“The Stone That the Builders Rejected”

Retold by Dovid Sears

The following posting first appeared in 2006 on the Breslov-oriented blog, A Simple Jew.

There is a story in Reb Avraham Sternhartz’s Tovos Zichronos (Breslov oral traditions) about some astounding things one of the Reb Noson’s talmidim told the author in his youth about the Rebbe’s power of tikkun ha-neshamos (healing or perfection of souls). An English translation by Rabbi Chaim Kramer appears in the back of The Breslov Haggadah (Breslov Research Institute). This is a slightly shorter version.

Reb Pinchas Yehoshua was the son of Reb Isaac the Sofer, a close disciple of Reb Noson. He was very poor, yet well known for his piety and great devotions. One day, Reb Pinchas Yehoshua made the pilgrimage to the Rebbe’s gravesite in Uman, together with Reb Avraham Sternhartz, then in his early twenties, and Reb Motele Shochet, both of whom were very close to him. The three of them prayed there for many hours.

Reb Avraham writes:

As we turned to leave the Rebbe’s gravesite, Reb Pinchas Yehoshua began to tremble with great trepidation. “My friends,” he said, “I looked at myself, and I saw that I have been reincarnated again and again into this world.”

He then began detailing the various generations in which he lived. He said that he had been alive in the time of a certain Tanna, and then in the generation of a particular tzaddik... As he spoke, Reb Pinchos Yehoshua carefully weighed his words, their truth being clear. We believed him because we knew of his greatness and his incredible devotion to G-d. He even told us how many times his soul had already returned to this world.

Reb Pinchas Yehoshua found it extremely hard to understand why, of all the people that lived in the world when his soul was first incarnated, he alone had to endure this. The Tanna had rectified other souls. Why not his? Why did he have to suffer so many incarnations? Reb Pinchas Yehoshua began saying to himself, “Why was my soul left without a tikkun? Why was I left in the depths, in the abyss of my sins, so that I had to come down to this world again? Perhaps I would be rectified the second time around...”

Then he told us that he came back in the generation of a different tzaddik. This tzaddik worked diligently to rectify neshamos and bring them back to their source. But as before, his soul was left without its tikkun, and he had to return again – and again.

“I tried as hard as I could to understand why this was happening,” Reb Pinchas Yehoshua continued. “Finally, I realized that I alone was responsible for my fate. I, myself, because of my difficult nature and improper deeds, had made it impossible for anyone to provide me with a tikkun. Had I not learned in the Gemara that ‘the tzaddikim are builders?’ It must have been my fault that these righteous leaders were powerless to include me in the ‘buildings’ of holiness that they had made.”

I looked at Reb Motele Shochet, and he looked back at me. Neither of us could believe what we were hearing. We stood there transfixed as Reb Pinchas Yehoshua went on.

“When constructing a building,” he said, “a mason gathers all the stones that he needs for the first level of the building and starts cutting and chipping away at the corners. He forms the stones so that each one fits properly into place. When he has finished the first level, he again gathers the stones he needs and shapes them, so that he can then erect the second level. So it goes, level after level. At each level, the mason must make sure that all the stones he uses for the building are suitably formed. Many times we see that builders come across certain odd-shaped stones, which they try to use, only to find them too awkward to fit properly. In the end, they have no choice but to discard them.

“The same is true in spirituality. The great tzaddikim try to ‘build’ by attempting to rectify the souls of Israel. The Torah calls these souls ‘stones’ [as in Lamentations]. The tzaddikim work hard at this. Each stone they come across, every soul they encounter, they do their very best to fit into the building of holiness they erect.”

Reb Pinchas Yehoshua interrupted his words with a long, deep sigh. Then, with even greater intensity, he began again. “When it was my soul’s turn to play its part in the building, I came before this great Tanna. He attempted to correct me, but found that he could not succeed. He worked very hard to ‘ shape’ me, trying all different angles. However, no matter what he tried, it did not work. As soon as he corrected me on one side, I was found to be crooked on another side. Whichever way he turned my soul, it was still impossible for him to find a place for me in his ‘building.’ Seeing that it was futile, this Tanna left me alone. There was absolutely nothing he could do. The exact same thing happened the second time my soul descended into this world; and so it was with every subsequent incarnation. All the tzaddikim tried to rectify me, but their efforts failed. I was left alone through all those generations, thrown away like an odd-shaped stone, to be cast and kicked about forever.

