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Dvar Torah for Parshat Bamidbar
Based on Likutey Halakhot, Chukot HaAkum 2
Out of His love for them, God constantly counted the Jews (Rashi
on Numbers 1:1).
We human beings have at our disposal *koach hamedameh*, a powerful
capability. What is *koach hamedameh*? When used properly, it is
imagination. When used improperly, it is fantasy.
Rebbe Nachman taught that our lives always hang in the balance. Not
in the melodramatic sense of "do or die" or "now or never" (although
these situations occur as well). Rather the condition, the quality,
of our spiritual life and our connection to God is always so
balanced that a decision as how to act, speak or think, determines
whether we will feel closer or further away from the Creator. (By
extension, because of our integral connection with the world at
large, our decision also nudges humankind in the same direction.)
If we fantasize that some thing or person controls the quality of
our life, we will choose poorly. If we realize, however, that God is
bigger than the challenge facing us, bigger (as it were) than we
imagined Him to be, we will choose more accurately. Reb Noson points
out that there are some things we can do to strengthen our awareness
of God's greatness. One is that we give *tzedakah* (charity).
Reb Noson explains that this works because when we give *tzedakah*
we behave with God-like generosity. As we push ourselves to act more
God-like, by thinking more God-like, we come to sense more clearly
how holy we can be, how much our temptations are just so much
glitter without any essential ability to satisfy our spiritual
hunger. (Reb Noson also points out that
*tzedakah* is so powerful it can unconfuse even if you've already
chosen
poorly.)
There is no promise that progress towards this goal is swift. One
has to be stubbornly patient, exercising and practicing—creating, if
need be— his generosity, and other God-like qualities (such as
patience and judging others favorably). Strengthening these
qualities is easier, Reb Noson writes, if we associate with
like-minded people, particularly if they already have these traits.
agutn Shabbos!
Shabbat Shalom!
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