a little chassidus

a little chassidus

as an introduction...when hashem gave us the torah he gave us 613 mitvos. 248 positive and 365 negative commandments. each mitzva involves various organs if the body to be used in order to preform them. tifflin the arm and head-matza the mouth-shofar the ears- etc. however some of the mitzvos involve a feeling in the heart not an act of the body i.e. loving hashem fearing hashem in the heart or ben adam ladam.. "lo sachmod" not to desire anthers wife or possession etc. hence we see there is more to the mitzvos then just to do them or not.
now just like u have a mitvza that involves the mind of the human being...like the studying torah. (studying torah is a mitzva in its own right not only to learn in order to do.) you have among the mitzvos that involves the mind, the mitzva of knowing hashem as it says , and we repeat three times a day when we say the alenu prayer.

vydato hayom vhasvosa el levovecho ki hashem hu elokim...you shall know today and you shall retur to your heart that hashem is your g-d ...etc. what is the meaning of knowing hashem? how can we possible know hashem?
it is preformed by studying the teachings of the torah that deal with explaining to us about Hashem and His existence. in adetioan this studying helps as well in the prefomance of another mitzvah; the mitzvah to love and fear hashem, now since a feeling cannot be commanded upon a person the commandments means to study areas of the torah that explain hashems to us and then by being mis-bonen -concentarting upon this will them brings us to love and fear hashem for we now know better what it is we fear and love.


having explained that there is a mitzva to know hashem and to fear and love Him and that this can only be accomplished by studying areas of the torah that explain Hashem to us, we can focus on general concepts that can be studied. one area is masa bereshis- the act of g-d creation.

the other is masa markav -the acts of hashem in the chariot i.e. the spiritual world.


the study of masa bereshis, the act of creation is looking at the world that g-d created and seeing in it the order of creation as an indication in it that an Intelligent Being created it and continues to run it. we can learn two thing from creation a) that a creator created it, for nothing comes into existence by itself b) that this being that did create it is one of infinite abilities and greatness. this is seen by the infinite forms and diverse creators found in the creation itself.

hence you are learning about the existence of g-d and what type of existence He is through His work.

now this knowledge of G-d through creation is by its very nature a limited understanding of G-d for it is only an understanding which comes to us through creation which itself is limited. also it is important to know that "lo zeh kol elko shboro olomus" ; this is not the entirety of g-d that he created worlds". there is more to g-d then him being a creator. what we know from g-d in meditating upon creation is only the aspect of Him that relates to creation.

one might ask however creation comes -"yesh m'ayin"- "ex nihilo" and that power of creating something from nothing is impossible for man and logic hence the fact that g-d can create from nothing shows that he is infinite. so why are we saying that we can only have a limited understanding form g-d in creation when the creation itself teaches that g-d is infinite? this is true yet it does not explain why an infinite entity is able to act in such a fashion. it only states the obvious fact that the creation came form nothing. hence g-d is able to do the immposibale and is infinite but nature this does not explain what is the meaning if infinite.

the emotion that will come from the knowledge of g-d through creation is the love and fear of g-d that is tied to creation. meaning the love of g-d that he created you and gave and continues to to give you life and the fear is limited to that aspect as well.. a love of g-d that transcends creation is not possible from this knowledge.

though the person is willing to give his life for hashem in this level it is because to him he is only returning too a greater more encompassing life source of himself; to leave being only a creation and become part of the creator itself. it does not deal with hahsemn the way hashem transcends creation. where the soul of the person becomes totally non existent.

in the siddur this love is the love of bchol nafshicho- to love g-d with all you soul. even if he takes your soul for to you it means only returning your soul to the source of all life which is certainly greater then the life that is limited to the body.

let us explain a bit clearer the commanment to ... returning to your heart .in the verse. it implies that we have a commandment not only to "know g-d" which might be interpreted as only studying about him but in addition a study that brings to "love and fear of g-d" i.e. teachings involved directly with hahsem not just areas of the torah dealing with law-etc..in addition we must return it to the heart meaning to take it to heart. to bring forth emotions from the knowledge. this is only brought about by concentrating on the subject after it is understood. indeed the word "vyodata" which mean to know, in the bible is used to describe the relationship between adam and eve. that adam knew eve...knew her as husband and wife ..meaning to become one with her. we are commanded to know hashem; meaning to become one with g-d through concentrating on the knowledge we know of him. this then gives birth to emotions of love and fear for Him and we become with with Him. to mediate upon creation and coming to love of hashem.

this understanding is quite natural and a really does need for one to look into the torah to believe in a creator. logic itself dictates that there is a creator because we see that there is a creating being. since nothing can some into existence by itself logic dictates that there is a super power that creates. logic also dictates that this being operates on a level that we cannot understand or at least on a level above us for it created us. meaning that even if this supreme being is not infinite but finite it still is above us. but on a deeper level
logic also dictates that any being that creates something out of nothing itself cannot be limited but infinite.
even a philosopher with logic alone should come to a conclusion that there is a being above them and they should wish to learn all that there is about this being and wish to discover even by logic alone what is absolute good and absolute bad etc. to live according to the rules that this being has established in creation.....morality etc.

this all is still only masa bersehit.... the study of the act of creation.

