not the present.

Look at South Africa. Former slaves are allowed the rights of full citizenship. Human rights, human dignity are a global moral issue, very much alive in the realm of world politics.

Look at Somalia. U.S. troops brought food to a population in crisis. Instead of launching missiles and dropping bombs, superpowers are launching websites and their aircraft are dropping humanitarian aid packages.

Regional conflicts, get almost immediate superpower attention to extinguish the possibility of war spreading. This contrasts with previous decades, when regional conflicts were exploited, for national or special interests.

The U.S. military has established a new policy regarding technological advances in weaponry. There must be research and application of a "peaceful use" factor. Laser weapons, bring about laser eye surgery.

Meanwhile Russian "swords to plowshares" progress, is even more dramatic. They have hundreds of millions of dollars invested in a multi-national program, for converting all Russian war machinery and technology, to peacetime uses.

What about the prophecy of the spiritual return of the Jews to the traditional Torah lifestyle? This too is taking place. Fifty years ago, Jewish observance was relatively rare. Today wherever there are Jews, there is a roots revival.

Among the indicators are sustained, accelerating growth in the number and quality of Jewish educational institutions, Kosher food sales, synagogues, and outreach organizations.

The signs are all pointing in the same direction. The goal of history is rapidly approaching. Moshiach and redemption, are around the corner.
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FOOTNOTES

1 . Templeton, John M. 1997. Is Progress Speeding UP? Templeton Foundation Press.
2 . Shnay Luchos HaBris, Parshas Beshalach
3 . Likutei Amarim Tanya by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, English Edition. 1984. Kehos Publication Society. NY. p.155 and pp.379-381; Zohar II 255a; III
4 . Imagine the second to the last chord in a classical symphony. It's unresolved, yet it's all set up. You haven't heard the resolution but you can imagine it so clearly that it heightens your sense of anticipation.
5 . Isaiah 49:23; 60:10-12; 61:5; Eliyabu Rabbab Ch.4
6 . Maimonides, Laws of Kings 11:4; Zephaniah 3:9; Isaiah 2:2-3; Michah 4:1-2; 18 Invei Eshkolos
7 . Invei Eshkolos
8 . Isaiah 40:5

Limited Mind-set

2009-09-07T13:54:00.000-07:00

New outlooks, have arisen before in human history, and they typically meet with resistance, especially at first.

Before we consider the contours of things to come, let's remember the evolution of attitudes, regarding the shape of the world we are standing on now.

For centuries people were certain, that the world was flat. What else could a sane person believe? When you look at the ground around you ... behold! It is flat. Even the view from the top of a mountain confirmed, a flat earth in all directions. Why should anyone think otherwise?

Suddenly a new understanding about our planet arose. One person proposed that the earth is round like a ball. The reactions were predictably emotional: "Insane! Stupid! Foolish!"

Gradually, however, people began to examine this new idea using their intellect instead of their emotions, or ingrained personal beliefs. As the evidence steadily increased, the new idea became accepted as knowledge, by most.

There were still some people who remained with their certainty, that the earth is flat. No amount of evidence could persuade them, to let go of their mistaken belief.
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There are other examples of dogmatic resistance to new facts or ideas: Based on Newtonian Physics, 18th century scientists unanimously discounted the possibility, of meteorites falling from the sky.

But what happened when the French countryside got pummeled by hundreds of large meteorites? “

Scientists” around the world rejected the evidence, for months, and even years! Of course now we know it is true.

Similarly, for months following the Wright Brothers' successful airplane flights, witnessed by hundreds of locals, there were no media reports at all; and Scientific American magazine ran editorials, ridiculing the idea of heavier-than-air flying machines.

Even more recently, there are still people who deny, that man has ever landed on the moon.

There is a popular saying, "The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know." In general, a thirst for knowledge, with a dose of humility, is enough to prepare a person, for new information, and different views on life.
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Who among us can claim, complete knowledge about such fundamental issues, as the nature of G-d, and man's purpose on this planet?

Who might propose with certainty, where the ultimate destiny of individuals and society, may lie; who will take us there, and what to do while we wait?

Ancient Jewish prophets and sages, have foreseen our current era. Their predictions, as recorded in the Jewish Bible, and the Rabbinic writings of the Tradition from Sinai, have been unfolding over the most recent times.

Now that the stage is set, based on these sources, it is realistic to expect that Moshiach will soon, enter the global arena.

Once we know what we are looking for, we can be in tune with Moshiach's call , even before the Redemption is fully realized.
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What does it means for an atheist to be redeemed by G-d? Atheism has a kernel of religious truth. Very often the atheist's problem is that a Biblical G-d seems to have human dimensions and frailties, like anger, jealousy, and regret.

Such qualities seem quite inconsistent with a transcendent, omnipotent and omniscient entity for which the whole universe is smaller than a tiny speck. A person with such beliefs is ready for the infinite aspect of G-d, and rejects any trivialization of Divinity.

As one sage responded to an atheist, "The G-d that you don't believe in, I don't believe in either."
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Moshiach will not come to disrupt man's life, or to create world upheaval. Everything that is good about life, will remain, and become enhanced, as the era of the Redemption progresses.

On the other hand, the negativity, fear, hatred, pettiness, greed, violence, and so on, that is also part of our daily context, will diminish, and in fact disappear.

The Alter Rebbe- Revealing Essence

2009-09-07T13:32:00.000-07:00

(Adapted from the Sichos of Chai Elul, 5717)

The word Anochi is an acronym for the Aramaic phrase meaning: "I wrote down and gave over My soul," for by giving the Torah, G-d communicated His very essence. "The righteous resemble their Creator," and communicate their essence in their teachings.

Thus the Baal Shem Tov in the Chassidus which he taught, gave over his essence; investing more of himself, than he did in fathering children.

The Alter Rebbe absorbed the inner dimensions of the Baal Shem Tov's teachings; and in so doing, absorbed the inner dimension of the Baal Shem Tov himself. Thus, he was his true grandson.
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The essential connection between the Alter Rebbe and the Baal Shem Tov, is expressed in the fact, that their birthdays, (the date their bodies descended to this earth -- and the body reflects the essence of one's being) -- is the same, Chai Elul.

The relationship between a grandfather and a grandson, is two-sided. For on one hand, a grandson receives from his grandfather, but he also complements his grandfather.

The intellectual teachings of Chabad, elevate the emotional qualities. Thus Chabad Chassidus, propels even simple people, unable to appreciate its intellectual sophistication, to spiritual levels higher, than those reached by followers of the general Chassidic approach.

The Alter Rebbe and the nesi'im who followed him, drew down the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov, and enclothed them in the framework of reason. This allows everyone to comprehend these spiritual concepts, with mortal wisdom.

This then brought the Baal Shem Tov's teachings, to perfection. For to draw the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov, which transcend mortal intellect, into the realm of mortal intellect, requires the tapping of a deep-rooted source, and this draws down a higher light.
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The Baal Shem Tov and his disciple, the Maggid, would actually see from one end of the world, to the other, with their eyes. For the light which G-d brought into being on the first day of creation, was revealed for them. This light, was hidden in the Torah.

The Alter Rebbe's prophecies, were of the same nature, as the miracles performed by the Baal Shem Tov and the Maggid.

The light G-d brought into being on the first day of creation, was above the limitations of Seder HaHishtalshelus, the spiritual cosmos.

Indeed, it reflected the light, which existed before the Tzimtzum; and more particularly, the light intended to reveal G-d's essence.

The Baal Shem Tov and his disciple, the Maggid, would actually see, from one end of the world to the other" with this light; i.e., they were able to perceive, how this light was reflected, within material reality.

And the Alter Rebbe reached an even greater peak; for him, the light shone in a settled matter, enabling his predictions to be fulfilled "in precise detail." This indicates the influence, of G-d's essence itself.

