Home      Online Store
     Books & Tapes		      Contact Us
 
About Rebbe Nachman
  About Reb Noson
  About Breslov Research
  Rosh Hashana in Uman
  Uman Today
  Works in Progress
  Parsha
  Kid's Page

THE ALEPH-BET BOOK
Rabbi Nachman's Aphorisms on Jewish Living

HEH

SWEETENING JUDGEMENT
SECLUSION
EVIL THOUGHTS
PRESTIGE AND IMPORTANCE
SUCCESS
CONCEPTION AND PREGNANCY
INSTRUCTION

HAMTOKAT DIN
SWEETENING JUDGEMENT

A

1)
When the messengerswhobring sufferingaredispatched, they are made to take an oath: that they will neither set out nor return except on such and such a day, at such and such a time and only [carry out their mission] by using the designated means. However, repentance, prayer and charity have the power to nullify [the enactment of] this oath.

2)
Despair, viz depression, leaves a person open to misfortune; thus providing the attribute of severity with a free hand.

3)
Reciting the Torah chapters concerning the Choshen, the Breastplate (Exodus 28:15-30 ; 39:8-21) is a rectification for harsh judgements.

4)
A person who suffers affliction should give charity. This charity will be considered as if it were a fee paid to a judge for his services, which when 'accepted, nullifies the verdict's validity. And through this his suffering will be alleviated.

5)
What is the smallest amount of suffering [that can still be considered suffering]? [See Erkhin 16b: "Even reaching into one's pocket for three coins and coming up with only two is also a form of suffering."]

6)
Anyone who goes forty days without suffering has already been given his share of the World to Come. Misfortune is on the way.

7)
When a person rebukes his friend for the right motives, he has a thread of lovingkindness drawn over him.

8)
There are three things which point out a person's sins: a wall which is about to fall, concentration in prayer and an informant who brings judgement upon his fellow man.

9)
There are four things which abolish harsh decrees: charity, crying out to God, changing one's name and improving one's conduct.

10)
Crying out to God helps the individual only prior to the final decree.

11)
A final decree accompanied by an oath cannot be abolished, even for the [sake of an entire] community.

12)
Fasting during a year of hunger saves a person from an unnatural death.

13)
The effects of a decree against a person apply only in a specific place. He can save himself by changing his location.

14)
The pains which a person suffers in his eyes or intestines are indicative of the harsh judgements which have befallen him.

15)
A person should tell others of his anguish so that they will pray for mercy on his behalf.

16)
When there is a harsh judgement against Israel, the Holy One informs the Tzaddikim of this so that they pray for the Jewish People. Anyone who does not pray for them incurs God's anger.

17)
When a person sees that he has been beset by harsh judgements, he should talk about his enemies and justify their actions.

18)
Anguish is eliminated by appointing worthy judges.

19)
God brings suffering upon a person who makes a vow and does not carry it out. However, if he remains silent, it is considered as if he fulfilled his vow.

20)
Accepting suffering with love is like bringing a sacrifice.

21)
A man who falls down while walking should see this as a sign of a downfall on a spiritual level.

22)
Immersing in a mikvah relieves suffering and brings salvation.

23)
A harsh decree against a person can be easily overturned as long as it has not yet become public knowledge.

24)
A person who falls from his faith should realize that he is being judged Above.

25)
A person who finds himself suffering from harsh judgement should make it a habit to gaze at the heavens.

26)
The Holy One exonerates the person who teaches righteousness to the wicked.

27)
A man of truth receives God's lovingkindness undisguised by judgements.

28)
The Holy One hides His face from you because of the heresy which you have [in your heart].

29)
Trust in God sweetens judgement and draws down lovingkindness.

30)
Through faith, it is possible to convince God to follow your will.

31)
Charity turns justice and judgement into lovingkindness.

32)
When a person has no faith, it is obvious that the Holy One has removed his lovingkindness from him.

33)
When lovingkindness is dear and rarely found, you should know that crying helps. (Rabbi Nathan adds: "When I copied this down from the Rebbe, he told me that this aphorism is alluded to in the verse, 'How dear is Your lovingkindness, God; therefore the children of man take shelter under the shadow of Your wings' (Psalms 36:8). 'How dear is your lovingkindness,' this is when lovingkindness is rare and harsh judgements are prevalent, God forbid. Then the solution is for 'the children of man to B'tzail K'nafekha Yechesayun - take shelter under the shadow of your wings'; the first letters of which form the word B'KHY - to cry.")