“Yet G-d, Whose kindness is everlasting, wants all souls to be rectified, no matter what they have done. He saw my difficulties and sent me back to this world again. However, this time, in my current incarnation, I discovered something completely new: a tzaddik with a ‘building power’ that I had never seen in any of my previous incarnations. This was Rebbe Nachman of Breslov! All the Upper Worlds tremble in awe of his greatness and his holiness. Rebbe Nachman believed that a person could always come close to G-d, no matter how distant he was. In a strong voice he called out from the depths of his heart, ‘Never give up! Never despair!’ This Rebbe Nachman described himself as ‘a river that can cleanse all stains.’ From Creation until today, there never was a tzaddik who spoke such words, and with such strength and such power. In addition to hearing about Rebbe Nachman, G-d gave me the privilege of knowing Rebbe Nachman’s closest disciple, Reb Noson. He taught me Rebbe Nachman’s lessons and brought me to serve G-d.

“This is where I am now. “

And now, when I think about this, I cannot help but wonder: After being so distant from G-d all those years, how is it possible that I should I merit such a great light? How could someone so undeserving come to know of Rebbe Nachman?

“I only understood this after I contemplated the psalms of Hallel. ‘The stone despised by all the builders has become the cornerstone.’ In other words, this soul – the very same soul that had been discarded by all the great tzaddikim – has now come to the tzaddik, who is the ‘cornerstone,’ the foundation of the entire world. ‘This has come from G-d; it is wondrous in our eyes.’ It is truly wondrous how G-d deals with every single soul, making certain that it achieves its tikkun. The great tzaddikim never give up trying to correct all souls, because this is what G-d truly wants.

“I saw from this,” Reb Pinchas Yehoshua concluded, “that no matter what happens to us, we must understand that there is salvation. We can always come back to G-d.

“And these are the next words we say in the Hallel: ‘This is the day that G-d has made, we will rejoice...’ For today, in our generation, G-d gave us such a great leader, Rebbe Nachman, who instilled in us the faith that we can always turn to G-d, no matter where we are. Then G-d will redeem the Jewish People, and we will know nothing but great joy and happiness all the rest of our days, amen!”

Rabbi Ozer Bergman in Cedarhurst

Received by e-mail:

With gratitude to Hashem, Breslov of Far Rockaway and the Five Towns is pleased to announce a shiur on Inyanei Chanukah this Monday evening (December 8/ Kislev 17) at 8:15 pm with Rabbi Ozer Bergman of Yerushalayim. Rabbi Bergman is the author of "Where Earth and Heaven Kiss, a guide to Rebbe Nachman's path of meditation."

Location: Beis HaMedrash Chaim vi-Shalom
530 Central Avenue in Cedarhurst (next door to Citibank)

Refreshments will be served.

All are welcome. Please notify anyone you think may be interested. 

Looking forward to seeing you!

The Haskamos to Likutey Moharan

Otzar Nachmani, Vol. I, sec. 92-93

Collected Talks of Rabbi Nachman Burstein, zatzal

Translated by Dovid Sears (unedited)

[Reb Nachman Burstein writes:] I heard from Reb Elyah Chaim Rosen, zal, that prior to the first printing of Likutey Moharan, the Rebbe sent Reb Zalman “Der Kleiner” (“the small,” due to his physical stature) to the celebrated leaders of the generation to receive haskamos (approbations) for the holy book. He also had a special mission to the Chozeh of Lublin concerning the secret of the Redemption. Reb Zalman was on the road for about a year, from shortly after Pesach of 5567 (1807) until Pesach of 5568 (1808), approximately.

When he returned from his long journey, Reb Zalman confided to Reb  Noson and Reb Naftoli that he had learned many things that even they didn’t know concerning the secret of the Redemption. And he had obtained many haskamos from the great rabbis and Chassidic leaders. However, the Rebbe, for his own hidden reasons, didn’t want to print them at all. Only five were printed subsequently [i.e., by Reb Noson, following the Rebbe’s passing]: 1) from the Chozeh of Lublin; 2) from the Maggid of Koznitz (author of Avodas Yisrael); 3) from Rav Ephraim Zalman Margolios (author of Beis Ephraim, Yad Ephraim and Matteh Ephraim); 4) from Rav Meir, Av Beis Din of Brod; from Rabbi Zalman Chaim of Zlotchov (author of Orach Chaim). The rest of the haskamos were either lost in the course of time, or burned along with the other manuscripts that the Rebbe ordered to be burned immediately after his death (as mentioned by Reb Noson in Yemei Moharnat).