For to have an unlimited light, revealed within this world in a settled manner, requires a manifestation of G-d's essence, which fuses opposites together.

This prepares the way, for the revelations of the Era of the Redemption, when G-d's desire for a dwelling in the lower worlds will be fulfilled. At that time, G-d's essence, which fuses together the spiritual and the physical, will become manifest: "The glory of G-d will be revealed, and all flesh will see...."

Physical flesh will see G-dliness, and this will be in a settled manner.
Through the study of Chassidus Chabad, we can perceive the deepest spiritual lights, including even the light which was hidden.

Moreover, this can be comprehended by the intellect of the G-dly soul, and even with the intellect of the animal soul.

This will lead to the time when: "the glory of G-d will be revealed, and all flesh will see..." with the coming of Moshiach; may this be in the immediate future.
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As the Berditchever Rebbe said, "We all ate from one plate, but the Lithuanian (the Alter Rebbe) took the cream." (Toras Shalom, p. 47).

The Baal Shem Tov is identified with the level of Atik Yomim, while the Alter Rebbe is identified with the Sefirah of Chochmah. (Sefer HaMaamarim 5709, p. 76).
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See also HaTamim, Vol. II, p. 30, which states: "In the eyes of the masters of Chabad, wonders are almost an insult to the honor of Chassidus. They are low and insignificant matters, not worthy of attention."

On the contrary, the Alter Rebbe expressed an essential light, and an essential light does not require miracles. (Toras Shalom, p. 167).

This can be compared to the difference between Moshe our teacher and the other prophets (Mishneh Torah, loc. cit.:7:6). Moshe could stand erect at the time he received prophecy, while the other prophets would "be in awe, terrified and bewildered."

Similarly, the Alter Rebbe did not require miracles – (being a departure from the natural order) -- because all the higher spiritual realms. were revealed to him in a settled matter.
(see the concluding note to the sichah of Parshas Shoftim in this series).

See also the maamar entitled Padah B'Sholom, 5685, which states: "Wonders represent a departure, from the natural order. G-d's essential intent is, that nature itself be revealed as G-dliness....

The catalyst for this, was the Alter Rebbe's enclothing of Chassidus, within the realm of intellectual comprehension."
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Since the Alter Rebbe enclothed the light of Chassidus within intellect, it did not shine so powerfully. This was particularly true, after his release from prison on Yud-Tes Kislev.
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Before, the world could not contain the level called secrets of Torah.
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The revelations of the Baal Shem Tov and the Maggid, were preparations for the revelations of the essence of P'nimiyus HaTorah, by the Alter Rebbe.

This parallels the manner, in which the Divine service of the Patriarchs (which was "ethereal,") prepared the world for the revelation of G-d's essence, at the giving of the Torah.

Man and Money

2009-09-07T12:27:00.000-07:00

From the writings of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov

Worldly desires, are like sunbeams in a dark room. They seem solid, until you try to grasp one.

Be forwarned: Man and money, cannot remain together forever. Either the money is taken from the man, or the man is taken from the money.

Money-worship, like idol-worship, stems from a lack of trust in God. The more it is uprooted, the more the world radiates, with the blessing of the Holy One's love.

Sicha of the Lubavticher Rebbe, Parshas Vayera 5752 (1992)

2009-09-07T12:24:00.000-07:00

In our days, all the obstructions and interferences, have been nullified.

And because of this, there is (not only the metzius of Moshiach, but rather) also the hisgalus [revelation] of Moshiach.

And now we need only to accept Moshiach Tzidkeinu, in actuality!

The Cosmic Split- Tzimtzum

2009-09-07T11:43:00.000-07:00

The sun and the moon, are not two self-contained luminaries, divorced from earthly affairs. They are both an integral, intertwined part of the human condition. Indeed, their entire being, is to serve Earth. They affect us and we affect them.

Thus, the sun and moon – just as we earthlings – do not have perfect cycles. Their movements reflect the disparity of our lives – all our inconsistencies and imperfections, cracks and divides. Our split between spirit and matter, is mirrored in the sun’s uneven cycle, as well as the moon’s.

All forms of duality that we experience: – from the esoteric split between spirit and matter, form and function, body and soul; to the tangible conflicts that plague our psyches and lives, the battles between our mind and heart, the domestic conflicts between spouses, friends, different opinions and nations: – are all a result, of the cosmic Tzimtzum “black hole,” concealing the harmony within all.
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Diversity per se is a blessing; a necessity, to discover beauty in the manifold colors and shades of our common tapestry. And indeed, that is the objective of the Tzimtzum in the first place: Not to conceal, but to reveal. Not to divide, but to unite. To allow us the power and free-choice, to see beneath the veil, and reconnect the seemingly fragmented parts.

But diversity left unchecked, creates divisiveness; and Divisiveness and discord, are but one step away, from hostility, prejudice, war; and finally mutual destruction.

Rather we need to realize, that we need each other, and we complement each other. If one component is hurting, we all hurt.
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Hashem Echod – the ultimate declaration of unity, in the most famous liturgy of them all (the Shema). It is not just a statement about monotheism. It means not only, that there is one G-d and not many gods; it’s ultimate meaning is: there is one reality, and not two or many realities.

When you are fiercely negotiating a business deal on a mundane Wednesday, you are connected with the same Divine unity, as when you are fervently praying in a Synagogue on Yom Kippur. But when this unity is concealed, every form of disparity and inconsistency arises.
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Adam and Eve’s loss of innocence, was when they were thrust into a world of duality, from their initial state of seamlessness.
By defying G-d, and eating from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, resulted in the fissure of the human psyche; it gave birth to self-consciousness; and the split, which plagues mankind to this day, between our own sense of consciousness and personal needs; and a sense of higher consciousness and greater calling.
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The moon’s twin luminary, the sun, is also affected by the misalignment between spirit and matter caused by the Tzimtzum. The sun’s cycle is therefore not a perfect 365 days; and every 28 years, it needs our blessings, to realign this imbalance.

We humans have the power to relieve the solar trauma – and the tensions caused by all life’s imbalances – by simply gathering together, uniting and recognizing the sun’s original alignment; blessing this event, and drawing down its harmony into our lives.

We also have the ability, to restore the balance, so desperately, needed in our personal and collective lives.
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After Moshiach comes, the spilt between the moon and the sun, and the creation, will be healed. Then the moon, will become the same size as the sun; and instead of being a reflector of the sun’s light, it will instead become a luminary in its own right.

So too we humans, we will end being reflectors of G-ds light, and become radiators of G-dly light. And as a result, the whole creation will shine like the sun, as its inner G-dliness will shine, throughout the universe.

Resurrection an intermediary stage

2009-09-07T11:03:00.000-07:00

The elevations of the souls, from the lower Gan Eden to the higher Gan Eden, is via the [intermediary of] Nahar Dinur (river of fire), which is the pillar in Gan Eden, which includes the concept of self nullification (bitul); [that one must have bitul] in order to come from the lower Gan Eden to the higher.

So, too, in the days of Moshiach, there will be a resurrection of the dead, as an intermediary level until the World to Come in the 7th millenium.
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The difference between immersing in the Nahar Dinur, or becoming nullified in the pillar [on the one hand]; and the level of intermediary in the days of Moshiach, which refers to the resurrection of the dead, is that: the immersion in the Nahar Dinur, is nullification for the soul alone, and not the physical bodies.

But the resurrection, that is after the days of Moshiach, is the aspect of nullification for the bodies as well. Meaning that, the physical bodies themselves, will grasp the Divine light.

Come Home to Yourself

2009-09-07T10:56:00.000-07:00

Fields, homes located in un-walled cities, and homes located in walled cities, symbolize three aspects of our daily lives:

1. Fields represent a person's career, and his or her day-to-day interactions and purchase,s in the outside world, in the "field."

