Daily “PiCK-ME-UPs” – 27th Sivan, 5769

 

Quotes

from “PiCK-ME-UPs” the book

See Beauty

Focus on beauty, the culmination of all good attributes. See beauty in the world around you, the people in your life. See beauty in yourself, in the opportunities that await you. See beauty in this very moment.

By: Rabbi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz of “Self-Growth.“

PiCK-ME-UPs:
Empower yourself, enjoy life!
Not just another book, but a series of lessons to change our lives, turning darkness to light, misery to joy, shame into dignity; giving us a sense of direction, that we may move through our days with enthusiasm and passion, turning each moment into a jewel, a treasure, and a source of great pleasure and enjoyment. Click here for more.

FREE INSPIRATIONAL POSTER – To download high resolution version, click here.

Please visit Rabbi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz’s blog at: Keep Smiling ~ Self-Wealth

DIVINE LIGHT – 27th Sivan, 5769

 

The Mystical Light of the Baal Shem Tov

Section 13.

One day Reb Dovid,¹ head of the Ostrow Beis Din, was shown by the Baal Shem Tov the new heavens that had been created by his thoughts while smoking. Reb Dovid fell into a faint from the awe and fear that the sight inspired in him. The Baal Shem Tov was worthy of all this through constant study of Torah for its own sake, through prayer with a minyan,² and through daily purification in a mikveh.³
Zohar Chai- Truma

¹d. 1750
²A quorum of ten men required for certain religious obligations.
³Pool of spiritual immersion

Translation and Commentary by Translation and commentary by Rabbi Dr. Eliezer Shore.

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Source: The Baal Shem Tov Foundation

HEART OF PRAYER – 27th Sivan, 5769

 

The Baal Shem Tov’s Teachings on Prayer

Section 4a1

4a1.   There is a teaching “Do not be like servants who serve their master in order to receive repayment; rather be like servants who serve their master without the intent to receive repayment.” Another version of this teaching is, “be like servants who serve their master in order not to receive repayment.” Both versions are correct and describe two different levels of worship, one higher than the other.

“Not in order to receive repayment”¹ is the correct and proper form of worship. Your prayers should be for the sake of G·d, regardless of whether or not you receive the object of your prayers. Indeed, everything you do should be for the sake of G·d, and not at all for your own benefit.

However, there is another, higher level of prayer. For instance, a certain person has a deep and burning desire to speak with the king. The king issues a decree that he will grant any request that is made of him. When this person who longs to speak to the king presents his request, he is actually worried that the king will fulfill it, for then he will have nothing more to speak about with the king. Rather, he prefers that the king not fulfill his request, so that he can come before the king and speak to him again.

This is the meaning of, “A prayer for a poor man when he enwraps himself and pours out his speech before G·d.” That is, his prayer is that he can pour out his tale of woe before G·d.² This is also alluded to in the Talmud in the story of Shmuel HaKatan.³ This is the meaning of: “in order not to receive a reward.”
Degel Machane Ephraim

¹Mishna Avot 1:3
²Psalms 102:1
³Talmud Ta’anis 25b Once, in a period of drought, Shmuel HaKatan declared a public fast. The rains fell that same day, although after sunset. (This was considered late, as another story in the Talmud tells of the rain falling immediately in the morning.) The people assumed that it was because G·d desired to hear the prayers of the congregation the entire day. Shmuel HaKatan, however, rejected this assumption.

However, as stated in the Zohar (2:15a): “Once, the world needed rain. Rabbi Eliezer came and decreed forty fasts, but the rain did not come. He prayed, but the rain still did not come. Rabbi Akiva rose to pray. He said, “Who makes the wind blow?” The wind started to blow. He said, “Who makes the rains fall?” The rains started to fall. Rabbi Eliezer became dejected, but Rabbi Akiva looked in his face and stood before him. “I will tell you a parable,” he said. “What is this like? Rabbi Eliezer is like the beloved of a king. The king is pleased when he comes before him. The king does not grant him his request speedily, in order that he not leave him. This is because he is pleased to talk with him. But I am like a servant of the king that makes a request. He does not want me to enter the palace gates, and even more, not to talk to him. Therefore the king says, ‘Fulfill his request quickly, and do not let him in.’ Thus, Rabbi Eliezer is a beloved of the king, and I am a servant. The King wants to talk to you (Rabbi Eliezer) the entire day and not have you leave. But the king does not want me to enter the gates of the palace.” Rabbi Eliezer was placated.