I heard from Reb Itche Meir Korman that Reb Zalman Der Kleiner used to describe the various facial expressions and emotional reactions of all the great rabbis and tzaddikim, which he had witnessed when they first studied the hand-written manuscript of the Rebbe and the wondrous chiddushim (novel Torah insights) contained therein, each in his own manner. One raised the manuscript toward the heavens and exclaimed, “Hott Rebbe Nachman azoy yung massig gevven azoyne hoykhe toirois vos men zeht nisht azalkhes (Rabbi Nachman grasped at such a young age such lofty teachings as these, the like of which have never been seen)!” Another begged [Reb Zalman] that as soon as the holy book was printed, he should immediately, without delay, send it to him, and he would pay twice the price. For he saw there such lofty and hidden matters, “secrets of secrets,” and wondrous mysteries.

A Few Short Teachings From Rebbe Nachman

Preserved by Rabbi Nachman Burstein, zatzal

Otzar Nachmani, Vol. I, sec. 86-90

Translated by Dovid Sears (unedited)

The Rebbe said: “One who possesses the true, proper da’as [in this sense, higher knowledge or consciousness] can accomplish in serving G-d in a quarter of an hour what another person might need to exert himself intensely to accomplish in seventy years.”

Reb Nachman Burstein adds that he heard this from Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Bender. He also cross-references a similar teaching from Sichos ha-Ran 174. Additionally, he directs the reader to Likutey Moharan II, 61, with the Parpara’os le-Chokhmah, and Chayei Moharan 468.

*

The Rebbe said: “To accomplish, one should do so with goodness, not with anger. And if at times one accomplishes something with anger—one could have done much more with goodness!” (Heard from Reb Levi Yitzchak Bender).

*

The Rebbe said: “Every Jew must strive for the highest level—and not let himself fall, even if he [seems to be] on the lowest level.” (Heard from Reb Levi Yitzchak Bender).

Reb Nachman Burstein cross-references Likutey Moharan I, 6, which discusses being an “expert in ascent” and an “expert in descent.”

*

The Rebbe said: The first avodah of the day is that a Jew must arise for Tikkun Chatzos (the midnight lament) during the winter, and in the summer, to arise before dawn. As for sleep, he should make his calculations by day [i.e., take a nap, if need be].” (Heard from various Breslover chassidim; also see “Avaneha Barzel”).

Rabbi Nachman Burstein cross-references Sichos ha-Ran 301 and Likutey Moharan I, 54 (end); 149; and L”M II, 67.

*

The Rebbe said: As soon as a Jew awakens from sleep, he should think about the ultimate goal (takhlis)—that there is another world.”

Rabbi Nachman Burstein cross-references Likutey Moharan I, 54, which calls this “remembering the World to Come.”

Rav Arush On Tour

“No One Loses With Me”

From Otzar Nachmani Vol. 1, sec. 75

Collected Talks of Rabbi Nachman Burstein, zatzal

Translated by Dovid Sears (unedited)

(Reb Nachman Burstein writes in the first person, as if he were speaking. Brackets are mine, quotation marks are his.)

In [Reb Noson’s collected letters] Alim le-Terufah (Warsaw ed. Letter 322), dated Erev Sukkos 5601 / 1841, Reb Noson writes: “With this [in mind], a Jew should travel, whether on a distant journey or a short one, and even when he goes about his home town conducting his business or pursuing his livelihood, such as going to the post office…” – this letter [Reb Nachman Burstein notes] was written to Reb Noson’s son Reb Yitzchak, who managed a post office, as is known – “…he should intend to make a profit in order to give tzedakah [charity]. Additionally, he should have in mind, ‘Who knows? Maybe I will encounter another person with whom I can speak about the purpose of life, and to whom I make communicate the truth of the chiddushim [new insights] of the Torah-revelations of the true tzaddikim of the generation.’ ”

I heard from the chassid Rabbi Hirsch Leib Lippel, zal, that he had heard from one of the Breslover Chassidim in Uman (whose name I have forgotten), that the words of this letter were vividly exemplified by Reb Noson’s grandson, Rabbi “Micheleh” of Tulchin (a son of Rabbi Yitzchak). He too conducted himself in similar fashion; when he walked through the streets to go to work at the post office, he remained bound to the One Above, in fullfillment of the verse, “I have placed G-d before me constantly” [Psalms 16:8]. His thoughts and his speech were constantly occupied with matters of Torah, prayer, faith, trust in G-d, the ultimate goal and “remembrance of the World to Come” [as in Likutey Moharan I, 54]. When he would encounter another Breslover chassid along the way, he would stop to speak words of faith, reverence and encouragement, and to strengthen his friend in avodas Hashem [divine service]. Sometimes this discussion would go on for more than an hour, which was not an uncommon occurrence with him.