2. Homes, situated in un-walled cities, represent a person's internal home and family life, which are not exposed for all to observe.

3. Homes located in walled cities, surrounded by an additional wall of protection, are symbolic of the most vulnerable and intimate space of a person's life; usually guarded by an additional fortress of privacy.

This represents a person's inner relationship with his core-self, his soul. His G-d, his or her moments of prayer, meditation and transcendence.
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Here, the Torah gives us a blueprint of what transpires when we "sell" and dispose of our careers, homes, and selves:

Goodbye Integrity
1. When you sell your field, i.e. when you allow your career and your daily external encounters, to become tarnished by dishonesty and selfishness; -- you can get away without noticing your moral degeneration, for a full two years. Only after two years of moral and spiritual decay, will you begin to sense the void in your life.

The depravity caused by the "selling" of your integrity, will begin to haunt you. Then, when you have become aware and frustrated, you can liberate your field and your life. Even if you don't, time and life's experiences are likely to do the job. In the 50th year, you will get back your field.

But why wait so long?

Goodbye Love
2. Then comes the far more serious situation where you "sell" your home, i.e. you lose touch with your loved ones, your wife, your children and your closest friends. In your smugness, you enter into your private bubble, and you alienate the people closest to you. You give up your home.

And when you dispose of your home, you will sense the emptiness immediately. Your life will just become far more shallow and artificial. Since the pain will be felt immediately, you are indeed capable of liberating your home right after the "sale."

Here again, even if one doesn't possess the courage to change; time and life's journey, usually will change you. But why wait? Who knows what can transpire till then. Will you still have the chance, to repair broken relationships?

Goodbye G-d
3. Then comes the third and most serious condition -- when you "sell" your most intimate space, when you become alienated from your deepest sense of self, from your inner relationship with G-d.

In such an event, you can sense the extraordinary void immediately, and thus liberate your soul right away. But if you wait for more than a year, you will likely lose the chance to ever liberate your inner identity, ever again.

When you allow the external pressures or enjoyments of life, to rob you of your core self; when you no longer dedicate twenty minutes a day, to speak your heart out to your Creator; when you have no time for the essence of it all; you will soon lose touch with the notion, that you ever had any innocence to lose. You may no longer know, that there was anything to liberate.
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It is painful to lose things ("fields") in life. It is far more painful to lose people ("homes") in life. But the worst pain of all, is when we lose our connection with the quintessence of life and reality, with G-d.

We simply can't afford to lose our souls. None of us can afford to sacrifice our few intimate moments of prayer and communion with G-d, because of other responsibilities or pleasures.

For without this relationship, we might one day look in the mirror, and observe a living body, encasing a dead soul.

Rambam- Moshiach

2009-09-07T08:51:00.000-07:00

Moshiach will save Israel at the end of days. "He shall dominate all of Seth's descendants" This refers to the Moshiach (about whom it is written, "He will rule from sea to sea" [Zechariah 9:10]).
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The centrality of Moshiach in Judaism according to Rambam (Maimonidies), is so strong, that he even says, "The final goal, is the attaining of the World-to-Come; and it is to it, that all our effort must be directed."

Due to its sublimity and difficulty, to a great many contemporaries, the idea of the Moshiach has become meaningless. Therefore He clarifies it, because it has fallen into chaos and disarray.

Rambam, returned the focus of the Jewish world, to regard the worship of G-d, as the ultimate goal of Judaism. And the ultimate purpose of the Torah, is the immortality of the soul.
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According to Rambam, the Moshiach will restore the monarchy, build the Temple, and gather in the Jewish people; thus creating an environment in which, the Jewish people will be able to observe the Torah and its Mitzvot, in a perfect manner. Furthermore, he will remove any obstacles to this end, in the world at large.

As a consequence, the Jewish people will "be free [to involve themselves] in Torah and its wisdom, [without any pressures or disturbances]. At that time there will be neither famine nor war ... [and] the occupation of the entire world will be solely to know G-d" (Laws of Kings and Wars 12:4-5).

Thus we see, how the natural order of the world prevails: the Jewish people and the world at large, will be elevated to a perfect state, of knowledge and practice. This is the purpose of the Moshiach's coming.
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The knowledge and love of G-d for their own sakes, constituted the ultimate purpose of the commandments, as well as the Messianic era.
Rambam offers a new perspective, on the material benefits promised in the Torah and Rabbinic literature:

As regards the promises and threats alluded to in the Torah, their interpretation is: "If you obey these precepts, I will help you to a further obedience of them, and perfection in the performance of them. And I shall remove all hindrances from you...."

For it is impossible for man to do the service of G-d, when sick or hungry or thirsty, or in trouble; and this is why the Torah promises, the removal of all these disabilities; and gives man also the promise of health and quietude, until such a time, as he shall have attained perfection of knowledge, and be worthy of the life of the World-to-Come.

The final aim of the Torah, is not that the earth should be fertile, that people should live long, and that bodies should be healthy. It simply helps us to the performance of its precepts. [Introduction to Helek]
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The Messianic era creates conditions, that free man of mundane worries and distractions, so that he can devote himself to the single-minded pursuit of knowledge of G-d.

In the days of the World-to-Come, knowledge, wisdom and truth will increase, as it is said, "For the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord" (Isaiah 11:9), and it is said, "They will no more teach everyone his brother, and everyone his neighbor" (Jeremiah 31:34), and further, "I will remove the heart of stone, from your flesh" (Ezekiel 36:26). [Laws of Repentance]

Rambam wrote, that the Moshiach himself will be human, and the longevity that people will enjoy in the Messianic era will be a perfectly natural consequence, of the conditions that will then prevail.
His [the Moshiach's] name will be great, and fill the earth to its uttermost bounds. It will be a greater name, than that of King Solomon and mightier.

The nations will make peace with him. And lands will obey him, by reason of his great rectitude, and the wonders, that will come to light by his means. Any one that rises up against him, G-d will destroy and make him fall into his hand. [Introduction to Helek]
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Because the king who will arise from the seed of David, he will possess more wisdom than Solomon; and will be a great prophet, approaching Moses, our teacher; he will teach the whole of the Jewish people, and instruct them in the way of G-d.

And all nations will come to hear him, as it is said, And at the end of days it shall come to pass, that the Mount of the Lord's house, shall be established as the top of the mountains [Micah 4:1; Isaiah 2:2]. [Mishneh Torah, Hilkhot Teshuvah 9:8-10]

In this era, all nations will return to the true faith, and no longer rob or destroy....
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But in those days, the gaining of their livelihood will be so easy to men, that they will do the lightest possible labor, and reap great benefit. It is this, that is meant by the remark of the Rabbis, "The land of Israel, will one day produce cakes ready baked, and garments of fine silk."

By virtue of possessing Ruah Hakodesh, the Holy Spirit, he will be able to determine, who among the descendants of the tribe of Levi, are priests, and who are ordinary Levites. Then the Temple can be rebuilt, and the sacrificial service reinstituted.

The King Moshiach will arise, and restore the kingdom of David to its former state, and original sovereignty. He will rebuild the sanctuary, and gather the dispersed of Israel.

All the ancient laws will, be reinstituted in his days; sacrifices will again be offered; the sabbatical and jubilee years, will again be observed in accordance with the commandments set forth in the Torah. [Laws of Kings and Wars 11:1]
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Rambam states the Messianic king's functions, as being both temporal and spiritual. He must provide social and political stability and security, but also establish the sovereignty of the Torah over his entire kingdom. Because he is an instrument for extending the rule of the Torah, he may not use his power for the sake of personal aggrandizement.

Rambam' description of the Moshiach, thus parallels his conception of Messianism, as the means of an ideal fulfillment and implementation, of the Torah. He therefore emphasizes, that the Torah will in no way be abrogated during the Messianic age, but indeed will be restored in its entirety.

