Song of the Soul

The Chason Ish in his work Emunah U’Vitachon (Faith and Trust) writes: If man is refined, at peace with himself, free of lusful desire, and amazed at the sight of the heavens on high and depths of the earth, he becomes excited and astounded because the world before him seems to be a hidden, wondrous enigma. This enigma captivates his intellect and heart, leaving them no ambition other than solving this puzzle. This solution absorbs his soul. He would pass through fire and water to attain it, for what is the point of this pleasant life it its purpose is concealed from him? His soul becomes disoriented, mourning and yearning to comprehend this secret and know its roots – but the gateways are locked.” …………….

……. To subjugate his (the Jew) actions, words, and thoughs for serving his Creator, he must know and recognize Him. Only the power of knowledge (daat) of the Creator can influence man’s characteristics and behavior. Faith is beyond knowledge and beyond intellectual analysis and debate. As Rabbi Eliyahu Dessler writes in Michtav M’Eliyahu: “emunah means when one believes in what the intellect cannot perceive” (pt. 1, p. 68). Faith surrounds us but does not enter us – it is not internalized. In contrast, ……..

…..Some are satisfied with fulfilling mitvot and understanding their reasons as expounded in many classical texts, such as Sefer HaChinuch. These explanations suffice for those seeking general information related to fulfilling mitzvot. These people pray with devotion and study Torah for its own sake. In their prayers, Torah study, and mitzvot, they serve their Creator with all their hearts and grow in Torah and fear of God, each according to the root of his soul.

However, these reasons do not satisfy everyone. Some consider this approach is too superficial. They feel that the stories in the torah have deeper meaning. As the Zohar says on parashat BeHa’alotecha: “Woe to the man who says the Torah comes to relate simple stories about this world” (p. 154a). The Torah has secrets hidden between the lines, and it was given to us so that we could recognize the holy Creator, know him, and learn His ways. It is therefore difficult to accept simple interpretations of the Torah’s laws and mitzvot. As Rabbi Chaim Vital writes in his introduction to Eitz HaChaim, “In the simple interpretations of the Torah, and its stories, laws, and commandments, there is no recognition and knowledge of the holy Creator. On the contrary, certain mitzvot and statutes appear irrational. And if so, wherein lies the greatness and beauty of Torah?” ………….

http://www.yedidnefesh.com/kaballah/song/001.htm

When wishing to turn page it is much easier to just change the 001 to 002 - I found that pagination is off when using page turns on the above link.

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A Time of Reconciliation

Since Elul is the last month of the year and immediately precedes Rosh Hashanah - Day of Judgment for all the world's inhabitant's - it was established as a time for repentance. We therefore recite Selichos and penitential prayers to God. 

From ancients times, these have been days of reconciliation between God and Israel.When Israel committed the sin of the golden calf and the tablets of the Law were broken, Moshe ascended the mountain and pleaded for Divine mercy and forgiveness. God acquiesced, telling him (Shemos 34:1): Fashion two tablets like the first ones. Moshe ascended the mountain on Rosh Chodesh Elul and stayed there for forty days, until the tenth of Tishrei. On the tenth of Tishrei he brought down the second tablets from the mountain, those which God had given Israel willingly and joyfully. This forty-day period - between Rosh Chodesh Elul and the tenth of Tishrei - was fixed for all generations as a time of reconciliation, a period of repentance and forgiveness.

Although true repentance is always accepted, the days of Elul are especially suited for repentance, for during this period Divine mercy is aroused and God's hand is outstretched to welcome those who return to Him.

source: The Book of Our Heritage by Eliyahu Kitov

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TOMER DEVORAH: "...prepare for redemptions"

TOMER DEVORAH: "...prepare for redemptions": 19 Menachem Av 5772 Rabbi Wolfson: Disaster, Redemption May be Near Rav Moshe Wolfson of Brooklyn has held an emergency gathering in his ...
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25 Rules for Performing Mitzvos

ONE SHOULD HAVE IN MIND THAT HE IS

PERFORMING A MITZVOH WHEN HE IS IN

THE PROCESS OF PERFORMING IT

This refers to a Torah Commandment. However, a Rabbinical Commandment does not require intention to fulfill it. Some say that no intent is required in order to fulfill a Mitzvoh which entails an act if it is performed in its proper manner. However, they too agree that Mitzvohs which are only performed orally (by speech) require intent.