... next i wish to focus on masa markava.....the works of the chariot....(spiritual worlds) and then g-d willing on masa elokim and then on etzem... the essence of hashem himslef.

netzutzie tiffila -sparks of prayer

netzutzie tiffila- sparks of prayer: the morning prayers begin with a prayer said while still in bed as soon as one arises from sleep. it is: Modai ani lefanecho melech chai vkayam shhectezarta be nishmosi bchemlo rabbah emonosecha" “I thank you G-d, King who is everlasting who returned my soul to me with compassion; great is your faithfulness” . this prayer is not only an acknowledgment that G-d has returned our soul to us and our indebtedness to Him but ever more so an affirmation of life itself and our belief that it has a divine purpose to fulfill. it is a statement that G-d has decided that our life is worth living and He sees a purpose in it yet to be accomplished hence He returns the soul to us for another day to work at fulfilling that purpose. I know of an elderly Jewish Holocaust survivor, widowed twice, living alone who wakes every morning with regret thinking g-d should take His soul at night instead waking him up, G-d forbid. he sees no purpose in his life only another day to suffer and to find something to do to make it pass quicker.. sweep the leaves- go to senior center etc. this man has suffered much both with his family being killed in the Holocaust and he by being all alone. but one does not need to go through hell to feel all is lost in the life. the every day grind of life and its responsibilities can make one wonder whether it is all worth it. By saying in the morning " i thank you G-d for returning my soul to me give us the understanding that our life is in G-d's hands and if He saw fit to return it. Life has a purpose, not only in the collective sense but for each and every one of us as individuals. more so G-d returns our soul to us in the same continuum of the life we lived before we went to bed. you wake up in the same house, with the same family, the same habits and challenges. hence the life you are living is not an accident , G-d is giving you the exact same surrounding you had before you went to bed. this is your life, the life you where meant to live and this is the life that you must succeed in with G-d's help. G-d who creates the world every moment is recreating you life anew with the same circumstance as yesterday He in His infinite wisdom understands that this is the life you must live. it is your life he tailored made for you. embrace it do not attempt to escape it. halacha explains that this prayer can be said even before washing our hands for no name of G-d is in it. however chassidus explains that we connect with G-d in this prayer on a deeper level; one that transcends the description of even G-d's names. for as explained the soul has five different names and G-d too, has seven names that cannot be erased. the "modai ani "said with no holy name in it is the essence of the jew speaking directly to the essence of G-d Himself. it is the part of the soul that is above any name adressing G-d the way He transcends His names. indeed so great is this moment that there where many a holy rabbi and pious people who even before the "moda ani" prayer would say a personal and private prayer in their own words at that time to G-d. essence to essence. coming from the pintele yid addressing its own very core and source; G-d.

hashovas aveida...a sheital lost...

i saw on a jewish web page an add for help to find a lost sheital....i could not resisit so....
here it goes.
kol tov
yw



HASHOVAS AVEIDA...SHEITEL LOST"

lost my sheital at the Western Wall or perhaps it was at the Petach tikva mall ..Oh i forget ...

lets see..

it was shoulder length, brown, with curls or was black straight, and short as my new designer skirt....( shaaaa...it covers my knees...)

I tried to cover my head as a good Jewish girl .... i am married can't u see

so...no more hanging out at the corner of ben yehuda and yaffo street for me.

I love going to jewish classes whether mayonot or at aish

and of course eating meah sharim yershalmi kugel but unfortunately i need to watch my waist..

sorry I digress ... ah .....yes

I lost my two thousand dollar shietal my kollel yungerman husband got for me.

if u find please it call me at 011 613-seven seventy..


Oops... I now recall I left it in bnai brak with the the shietal macher to be washed , you know the one all the charadisha ladies use because

she is approved by the badtaz...

they use bug free water, kosher l'pesach shampoo pluss play shiurim on shalom bais in the waiting room.


so if you see me walking down the street wearing a tichel or snood do not make believe you do not know me any more...

not to worry at all....next week during the chag you'll see me again walking down the street wearing my kosher lepseach shietel with a whole new look

I'll be wearing new outfit and new leather Pierri cardin brown boots ...


hakol, bshvel hachag ..hakol lhashem .gut yom tov...

ta ta ..

as for me ... i am a prayer ....(psalm 109)

on 11 nissan year 5770 we celebrate the rebbe's 108th birhday and began saying psalm 109.
this poem is based on the words van tiffila in that psalm....