One thing that distinguishes the Messianic king from all other kings, is his success, in restoring Jewish national life in all its aspects, and the dissemination of the knowledge of G-d throughout the world.

The sages and prophets did not long for the days of the Moshiach ,that Israel might exercise dominion over the world, or rule over the heathens, or be exalted by the nations, or that it might eat and drink and rejoice. Rather, their aspiration was, that [the Jewish people] be free [to involve themselves] in Torah and its wisdom, without anyone to oppress or disturb them; and thus be found worthy of life in the World-to-Come. [Laws of Kings and Wars 12:4]

Whenever material well-being is promised or hoped for in Judaism, it is not regarded as an end in itself, but rather, as a means for furthering knowledge and love of G-d. Messianic times are ideal and desirable, because the conditions that will prevail will be conducive

Blessings will be abundant, and comforts will be within the reach of all. The one preoccupation of the whole world will be to know the Lord.
Hence Israelites nations will be very wise, they will know the things that are now concealed; and will attain an understanding of their Creato,r to the utmost capacity of the human kind. [Laws of Kings and Wars 12:5]
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This change in the stability and material perfection of the world, will benefit the non-Jewish nations as well. If they observe the Noachide laws, (the fundamental principles incumbent upon all human beings according to halakhah), and subjugate themselves to G-d's authority, they too will share in this world of the future.

They must keep the Bible's universal code of universal ethics and morality, known as the Seven Noachide Laws; which entail prohibitions: on idolatry, blasphemy, murder, sexual immorality, kidnapping, sadistic treatment of animals; and a postitive commandment, to set up courts of law and uphold justice.

But there is a very important precondition to these laws, insofar as they necessitate an acceptance of Sinaitic revelation, as the exclusive source for validating obedience to the Noachide laws.

A non-Jew who accepts the seven commandments, and who serves them scrupulously, is a "righteous person," and will have a portion in the World-to-Come; provided that he accepts them and performs them, because the Holy One, blessed he He, commanded them in the Law and made known through Moses our teacher.

That the observance thereof had been enjoined upon the descendants of Noah, even before the Law was given.

But if his observance thereof, is based upon a reasoned conclusion, he is not deemed a righteous person, or one of the pious of the gentiles.
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The Rabbis of blessed memory said: "In the World-to-Come, there will be neither eating nor drinking

None of the conditions occur there, that are incidental to physical bodies in this world, such as sitting, standing, sleeping, seeing, grief, merriment, and their like....

The sages' expression of "their crowns on their heads" means, that the knowledge they have acquired, is with them
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The Rambam devoted significant portions of his epistles, to Jewish communities around the world, encouraging the suffering masses of Israel, never to lose hope in his arrival.

Notwithstanding the advances of the Gentile nations, amid the lowliness of Israel; and notwithstanding how improbable, indeed impossible, the advent of the Moshiach would ever seem; one could rest assured, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that G-d would keep His promise, and send the Moshiach.

This is how matters stand regarding the era of the Moshiach, may he speedily come.

For while the Gentiles believe, that our nation will never constitute an independent state; nor will it ever rise above its present condition; and all the astrologers, diviners, and augurs, concur in this opinion, G-d will prove their views and beliefs false, and will order the advent of the Moshiach. [Epistle to Yemen]

Chai Elul in Depth

2009-09-07T03:51:00.000-07:00

Chai Elul, the eighteenth day of Elul, is the birthday of two great luminaries: The Baal Shem Tov - 1698 [5458]; and the Alter Rebbe - 1745 [5505].

The Baal Shem Tov founded the Chassidic movement in general; and the Alter Rebbe, specifically Chabad Chassidism.

It is also the day, 36 years later, in 1734, on his 36th birthday: on which the Baal Shem Tov began, to publicly disseminate his teachings.
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Every so often, the plates of society shift so fiercely, that a volcanic transformation takes place. Take, for example, the Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries. The changes to agriculture and manufacturing were so profound, that eventually, every aspect of life was influenced in some way.

Around the same time, another great revolution was unfolding: the 18th century "Chassidic Revolution." The very fabric of Jewish society was forever altered, by its powerful impression.

Every hundred years or so, a person comes along and changes the way we look at ourselves and our world. He or she will say something, that is so revolutionary, so new and unexpected; that it changes totally, our previous conceptions.

But there is something else, that is rarer still. Something that happens perhaps once in five hundred years, perhaps once in a thousand. What Albert Einstein was to physics, and Beethoven was to music,--and much, much more,--was the Baal Shem Tov, to the human soul and Judaism.

Just over 300 years ago, on the 18th day of the Hebrew month of Elul of the year 5458 From Creation (1698 CE), the soul of such an individual, was born into our world. His name was Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov; and in the course of his 62 years of earthly life, he revolutionized the way we see ourselves, our world, and our place in it.

He was the teacher of many great scholars: such as Rabbis: Yaakov Yoseph of Polnoye, Dov Ber of Mezritch, Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev, and others--could have been any less a scholar, himself.
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And these are the things he taught:

1. The Kabbalah of the Ari, has as much to do, with the saintly ascetic, as it has with the simple innkeeper or potato farmer, who serves G-d with all his heart.

2. Everything we do is meaningful. Our every deed, every word we speak, even a single thought we think, has an effect, that reverberates throughout all the worlds, and through the whole of history.

3. Everything that happens in G-d's world; from the toppling of an empire, to a leaf's turning in the wind in a distant forest; is for a purpose. Specifically guided and directed by the Almighty, to contribute to the overall purpose of creation.

4. Our simple faith, our simple commitment to do good, is more precious in G-d's eyes, than all the genius of the scholar, and all the spirituality of the mystic.

5. G-d is everywhere and in every thing; meaning that in essence, there is only goodness. Evil, suffering and despair, are but veils, behind which He hides, to prompt us to rip them away, in our quest for Him.

6. Life is joyous; and we can live it joyously in every situation, under all and any circumstances.

7. G-d loves us, each and every one of us, as if he or she were His only child.

8. The truest way to love G-d, is to love each and every one of His children.
___________
Kabbalah is as central to Judaism, as the sun is to the solar system; as a heart, is to the body.

Judaism begins, with the most mystical of experiences at Mount Sinai, where we "saw the sounds and heard the sights"; and ends with mystical union, of all of Creation with its Creator. Everything in between, is driven by the drive to absorb the first mystical revelation, in order to achieve the final one.

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were mystics (they spoke with angels). They practiced meditation in isolation, in the pastures; and received divine revelations thereby. Moses was a mystic; the Prophets, and the sages of the Talmud, (as is clear, from the many of the stories told in the Talmud).

Since the time of the Nachmanides, almost every classic Jewish scholar, has openly espoused the teachings of the Kabbalah.
Every work that explains Judaism in depth, has incorporated mystical terms. Every such work, over the last 600 or so years, has used the language of Kabbalah.

Amongst Sephardic and Oriental Jewry, the Zohar is at least as utilzed, as the Psalms. Chassidism, is entirely an outgrowth of the Kabbalah of the Ari (Rabbi Isaac Luria). Even the leaders (like the Vilna Goan) of the Lithuanian mitnagdim ("opposers" of Chassidism), were masters of Kabbalah.

Even the romantic/rational orthodoxy of Samson Raphael Hirsch, relies heavily upon the mysticism of Rabbi Chaim Atar (the "Ohr HaChayim"), and others.

The great masters of Halachah (Torah law), particularly Rav Yosef Karo who wrote the Shulchan Aruch, and Rav Moshe Isserles who adapted it for Ashkenazim; also wrote books of Kabbalah.

It was the Vilna Gaon who wrote, "A Rabbi who attempts to make a Halachic decision, without an understanding of the Kabbalah, will come to err."

As Adin Steinsaltz recently put it, Kabbalah is the official theology of Judaism. Furthermore, any attempts to explain Judaism in any other terms, are bound to fall flat on their face. Halachah is the body, Kabbalah is the soul.