34)
Da'at, true knowledge, draws down [God'sl lovingkindness.

35)
By giving charity to a worthy man, you will be able to draw lovingkindness upon your loved ones.

36)
A person who does not accept rebuke will experience suffering.

37)
To sweeten harsh judgements, recite Psalm 39.

38)
A person who strengthens himself and makes many preparations before praying is relieved from suffering, even if in the end he does not pray as he should have.

39)
To sweeten harsh judgements, recite the Mishnayot of the Tractate Zera'im.

40)
There are times when the Holy One will put an end to a father's suffering so that his son finds peace.

41)
A vow forestalls God's wrath.

42)
To sweeten harsh judgements, recite Psalm 77.

43)
When a person binds himself to the quality of faith at night, he sweetens the harsh judgements which are upon him.

44)
Haughtiness causes lovingkindness to depart Heavenward.

45)
The Midnight Lament sweetens harsh judgement.

46)
Remaining awake throughout the night saves a person from harsh judgement.

47)
A person can determine and understand his sins from the suffering which he experiences.

48)
Visiting the Tzaddik is in itself sufficient to sweeten harsh judgements.

49)
When charity is presented to the Tzaddik, the act of giving is in itself enough to sweeten harsh judgements.

50)
When a person is depressed, Heaven considers ways to cause him harm.

51)
A person's accusers are beaten off by the study of Torah.

52)
Falling down while walking sometimes serves to nullify a pronouncement of death which has been issued against the person.

53)
When the nations have issued an evil decree against the Jews, Psalm 62 should be said.

54)
Remaining underwater in the mikvah until you can no longer hold your breath sweetens harsh judgements.

55)
There are times when [drinking] wine will arouse harsh judgements.

56)
The person who gives his bread to someone who has no da'at, will experience suffering.

57)
A person who lacks true knowledge will eventually be exiled.

58)
Postponing harsh judgements causes them to [eventually] be nullified.

59)
The person who studies Torah for its own sake brings peace to the Divine agencies of Heaven and earth.

60)
Reciting a verse in its appropriate time brings good to the world.

61)
Certain times and places are designated for good, and conversely, [there are some times and places which are ready and prepared for the opposite].

62)
Occasionally, harsh judgement can be staid by the leader of the generation, and sometimes by the generation itself.

63)
From the nature of one's enemies it is possible to determine the harsh judgements which are Above.

64)
When listening to a friend speak of his suffering, a person must be clever so that this suffering does not then befall him.

65)
When a person studies Torah at night, the Holy One draws a thread of lovingkindness upon him during the day.

66)
You should give money to charity for a redemption.

67)
As long as it is possible to save yourself with money don't make use of the power of prayer.

68)
Whenever there is some dispute Above, the final decision is based upon the opinion of the Tzaddik who is alive in this world.

69)
When a person is judged Above, he is judged by his name. It sometimes happens that the [Heavenly] messengers exchange his name with another, so that the decree of death or suffering falls upon someone else.

70)
A person who does not beg for mercy on behalf of his generation is punished.

71)
A person who has sickness or suffering in his house should visit a wise man who will pray on his behalf or grant him a blessing.

72)
Those who hear accusations against the Jewish People must go out of their way to look for and speak of their good points.

73)
The Holy One removes his wrath when He sees His honor jealously defended.

74)
The best time for a monetary redemption or prayer is only during the day.

75)
Not everyone is suitable to perform a redemption.

76)
A person who wants to sweeten harsh judgements should not drink wine that entire day.

77)
Humility appeases the Holy One, blessed-be-He.

78)
In times of harsh judgement, a person should pray fervently.

79)
Building a stone house is mortally dangerous.

80)
Charity sweetens harsh judgements.

81)
Mikvah sweetens harsh judgements.

82)
Once the final decree has been passed, it is necessary to veil one's prayer in stories.

83)
By opening a Torah scroll, harsh judgements are sweetened and returned to their place [of origin].

84)
Silence sweetens harsh judgements.

85)
Fasting and donning a sackcloth are a segulah for nullifying a decree.