Examples: One does not fulfill his requirement if he merely read Krias Shma or Remembered Amalek without intent of performing a Mitzvoh. But, if he blew Shofar (for music), or ate Matzoh (not knowing that it is Pesach), or waved a Lulav and Esrog in the Halochically-correct manner, even without the intent of fulfilling a Mitzvoh, he fulfills the Mitzvoh.

Someone who performs a Mitzvoh expressly not to fulfill it, does not fulfill it.

SOURCE: http://www.613etc.com/rules25/print_ver.pdf

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Emunah in HaShem and Moshiach

The significance of the 3rd of Tammuz in Jewish history that occurred during the first generation of Jews in the Land of Israel, shares the same with this last generation of exile and the first generation that enters into the Era of Redemption. The leader of this generation, the solitary major luminary of our generation, is the sun that never set - the Lubavitcher Rebbe, the present Rebbe of Chabad.

This 3rd of Tammuz marks the 18th year (!חי) we've been under trial of belief in the Rebbe's words. This week's portion of Torah is Korach. It says in Rashi there (Num. 17:13):

אין משה אומר כלום מלבו אלא מפי הגבורה

"Moses (of the generation) does not say anything of his own but that which he hears from God!"
Note this assertion's incisive, unequivocal and emphatic tenor - "does not say anything but"! Accordingly, we believe God spoke through the lips of the Rebbe and all that he said will happen will happen. May it be already now!

LEARN MORE HERE

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Overcoming the "Goy" Within Us

One aspect of the "goy within" is that it perceives the world exactly as the gentile does - a material, physical existence. Unlike the G-dly soul, which perceives only G-dliness, the "goy within" perceives only material existence. In the words of the Alter Rebbe: "The animal soul comprehends the physicality of this world and its materiality...the intellect which is enclothed in physical matters [and] which grasps physicality in accordance with human intellect is a lie and truly the opposite from G-dly wisdom which is the wisdom of truth." That is the "goy" within.

READ IT ALL HERE  

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Pastor Paul Tan and his Congregation -

Listen to this powerful and informative interview as you browse the web by Gavriel Sanders about Pastor Paul Tan and a group of Chinese messianics in Singapore rejects Jesus as being God or the Messiah and are now turning toward the Bnai Noach Movement or possibly even full conversion to Judaism.



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Remembrance and Love

Shmiras Haloshon Yomi

17 Sivan, 5772 / June 7, 2012
Day 17 Remembrance and Love

SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM Introduction: Positive Commandments 1-2
     When trying to impress a class of students about the evils of loshon hora, the average teacher would probably use examples of serious cases in which a persons reputation or livelihood was destroyed, or perhaps of a shidduch (marriage match) which was unnecessarily broken. After all, these are real-life illustrations which clearly demonstrate the danger of loshon hora.
     The Torah, however, does the opposite. In teaching us the evils of loshon hora, the Torah relates an incident which is so mild that it has barely a tinge of loshon hora. It is the case of Miriam, who spoke to Aharon about their brother, Moshe (see Bamidbar ch.12). Miriam was punished with tzaraas (a skin disease induced by spiritual impurity), sent out of the camp of the Jews to live in isolation, and the entire Jewish nation, well over a million people, was forced to wait for her to be cured before they could resume their travels.
     The Torah commands us to remember the story of Miriam to remind us of the evils of loshon hora, as it is written, Remember that which Hashem, your God, did to Miriam on the way when you were leaving Egypt (Devarim 24:9).
     The Chofetz Chaim points out how mild this case of loshon hora was. Miriam spoke about her brother, whom she loved and for whom she had risked her own life. She did not say something derogatory about him; all she did was mistakenly equate Moshe with other prophets. Moreover, her words were not said in Moshes presence or in public. And we know that Moshe wasnt hurt by her words and that there was no negative fallout. The Chofetz Chaim explains that this is precisely why the Torah uses this incident to teach us the evils of loshon hora. Despite all these factors and Miriams great personal merit, she was still punished.
     How much more culpable are people who speak loshon hora that does hurt people and does cause damage! When a person speaks loshon hora, he transgresses this commandment of remembering the lesson of Miriam.
     The Chofetz Chaim further states that when one speaks loshon hora, he also violates the commandment you shall love your fellow as yourself (Vayikra 19:18). It is obvious that if you speak loshon hora about someone: A. You do not love him, and B. You are not treating him as you would yourself. The proof to this, says the Chofetz Chaim, is that most people are well aware of their own faults, yet they are very intent on concealing them from others. Even if someone were to discover one of our faults, and would tell some of our friends about it, we would hope that they would not believe him.
     This is because we really love ourselves, and we do not want others to view us in a negative way. The Chofetz Chaim says that this attitude is precisely what the Torah wants us to apply to our fellow man. Just as we would be horrified to overhear our peers reviewing our faults, we should be equally horrified to participate in a similar conversation about someone else. And just as we are so caring and protective of our own egos, so must we be equally caring and protective of the pride of others.