Just as you cannot explain the body without taking into account the inner psyche that fills it, so you cannot begin to explain the meaning and purpose of Halachah, without a knowledge of Kabbalah.
_________
The soul of the Baal Shem Tov, as disclosed by Rabbi Adam Baal Shem, was the gilgul - transmigration -of the holy soul of a simple Jew who lived in Safed, in the year 5333. This guileless man, knew only how to pray, and was a humble and modest man.

One night, as he had just completed praying the Tikun Chatzos –(midnight prayers, mourning for the destroyed Holy Temple), he heard a knock on the door. "Who's there?" "It is Eliyahu Hanovi." He quickly opened the door, and Eliyahu entered his room. The room was suddenly filled with light and joy.

"I have come to divulge to you, the secret of the coming of Moshiach. But first you must reveal to me, what worthy act you did on the day of your Bar Mitzvah. Which moved the Heavenly Court to rule, that you are worthy of hearing the revelation, of the most esoteric secrets."

The man answered simply:

"What I did, I did only for the glory of G-d, and I will not reveal it to others.

If this means, that you too will not divulge to me the secret of the redemption, then I forego that knowledge. It is a basic rule of mine, that a man's deeds should be solely, for the glory of G-d."

Eliyahu disappeared, and returned to Heaven, where great excitement had been caused, by the man's loyalty to G-d; which had made him refuse an oppurtunity, to learn the most important secrets of Heaven. It was decided, that Eliyahu should nevertheless return, and teach him Torah, and reveal its secrets.

This simple man was unique in his generation; but as he had wished, no one knew of his greatness. His deeds were solely, for the glory of G-d.
__________

When the time came for him to pass away, his pure soul was brought before the Heavenly Court. It was ruled, that his reward would descend again to earth, and be reborn.

This time, he would be revealed to the world. And through him, a new way of life would be taught. He would purify the world, with his spirit. Thus would he glorify the Holy Name; fill the earth with wisdom, and thereby hasten the ultimate redemption.

It was this same spirit of the simple Jew of Safed, that was reborn in Reb Yisroel Baal Shem Tov.

The 18th of Elul is an illustrious day, of immense proportion. The number eighteen spells "chai" or "life" in Hebrew. On this day, two unprecedented and illuminating lives began, that brought a new light and life to the world.

Reb Yisrael Bal Shem Tov, the founder of Chassidism, was born on the 18th of Elul 5458 (1698). On the 18th of Elul 5484 (1724), the prophet Achiya Hashiloni, began teaching the Baal Shem Tov. And on the same date in the year 5494 (1732), the Baal Shem Tov revealed himself and his teachings, to the world.

He spoke of the immense love that G-d has for every Jew, of the cosmic significance of every mitzvah a Jew performs, of the divine meaningfulness that resides in every blade of grass, in every event, and in every thought in the universe.

He spoke to the downtrodden masses and to the aloof scholars. He gave meaning to their existence, and thus joy, and thus life. ______________

The Alter Rebbe Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of Chassidus Chabadm was born on the 18th of Elul 5505 (1745). The Baal Shem Tov proclaimed: "A new soul has come down to the world, which will illuminate it (the world), with the light of the revealed parts of Torah, and the light of Chassidus.

This soul will suffer for the revelation of Chassidus; and its accomplishments, will usher in the era of Moshiach.

Rabbi Schneur Zalman, was the disciple of the Baal Shem Tov's disciple, Rabbi DovBer of Mezeritch. And thus regarded himself, as the Baal Shem Tov's spiritual grandson. He was born exactly 47 years, after his "grandfather," on Elul 18, 5505 (1745), ________________________
Chai Elul" adds a "Chayus", vitality, to "Elul."

Life is not a tangible ingredient, that can be added to an entity’s mass: it is an expression of the being’s soul; a spiritual dimension, that cannot be calculated in material terms. This spiritual quality, however, transforms the nature of the organism in which it is enclothed.

A living body is so identified with its soul, that it takes on the soul’s qualities. Every aspect of the body becomes infused, with the vitality of the soul.

When we speak about feeling more alive, for example, we mean, that a greater dimension of the soul, is manifest in the body. And since the soul is “truly a part of G‑d,” its life-force is infinite. There is thus, an unbounded potential for an individual, to increase the intensity of his life experience.
__________
The infinite potential of the soul, is mirrored by the infinite nature of faith. Although our souls find expression in our thoughts and feelings, this revelation is bounded by the limitations of both intellect and emotion. The power of intellect is limited by one’s range of ideas; and the power of emotion, by one’s range of feelings.

Faith, by contrast, is undefinable and infinite, just as the soul is. It therefore has the power, to give unlimited expression to the potential of the soul, thereby infusing our lives with an immeasurable vitality.

The Hebrew word for faith, emunah, is semantically related to the Hebrew word imun, meaning “developing a skill.” I.e., faith requires practice, in training one’s thinking habits; until it reveals the unlimited divine potential, at the core of every man’s being.
________
The Baal Shem Tov imparted the vitality of emunah (“faith”) to every dimension of our lives, by revealing every individual’s potential for an ongoing dynamic bond with G‑d. He taught a way of life, that enables us to express the infinite spiritual power of our beings, in our observance of the Torah, and in every aspect of our experience.

His teachings gave tangible expression to the verse, “A righteous man shall live by his faith,” because these teachings make faith a vibrant force, which encompasses every dimension of our conduct; infusing it with the vitality, that stems from the soul’s essential power.
___________
The unique quality of faith is that, it permits a connection with G‑d, which transcends the bounds of intellect. This advantage is, however, potentially problematic, because the spiritual plane on which a person operates through faith, is far higher, than his level of personal awareness.

Since faith taps into a dimension of soul which transcends the limits of the individual’s identity, a gap is created, between the infinite potential made possible by faith, and one’s finite mind and heart.

The teachings of the Alter Rebbe, enable us to bridge this gap; because the Alter Rebbe explained, how to bring our spiritual potentials that transcend intellect, into the realm of understanding and feeling.
_______________
When a person develops a conscious relationship with G‑d, he gains mastery of his spiritual experience. As long as his divine service is centered on faith alone, it is dependent upon inspiration, a state in which the soul is aroused.

If inspiration is lacking, the fervor of commitment is reduced. However, because we have control over our thought processes, and can use our minds as we desire; when faith is internalized and drawn into the realm of intellect, a person can take the initiative in his spiritual growth.
_____________________________
Man rather than G‑d, takes the initiative in heightening the love relationship we share with Him. The vitality which Chai Elul imparts to our divine service, increases the blessings we will receive, in the coming New Year.
________

Emphasize the Essential Bond From Chai Elul onward, a person should increase in all aspects of his service of Eul, to the extent that, it is as if a new service has begun! This is achieved through drawing the "life-force" of Elul, into all aspects of a person's service, in a recognizable manner.

So that its essential life-force, namely, the core connection that joins the Jewish people to Hashem, is imbued in every aspect of the service. Bonding Through Prayer Since Chai Elul reflects on the bond of the Jewish people with Hashem, from Chai Elul onward, a person should specifically increase his service of prayer, whose theme likewise, to bond the Jewish person with Hashem.

Therefore, in addition to the general increase in prayer during the month of Elul, there should now be a fundamental emphasis on, not only the request for pardon, but the essential bond, that connect the Jewish people with Hashem. ____________

Here is the inside story, as passed down from Rebbe to Rebbe, until it was told to us by Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak of Lubavitch (The Previous Rebbe, Sefer Hasichot 5703, pp. 167-168):

As he told it, in the Baal Shem Tov's words:

Before I was sixteen, I had gained a significant knowledge of the teaching of Kabbalah; and would occasionally pray with the mystical meditations of the Ari Zal, taught to me by the holy and awesome hidden Tzaddik, Reb Chaim.