86-87)
To sweeten harsh judgements, recite the Torah sections dealing with the eleven curtains of goat-skin (Ex. 26:7-14; 36:14-19), the incense (Ex. 30:34-38), the eleven blessings which Moses blessed the Jewish People (Deut. 33:6-25) and the vision of the Chariot in Ezekiel (1). This is also true of the Torah section on vows (Num. 30) and the Mishnaic Tractate Shavuot.

88)
Humbleness nullifies harsh judgement.

89)
Reciting the Song of Songs sweetens harsh judgement.

90)
A person who can study Torah but does not, experiences suffering.

91)
The Tractate Ohalot is propitious for sweetening harsh judgement.

92)
A person who raises dogs arouses harsh judgement.

93)
Occasionally, God will bring suffering upon a wicked person so that he turns to the Tzaddik to pray on his behalf.

94)
Sweetening of harsh judgements can be achieved by means of drawing lots, as was the case with the Azazel. (Rabbi Nathan writes that he heard the following explanation from Rabbi Nachman at the time of transcribing this aphorism: A person should take two coins and draw lots one for God and one for Azazel. The coin which is designated for God, should be given to charity; the one for Azazel, thrown away. This will sweeten harsh judgements.)

95)
Sometimes, the leading Tzaddik of the generation will get angry at you in order to free you from harsh judgements.

96)
When a new king or minister rises to power, harsh judgements are aroused.

97)
When a person stubbornly refuses to repent, he brings irreparable harm upon himself.

98)
It is not good for two people with the same name to live in the same apartment.

99)
Depression arouses harsh judgement.

100)
[Accepting] embarrassment sweetens harsh judgement.

101)
A person should let others know of his suffering.

102)
When permission has been granted to the powers of destruction to act, no differentiation is made between the righteous and the wicked. Indeed, the Tzaddik is the first to suffer.

103)
A change of place eradicates a decree of judgement.

104)
Being merciful sweetens harsh judgement.

105)
There are times when a person expires from fright or some other cause of sudden death. You should believe that his time had come.

106)Humility enables the person to nullify a decree of judgement.

107)Tending to the needs of the Tzaddikim sweetens harsh judgement.

108)A person dies without suffering in reward for having visited the sick.

109)Once Heaven's judgement has been passed against a person - even prior to its going into effect - it can be detected by [observing] the flies in the house.

B

1)
A person who works to sweeten harsh judgements can easily and without hindrance sanctify the Name of God. His eyes do not grow faint.

2)
The suffering a person experiences elevates him.

3)
A person who accepts suffering in order to alleviate the suffering of the Jewish People is rewarded with receiving the Divine Spirit.

4)
Reciting the Torah sections dealing with the holidays, found in the portion of Pinchas (Numbers 28:15-31; 29:1-39) is a segulah for nullifying harsh judgements and propitious for success in one's dealings in the secular courts.

5)
Charity sweetens the harsh judgements destined for the future on the Day of Great judgement.

6)
There is a person who, when he sees harsh judgements upon the Jewish People, knows how to transfer them onto another nation, as in, "I shall put another in your place" (Isaiah 43:4). Through this, all of creation gives over its energy and becomes united in this man, in order to renew itself [within him]. Turning harsh judgements onto the nations also opens the gate [and increases the use] of parables in the world.

7)
There are those whose acts of kindness occasionally produce negative effects. When they pretend not to see the harm brought on by their kindness, they cause the harsh judgements from Above to be enacted without moderation. This coincides with the warning given to the priesthood - a priest being the "aspect" of lovingkindness - not to take hurried steps [while performing the Temple service]. However, when care is taken that no harm comes from their kindness, this fosters moderation in the judgement.

8)
A person who rejects his suffering is in effect telling God, "Get away from me!"

9)
When a person labors in Torah study to the point of exhaustion, he sweetens harsh judgements and awakens mercy - even for his father who has passed away.

10)
It is impossible to appease harsh judgement emptyhanded.

11)
It is a known principle that a person bitten by a dog has had Heaven's mercy removed from him. It is also a sign that he has eaten a forbidden food.

12)
There are times when a Tzaddik's priding himself with one of his followers serves to conceal that person from the attribute of judgement.