A daily lesson from the Chofetz Chaim: A Daily Companion/Mesorah Publications.

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We Have a Higher Purpose than the Gentiles

While the Olympics may be fun to watch, that's not who we are as a people - we have a higher purpose. (wonderful write-up is here)

When we examine our mundane lives, it seems that the true spiritual experience is to be had on Shabbos, when we are able to withdraw from our mundane concerns and devote ourselves to Torah study andTefillah. After all, what could be spiritual about the rat race of pursuing a livelihood, and the numerous tasks of cooking, cleaning, and the like necessary to maintain a household? (You can learn much from this site - here)

Why is the Torah so elaborate in its description of the Sota, the wayward woman? Infidelity on a family level resembles treason on a national level...this is an 11-minute mini-lesson that you don't want to miss. Have a wonderful Shabbat (see it here)

We're told Moshiach's era has dawned. But many of us detect no change from how it was years ago.  So what gives? Read here

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Teenage Boy Completes Entire Talmud in Three Years

His story is beginning to inspire Jews around the globe!

Devoting hours of intense study every day to his regular course load, a 19-year-old boy from Toronto has accomplished in the astonishing time of three years what most adults spend their whole lives attempting. But ask Chabad-Lubavitch yeshiva student Shaya Zirkind what secret allowed him to learn the entire Talmud and he’s surprisingly down to earth in his answer: go to bed early, wake up refreshed, and take each day at a time.  READ IT HERE.
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Chareidi Rock Music - THROW THE TRASH OUT OF THE HOUSE!

“Today there are styles in the chassidic music that have no connection to chassidus,” says the singer Mordechai Ben David Werdigger. “It is like being in the jungle. The kushim sing in a more refined way than they do. The words don’t make the song chassidic. Maybe it gives pleasure – like eating pizza, but there is no spiritual pleasure in it.” [from an interview in the Bnei Brak paperKol HaIr 12^th Tishrei 5764].

“Something has happened to the chassidic music in the past few years,” says Avraham Freed. “The truth is that today’s young singers have no red lines. I know that I have my limits that I will never cross….. The situation today has worsened to a point that very soon we, the singers and the public will have to shout – ‘The music has reached the gates of hell!’” [from an interview in the magazine Shaah Tovah, Erev Sukkos, 5764].

The singer Gidon Levine [in the same magazine] sums up the situation: “My problem is that the imitation of goyishe music is likely to bring a deterioration in our society, and particularly among the young people.”

These singers [with the exception of R’ Ben Tzion Shenker] fail to mention that they are the ones who started the trend to imitate American rock and roll, and that the younger singers who they criticize are only taking an example from them to copy the new styles of popular street music. Let us finally hear what the “Composer of the year – 5764” Yishai Lapidos has to say about the subject:“I know many people who claim that today’s big singers introduced the disco beat and the rock. For example, Mordechai Ben David introduced rock and roll, Deady Groucher brought in the rock, Vindish with Boruch Hagever brought in the trend of ‘converted songs’. The song ‘Moshiach’ of Mordechai Ben David is in the style of real rock and roll, and there is not much difference between rock and roll and dance. The disco of all the big singers such as Werdigger, Freed and Deady have come from the American rock and roll and disco.” [From the magazine, Shiru Lo, Chanukah 5764, p.20].