On my sixteenth birthday, the eighteenth of Elul 5474 [1714], I was in a small village. The innkeeper was a Jew, of quintessential simplicity. He knew his prayers, only with difficulty, for he had no idea what the words meant. But he had a great awe of heaven.

Everything that would happened to him, he would comment, "Blessed be He, and may He be blessed, for ever and ever." The innkeeper's wife had a different saying: "Blessed be His Holy Name".

On that day, I went to meditate in solitude in the pasture; as had been taught by the sages before us, that on one's birthday, one should meditate alone for a period of time.

In my meditations, I recited Psalms, and concentrated on the Yichudim of the divine names.
["Yichudim" are a form of Kabbalistic meditation, based on different permutations and combinations, of the divine names and attributes, of G-d].

As I was so immersed in this, that I had lost awareness of my surroundings. Suddenly, I beheld Elijah the Prophet—he was smiling. I was very amazed, that I should merit a revelation of Elijah the Prophet, while alone.

When I was with the Tzaddik Rabbi Meir, and also with others of the hidden Tzadikim, I had the fortune to see Elijah the Prophet. But to be privileged to this while alone--this was the very first time, and I was very amazed. Understandably, I was unable to understand the smile on Elijah's face.

This is what he said to me:
"Behold, you are struggling with great effort, to focus your mind upon the divine names, that extend from the verses of Psalms that David, King of Israel, composed.

But Aaron Shlomo the innkeeper, and Zlota his wife, are so ignorant of the Yichudim of divine names, - yet these Yichudim make a storm, throughout all the upper worlds, far beyond the Yichudim of Divine Names, that the great Tzadikim can create."
__________
Then, Elijah the Prophet told me, about the pleasure G-d takes, so to speak, from the praise and thanksgiving of the men, women and children, who praise Him.

Especially when the praise and thanks, comes from simple people. Specifically, when it is ongoing, continual praise--for then, they are continuously bonded with G-d, blessed be He, with pure faith, and sincerity of heart.
__________
From that time on, I took upon myself a path in the service of G-d, to bring men, women and children, to say words of praise to G-d.

I would always ask them about their health, the health of their children, about their material welfare;--and they would answer me, with different words of praise for the Holy One, blessed be He--each one in, his or her own way.

For several years I did this myself; and at one of the gatherings of the hidden Tzadikim, they all accepted this path.
___________
The following is translated by Yaacov-David Shulman from Kovetz Eliyahu, p. 14:

1. The entire Torah, and the entire world, contain nothing but the light of the Infinite One (blessed be He), concealed within them. All the verses that speak of this, are to be taken literally, such as "there is no other than He," and "I fill the heavens and the earth"

There is no act, word or thought, in which the essence of divinity, is not constricted and hiding.

And so, when you look and see with your mind's eye, you will see the inner, life-force aspect of everything; not just its outer, superficial layer. You will see nothing but the divine power, inside all things, that is giving them life, being, and existence at every moment.

And when you listen carefully, to the inner voice within any physical sound that you hear, you will hear only the voice of G-d. As at that moment, it is literally giving life and existence, to the sound that you are hearing.
2. The "exile of G-d's Presence," refers to the life-force and divine power, that gives a person life and existence, even at the moment that he is transgressing G-d's will.
3. The evil inclination and lust, are agents of G-d. They carry out G-d's will, to mislead a person, in order that he will overcome them.

From them, you can learn to be as mighty as they are. Just as they never slacken in their work, but are trying to destroy you day and night (because a person always desires what his eyes see and what his ears hear); just as they are happy and delighted, to carry out G-d's will; it should be as clear to you, that G-d wants you to overcome them, until you will conquer yourself, and all your desires will be under your control – and you transform them to good

This idea is alluded to in the verse, "We will take from it [from the flock], to serve G-d" (Ex. 10:26), meaning, that we will take a lesson from the evil inclination, to act just as it acts, to fulfill G-d's will. A word to the wise, is sufficient.

4. Having no [divine] source, evil does not come down from heaven. Nevertheless, evil that exists, has an inner power, giving it life. And this [inner power], is total goodness. If you look at the inner aspect of evil, you will only see the good in it.

5. A person has to cling to the words, that he speaks. Because each word contains a soul and divinity; when you cling to them, you are connected to divinity.

6. Everything that happens in the world, no matter how insignificant, comes from G-d. And so, do not concern yourself with, whether or not what has occurred, is in accordance with your will.

7. Neither thinking about the day of one's death, nor the fear of punishment in hell, will arouse a person's heart to serve G-d. But yearning to cling to the source of life and goodness, will do so. And neither fasting nor afflicting oneself will be of any help. But forgetting oneself, out of the depth of one's yearning, will do so.

8. Every person in his own right, is [essentially] a complete spiritual Torah. If he goes in G-d's path, that [Torah] is absorbed into his being, according to his level.

9. When a person prays for something that he needs, he should pray for the divine life-force, hiding within that thing, and giving it life; which is now suffering because of whatever it is lacking. And so one should ask G-d, to have pity on His life force, that is hidden in that thing.

10. G-d's Providence, extends to all created beings, even to inanimate objects and plants. There is nothing that is not viewed from above, in every detail. Everything was made with a specific purpose.

__________
Thirty Six Aphorisms of the Baal Shem Tov

1. Everything is by Divine Providence. If a leaf is turned over by a breeze, it is only because this has been specifically ordained by G-d to serve a particular function within the purpose of creation.

Every single thing that a person sees or hears, is an instruction to him in his conduct in the service of G-d.

"Love your fellow as yourself" (Leviticus 19:18) is an interpretation of and commentary on "Love the L-rd, your G-d" (Deuteronomy 6:5). He who loves a fellow Jew loves G-d, because the Jew has within himself a "part of G-d Above" (Job 31:2; see Tanya ch.

2). When one loves a fellow Jew, he loves the Jew's inner essence, and thereby loves G-d.

To love a fellow Jew is to love G-d. For it is written, "You are children of G-d" (Deuteronomy 14:1); when one loves the father, one loves his children.

G-d's love of each and every Jew is infinitely greater than the love of elderly parents to their only child born to them in their later years.

A sigh emitted because of a fellow's pain, breaks all the impenetrable barriers of the heavenly "accusers". And when a person rejoices in the joy of his fellow and blesses him, it is as dear to G-d and accepted by Him as the prayers of Rabbi Yishmael the High Priest in the Holy of Holies.

The love G-d has for every Jew extends not only to the Jew's soul but also to his body. G-d loves all Jews without distinction; the greatest Torah genius and scholar and the most simple Jew are loved equally by G-d.

One must have total self-sacrifice and dedication for love of one's fellow, even towards a Jew whom one has never seen.

"Torah that is unaccompanied by labor will ultimately cease" (Ethics of the Fathers 2:2). The "labor" of which the Mishnah speaks is the labor of loving one's fellow Jew.

The three loves - the love of G-d, love of Torah, and the love of one's fellow - are indeed truly one.

The Baal Shem Tov was orphaned from his father, the hidden tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer, at the age of five. The last words spoken to him by his holy father before his passing were: "Yisrolik, fear nothing but G-d alone. Love every single Jew, without exception, with the full depth of your heart and with the fire of your soul, no matter who he is or how he behaves."

The Baal Shem Tov's love of a fellow Jew was beyond imagination. His successor, the Maggid of Mezeritch, said: If only we could kiss a Torah-scroll with the same love that my Master kissed the children when he took them to school as a teacher's assistant.

A soul may descend to this world and live seventy or eighty years just in order to do a Jew a material favor, and certainly a spiritual one.
It is written, "For you (the people of Israel) shall be a desirable land, says G-d" (Malachi 3:12).

Just as the greatest explorers will never uncover the limits of the great and valuable resources which the Almighty has placed within the earth, neither will anyone ever discover the limits of the great treasures which lie buried within a Jew - G-d's "desirable land."

