The Blog @ Breslov.org

In memory of Y”M ben A”Y

A good friend of mine was niftar (died) last week. It was sort of sudden and unexpected, even though he was 65 years old (he didn’t look it) and even though he had cancer.

Well, besides that I miss him and will miss him—we were chavrusas (study partners) for a long time and on weekday mornings we often had a post-davening (prayer) shmooze—I’m a little annoyed. Why? Well, not because I’m going to miss him. That’s not his fault. But what’s bothered me is I think he could’ve tried harder to stay alive.

The Shabbos after he was niftar, I’m on my way to shul and I pass a Satmar friend. He stops me and asks, “What happened to your buddy?” I shrug and answer, “He had cancer.” Pretty self-explanatory, right? Says it all. So the Satmar guy looks up at me—he’s about 5’6” and I’m 6’5”—and in typical Jewish fashion shoots back:

“If someone has cancer, he has to die?!”

And that caught my feeling. Rebbe Nachman teaches again and again: Don’t give up! Never despair! A diagnosis is not a death sentence. It’s certainly a challenge. I can’t imagine what it’s like to hear a doctor telling me such a diagnosis or how I would react. I saw my dear buddy move more slowly, heard him tell of how weak he felt, and how cold. I don’t judge him, but still I think, “If only he had tried.”

So I learned a bit more about how and when to apply Rebbe Nachman’s teaching, that the Rebbe tells us we must be brave even in the face of death. “Even if a sword lies on your neck, don’t hold back from [praying for] mercy” (Berakhot 10a). Easier said than done. But that’s a challenge we may face.

It takes courage to live.

Ozer Death, Faith, prayer courage, Death, friendship, hope

Based on Likutey Halakhot, Milah 5:18

What is it that we are mourning in these three weeks, from the 17th of Tammuz to the 9th of Av? Yes, certainly, “the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple),” but what does that mean? Was it some historical or architectural landmark that was razed by a brute, thoughtless enemy? Obviously it is more than that. Otherwise we would have ceased caring long, long ago.

Nu, so what is it that we mourn? Among the many thought-provoking ideas Rebbe Nachman gave us is this: If you want to truly see, close your eyes. What he meant was: If you want to stay focused on the goal of life and the Oneness of God, you must close your eyes to the distractions of this world.

When the Beit HaMikdash stood, we had a place to attend where we could engage in bitul. What is bitul? It is the culmination of a process which leads one to the greatest realization of God s/he can have while still alive. Sounds good, huh? Actually, it’s better than good. Much better. But it takes a long period of genuine effort to achieve it. And since one cannot live life while in a bitul, one must also learn how to return from that state to an ordinary state of consciousness.

The process begins by closing your eyes. The vast majority of people perceive themselves as nothing more than the bodily pleasures that they enjoy, the things they own or their career. To whatever extent we need to enjoy, own and work, we must be vigilant in not letting them overwhelm us. But they have and they still do.

This is why we cry. Nitrachaknu—we have become alienated from our God, His land and His temple. Reb Noson writes something that to us moderns sounds astounding, if not downright unfathomable. He writes that just as the more one has gained self-control over his physicality he more deeply and easily achieves bitul; and just as bitul is more easily and deeply attained on Shabbat than on a weekday; so, too, is it more easily and deeply achieved in the Land of Israel than anywhere else in the world. And the most conducive location for bitul in the Land of Israel is the Beit HaMikdash.

Oy! How tragic that we cannot focus on life’s true purpose. Oy! How tragic that we cannot achieve full-fledged bitul. Oy! How tragic that we cannot perceive God’s Oneness and His Oneness with creation. Thank God we still understand that we’re missing something and we want it back. May we see the coming of Mashiach, swiftly and soon, in our lifetime. Amen.

agutn Shabbos!
Shabbat Shalom!

© Copyright 2010 Breslov Research Institute

Ozer 17th Tammuz, Shabbat, Tisha b’Av Beit HaMikdash, bitul, Three Weeks, Tisha b’Av, unity

Based on Likutey Halakhot, Shavuot 2:35 and Rabbi Nachman’s Wisdom #96

“Therefore, proclaim, Behold! I [God] give [Pinchas] My covenant: Peace” (Numbers 25:12).

We know that God acts measure for measure. How, then, does a spear-toting, tribal-head killing “zealot” (a loaded word, if ever there was one!) get rewarded with God’s covenant of shalom, peace?! A question like this tells us we need to re-examine our definitions and premises.

It’s easier to deal with one opponent than with many. So, one accused of suspect behavior is better off being attacked by a vigilante than by a mob. The mob’s judgment would overwhelm him. Therefore, by silencing the mob with his attack, the vigilante does the suspect a great favor.