(In the letters of his father Rabbi Yitzchak, zal, Letter 8, dated parshas Lekh Lekha, [Reb Yitzchak] writes in the name of his father Reb Noson, zal, that [Reb Noson] once told him, “The main thing is to raise your eyes above during all of your doings … Particularly at the time you walk to the post office, raise your eyes above, and may your entire desire and purpose be for the true good…”)

Reb Hirsch Leib also told how once he was walking down the street and saw in the distance Reb Micheleh on his way to the post office. He knew from past experience that were they to meet, he would have to stop and converse with him for who knows how long—and he would have been very glad to hear [Reb Micheleh’’s] sweet words, according to his holy way. But as it happened, right now he was in a bit of a rush and didn’t have time for this. Therefore, in order to prevent such an encounter, he turned down a back alley that lead to a different street. However, it seems that Reb Micheleh had already recognized him and noticed that he had taken that side-street. So he too changed his usually route and turned down a different alley that led to the same street, and thus they encountered each other. Reb Micheleh greeted him in his sweet way, “Tierer brieder, my dear brother!  Maybe you know how one can become an ehrlicher yid [a devout Jew]? Let’s speak together about what one needs to do to become an ehrlicher yid, the way the holy Rebbe taught us!”

Thus, Reb Micheleh continued to speak with him at length about matters of avodas Hashem, according to the Rebbe’s path. Reb Hirsch Leib remarked that although he was delayed for an hour, nevertheless, he suffered no loss or hardship because of their lengthy conversation. On the contrary, even greater good resulted from this. For Reb Micheleh shared with him wondrous words, truly like a tzaddik. He then saw how the verse was fulfilled in him, “No wrong shall be caused through the tzaddik…” [Proverbs 12:21—which in this context seems to mean “no harm came come about through the tzaddik”; translator].  

(It seems to me that I heard [from Reb Hirsch Leib] that he had an appointment that morning for an important meeting with a certain director of a great enterprise. And this director was greatly delayed that morning, so that all others who had appointments with him were forced to leave, due to other obligations—except for Reb Hirsch Leib who showed up just a little before the director’s arrival. He proved to be the only individual present. Therefore, the director received him right away and favored his request.)

In this vein, there is a saying, “Every delay is for the good.” Particularly since the Rebbe once said, “For my sake, no one ever lost!”  That is, whoever is engaged in something that has a connection to the Rebbe, whether materially or spiritually, doesn’t lose a thing.

Rabbi Nasan Maimon to Speak in Manhattan

Rabbi Nasan Maimon of Jerusalem, representative of the Vaad Olami Breslov and a son-in-law of the pioneer of Breslov outreach in America, Rabbi Zvi Aryeh Rosenfeld, will be speaking on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. 

Location: Bnai Israel    

335 East 77th St (between 1st Ave and 2nd Ave)

Date: Monday, Nov. 24th  

Shiur at 7:30, no charge 

(men only)

Rabbi Maimon will also be available for consultation after the shiur.

Likutey Moharan Shiur in Flatbush

From Breslov of Flatbush:

Likutey Moharan Shiur

We are excited to announce a new weekly Shiur in Likutey Moharan starting tonight and continuing every Thursday night at 9:00 PM. Shiur will be given by Rabbi Ahron Berlin. Maariv to follow.

All are cordially welcomed and encouraged to attend!

