The Blog @ Breslov.org

Week of Malkhut, Seventh Day

Major sefirah: Malkhut/Royalty-Kingship; minor sefirah: Malkhut/Royalty-Kingship

Well, this is it. The final day of preparation. I’m committed to serving the King for the sake of serving the King. Sounds a little circular, but that’s really the ideal form of pledging allegiance—you’re my King and it has nothing to do with “what have you done for me lately.”

Towards that end, I will ask for siyata d’Shemaya (Divine assistance) in anything that has to do with promoting His kingdom.

I will also try to offer support, material and otherwise, to those who have shown the willingness to sacrifice their own honor for the sake of God’s.

When I daven (pray) Shemonah Esrei I will try to put extra focus on any part that mentions God’s kingdom, or that of King David’s. I will also ask God for His forgiveness, for my having made my personal material concerns the primary focus of my prayers.

I don’t know about you, but I can taste. I can hardly wait!

Ozer Sefirat HaOmer, Shemonah Esrei, Torah, charity, money, prayer Amidah, Hashem, sefirah, Shemonah Esrei

Week of Malkhut, Sixth Day

Major sefirah: Malkhut/Royalty-Kingship; minor sefirah: Yesod/Foundation

When it comes to crimes against the government not all misbehavior is the same. There are misdemeanors and there are felonies. But most kings and kingdoms, the smart ones, realize that their subjects will make mistakes: give in to temptation, scoff at certain laws, etc. Although every lapse indicates a buried disregard for the majesty of the king—which should always be severely censured—those which are relatively insignificant can be dealt with a relatively minor penalty. Concessions to human nature have to be made.

Even though more serious crimes (felonies) have to be dealt with more severely—after all, being too lenient leads to entropy which causes the whole enterprise to fall apart—a wise government accommodates its citizens’ frailties and attempts to balance the punishment with the crime. Of course all of the above applies only as long as the crimes are not flagrantly committed.

But some crimes, no matter how large the temptation, are always treasonous. They strike at the base of the kingdom. Not only do they impugn the king’s honor, they invite people to forge new allegiances that will take them further and further away from obeying their king. Such a crime I never want to commit!

A “peaceful kingdom” at home, with spouse and children, is the foundation of a peaceful for God. The time and effort invested in trying to build such a home is a very important (and too often neglected) part of serving Hashem (God).

When I daven (pray) the Shemonah Esrei blessing Sim Shalom (Place peace #19) I will try to make amends for persisting in being argumentative for no good reason, which causes so much pain to the Shekhinah.

Ozer Child rearing, Sefirat HaOmer, Shalom/Peace, Shemonah Esrei Amidah, peace, sefirah, Shalom, Shemonah Esrei

Week of Malkhut, Third Day

Major sefirah: Malkhut/Royalty-Kingship; minor sefirah: Tiferet/Splendor

There’s a time to be frugal and a time to be lavish. For my family and myself, we don’t have to a tent made from crocodile skin, imported from the Far East. It’s enough if our tent is decent quality canvas from wherever—frugal.

But when it comes to making a tent for God—the Mishkan—then whatever it costs to import the finest giraffe hides from Africa is what we’ll pay. To publicize and enhance the splendor and glory of God’s kingdom, is where we ought to spend our money. If honoring God is going to cost a few more drachmas or gold dinars, let me know. I’ll untie my purse and give you what I’ve got.

I’ve noticed something beautiful about tzaddikim and budding tzaddikim. They’re balanced. They always seem poised, knowing that when making a decision they aren’t just figuring out what is the best option in front of them. They’re weighing more than just possible outcomes. They’re weighing what’s going into that decision, what parts of them are involved in choosing what should be done.

So they don’t let their anger or haste overwhelm other voices that are speaking. Nor do they let their pity run away with the show. They have some sort of internal debate or dialogue, “weigh” all the input and choose. That’s a golden balance! That’s a splendid way for a Jew to live.

Our patriarch Yaakov was known for his truthfulness and honesty. Even when he worked for Lavan, one of the biggest double-talking, bald-faced liars and cheats of all-time, Yaakov Avinu showed up on time for work, every day. Never took what wasn’t coming to him. I’m going to strive to be that honest. I’m going to keep my word in business. I want every shekel I give to charity to be 100% kosher!

When I daven (pray) the Shemonah Esrei blessing Refaeinu (Heal us #8) I will try to make amends for seeking perfection and glory at the expense of God’s honor. I now find that idea nauseating. My actually having done certainly makes Mashiach ill.

