Based on Rebbe Nachman's Wisdom ## 70, 131
'In those days, at this timeÓ we the Jewish people battled against the Greeks. With no choice but to wage war, we waged war. Extraordinary, heroic efforts taken by our ancestors at that critical juncture brought about miraculous results: The few, weak, pure, righteous Jews defeated the more numerous, strong, debased heathens.
What can we do nowadays to PREVENT evil decrees, to PREVENT war? Rebbe Nachman writes:
#70.
A law was once passed, bringing much evil to the Jews. The Rebbe then said, "How do we allow God to bring evil to the world?" We
must call God away from all His other tasks. We must draw Him away from sending
evil decrees to the world. We must tell Him to put everything else aside
and listen to us, for we want to ask Him to draw us close.
“For when a Jew wishes to speak to God, He casts aside everything else.
Evil decrees are even set aside at this time. God puts aside everything and
only listens to the person seeking His presence.”
#131.
Reb Noson writes: This occurred shortly before Purim when I was with the
Rebbe writing the lesson on the verse, 'And these are the ordinances....Ó (Exodus
21:1; Likutey Moharan I, Lesson #10).
The lesson begins by stating that when there are decrees against the Jews, they can be mitigated by dancing and clapping. The Rebbe remarked, 'This is what I said. News is coming about decrees against the Jews. But Purim is near [when Lesson #10 was given] and Jews will dance and clap, and this will alleviate the decree.Ó The Rebbe then repeated himself, strongly emphasizing the words, 'This is what I said.Ó
His intent was to emphasize to us that we should sincerely follow all his lessons, abiding by the straightforward advice of his words. All the Rebbe's lessons contain awesome depth, plumbing the deepest mysteries and most lofty secrets. Still, he emphasized that the main thing was to follow the practical advice they contained.
He used this lesson as an example. It teaches that dancing and clapping can mitigate the harshest oppression. He bid us to take the lesson at face value and actually make an effort to make merry on our joyous holidays such as Purim and Chanukah, as well as at happy occasions such as weddings. At such times, he said, we should make ourselves feel the true joy of obeying God's commandments. We can make ourselves so elated that we actually dance and clap our hands in joy. This is what abates the harshness of decrees against us.
Do not say, 'Who can be worthy of nullifying an evil decree through mere dancing
and clapping? Certainly only the holiest of people!Ó The Rebbe's lessons are
not in heaven. Any person can observe the words of this lesson and accomplish
great things. All that is required is truth and sincerity. The same is true
of all his other lessons....
afreilekhen Chanukah!
Chanukah Sameach!
agutn Chodesh!
Chodesh Tov u'mevorakh!
agutn Shabbos!
Shabbat Shalom!
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