Breslov of Flatbush

1909 New York Ave. 

Brooklyn, NY 11210 

(718) 851-9332 

Melaveh Malka with Rav Baruch Klein

(Click on image to enlage)

The Sudilkover Rebbe, shlit"a, dancing in Uman, Rosh Hashanah 5775 / 2014

"God is Good for Everything"

From The Power of Prayer (Breslov Tehillim), Vol. III (Breslov Research Institute, in-progress)

Dedicated to the speedy refuah sheleimah of Eliezer Dovid ben Perel, Rabbi Dovid Zeitlin

Psalm 145

“God is good for everything, and His mercies are upon all His works.”[1] God is good for everything—this alludes to prayer. A person who believes in God knows that He is “good for everything”—healing, sustenance, or whatever one needs. Therefore, he will direct his efforts primarily toward God, such as through prayer, and not be preoccupied with various strategies. One who doesn’t believe in God, however, will pursue all sorts of worldly solutions to his problems. For example, if such a person becomes sick, he will pursue all sorts of medical treatments. The herbs required may not be available locally, or the local varieties may be of inferior quality. However,God is good for everything. No matter which ailment needs healing, God is always available.

Prayer leads to universal peace. Thus, the verse concludes, “And His mercies are upon all His works.” When people turn to God as the ultimate power, Divine mercy will be drawn forth to all creatures. Consequently, all creatures will have mercy upon one another, and there will be peace among them. As it is written, “And the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid. … They shall not harm or destroy” (Isaiah 11:6, 9), for there will be peace between them. Thus, His mercies are upon all His works. [In other words, God will instill mercy in the hearts of all creatures, and they will treat each other accordingly.] As our Sages teach, “Whoever shows mercy to God’s creatures is granted mercy from Heaven.”[2] This is borne out by the verse, “And [God] will give you mercy, and He will have mercy upon you” (Deuteronomy 13:18) (based on Likutey Moharan I, 14:11).

---

[1] This verse is usually rendered, “God is good to all.” However, Rebbe Nachman homiletically interprets it as translated here.

[2] Shabbat 151b.

Eizer L'Shabbos - Food for Tsfas

Received via e-mail from Eizer L'Shabbos:
Dear Friends;

Thanks every one for enabling us to distribute to hundreds of families for Succos. Whoever didn't contribute in our Succos Campaign can still contribute because head checks were written out to the suppliers for the next 3 months. Again Tizku L'Mitzvohs. Have a healthy winter.

Rabbi Binyamin Rosenberg
Click here to help.

Balancing Act

From Breslov.org:

Rebbe Nachman, z”l, explains that the letters of the word for obstacles, meniot, can be rearranged to be read as ne’imut, which means pleasantness. The natural barriers and obstacles of our material existence help to balance us and enable healthy spiritual connection, whose “ways are ways of pleasantness.”

Reb Nosson, z”l, uses this concept to explain why there is a mitzvah to eat on the day before Yom Kippur. Our sages explains that one who eats on the ninth of Tishrei and fasts on Yom Kippur, which is the tenth of Tishrei, is considered to have fasted through both days. The pre-fast meal is what enables us to access the intense light of Yom Kippur in a balanced way, so that it can transform our entire year.

Dear God! Please help me eat well on the day before Yom Kippur and fast on Yom Kippur. Show me how to eat as a Jew should and connect to the light and vitality of the holy fast. Help me make use of the natural barriers that You have provided to properly access the immense spiritual beauty of Your world.

Send names to Uman for Rosh Hashana

(Click image above)

Rosh Hashanah Uman Emergency Clinic

Dear Friends of Nachal Novea - Breslev Tsfat, With Rosh HaShanah fast approaching, we are turning to you to help with the Uman Emergency Clinic (www.umanclinic.org) which provides a critical service for the over 30,000 people that come to Uman for Rosh HaShanah. This appeal is urgent because we are very dependent upon private funding for this critical service. The importance of public safety and health for this type of event is obvious to all Jews, as the Torah tenet states, "Saving one life is like saving the entire world." For full details, visit our website www.umanclinic.org. All donations are tax-deductible. Any questions can be directed to info@nachalnovea.com. Please spread the word to your family and friends. Wishing you and your family k'tivah v'chatima tovah and may we merit to see the geula shleima this year. Nachi Klein & Avigdor Landesman Directors of the Uman Emergency Clinic and United Hatzolah Galilee Tsfat, Israel

September 18 - Opening Reception - Esther Zibell

We are pleased to announce that our friend, French-born painter, print-maker Esther Zibell -- formerly of Tsfat and now of Crown Heights -- will be having a one-person show at the newly opened Hadas Gallery in Brooklyn. We urge all lovers of Jewish art to attend the opening or the show, which is sure to open our eyes to the spiritual dimension. 