Your fellow is your mirror. If your own face is clean, so will be the image you perceive. But should you look upon your fellow and see a blemish, it is your own imperfection that you are encountering - you are being shown what it is that you must correct within yourself.

Our Sages have said that "Slander kills all three" - the subject of the slander, the one who relates it, and the listener. This is all in spiritual terms, which is more severe than physical murder.

The wholesome simplicity of the simple Jew touches on the utterly simple essence of G-d.

Cleaving to G-d is the master-key that opens all locks. Every Jew, including the most simple, possesses the ability to cleave to the words of Torah and prayer, thereby achieving the highest degrees of unity with G-d.

The simple true faith of a Jewish man or woman that finds expression in their recitation of Psalms is the highest level of attachment to G-d. It arouses G-d's Divine mercies and provides succor to the one who recites these holy words in a spirit of oneness with G-d.

"An angel of G-d appeared to [Moses] in a flame of fire amidst the thorn-bush; and he saw that, behold, and the bush burned with fire, but was not consumed" (Exodus 3:2).

It is in the simple folk - the "lowly" thorn-bush - that this insatiable Divine flame is found, for theirs is an unquenchable thirst for G-dliness, Torah and its commandments.

"And Moses said: Let me move from here..." (ibid. 3:3). Even a completely righteous individual such as Moses is not to be content with his spiritual achievements; he, too, must constantly ascend from "here" to "there."

There are two levels in the study of Torah, Torah of the mind and Torah of the heart. The mind cogitates, comprehends and understands; the heart feels. I have come to reveal Torah as it extends to the heart as well.

G-d commanded Noah to "Enter into the teivah" (literally "ark", but also "word"). One should enter into and cleave to the letters and words of Torah and prayer. This will protect the person and his entire extended family, enabling them to receive from G-d all their necessities.

The Baal Shem Tov was very fond of light, and said, "Or (light) is the numerical equivalent of raz ('secret'). Whoever knows the 'secret' in every thing can bring illumination."

"Conceal shall I conceal My face on that day" (Deuteronomy 31:18). Galut (the Exile) is a twofold concealment, wherein the concealment itself is concealed. So great is this concealment, that one is not even aware of the concealment; one may even come to think of the darkness as light.
"Shall a man conceal himself in hidden places and I will not to see him?" (Jeremiah 23:24). The Baal Shem Tov interpreted this verse thus: Should "a man conceal himself in hidden places and I" - i.e., he retains his ego, his "I" - then, says G-d, "I will not see him."

"G-d is your shadow" (Psalms 121:5) - Just as a person's shadow entirely mimics his actions, so does G-d, as it were, entirely reciprocate our deeds.

"Who alone performs great wonders" (Psalms 136:4) - All that G-d does is "great wonders." Most wondrous of all these wonders are those of which He alone is cognizant.

It is written: "When you will see the donkey of your enemy collapsing under its burden, and you are inclined to refrain from aiding him, you shall nevertheless aid him" (Exodus 23:5).

The Baal Shem Tov applied this instruction to the body and the material self (chamor, "donkey", also means "materiality"). Initially - the Torah is saying - you may see your body as your enemy, resisting your soul's objectives, collapsing under the "burden" of the mitzvot.

You may therefore be inclined to fight the body by denying its needs and mortifying it. Says the Torah: You must aid your soul's "enemy". Purify the body, refine it, do not break it.

"Seek peace and pursue it" (Psalms 34:15) - One must seek and pursue means of making peace and establishing harmony between the material world and the G-dly life-force that vitalizes it.

"The earth shall rest a sabbath to G-d" (Leviticus 25:2) - Give earthiness a rest; permeate it with the sabbath of spirituality and holiness.

"Your beginning shall be small, and your end shall flourish exceedingly" (Job 8:7) - Small and inauspicious beginnings are often crucial for the person to flourish exceedingly in the end.

The Torah (Numbers 33) enumerates the 42 encampments in "the journeys of the Children of Israel who came out of Egypt." Each and every one of us goes through our own personal forty-two journeys in life, beginning with our "exodus," our birth, passing through the many way-stations in our lives, and concluding upon reaching the promised celestial "Land of Life."

Tishrei, the month of the new year, is blessed by G-d Himself, on the Shabbat of Blessing, the last Shabbat in the previous month of Elul. With this power, the people of Israel bless the other months eleven times a year.

It is written, "You stand upright this day before the L-rd your G-d" (Deuteronomy 29:9). "This day" refers to Rosh Hashanah which is the day of judgment. Yet you remain standing firmly upright, meaning you will be vindicated in judgment.

I asked the Moshiach, "When will you come?" and he said to me: "When your wellsprings shall spread to the outside."

Thoughts

2009-09-06T19:59:00.000-07:00

Everything that happens in the world, no matter how insignificant, comes from G-d. And so, do not concern yourself with, whether or not what has occurred, is in accordance with your will.

Neither thinking about the day of one's death, nor the fear of punishment in hell, will arouse a person's heart to serve G-d. But yearning to cling to the source of life and goodness, will do so.

And neither fasting nor afflicting oneself will be of any help. But forgetting oneself, out of the depth of one's yearning, will do so.

Moshiach’s Unity

2009-09-04T12:59:00.000-07:00

G-d made the purpose of Jews being on this earth, to teach the nations, that everyone is important.

Can anyone think of a greater humbling job, than a nation whose whole existence is dedicated, to teaching the other nations, that G-d loves and needs them?

Judaism does not look for converts, because it is a fallacy to believe, that one need be a Jew, in order to enjoy closeness to G-d, or lead a fulfilled life.

The way G-d created each and every one of us, is the way in which He wanted us to serve Him. For a one to believe, that he must be Jewish in order to go to heaven, is not only erroneous, but it can be extremely damaging.

By becoming a Jew, one might neglect to make the contributions to society, in the way in which he was created to do! The world needs him the way he is, which is why G-d created him that way.

What G-d does expect, however, is that one develop ones inner abilities for what he is needed for, within the divine scheme of things, to ones greatest potential.
____________
To our great misfortune, we live in an age, which not only does not appreciate differences, but actively seeks to obliterate them. On the contrary, equality in today's society seems to mean, that there must be an indistinguishable, homogenous mass, where all things are equal by virtue of their being similar.

The failure of true multiculturalism is that, modern society does not like differences.

In Judaism, the word holy actually means "distinct" or "removed." Something is holy, by virtue of it being dissimilar to something else. Thus, a human being becomes holy, when he acts differently than animals.

Instead of eating whenever, however, and whatever he likes; a Jew eats kosher food, and not by sticking his head into a bowl.

When a person does eat without human etiquette, we say that he behaves like an animal. Human beings are holy, by virtue of their being different.

Similarly, G-d is holy, because He is not like man. He has no body, limitations, or other corporal description. Shabbat is holy, because it is different than the other days of the week. To treat it like any other day of the week, is to deny its holiness.

Judaism teaches man, to be sensitive and appreciative of differences.
_____________
But in modern society, man is increasingly obliterating all differences.
If one can encourage a world-view, that acknowledges every nation's, (indeed every person's), ability to benefit from diversity and multiformity, that cannot happen. It is only arrogance, that allows one to believe, that one is sufficient on ones own.
_____________
The belief, that from everything in this world, something positive can be extracted, even those things that appear negative at first; has always been a cornerstone of Judaism.

The world cannot be run, by human whim. It needs an ultimate plan, and a regulator, who can determine whether it is progressing or regressing. This is the role of the Torah, the divine law, which puts each of one's contributions, into perspective.