Ozer Honesty, Sefirat HaOmer, Shemonah Esrei, charity, money Amidah, Avodas Hashem, God, Honesty, Mashiach, money, sefirah, Shemonah Esrei, teshuvah, truth

Week of Malkhut, Second Day

Major sefirah: Malkhut/Royalty-Kingship; minor sefirah: Gevurah/Strength

I didn’t have much time to write today, but it occurred to me that fear has a bad reputation. Of course no one likes to be scared or live with a feeling of impending tragedy, but fear prevents us from doing harmful things, like driving our donkey down the wrong side of the road or sticking our hand in the fire.

And sometimes, we know, people get carried away with something and we have to get them to “snap out of it!” For example, if someone had too much to drink and is embarrassing himself and family, point a spear-tip in his face. He’ll sober up plenty fast!

So if I’m “drunk” on some harmful behavior, I thank God for taking the necessary measures for getting me to improve. It reminds me He’s the boss!

When I say the berakhot (blessings), I’m going to say the words melekh haolam” (“King of the Universe”) with extra care.

When I daven (pray) the Shemonah Esrei blessing Re’ei (See #7), I will ask God to forgive me for not being strong enough to properly point out to others how their Jewishness is pockmarked with mistakes.

Ozer Sefirat HaOmer, Shemonah Esrei, prayer, teshuvah Amidah, blessings, sefirah, Shemonah Esrei

Week of Malkhut, First Day

Major sefirah: Malkhut/Royalty-Kingship; minor sefirah: Chessed/Kindness

It’s sort of funny, you know, that a lot of ordinary, “at first glance” thinking is really wrong, the opposite of how things really are. What do I mean? Well, for example, to be in charge of something, to be its king, means to take from it what you want, when you want and to tell it what to do.

Wrong! I mean, on all counts, wrong. What I described is how one would treat a slave, and cruelly too, I might add. I should know. It wasn’t till too long ago that I was a slave!

Yes, certainly, a king, a government, takes. It has to in order to give. That’s what a king really ought to do, if he isn’t already doing it. A king gives his people what they need—which they really want, or would, if they took the time to think what was best for them—when they need it (if not before) while getting them to realize what their true genius in life is.

Now, I’m not the king of any country, but I do “rule the roost,” to coin a phrase. If I want to bring out the best in my family or students, I have to think what’s best for them and give them and give them some more, until they realize what their potential is and choose on their own to develop it.

And that’s what God’s Malkhut is like, taking from us what He’s given us—what He’s helped us to earn and allowed us to have—in order to have us take notice of what we can achieve, of how great the human spirit can really be.

I know it’s really easier for people to feel greatness and generous when they feel secure that they have what they need. So, I’m going to help them. I’ll give away from my money, food and clothing if that’s what others need. I’ll try such “kingly” giving so that others will realize Who the real King is!

When I daven (pray) the Shemonah Esrei blessing Slach na (Forgive, please #6), I will ask God to forgive me for disrespecting His authority and that of His representatives.

Ozer Kindness, Sefirat HaOmer, Shemonah Esrei, charity, money, prayer, tzedakkah Amidah, charity, forgiveness, sefirah, Shemonah Esrei, Tzaddikim, tzedekah

Week of Yesod, Sixth Day

Major sefirah: Yesod/Foundation; minor sefirah: Yesod/Foundation

What’s the foundation of the Foundation, eh? Good question. I’ve discovered that quiet itself is foundational (Zohar 3:115b). When I reach that inner-stillness I feel the strength to carry out my resolutions because that inner-quietness can overpower all the outer-noise.

And that strength of my convictions gets carried by my words. I’m able to calmly persuade others how critically important it is to maintain a high standard of decency and modesty, both in private and in public.

To make sure I’m holy, I’m going to make sure I’m happy. Bad moods and gloom always invite the fantasy of quick fixes, but once the physical pleasure wears off I’m just gloomy again. Singing, I’ve noted, really does drive away the blues. And I find there’s no desire for things that aren’t mine.

When I say the Shemonah Esrei blessing Sim Shalom (Place Peace #19) I will regret having been a master of gloom and doom, of going around glowering instead of glowing. So I made the world an angry, argumentative place, delaying mankind’s redemption. Now I have to make peace with myself and with others. Amen!

Ozer Sefirat HaOmer, Shalom/Peace, prayer, teshuvah Amidah, peace, redemption, sefirah, Shavuot, Shemonah Esrei, unity

Week of Yesod, Second Day

Major sefirah: Yesod/Foundation; minor sefirah: Gevurah/Strength

How does an ordinary person like me become a tzaddik? Like in any other endeavor, it takes practice. But unlike other endeavors you can’t choose when to practice! It’s like being at sea in a small boat. It’s smooth sailing, but all it takes is one big wave and you’re sunk, God forbid!