This is what happened in the episode of Pinchas and Zimri. “Pinchas…turned My wrath away from the children of Israel, when he took My revenge…and I did not destroy them” (Numbers 25:11). Pinchas killed the sinner Zimri, taking judgment into his own hands. Had he not done so, the Jews would have been annihilated, God forbid. But because Pinchas took God’s vengeance into his own hands, the accusation against the Jews was silenced.

So, although your opponent—and you—may not realize it, his attack may be saving you from something worse. As a people this is also true. Protests made by one element of our wonderful nation, may be saving the rest of us from who knows what tragedy, God forbid!

But wait! Who says “the other guy” or “they,” are wrong? Maybe they’re OK and the protestor is wrong? Oyyy! That’s another reason this long, bitter galut (exile) is so horrible—everybody claims they’ve got the truth! “With God and/or Torah on our side” (and not theirs!) is a refrain understood, if not actually heard, from many religious quarters. And for better or worse, the Godless make claim after claim of other truths, with a certainty that rivals religious fervor.

What’s a seeker to do?

Reb Noson writes that somehow, in some amazing fashion, despite the constant, daily attacks, God protects and preserves the essence of truth from being falsified or adulterated. He quotes Rebbe Nachman: “Gott firt tamid ois; God is constantly finishing” His work of perfecting the world. One who seeks the truth even after thinking he’s found it, will continue to seek it. He will observe the effect of his giving charity. Wrong charity will lead to dissension; kosher charity will lead to shalom.

But! warns Reb Noson, peace is not apathy! To let wrongdoing continue because one doesn’t want to be a troublemaker or is content with his situation, is flattery and falsehood, not shalom. Real truth cannot be done away with, and will not be silenced. Shalom can only be established when the lies surrender, and submit to the truth.

May the One Who makes shalom above, make shalom between us and between all Israel. Amen!

agutn Shabbos!
Shabbat Shalom!

© Copyright 2010 Breslov Research Institute

Ozer Shalom/Peace, charity, truth, tzedakkah charity, Dvar Torah, Parsha, peace, Shalom, truth

Rabbi Rietti will speak July 4th Sunday night on the topic of

The science of ANGER
And its Relationship to the Churbon.

Pinewood Dr, Monsey NY
When: Sunday JULY 4, 2010
Time: 8:30 pm

$10 Suggested Donation
For more info:
347-598-9592 or 917-620-4511

admin Uncategorized anger

Based on Likutey Halakhot, Melamdim 4:6

Remember what Amalek did to you b’derekh, on the road, when you left Egypt (Deuteronomy 25:17).

One of the leaders of Breslover chassidim today, Rebbe Yaakov Meir Schechter (may he live and be well), once pointed out that Rebbe Nachman’s two major works open in a similar vein. The very first lesson in Likutey Moharan begins with the verse (Psalms 119:1), “Fortunate are those whose derekh, road, is faultless.” Sippurey Maasiot (Rabbi Nachman’s Stories) is prefaced by Rebbe Nachman’s terse comment, “On the road I told a story….”*

What has this to do with Parshat Balak? The holy Zohar (3:199b) notes that the Hebrew letters which spell the names of the villains in this week’s parsha, BaLAaM and BaLaK, spell the words BiLBuL (confusion) and AMaLeK. Confusion of values and misunderstanding Torah ideas play into Amalek’s hands. That being the case, he wants us to be unclear in every situation and every position in which we may find ourselves.
That way we will live in illusion, lose our faith and, God forbid, adopt his values.

The inoculation and remedy for this? To bear in mind the words of the Shema Yisrael: “and you will speak [these words] when you are home and when you go b’derekh, on the road” (Deuteronomy 6:7). The Talmud (Berakhot 11a) teaches that the word b’derekh indicates that no matter what position one finds oneself in—standing, sitting, walking—one may read the Shema. Reb Noson writes that it’s obvious that what we can do to serve Hashem varies from situation to situation. After all, Shabbat is not Wednesday, morning is not night and being on the road is not being at home. But no matter where and no matter what, there is always some way to connect with God.

Our job is to believe that and then—figure out what it is! Is it prayer or Torah study? giving charity** or doing a favor? yearning to be a better Jew? raising your awareness of God’s presence? believing in Him, the Torah, tzaddikim or yourself? As Udel, Rebbe Nachman’s daughter, would often be heard saying, “God—what pleasure can I give you now?”

agutn Shabbos!
Shabbat Shalom!

© Copyright 2010 Breslov Research Institute

*To not leave you in suspense, the remainder of the comment is: “and everyone who heard it had a thought of repentance.”

