Home Faith Insights from Reb Ephraim Z”l – A New Series

Insights from Reb Ephraim Z”l – A New Series

by Yossi Katz
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Reb Ephraim Z"l

There are many weeks where Shabbos is the only time I get to look at something more then Rashi’s Commentary on the weekly parsha (not that there is anything wrong with Rashi’s commentary of course.) One of my personal favourite seforim is called the “Oneg Shabbos.” It contains letters written by Rabbi Ephraim of Pshedbarz who was one of the outstanding Breslover tzaddikim and scholars of Polish descent, who survived the Holocaust and resettled in Eretz Yisrael. I was thinking why not do a series based on the Oneg Shabbos? If for no other reason, at least I will be forced to spend some more time studying something I truly enjoy!  So here goes, I hope to put out at least one piece per week. If you are like me and truly enjoy the insights, you can purchase this Sefer from Moshe Rosen in Monsey, NY. He can be reached at 845-425-7464. Enjoy!

A person who possesses true trust and faith in G-d does not worry at all. Instead he hopes and waits for G-d’s salvation to arrive. He feels G-d helping him and he experiences Gan Eden (the Garden of Eden) down here on Earth. The numerical value of the hebrew words Emunah (faith) and Bitachon (trust) equal that of Gan Eden!  With our Emunah and Bitachon we merit the next world but we can even get a taste in this world. We can transfer over our heavy burdens to G-d and live a worry free lifestyle.

We pray in the Amidah, “And give good reward to all those who truthfully believe in Your name.” Now we know that G-d grants us reward for every thing we do in His honour, even the smallest things. So what is this prayer all about? The answer is  that when we live a lifestyle based on Emunah and Bitachon we actually taste Gan Eden now. One may think that since  I am already tasting it, perhaps when I get to the next world I will find a chunk missing. May we all merit to  live with an Emunah where we are  concerned and feel the need to pray that we have not “tasted” too much of our reward already.

A Gut Shabbos,

Yossi Katz

© Copyright 2009 Breslov Research Institute

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3 comments

admin May 7, 2009 - 11:15 pm

Super idea! As it happens I was looking at the Sefer Advice by BRI on Shabbas (page 169). Also worth looking at. Here is a quote from Rabbe Nachman from that book: “6) How precious and holy is the act of eating on Shabbat. It is completely suffused with Godliness without the slightest hint of impurity….. Love and peace reign supreme.”

Does the Oneg Shabbos sefer talk about enhancing your family’s Oneg Shabbas? Especially how you can help your kids experience Shabbas to its fullest.

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A Simple Jew May 8, 2009 - 12:21 am

Your idea for this new series is fantastic!

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chezi gerin March 22, 2011 - 9:55 pm

Nu, what happened to this series??? I think I’m going to purchase this sefer.

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