So my motto is, “Be prepared!” I try to anticipate where temptations might arise. I avoid those places like the plague! I study myself and try to note when I’m likely to let my guard down. So when I see that I’m getting over-tired or that my curiosity starts to take me far afield, I muster up the strength of self-control to maintain the yesod/foundation.

I also know where I can pick up tzaddik-strength—by a tzaddik! I know I don’t deserve to stand in Moshe Rabbeinu’s presence, and I feel tremendous shame when I do. But the impact that that shame and awe make on me give me strength to resist what needs resisting.

When I daven (pray) the Shemonah Esrei blessing Re’ei (See #7), I will ask God to forgive me for delaying the Redemption by failing to act with self-control, even in regard to what Im allowed to do.

Ozer Sefirat HaOmer, Shemonah Esrei, Tzaddik Amidah, redemption, sefirah, Tzaddik, Tzaddikim

Week of Yesod, First Day

Major sefirah: Yesod/Foundation; minor sefirah: Chessed/Kindness

A few days ago I mentioned that I realized that certain central components of my being determine the quality of my thinking and behavior. If a certain appetite takes control, just about any behavior or belief that indulges the appetite can be rationalized. The appetite becomes a god, a relentless, demanding god.

So it’s a real chessed (kindness) for me—and my fellow Israelites—that God insists on a very high standard of morality. Honestly trying to maintain that standard prevents the gods and goddesses of licentiousness from driving a wedge between me and E-L (alef lamed), the Almighty.

And a greater chessed lays within that standard. Because the standard is not merely to keep the aforementioned gods and goddesses at bay, but to ever-enhance the relationship that God has made with and for us. Is there a greater kindness than that?

I can also do that favor for people. If, God forbid, there’s a wedge between friends or neighbors, and especially if there is distance between husband and wife, I will try to do them the kindness of (re-)stabilizing the foundation of their familiarity.

When I daven (pray) the Shemonah Esrei blessing Slach na (Forgive, please #6), I will ask God to excuse me for being unkind to Him by becoming aloof because I was lackadaisical in maintaining our standards.

Ozer Sefirat HaOmer, Shalom/Peace, Shemonah Esrei Amidah, peace, sefirah, Shalom, Shemonah Esrei, Tzaddik

Major sefirah: Hod/Thanks-giving; minor sefirah: Yesod/Foundation

I’ve realized that there are certain central components that determine the quality of many, if not all, of the things I do. If I let a certain appetite get in control, then I can rationalize just about any behavior or belief that allows that appetite to feed. The “foundation” of my overall behavior will be shaky. All my doings are more likely to collapse.

My tongue, too, can be fruitful and multiply an abundance of beautiful words, “children” that can add to the peace and harmony of the world, bring praise and honor to God. Or my tongue can father bastards without number, illegitimate offspring that will cause friction and worse, for who knows how long. Would such a tongue’s praise be readily accepted? I don’t think so.

And for sure, I can use both my tongue to speak nicely to my spouse. With one “shot” both foundations are improved! Charity begins at home? Peace begins at home!

When I say the Shemonah Esrei blessing Sim Shalom (Place Peace #19) I will regret not having acknowledged that my prosperity depends (also) on God, rather than my efforts (alone). This has prevented from being satisfied with what I have. The lack of satisfaction has led me to getting into conflicts about money and property.

Ozer Sefirat HaOmer, Shemonah Esrei Amidah, Shemonah Esrei

Major sefirah: Hod/Thanks-givng; minor sefirah: Hod/Thanks-givng

I thank God for allowing me to thank Him. I realize that in many, many ways thanking God is the purpose of life. It recognizes His kindness and His care. It’s an indicaton of my own “good eye”—itself a gift, albeit one that I have had to work to develop, both the work and the reward subjects of thanks—and thanking and being aware that thanking is a gift, opens my eyes to the constant stream of gifts, which produces the stream of God-consciousness, the purpose of living! I mean, the purpose can’t be working for Egyptians, Canaanites or Americans!

Thanking further improves my “good eye”—my jelousy becomes a thing of the past. Let someone else be better than I when it comes to giving God glory and pride. The other guy’s success will keep me from being lazy. I’ll try harder to improve myself, instead of just lying in my tent all day eating manna!

When I say the Shemonah Esrei blessing M’kabetz Nidchei Amo Yisrael (Who Gathers the Scattered of His People Yisrael #10) I will regret having taken sole credit for the good I’ve done without acknowledging His role.

Ozer Sefirat HaOmer, Shemonah Esrei Amidah, Shemonah Esrei