The same Torah teaches, that the failure of the non-Jew to keep his commandments, is equally as detrimental, as the failure of the Jew to keep his. Both are indispensable. Through the contributions of both, the world maintains a healthy balance, and true equanimity.
________________
This idea of dual roles in creation, is exclusive to Judaism.
We deny the world the perfection, it could attain through diversity: if the entire world had been only Jews or Gentiles, or if all people looked the same, or had only the same ideas. If one uses someone else, as a role model, of what he should be, in place of learning from each other's virtue.

This is the beginning of a Messianic world, a world in which contention, jealousy, and war, can never play a part for each nation. Each individual will see G-d's wisdom in creation; and by extension, the perfection that exists, in every aspect of the whole of creation and people.

A Messianic world is one, where all the people of the earth, while retaining their intrinsic identities, come together to create a better world.
This is radically different from the homogeny usually found, within the doctrines of secularist utopian states.

Unity means that, people who are essentially different, come together; and through respecting one another prove, that they are essentially one.

The Messianic era will occur, when G-d’s deeper power and essence, is revealed, in the great diversity in creation; and then there will be, the permanent revelation of that unity.

The Rebbe: The G-dly Purpose of the Scientific Revolution

2009-09-04T11:46:00.000-07:00

A Letter by the Lubavitcher Rebbe

Everything G-d created in His world, He created to express His glory. (Mishne Avot, 6:11)

The computer age, and the information revolution, have given all of us enormous power and the ability, to reach virtually anyone at any time. Yes, technology allows us to live more comfortably and work more efficiently, but can we understand, how it makes our lives more meaningful?
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On its own, science is neutral; it attempts to give us an objective view of our physical universe and its natural forces, but it does not draw a conclusion, as to how we should use these forces. It does not deal with good and evil, or with questions of morality.

At its best, science acknowledges its own boundaries, recognizing, that it is neither the basis, nor the code, for moral doctrine.

Technology, as with all forces in our lives, can be used either constructively or destructively. Developments such as television, computers, and lasers, and discoveries in nuclear energy, medicine, and biology -- these are all instances of G-dly forces, that are manifested in nature.

Man has been charged with utilizing these resources, to refine and civilize the world, and to transform our material surroundings, into a proper home for spirituality and G-dliness.

We can choose to acknowledge the "hand inside the glove," understanding where the power truly comes from, and use these forces as tools to lead a more meaningful life.

Or we can choose to be distracted by the glove, to see technology only as a means unto itself, using it for indulgent, selfish, perhaps even destructive purposes.

Faith is neither acquired nor taught; rather it is our most natural state.
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WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND TECHNOLOGY?

The sweeping technological changes, that have taken place during the past several generations, are in keeping with the prediction some two thousand years ago in the Zohar, a classical text of mysticism.

It states: that in the year 1840, there would be an outburst of "lower wisdom," or advancements in the physical universe, and an increase in "sublime wisdom," or spirituality, would begin to usher true unity into the world, leading toward the final redemption.

The increase in both types of wisdom -- wisdom of the mind, and wisdom of the soul -- has surely come to pass; where we have fallen short is, in integrating these spheres of knowledge. Only by balancing the scientific with the spiritual, can we transform the dream of an ideal future, into a functional blueprint for society. For true communication can begin only, when both human minds and souls, interact.

With communication, comes understanding; with understanding, comes compassion; and with compassion, comes a natural movement toward universalism.

So the current technological revolution is in fact, the hand of G-d at work; it is meant to help us make G-d a reality in our lives. And as time goes on, science will show itself more and more, to parallel the truths of G-d, thereby revealing the intrinsic unity, in the entire universe.

The divine purpose of the present information revolution, for instance, which gives an individual unprecedented power and opportunity, is to allow us to share knowledge -- spiritual knowledge with each other, empowering and unifying individuals everywhere.

We need to utilize today's interactive technology, not just for business or leisure, but to interlink as people -- to create a welcome environment, for the interaction of our souls, our hearts, our visions.

There is much to learn from the technological revolution, as long as we understand its role in our lives, and see it as a final step in our dramatic search for unity, throughout the universe.

After all, developments in science and technology, have taught us to be more sensitive to the intangible and the sublime: the forces behind computers, telephones, television, and so on, are all invisible, and yet we fully recognize their power and reach.

Similarly, we must come to realize, that the driving force behind the entire universe, is intangible and sublime; and we must come to experience the transcendent and G-dly, in every single thing -- beginning, of course with ourselves.

With all our human capacity for technological advancement, we must never forget our higher objective. We must strive to enhance our scientific search for truth, by constantly expanding our spiritual search for the divine.

Understanding science and technology, as divine tools for our personal and spiritual growth, is critical for our well-being. It is well and good, to learn to program a computer, but unless a student also acquires a sense of discipline and integrity, he or she might just as easily use that skill, to wreak technological havoc as to obtain a job.

The best students -- and the best teachers – recognize, that there is much to be learned, by inspecting the failure of cultures, before ours. By doing so, it becomes painfully clear, that no amount of wisdom or technology, can overcome a value system, that encourages selfishness or evil.

We must strive, therefore, to transcend the weaknesses of humanity, by constantly expanding our spiritual search.

Holy Eating Effects Atonement

2009-09-04T11:21:00.001-07:00

When the altar consumes the sacrifice, atonement is achieved for the bearer of the sacrifice. Likewise, when the priest eats of the sacrifice, this effects atonement for the bearer as well.

Ultimately, the energy that we receive from the Temple, even when it does not stand, is that we should eat in a holy manner. Food contains many holy sparks of souls; and sometimes, even reincarnations of souls.

When we eat food in holiness and according to all the dietary laws, we can atone for the reincarnated sparks or souls in that food.

The food that is permissible for us to eat according to the dietary laws, is the food that we are capable of elevating. Food that is prohibited, is food that we cannot elevate.
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While the scholar who studies the revealed portion of the Torah, is likened to a land animal; the fish that swim in the water, represent the scholars that study the inner dimension of the Torah.

If a person desires to sharpen his mind, to learn the revealed portion of the Torah, it is recommended that he eat meat. If he wishes to sharpen his mind for the study of the concealed part of the Torah, it is recommended that he eat fish.

In Kabbalah we are taught, that the souls of great Tzadikim ("righteous ones"), are present in fish, more than in any other type of food.

When we eat fish in holiness, we incorporate the holy spark of the tzadik ("righteous") within ourselves, transforming ourselves to holy fish.

Humility

2009-09-04T10:47:00.001-07:00

Rav Moshe Kordevero, in Tomer Devorah (Perek 2) says, that humility is the key to all good Middos (character traits).

Humility he says means, considering yourself "Ayin", nothing. Once you achieve this, all other Middos will fall into place automatically.
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This is not easy to achieve, as we all suffer from the disease of ego to a degree.

The Ramak suggests five things, that can help in this area:

1. Run away from Kavod
If people shower you with honor, you will get used to it and crave it. Then it will be very hard to extricate yourself from gaava (vanity). You must run from Kavod at all costs.

2. Focus on Your Weaknesses
Just because people honor you, for what they think makes you great, you still know the truth. Don't delude yourself, just because the people are mistaken. Be honest with yourself, and know the truth about all your shortcomings. If they knew these things, would they still honor you? Probably not, so get over it.

3. Appreciate Disgrace
Think about all your aveiros, and what you really deserve from Hashem. When you are humiliated or disgraced, be happy. It is a lot easier way to be punished than, getting sick, losing your money, or having someone close to you die. Better to suffer shame, than real problems.

The Ramak then brings two more thoughts that he says will help, but are not as effective as the first three.

4. Respect All Creations
If you embarrass even the smallest most insignificant creation, it is a disgrace to its Creator, Hashem. If Hashem created something he must be very pleased with it or he would have done it. How dare a person belittle it.

5. Fill Your Heart With Love of Every Man
Even love Reshaim, daven that they should do Teshuvah. When you see a disheveled vagrant, rather than loathe him, ask yourself what is the difference between him and I, a little money?
Don't look at people's bad traits, only their good ones.