Opening Reception: September 18: 7 - 9 PM

Hadas Gallery
541 Myrtle Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
718-866-6815

To see more samples of Esther's wonderful work, please visit her website: 

http://www.estherzibellsart.com/

Out To The Field – Rethinking Elul

   

 Rethinking Elul

Sium Likutey Moharan

A sium for the annual study of Likutey Moharan is being held tonight, Tuesday, Sept. 9 (14 Elul) at the Concord Plaza wedding hall, 760 Bedford Ave, in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. Program begins at 7:30 PM (Chassidic Standard Time). 

HaRav Yaakov Shlomo Mozenson shlit"a and HaRav Eliezer Moshe Haperin shlit"a of Eretz Yisrael and HaRav Yitzchok Friedman shlit"a of Williamsburg will be among the speakers. Tickets may be purchased by calling 845-328-0466 or through representatives in local Breslov shtiblach @ $20 per person.

Breslov Chassidim in Williamsburg Say: Come to Uman This Rosh Hashanah!

This huge banner may be seen from the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and includes several quotes in Yiddish about the spiritual benefits of going to the Breslov gathering near the holy Rebbe, Reb Nachman's grave site in Uman. 

May all who do so go in peace and return in peace, and thus bring blessing and joy to their families, the Jewish people and the entire world.

Class on Hisbodedus Tonight - August 19

Received via e-mail:

BS”D

 

Dear Friends,

 

Tuesday night, August 19, we’ll continue to discuss real-life issues by the light of the wisdom of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov.

 

Are you feeling disconnected, under pressure? Do you wish you had someone to talk to, to really talk to? A best-friend who helps you figure out who you are, who you want to be, and how to get there? Someone who always has your best interests at heart? Then hisbodedus, talking to Hashem in your own words, is a practice you might consider including in your life. Even a few minutes a day can have a profound effect on your peace of mind, happiness, and even your relationships.

 

During the next few classes, we’ll explore concepts related to hisbodedus, explore its practice and mechanics, share inspirational teachings, and more. Weather-permitting, we plan to take a trip to a nearby park to experience the joy of hisbodedus out-of-doors in the safety of a group (for most of us, hisbodedus is usually done at home, indoors).

 

Hisbodedus

 

As Elul approaches, Likutey Moharan, Torah 15, offers some potent insights and inspiration

 

How Can We Cope with Our Deepest Fears?

Fear and its Relatives

What I Learned about Fear from an Auschwitz Survivor

Lifting Fear Up

The Relief of Self- Evaluation and the Freedom of Judgment

Understanding and the Hidden Light of Hisbodedus

Preparing for Elul with Hisbodedus

 

We will also begin a new story from Sippurey Maasios, the tales of Rebbe Nachman.

 

Please feel free to invite a friend. For more information, email me at chayarivka@breslovwoman.org 

 

Send a Spiritual Protective Edge to IDF Soldiers

From Breslov.org:

Dear Friends of Breslov,

What if I told you that you could give just one dollar and know that an Israeli soldier on the battlefield in Gaza, will receive tremendous inspiration and spiritual strength from your small donation?

I know you want to help the brave young men protecting Israeli men, women, and children. I’m sure you want to give inspiration, hope, and healing to these brave soldiers, and I’m confident you have a dollar (or two) to spare.

Please read our story of the incredible Spiritual Protective Edge that 3000 IDF soldiers already have received, and thousands more have requested.

The Spiritual Protective Edge Story and 1 Dollar Donation Page

Breslov.org team

Eizer L'Shabbos - 5 Av

Tzedakah checks can be mailed to:

Eizer L’Shabbos
5014 16th Avenue Suite 319
Brooklyn, NY 11204

Free Booklet: Rebbe Nachman & The Nine Days

(Click here for booklet)

Rabbi Nasan Maimon to Speak in Brooklyn

The Three Weeks and our Current Crisis

Sunday, July 13, 2014

8:30 PM

Place:

Home of Aharon and Atara Grenadir

721 East 7 Street, corner 18th Avenue

Kensington, Brooklyn

Separate seating, light refreshments

donations appreciated

for more information, contact: grenadira@gmail.com

Rabbi Nasan Maimon is a son-in-law of the late Breslov teacher and pioneer of Breslov outreach, Rabbi Zvi Aryeh Rosenfeld z”l. He is also responsible for the Breslov Kollel in Jerusalem. Rabbi Maimon’s lectures can be viewed on breslovtorah.com 

Tuesday Night Breslov Class for Women

(Painting by Bart Van Oijen)

Received via e-mail:

BS”D

Dear Friends,

Tomorrow night, Tuesday, June 24, we’ll continue discussing life by the light of the wisdom of Breslov Chassidus. We’ll wrap up our talk about relationships (Azamra as Process and Practice)  by briefly recapping The Role of the Tzaddik and Emulating the Tzaddik. (If you’d like a detailed look at some Azamra-related questions from this and past classes please see a new series at Breslov.org.)