HITBODEDUT
SECLUSION

A

1)
A person who secludes himself and separates himself from people is purified from Above.

2)
Isolation and turning one's attention to idleness brings a person to anger.

B

1)
The private conversation a person has with God later becomes a means of redemption and salvation for his children.

HIRHURIM
EVIL THOUGHTS

A

1)
A person's humility saves him from idolatrous thoughts.

2)
When you are bothered by thoughts of idolatry while praying, picture God's name - "elokenu" in hebrew - in your mind.

3)
Confessing in the presence of a Torah scholar produces good thoughts.

4)
Telling stories about Tzaddikim brings a person good thoughts.

5)
A person who has unholy thoughts should always look to find good in others.

6)
A person's tears lead him to view all passions with contempt.

7)
When a person does not believe in the Tzaddik, his heart is not right with God.

8)
Wearing a gartel, the prayer belt, once worn by a Tzaddik is a segulah for dispelling evil thoughts.

9)
Falsehood defiles the sign of the holy Covenant.

10)
A person who takes pride in having sanctified himself and then breaks this pride will acquire great insight into the Torah.

11)
Crying out to God eliminates one's bias and self-interest.

12)
Studying the four sections of the Shulkhan Arukh removes one's bias.

13)
Thinking about an insight into the Torah which you originated is especially propitious for eliminating undesirable thoughts.

14)
A person who has unholy thoughts should speak to himself in a degrading way.

15)
Eating and drinking make the mind sluggish.

16)
Anger produces idolatrous thoughts.

17)
Idolatrous thoughts plague the person who shows disrespect for the Jewish festivals.

18)
Sitting in the company of promiscuous people or in a place where an immoral act was performed leads one to unholy thoughts.

19)
The evil inclination desires only that which is forbidden to it.

20)
[Even] passions have clothed within them God's lovingkindness.

21)
When a person is forgiven for his sins he is rewarded with a pure heart.

22)
A person's lustful desires are eliminated when he shows compassion for others.

23)
The eyes cause the heart to desire.

24)
The passions of the heart make blemish unavoidable.

25)
Diarrhetic medicines are a segulah [against] immoral thoughts.

26)
Prayer recited with an attentive heart opens all of Heaven's doors.

27)
A person bothered by idolatrous thoughts should not wear any gold ornaments.

28)
Drunkenness produces idolatrous thoughts.

29)
A passion for women causes a man to lose respect. It also effects him in that his wife will not conceive a child, [or if she does conceive] she either miscarries or the child dies at birth.

30)
Strife produces idolatrous thoughts. A house in which quarreling is present will eventually be a place in which idolatry is practiced.

31)
A person can eliminate distracting thoughts bothering him by raising his voice as if to cry.

32)
Swearing and cursing bring on unholy thoughts.

33)
Your trust in God will save you from unholy thoughts.

34)
Gritting your teeth is a segulah against unholy thoughts.

35)
The particular way in which the holy sparks veil themselves in distracting thoughts and then come to a person for rectification depends upon where he is up to in the prayer.

36)
The Mishnaic Tractate Yadaim is a segulah for dispelling unholy thoughts.

37)
A person who prays only for the Shekhinah's sake will be spared from distracting thoughts.

38)
Through peace God's name is exalted.

39)
When a husband or wife has amorous thoughts for a non-Jew during their marital relations, the child conceived will turn into an apostate.

40)
Tzitzit guard against immorality.

41)
Visiting the sick saves a person from the evil inclination.

42)
A person's evil inclination only has control over that which he sees.

43)
A person not married by age twenty will be plagued by sinful thoughts for the rest of his life.

44)
A person who commits a sin and then thinks about doing it again is punished for the thought even without his having repeated the action.

45)
To chase away the evil inclination say: "God, rebuke the Satan!" (paraphrase of Zekhariah 3:2).

46)
A person is not punished for a sudden lust or unholy thought which he is unable to prevent unless he then reviews it in his mind.

47)
Cupping is helpful against most bad character traits.

48)
Eating fish increases one's sexual desire.

49)
When a person's livelihood comes in his ancestors'merit, he experiences thoughts of idol worship.

50)
Homosexuality produces idolatrous thoughts.

51)
A Jew will have thoughts of idolatry when he thinks about a gentile woman.

