Alone with G-d

Hi,

"Hitbodedut is a great level, surpassing everything else. This means to set aside at least an hour every day to be alone in a room or a field and to speak with one’s Creator, explaining oneself, appeasing, and supplicating Him to bring oneself close to true divine service. And this prayer and discussion should be held in the vernacular, i.e. Yiddish… for it is hard for us to speak in Hebrew, which we are not used to… But in Yiddish, which we are accustomed to, it is easier to express oneself… One should express all that is in one’s heart before G-d: regret and teshuva regarding the past and supplications to draw close to G-d… It is important to practice this every day at an appointed time and the rest of the day is to be joyous. And this practice is very great and constitutes an excellent method for drawing close to G-d… for everyone can do this and in doing so one will reach a great level. Happy is he who follows this."

(Rabbi Nachman of Breslav, Likutei Moharan II 25, translated by Zvi Leshem, Tradition 47:3 (2014))

Have a great day,
Mordechai

One view on Philosophy

Hi,

"The essential goal and completeness is in serving Gd in total simplicity, without any wisdoms at all. For there are investigators who say that the essential goal [of existence], and Olam haBa, are in knowing a thing's nature, such as knowing a star – its essence, and why it occupies its location… And they waste their days in this world on this subject, investigating and grasping ideas which are, to them, the goal. This is Olam haBa, in their view; in this world they are clothed in a body and so they do not experience such great pleasure from their investigations, but in Olam haBa, when they are freed of the body, then they will experience great pleasure from it. 

"Within their poor understanding, the essential achievement of the goal is via their investigations and external wisdoms. But in truth, for us, the essential achievement of the goal is only via belief and practical mitzvot, serving Gd according to the Torah in simplicity… Know that it is not as they think, Gd forbid, for then very few people – intellecual elites, philosophers - could achieve the goal! What should those of lesser value, who lack this intellect, do?... This is the meaning of, 'At the end of the matter, all has been heard. Revere Gd, and guard His mitzvot, for this is the entirety of a person.'

"In truth, investigation, Gd forbid, and learning the books of wisdoms, Gd forbid, is strongly prohibited. Only an extremely great tzadik can introduce himself to this study of the seven wisdoms, for who enters these wisdoms, Gd forbid, could fall there…"

(In the name of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, Likutei Moharan Tinyana, Torah 19)

Have a good day,

Mordechai

Prayer as weapon

Hi,

"The main weapon used by Mashiach [to accomplish his goals] is prayer."

(Rav Nachman biBreslov, Likutei Moharan 2:1)

המצפה לישועה,
Mordechai

Ruin and Repair

Hi,

"R' Nachman of Breslav said, 'If you believe things can be ruined, you should believe that things can be repaired.' A positive perspective is essential for a productive life. Resigning oneself to failure eliminates the possibility of progress."

(Rabbi Dr. Avraham Twerski, Rebbes and Chasidim, pg. 81)

Have a great day,
Mordechai