Then, we’ll begin a discussion inspired by another rich, foundational lesson of Rabbeinu’s, one that offers multi-faceted yet central life-changing insights.

Ayeh? Finding My Place By Searching For Hashem

Some of the topics we’ll cover may include

Mission Possible: How To Find God’s Glory (and Our Authentic Spiritual Self) In the Deepest

Darkest Times and Places

Dealing with Doubts and Pain By Going On A Treasure Hunt

Two Ways to Approach Past Mistakes

The Idol Worshipper...In Your Living Room?!?

Another Look At Simplicity

Achieving Healthy Thought Processes and Mental Clarity

and More

We’ll also continue with the wonderful story, The Sophisticate and The Simple Person from Sippurey Maasios, Rabbeinu’s hard-hitting yet humorous tale of authenticity, personal growth, and self-acceptance.

Time: 8:30 pm

At the Home of Mrs. Yehudit Meira Chervony, 4220 15th Avenue, Apt. 1A

Please feel free to email or call me at 347-686-4843 if you have questions, and Invite a Friend!

Yehudit Meira and I are looking forward to seeing you there,

Chaya Rivka

Yeshiva World News: Israeli Ambassador to the Ukraine Visits Uman

Click here for more pictures.

Rabbi Chaim Kramer - New York Tour

Seeing No Evil

From Breslov.org:

Some versions of the Sefer Yetzirah say the sense associated with the month of Sivan is sight.

Rebbe Nachman, z”l, reveals that looking at others with a jaundiced eye "stops the heart." The judgmental person forgets that everyone has a mission in this world, a spiritual task that can only by fulfilled by each person in exactly his own way. In order to carry out our own mission, we need to remember every day that there is a world to come--that this world is not all there is--but the person who sees others in a negative light is unable to do so. It is as if his heart is spiritually dead. By failing to see the unique contribution offered by another, one curtails his own ability to make his personal unique contribution.

But even one who generally has a generous eye toward others must be vigilant. Just like it can be difficult to correctly make out something at a distance, it is all too easy to let our imagination carry us away into misjudging the motives of people with whom we normally get along. We might fall into a mistaken belief that someone has it in for us. Or perhaps we judge them to be misguided, that they are far from the truth. But it is all too possible that our eyes, our judgments, are mistaking us...just like a person who cannot make out the details of that which stands at a distance from him.

Even when our judgments about others are illusions generated by our imaginations, they can still do great damage; they can be the cause of resentment and conflict. We avoid such misuse of our inner sight by refraining from speaking or listening to slander about others. We need to be very vigilant guarding ourselves from mistakenly misreading our friend’s actions or motivation. This is one of the aspects of spiritual work particular suited to the month of Sivan.

As the Baal Shem Tov, z”l, explains, by turning our mind’s eye toward examining our own faults, we come to find that the flaws of others occupy us less!

Breslov Shtiebel of 43rd Street Gets New Sefer Torah

This past Sunday afternoon, b'simchah rabbah, the Breslover Chassidim of Borough Park and many friends and neighbors and their families celebrated the completion of a new Sefer Torah at the home of Breslover sofer and baal korei, Rabbi Eliezer Trenk, shlit"a. Then the Chassidim danced and sang through the streets, escorting the long-awaited new Sefer Torah to the Hisachdus Avreikhim-Breslov shul on 43rd St. 

This is the first hachnossas Sefer Torah celebrated by the Breslover Chassidim of Borough Park in more than twenty years, and guests came from far and wide. Speakers at the seudas mitzvah at the end of the day were Rav Ephraim Anshin, shlit"a,  of Yerushalayim and Rav Yitzchok Freidman of Williamsburg, shlit"a, among others. May we share many such simchahs!

More photos may be viewed here.

Music, Song, and Dance

Translated by Rabbi Avraham Greenbaum

From The Essential RabbiNachman (Azamra)

In this material world, especially if we have sinned and are very far from God, the main way to attach ourselves to God is through melody and song.