52)
Gazing at nakedness brings one to an aroused state.

53)
Disgracing the holidays is comparable to idol worship.

54)
When a person has faith, God helps him and protects him from evil thoughts. He enters the next world free of sin.

55)
When people study Torah and perform acts of kindness, they have mastery over their evil inclination.

56)
A person who has enjoyment from anything heretical will eventually be forced to worship idols.

57)
When a person asks for forgiveness and keeps himself from transgressing, he will not sin - even in thought.

58)
A Jew who has relations with a gentile woman pollutes himself. The child which he later conceives with his wife will be an apostate.

59)
[From the priest's clothing we learn that] a belt has the power to rectify evil thoughts.

60-61)
A person plagued by sexual fantasies can dispel them by giving charity or by not deceiving people.

B

1)
When a person uses his faith to banish thoughts of idolatry, these thoughts turn into the "aspect" of the dew of blessing. As a result, his mind also remains firm and ever becomes confused. Even when his mind is overta xed by deep concentration on a complex subject, the Holy One provides him with thoughts that offer relief.

2)
A man who guards against idolatrous thoughts will always trust in God; never worrying about tomorrow. He is on the level of, "Blessed is God who day after day bears our burden" (Psalms 68:20 ). Because of this, [the Holy One] "observed no iniquity and saw no misery in him," (Numbers 23:21), and anyone who lays a hand upon him, it is as if he attacks the apple of God's eye.

3)
To dispel idolatrous thoughts, a person should think about and then obligate himself to perform acts of kindness.

4)
Idolatrous thoughts shorten one's breath. He no longer has any enjoyment from hearing good news.

5)
When a person finds himself plagued with idolatrous thoughts, he should realize that he is being judged Above.

6)
Studying Halakhic Codifiers nullifies thoughts of idolatry.

7)
The appointment of unqualified judges gives rise to thoughts of idolatry.

8)
When a person is plagued by idolatrous thoughts, he can expect to either suffer illness or to be falsely accused of a crime against the government.

9)
A person [guilty] of idolatrous thoughts will of necessity have to turn to Sacred Names and amulets for help.

10)
Tithing one's wealth dispels immoral thoughts.

11)
There are times when a person finds himself thinking about a particular disease. This comes from God and is intended to remind him of the need to rectify the unholy thought which brings on this malady.

12)
When a person is in the habit of taking vows, he comes to thoughts of idolatry and immorality, killing and slander, all of which can be annulled by the governor in charge of determining the appropriate amount of taxation to be borne by each and every inhabitant of the city.

13)
A person who is afraid of having immoral thoughts because of what he sees while walking through the marketplace should recite the verse: "Behold, the mighty ones will cry outside" (Isaiah 32:7). This will save him from [the evil effects which come from] his eyes having wandered.

14)
A person plagued by idolatrous thoughts should know that the hand of the gentiles will rule over him.

15)
Idolatrous thoughts abound in a city which has a large fair and special shopping days. A segulah for avoiding such thoughts is to immerse oneself in Torah study specifically on those days.

16)
All a person's sins are forgiven when he dispels thoughts of idolatry.

17)
Gazing to the east abolishes immoral thoughts.

18)
Crying dispels immoral thoughts.

19)
Idolatrous thoughts can be nullified through [religious] fervor.

20)
Deceiving people brings one to desire a gentile woman.

21)
A Jew who desires a gentile woman should expect to either suffer some type of downfall or have illness effect his wife and children.

22)
Thoughts of idolatry enable one's enemies to overpower him.

23)
In order to dispel immoral thoughts, a person should picture his father's image [in his mind]. A practical solution for preventing evil thoughts is to become angry at something, as in the verse, "Become angry and do not sin..." (Psalms 4:5). (Rabbi Nathan adds: I specifically heard from the Rebbe that the intent here is to become angry with oneself. This is hinted at in the Rabbinical teaching: "A person should always incite the anger of his good inclination against his evil inclination, as is written, 'Become angry and do not sin...' " In other words, to become angry with oneself, but not, God forbid, real anger, which is a most serious sin.) Also propitious [for dispelling evil thoughts] is to uproot oneself and go elsewhere, as well as jumping from one's place.