V'ani Tiffila....

vani sifila....in the words of the great one, king david he said "as for me ... i am a prayer."..


prayer as a bird with wings the head is a yud... the first letter of g-d's name...

the body a vov and its two two wings like a heh below and above..

flapping with love and fear for the one above..together they spell out g-d's holy name...




when i walk in the street ...or in the path of life... though temptation does make my heart, heat...

or doubt and worry makes it skip a beat...when i feel like a bird down on the ground stuck in the mud...... my wings dirty, in crust... about to give up for i cannot fly ... my heart is in love.... but it seems g-d forbid...not with the one up above ...




then suddenly all becomes clear...as a flash in my mind...i hear and understand...that but with one prayer .. is all that i need..i begin to pray and sway... i say;

..."oh g-d hear me please, help.... i wish to belong to thee .......... alone and complete ..to serve u with perfect love is my only real hearts desire..'....the rest is just mire...again. ....

"g-d" i cry out... "please ..oh please set me free and fulfill my true hearts need".




then suddenly as it all began ...it ends..i begin to flap... for hashem has heard my heart...he has helped me over come the trap...i soar higher out of the muck .. away from the muddy net into g-d's holy tent...His presence felt in ...a garden... a temple ....a sacrifice...a place... in the present tense....in you...




so if life seems to be to much to beat...its heat and ...its trials and tests .. a snare...

remmember oh please that help is near ... it is already here...for but with only a single prayer away... before even uttered ... it is already heard... .for good.....for g-d hears the prayer and answers it before it is even said ...

indeed what do you think....who do you think even put the prayer into your head before it was even said.....?

pesach message 5770

PESACH MESSAGE 5770

Dear CIKB and Friends,

The Holiday of Passover is upon us yet the days of the holiday are not to be viewed as memorial of an ancient event that occurred in the past; the glorious and miraculous exodus of our people from slavery by G-d from ancient Egypt towards freedom and acceptance of the divine law. Rather it is meant to reactivate that very same event for us to relive in the present. More so our Sages teach us that not only during the Holiday of Passover is there the power to relive exodus but we can and must experience exodus from Egypt and accepting the responsibility of observance of the Torah and it laws each and every day of our lives.

How do we accomplish this? For even on the very night of the holiday itself....it seems to be an event that happened years ago and all we have left today are the rituals and discussions of lessons to be learnt but not an actual exodus from Egypt. To answer this let us look at the beginning of each and every day when we awake and still lay in bed.
The moment we open our eyes before even washing our hands and descend from bed we say:

“I thank you G-d, King who is everlasting who returned my soul to me with compassion; great is your faithfulness” .

A bit later in the synagogue when we begin the morning prayers, we say in the morning blessing;

"Blessed are you G-d who is King of the world who is “matter asurim” releases those who are bound".

When we sleep we are like bound, hands and feet unable to move, when g-d returns our soul and we open our eyes and realize we are alive again, we thank g-d and bless Him for releasing us from the confinement of sleep. Exile is compared to sleep and waking up is similar to exodus and redemption. During sleep though we are alive and all our facilities are in operation their full powers are hidden. The mind too, is not in our control and all sorts of irrational fears and ideas take over. The idea of awakening is not only physically getting up and leaving the binds of sleep but awakening and reaching your full potential.

Upon waking up every morning from sleep, we experience a personal exodus. But it is not only from the sleep of the body but of the soul and mind set as well that we must awake. The idea of exodus is to leave behind all of our preconceived notions, emotions, fixed actions and hard to die habits that limit us from being able to reach our true potential and self. Though we indeed are all good and do much good deeds however looking back in life, how many of us can truly say we have grown over the years? That we have lived our life to its fullest potential. What is holding us back? Do we still have that old chip on our shoulder; still blaming others and taking no responsibility for our own actions? Why can we not forgive; not G-d nor our fellow Man? Are we still children who have not yet left our mother’s womb? Did not G-d give us freedom to choose?

On the Holiday of Pesach and especially during the Seder we are empowered for the year to be able to “Pesach”; leap over and above, all that which holds us back! To become a better person, better Jew and better you. More specifically to study more Torah, pray with better concentration and devotion, to do more acts of kindness and love for another Jew. Over all to become that which G-d really desires of us and to do so with joy!

To conclude our sages say: on the month of Nissan we were redeemed and on the month of Nissan we will be redeemed again”. Amen

with best wishes for a happy, kosher and sweet Pesach

y winner and family