Likutey Halachot, Nesiat Kapayim 5:6

* * *

It is good to get into the habit of livening yourself up with a tune.

Holy melodies are very exalted, having great power to stir the heart and draw it to God.

Even if you cannot sing well, you can still inspire yourself with a tune. Sing it as best as you can, in privacy if you wish. The loftiness of melody is beyond all measure.

Sichot Haran #273

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Music and prophetic spirit

A holy melody can bring you to the level of prophecy. Music is the foundation of true attachment to God.

Likutey Moharan I, 3

* * *

It was through music that prophetic spirit rest ed upon the prophets (see II Kings 3:15 ) . A musical instrument is a vessel containing air ( ruach , spirit). The air in the instrument is a mixture of good and bad. On the one hand there is the anxious, depressed spirit - a bad spirit, as we find in the case of King Saul: "and an evil spirit terrified him" ( I Samuel 16:14) . On the other hand, there is a good spirit, as it is written: "Let Your good spirit lead me in an even land" (Psalms 143:10) . This good spirit is the spirit of prophecy: holy spirit. But when good and bad are mixed up, it is impossible to receive true prophecy.

The musician playing the instrument must gather the good spirit - the spirit of prophecy - and separate it from the sad, depressed spirit. He must understand music in order to know how to sift out and gather up the parts of the spirit and put them together in order to construct the melody, namely the joy, in order to build the good, prophetic spirit, which is the opposite of the depressed spirit. He must move his hand up and down the instrument in order to channel the joy and bring it to perfection.

And when the prophet hears a melody from an expert musician, he receives a spirit of prophecy, the very spirit that the musician gathered with his hand and separated from the depressed spirit. Thus the attendants of the depressed King Saul said to him of the young David: "And he will play with his hand and it will be good for you" ( I Samuel 16:16 ) .

Accordingly, by playing the musical instrument with one's hand, one sifts, purifies and elevates the good spirit and separates it from the bad. This is the way to overcome the evil spirit of folly that seeks to spoil and upset the good, prophetic spirit. The bad spirit is dissipated through the joy that comes through the hand of the player.

For the root of the power of the spirit of folly lies in sadness and depression. Therefore the only way to receive a holy spirit of prophecy is through joy - the joy created by the hand of the player. Thus, "It was when the musician played that the hand of God was upon him" ( II Kings 3:15 ) ; "and he will play with his hand and it will be good for you". The player who has the power of the hand can sift out the good spirit from the bad and thereby subdue the evil spirit.

Likutey Moharan I, 54

* * *

Melody, health and healing

The life and workings of the body are governed by ten basic pulses. These in turn are vitalized by ten kinds of melody emanating from the soul. Negativity, anxiety and depression weaken the pulses, and this can cause illness. But when the melody of the soul is joyous, it strengthens the vitality of the pulses and brings health to the body.

Likutey Moharan I, 24

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Sweetening decrees

Melody sweetens the harsh judgments. When you sing the words of your prayers in a clear, bright voice, the Indwelling Presence is robed in radiant garments, and this is how the harsh judgments are sweetened

Likutey Moharan I, 42

* * *

When harsh decrees threaten Israel , they can be sweetened through dancing and hand- clapping.

Likutey Moharan I, 10

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Joy of the mitzvah

Dancing for joy over a mitzvah is a wonderful thing. There are times when it is a mitzvah to drink wine, as on Shabbat and festivals, or at weddings and other religious celebrations. If you drink on such occasions, do not drink to excess but in moderation. Your intention should be for the sake of Heaven, to experience the true joy of Israel , which is to rejoice in God, who chose us from all the nations.

As the joy begins to radiate within you, it will spread to your legs until you literally start to dance for joy. This will banish the forces of impurity, which take hold of the legs, mitigating harsh judgments and enabling you to receive blessings.

The fervor with which you dance is "a fire offering, a sweet savor to the Lord" (Numbers 28:8) . However, when a person dances with the heat of the evil inclination, this is a "strange fire" (Leviticus 10:1) , while the wine he drinks is the "wine of drunkenness", which allows the forces of impurity to take hold .

Holy dance has the same power to sweeten harsh judgments as a redemption performed by a Tzaddik.

Likutey Moharan I, 41

Vitamin E - Rabbi Lazer Brody and Rabbi Dr. Zev Ballen in USA

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