HITNAS'UT
PRESTIGE AND IMPORTANCE

A

1)
[A leader] who places excess fear upon people for the wrong reasons will not merit having a son who is a Torah scholar.

2)
A person who starts a mitzvah but does not complete it has his prestige diminished.

3)
When the Holy One wishes to exact punishment from the enemies of the Jewish People, He sees to it that they appoint unsuitable leaders.

4)
The Tzaddik's son who does not follow in his father's ways is [nevertheless] given a position of prestige so that he might change for the better.

5)
A person gains prestige when he gives charity.

6)
A person does not gain in stature unless all his sins have first been pardoned.

7)
Once an important person has gained prestige, it is not taken from him.

8)
When a person possesses wisdom, humility and geniality, his words [have authority] and are carried out Above.

9)
When the Holy One wants a Tzaddik to gain prestige and fame, He promotes conflict and strife amongst the wicked.

10)
By accepting humiliation joyfully you will be celebrated with honors and prestige.

11)
A person who cannot accept rebuke does not advance.

12)
Prestige comes to the person who constantly reviews his studies.

13)
A person gains prestige by [accepting] rebuke.

14)
When God is with a person [his stature] is elevated.

15)
A change in name changes one's fortune.

16)
When a person travels from town to town and from city to city, his words no longer command any respect.

17)
A person who favorably judges the Jewish People is rewarded with great prestige.

18)
A prestigious person who now fears that he may have to die because the time has come for someone else to gain importance should either abdicate his position or else devise a plan which would bring this other person to flee from the town.

19)
When people turn to a person for advice in serving God, his prestige will certainly grow.

20)
A person's fame does not grow unless the Holy One first rests His spirit upon him.

21)
A person gains prestige when, in times of trouble, he shows his trust in God.

22)
An intelligent person will certainly be quickly elevated.

23)
When the Tzaddik gains eminence, the world wonders about him.

24)
A person who despises thievery rises to greatness.

25)
It is either a person's wisdom or his good fortune which causes him to become famous.

26)
When a Jew receives gifts from the gentiles, he should see it as a sign that God considers him deserving of this prestige.

27)
Reciting the Psalms raises a person's stature.

28)
When a person gains prestige it is as though he was just born.

29)
Mentioning the names of idols prevents a person from gaining prestige.

30)
By studying Aggadah at night, a person gains prestige.

31)
Prestige comes to the person who despises falsehood.

32)
A person's importance grows because of his love for the Tzaddkim.

33)
A person will certainly gain prestige when he serves God consciously and not out of habit.

34)
Prestige comes to the person who speaks [to God].

35)
A person's humility brings him prestige.

36)
Publicly sanctifying God's Name causes a person to gain importance.

37)
The compassion which one shows for others brings him prestige.

38)
Faith enables a person to gain authority over haughty people.

39)
One who appoints an unworthy judge will eventually fall into the hands of gentile magistrates.

40)
A person wins prestige when his rebuke of others is for the sake of Heaven.

41)
By building in the Land of Israel, a person is rewarded with prestige.

42)
A person gains prestige when he honors the Torah.

43)
One cannot always exercise his authority. There are times when a given situation can only come about under a second leader.

44)
You should show respect for and spend time in the presence of the person to whom God has granted eminence.

45)
A person gains prestige [only] in opportune times.

B

1)
The person who trespasses into the domain of another hashis importance diminished.

2)
The Holy One does not grant importance to a person unless He has first tested him in some small matter.

3)
When a person's mind is confused, it corrupts his fear of Heaven. It also causes his authority to diminish.

4)
When a person is zealous, he merits becoming a faithful leader [of the Jewish People]. This is alluded to in the verse, "Go to the ant - NeMaLaH - you lazy one (Proverbs 6:6); NeMaLaH being the last letters of the words, "mi'sham ro'eh even YisraeL - from then on he became a shepherd, a builder in Israel" (Genesis 49:24).

5)
Bribing an official in order to gain an appointment in place of another person is comparable to witchcraft.

6)
When a person is in the habit of taking vows, he comes to thoughts of idolatry and immorality, killing and slander, all of which can be annulled by the governor in charge of determining the appropriate amount of taxation to be borne by each and every inhabitant of the city.

7)
Whenever a wicked man prospers, it becomes difficult to develop new insights into Jewish Law. [His success also has an effect on court cases, in that] the litigants cannot accept the judge's verdict.