At present in this country we are witness to the phenomenon of ‘Greek song’. Two of the mushchossim of the tzibbur who were thrown out of Eretz Yisroel returned to America with their merchandise to sell to the public. One of them made rachmono litzlan, a song about the most important principle of the 13 principles. The second took examples from this to make a song about the destruction of Amolek, and they turned them into jazz רח"ל – literally! What happens to a person’s heart when he listens to this version of mechiyas Amolek? He hears that to wipe out Amolek is jazz! Is it possible to receive any good influence from this? Or chas vesholom the opposite, that he is disconnected from the whole concept of destroying Amolek? Or if he hears ‘Moshiach’ with that imbecilic nigun – is it possible to elevate oneself by hearing this? In this way they are killing the public, and we have to publicize them by name – one is called Freed (Fried), and the other is called Werdigger (Mordechai Ben David)! 

“I love the songs,” Fried said of the new album. “I think there’s some great material. There are great messages. There are songs to cry to, there are songs to dance to, there are songs that will inspire. I think it’s a solid album.”

Fried said that he has adopted a certain style to which he has stuck in this album as well. “I have a certain style which is what we call the Hassidic style. In that Hassidic style there are some areas where we’ll take a disco feel or a rock feel, but that’s the extent of it.”

 Anyone who lets their songs into his house must know what this will cause to his Torah. Elisha ben Avuya, one of the four great members of the chaburah, did not stop singing a Greek song, – and it made him into a different person and finally a heretic! We have to throw this out of the house! Throw it all out! And not let this trash remain in the house!

[Rabbi Yisroel Elya Weintraub שליט"א, Lakewood Yeshiva, Cheshvan, 5755]

“Speech is the expression of the mind. Music is the expression of the soul, and by means of this it is possible to determine the level of a person at any time. The prohibitions related to speech apply also to musical expression.”

The Rebbe of Bobov, Rabbi Ben Tzion Halberstam הי"ד.

“I have heard that there is something new that they call “Chassidic music”. I don’t know whether it is kosher or not, but one thing I can be quite sure about – that it has no connection to chassidus, and I do not know if it is suitable for yeshiva boys to listen to it.”

Rabbi Elazar M. M. Shach זצ"ל.

“The non-religious street has managed to infiltrate into chareidi society by means of the modern music.”

Rabbi Moshe Shmuel Shapira זצ"ל.

SOURCE:THE TORAH IS NOT HEFKER

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Alef-Beis and Nekudos

Teaching the Alef-Beis and Nekudos separately, engraves its holiness into the children. The Rebbe writes to an educator who asked the question about how to teach children to read:

"It is obvious that one must teach children how to read by first teaching them the letters and the Nekudos separately, as it is a well known fact as to how much the Gedolei Yisroel as well as our saintly Rebbeim "waged wars" for this purpose, to engrave into the children the holiness of the Alef-Beis letters and the holiness of the Nekudos."

Preface

The Alter Rebbe once summoned a young disciple of the Maggid and said to him in his customary chant: I have the mitzva of "ושננתם לבניך" (Teach them to your children). You have the mitzva of sustaining and providing for your family. Let us make an exchange. I will give you what you need to fulfill your mitzva and you will teach my son (who was later the Mitteler Rebbe).

Then the Rebbe explained the method of instruction: The first thing is to teach the letters, alef, beis and so on.

What is an alef? A dot above, a dot below and a line between - this is an alef. A child must know that the alef of Torah is a yud above, a yud below, and a line of faith that joins them. Another version: A Yud above - this is the soul; a yid (Jew) below - this is the body; a line of Yir'as Shamayim (fear of Heaven) in the center.       (Hayom Yom, 8 Adar-I)

The Alter Rebbe is hereby setting the goal of teaching Alef Beis to a child: is not merely to provide him with a “reading tool”, but rather, to teach him what is the inner significance of the Alef too, thereby instilling Yir’as Shamayim into the delicate mind and heart of the child,

Consequently, we must choose the correct method in teaching the Alef Beis to the child, so that the desired goal is achieved.

MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD IS LEARNING THE CORRECT WAY -
LINK BELOW IS A PDF DOWNLOAD COMPILED AND PREPARED 
BY RABBI LEVI GOLDSTEIN

CLICK HERE

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