**Many worthwhile causes (and individuals) can receive donations via PayPal.

admin Weekly Parsha BaLAaM, BaLaK, Dvar Torah, Parshat Balak, Reb Noson, Rebbe Nachman

Not a musical second, a second musical interlude! If you like klezmer (of course you do!), you’ll love this. The well-known and outstanding clarinetist Andy Statman is playing—a different inSTRUMent. I can’t tell what it is, but he plays it well. Enjoy before the Three Weeks begin (and after they end).

This is a link to the link. Beware the Jabberwocky and the Youtube!

Ozer music

Upcoming Events

Rabbi Chaim Kramer Wed. June 23
Peace and Joy & the deeper meaning of the 17th of Tammuz
with Rabbi Chaim Kramer from Jerusalem
Founder and Director of the Breslov Research Institute
When: Wed. June 23, 2010, 8:00-9:30 p.m.
Where: Marchette Family home 21 Portina Rd., Brighton
Sugg. Donation: $10
RSVP the Marchettes at 617-903-0613

admin Uncategorized Rabbi Chaim Kramer

As I read the other night and these words left my mouth, I was struck by the love, wisdom and prescience of Reb Eliezer, close to 100 years old and on his deathbed, as he spoke to his young son, Yisrael, the Yisrael that grew to be the holy Baal Shem Tov that we love and revere, whose light nourishes us every day. Reb Eliezer said:

My darling, remember this well, every day of your life: God is with you, so don’t be afraid of anything.

Ozer Baal Shem Tov, Child rearing, Faith Baal Shem Tov, love, wisdom

Breslov Research’s R’ Dovid Sears sent us the following:

New Breslov Center Website

After many years of kind sponsorship and assistance from Nachal Novea Mekor Chochma, the umbrella organization of the Breslov community Tzefat, the Breslov Center (formerly The Breslov Center for Spiritual Growth) will no longer be using their server.

Instead, we are recreating our website in blog format, with several pages linked on the sidebar—including the new “Solitude/Hisbodedus” archive of essays and translations. It will take time to complete the transfer, but the new site is already up and running:
www.breslovcenter.blogspot.com

Many changes should take place during the next few weeks, as work on the site continues.
In the meantime, we are retaining our old URL of breslovcenter.org, but the old site will be dismantled eventually, and the material on the “Learn” and “Listen” pages will be recreated as separate links to the new site.

Thanks for your patience. Hope you like the new site and will find it useful.

The Breslov Center
Brooklyn, NY

admin Uncategorized

Based on Chayei Moharan #83*

At the beginning of the summer of 5564/1804 Rebbe Nachman prefaced the following vision by saying, “I will tell you what I saw. And you tell your children.” We present here the beginning of that vision, with some of Reb Noson’s corresponding comments.

There was someone lying on the ground, and around him people were sitting in a circle. Around this circle was another circle; around that circle was another circle, and so on, many circles. Then around them were sitting yet more people in no particular order.

The one sitting in the middle was leaning on his side, moving his lips. All those around were moving their lips after him. After this I looked and the one in the middle was not there. All those sitting around stopped moving their lips. “What is this?” I asked. They answered me that he had become cold and had expired and he had stopped speaking.

Rabbi Noson writes:
All this I heard directly from his holy lips. He said that all his lessons contain references to this vision, and that the entire lesson Nine Tikkunim (Likutey Moharan I, Lesson #20) is a commentary on it. One with understanding will see in that lesson numerous remarkable references to the vision…

Regarding the person sitting on the ground who disappeared because he had become cold and expired, this is the same concept as “the soul wracked by suffering” referred to in the lesson. This suffering is characterized in the Mishnah, “You will eat bread with salt (Avot 6:4). The Mishnah continues, “and you will sleep on the earth.” Perhaps the person lying on the ground is an allusion to this Mishnah.
The people surrounding him, in circles and beyond, in no particular order, parallels the concept of how everyone receives from the pain-wracked soul. This is because this soul is the source of all Torah explanations. The way all the people were moving their lips is, perhaps, an allusion to this: they were revealing Torah explanations. This is why when the one in the middle became cold and expired, all the others stopped moving their lips and speaking. For when this soul becomes cold, i.e. departs, there is no strength to draw forth Torah explanations, as explained in Lesson #20. If you examine the vision and the lesson in great detail you will be able to understand more awe inspiring allusions.
agutn Shabbos!

Shabbat Shalom!
© Copyright 2010 Breslov Research Institute

*In the Breslov Research edition of Chayei Moharan, Tzaddik, this is found in #209. The translation there has been edited for this dvar Torah.

admin Weekly Parsha Parshat Chukat, The Breslov Research Institute