8)
A good person must humble himself when the wicked are in control [of things].

9)
The daughter of a person whose authority is self appointed will prostitute herself.

10)
When a person refrains from working for the common good and is only concerned with his own well being, it is as if he accepts bribery.

11)
A person gains prestige when he confesses h'fs sins.

12)
The prominence of the leaders of the generation is strengthened by God's holiness. This prestige brings everyone to value the mitzvah of hospitality and causes those who study the Torah to have the law accepted as they understand it.

HATZLACHAH
SUCCESS

A

1)
Anyone who properly tithes his wealth loses nothing.

2)
Attach yourself to a successful person and you will succeed.

3)
A blessing is only found on that which is hidden from the public eye.

4)
Success is Heaven-sent.

5)
A person to whom [Heaven] has granted prosperity but does not succeed will afterwards find it difficult to do so.

6)
The endeavors of Torah scholars receive an immediate blessing.

7)
Torah study is particularly propitious for success.

8)
When a person doesn't leave a piece of bread on the table [after his meal], he will never see the signs of blessing.

9)
[When a person seeks an omen to find out if he will succeed], mentioning only the possibility for the good is not considered divination.
10)
A home, a child and a wife are signs of a man's success. 11)
A man who divorces his wife does not prosper.

12)
A fortunate person turns proud. People tend to fear him because of his good fortune.

13)
One who refrains from idle chatter succeeds at everything he does.

14)
A person who always speaks the truth prospers.

15)
Confessing Your sins will bring you Success.

16)
Prosperity comes to the person who hosts a Torah scholar at his table.

17)
When you lack truth, your prosperity is taken away and given to the gentiles.

18)
In order to prosper, listen carefully as the Tzaddik performs a unification of God's Name by reciting the Sh'ma Yisrael.

19)
Faith in the Rabbis brings success.

B

1)
A person who is always happy succeeds.

2)
Honor the person upon whom fortune smiles.

3)
When a person is successful, he is in control of time.

HAYRAYON
CONCEPTION AND PREGNANCY

A

1)
Telling lies causes a woman to experience pain during pregnancy.

2)
A woman who wishes to conceive a child should carry either a magnet or a small piece of wood from the roof of the tomb built around a Tzaddik's grave and give charity.

3)
Small fish multiply rapidly.

4)
Pregnant and nursing women should avoid eating garlic and onions.

5)
When a woman despises evil, she will be blessed with a child.

6)
Accepting the hardships of exile is a segulah for conceiving a child.

7)
Eating the meat of a lean animal and drinking olive oil are a segulah for conception.

B

1)
A woman who cannot conceive should look at the circumcision blade after it has been used.

HORA'AH
INSTRUCTION

B

1)
When a rabbi humbles himself before greater men than himself, the Holy One protects him from making mistakes in his religious instruction.

2)
A courthouse of Jewish Law inspires the fear of God.

3)
There are times when a person's kosher food becomes mixed with forbidden food. According to Jewish dietary laws, if the kosher food is insufficient for nullifying the restriction, then the entire mixture is rendered unkosher. Whenever this happens, a person should realize that he has in some way blemished a holy unification, which is spiritually akin to the nullifying of the forbidden percentage by the permissible one. This is "Motzee A'SIRIM b'KOSHERot" - He brings out the bound into prosperity (Psalms 68:7); [which can also be read, "He takes out the forbidden"- A'SuRIM- through the permissible KOSHER].

4)
When peace reigns, the Jewish People are blessed with children who [will one day] serve as intructors of the Law.

5)
A rabbi who is stringent when advising others but lenient with himself, and who claims to be informed when he is not, will not merit seeing the splendor of the King. This is because inappropriate fear - the evil force of Edom - will dim the light of his eyes and prevent him from seeing the splendor of the King's Countenance.

6)
Incarceration and pain in one's legs are punishments for immorality. When a disciple who is unqualified to instruct others does so anyway, he is also punished with one of these afflictions, as well as being placed at the mercy of evil forces.


Home | Table of Contents | Previous | Next

Copyright © 1986, 2000, Breslov Research Institute
All Rights Reserved

Copyright © 1997, 2001,2003 Breslov Research Institute