The Blog @ Breslov.org

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

You may have noticed that we what we write about in this blog, and in our mailings, is rarely related to current events, and (almost) never to politics. We don’t, not because people don’t ask us to (they do), and not because we have no opinion about such things (we assuredly do). We don’t because controversy and politics get in the way.

The real purpose of life—to become constantly more God-aware—requires a friendly and peaceful atmosphere. And while friends can certainly agree to disagree, generally we are too judgmental about other people’s “wrongheaded” opinions to objectively receive the truth of what their saying. As a result we lose many opportunities to receive someone else’s “good point,” the unique perception of the Divine that only he (or she) has, that you and I need to perfect our own perception of same.

Underlying many, if not all, of Rebbe Nachman’s teachings, is the concept of unity, of arranging one’s life and it’s various facets, so that the individual—and society, and mankind—becomes more whole and integrated, materially, emotionally and spiritually. This is more likely to happen when we generously share what we have. A genuine talmid chakham (as compared to one who merely knows a lot of Torah facts) actively works to expand the attitude and atmosphere of shalom (see Berakhot 64a).

Will Rogers once said, “There’s no trick to being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you.” It would be no trick for us to mock presidents or prime ministers, a ruling party or its opposition. But it would serve no point and it would run counter to Rebbe Nachman’s work of bringing tikkun haolam closer.

The Beit HaMikdash was destroyed because of sinat chinam, baseless hatred. Rebbe Nachman counseled and implored us to pray the Tikkun Chatzot (Midnight Lament) so that the Beit HaMikdash would be rebuilt that much sooner. If we can’t be part of the solution, at least let’s not be part of the problem.

© Copyright 2009 Breslov Research Institute

Ozer Torah Beit HaMikdash, peace, politics, sinat chinam, Three Weeks

The following is based on a teaching of Rabbeinu Yehudah ben Yakar, one of the teachers of Ramban (Nachmanides).

We bow down four times in Shemonah Esrai. We bow at the beginning and end of Avot, the first blessing, and at the beginning and end of Modim, the penultimate blessing. One point to consider is, why specifically at these points? Another: Why do our Sages particularly stress the severit of *failing* to bow in Modim?

Rabbeinu Yehudah ben Yakar dismisses the suggestion that the word “modim” itself implies bowing. Firstly, “modim” is mentioned in a few other instances, none of which are “bowing points.” Secondly, the blessing of Avot, in which we do bow, makes no reference to bowing or thanksgiving.

Rabbeinu Yehudah ben Yakar directs us to a Midrash (Bereishis Rabbah 56:2). On the verse (Genesis 24:5), “We will bow and we will return,” Rebbe Yitzchak says, “Everything is in the merit of bowing down.”

1. Avraham Avinu returned safely from the Akeidah.
2. We were redeemed from Egypt. “The people believed…and bowed down” (Exodus 4:31).
3. The Torah was given. “They bowed from a distance” (ibid. 24:1).
4. The prophetess Chanah conceived Shmuel the Prophet. “There they bowed to God” (1 Samuel 1:28).
5. The exiles will be gathered. “It will come to pass on that day that He will sound the great shofar…and they will bow to God on the holy mountain in Jerusalem” (Isaiah 27:13).
6. The Beit HaMikdash was (and will be) built. “Bow down to His holy mountain” (Psalms 99:9).
7. The Resurrection of the dead will take place. “Come! We will bow…before God our Maker” (ibid. 95:6)

And from the end of Chapter 31 in Pirkei d’Rebbe Eliezer, “Everything was formed only in the merit of bowing, as it says (Psalms 99:5), “Glorify the Lord, our God, and bow to His footstool.”

We bow at the beginning of Avot because we mention Avraham Avinu and because it is “his” blessing, as indicated by its signature, “Magen Avraham.” The bow at the end is due to the mention of redemption (meivee goel) specifically the one from Egypt, but also the future one, mentioned immediately prior to the end (moshia). We need God to hear our prayer now in our miniature Temple (the synagogue) and in the future when we pray in the Beit HaMikdash.

(To be continued.)

Ozer Shemonah Esrei, bowing Amidah, Avraham, Beit HaMikdash, bowing, Jerusalem, redemption, Resurrection, Shemonah Esrei