Translation and Commentary by Rabbi Dr. Eliezer Shore

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Source: The Baal Shem Tov Foundation

Daily Wisdom of Kabbalah Portion – 27th Sivan, 5769

 

Disclosing a Portion, Covering Two – Three Kinds in Concealment of the Wisdom – Unnecessary

There are three parts to the secrets of the Torah. Each part has its own reason for being concealed. They are called by the following names:

       1.   Unnecessary;
       2.   Impossible;
       3.   The counsel of the Lord is with them that fear Him.

There is not a single fraction in this wisdom where scrutinies of these three parts do not apply, and I will clarify them one at a time.

1.   Unnecessary

This means that no benefit will stem from its disclosing. Of course, this is not such a great loss because there is only the issue of the cleanness of the mind here, to warn of those actions defined as “so what,” meaning so what if I did this, there is no harm in it.

But you should know that, in the eyes of the sages, the “so what” is considered the worst corruptor. This is because all the destructors in the world, those that have been and those that will be, are the “so what” kind of people. This means that they occupy themselves and others in needless things. Hence, sages would not accept any student before they were certain that he would be cautious in his ways, to not reveal what was not necessary.

By Rabbi Yehuda Leib HaLevi Ashlag – Baal HaSulam, Disclosing a Portion, Covering Two

Source: kabbalah.info

Today 27th Sivan, 5769 – “Little Mitzvos”

 

You may think, how does one little Mitzvo help . . .

Our times are calling out to us to do Teshuva, but it’s too hard for us to change our lives. Even when we try, we end up reverting back to nothing, everything as was. We MUST show HaShem that we are seeing the signs and that it means something to us.

In this way, when HaShem asks what did we did, we can reply “I took this on…”

You must not consider this “Little Mitzvos” as a replacement for the Shulchan Oruch – you must continue learning Halochos via mainstream Seforim and with Shiurim.

Brochos

Hold food in right hand when saying a brocho.

Source: Little Mitzvos Org

Teachings of the Sages – 27th Sivan, 5769

 

ON PRAYER

It was said about R’ Pinchas: “He strongly urged that one should not drive oneself [in prayer] with the intention of attaining to the holy spirit, but should serve [G-d] in simplicity. And if one should be worthy of attaining it, it will come of itself. Then he—may his memory be a blessing—told a story about a certain [person] who had prayed in order to attain to the holy spirit. But the prayer created a barrier, so he attained the spirit without the holiness”.^*

^*Ms. 803759 in Hebrew University Library, fol. 185b (A), cited in “Prayer Is Itself Divinity,” by Larry Tabick (C); and, similarly, Imrei Pinchas HaShalem, no. 187 (A, B), cited in The Religious Thought of Hasidism: Text and Commentary, by Norman Lamm, pp. 205-206 (B)

By Rebbe Pinchas of Koretz

Source: Two Tzaddiks

Rabbi Nachman’s – Sayings & Teachings – 27th Sivan, 5769

 

Rabbi Nachman’s – Sayings & Teachings

THE PURPOSE OF LIFE – The Prankster

The Evil Urge is like a prankster running through a crowd waving his tightly closed hand. No- one knows what’s in it. He goes up to each person asking, “What do you think I have in my hand?”

Each person imagines the closed hand contains exactly what he most desires, and that is why everyone runs after this prankster, believing the hand contains exactly what they want. But afterwards he opens his hand – and it’s completely empty!

The same is true of the Evil Urge. He tricks the whole world into following him. Everyone thinks his hand contains what they desire. But in the end he opens his hand – and it’s empty! No desire is ever fulfilled!

Sichot Haran #6

Rabbi Nachman of Breslov
“It is a great mitzvah to be happy.”

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Azamra means “I will sing” (Psalms 146:2)

“And the way to sing the song of joy is by seeking the good in all people, especially in ourselves. Each good point is one more note in the song of life!”

Rabbi Nachman of Breslov

Avodah – Perek Shira – 27th Sivan, 5769

 

Perek Shira – 27th Sivan, 5769

Perek Shira: The Mule – If I Were Hashem I Would…

A wise man once proposed marriage to a beautiful woman telling her “with your good looks and my brains we will have the most incredible kids.” Her blunt response was “what happens if the kids have your looks and my brains?” Hashem made the world with an enormous array of creatures. Every creature he created no matter how destructive has benefits that outweigh the damage.

Man in his narrow view of things sees a donkey and horse and says “wow if we can get the benefit of the strengths of both these animals we can create the perfect animal”. The results speak for themselves. The mule cannot produce any offspring and is considered to be a most destructive animal. The gemara says (Chulin 7b) nobody kicked by a mule will survive. The lesson of the mule is that it is better to let Hashem run the world although we may have some very seemingly good ideas.

The Mule Sings “Yoducha Hashem Kul Malchei Aretz Ki Shamru Imrei Picha”. After seeing man’s handiwork compared to Hashem’s all the kings of the world will admit that it is worthwhile to let Hashem be the big boss!

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From:RevachL’Neshama

On this day – Limud yomi – 27th Sivan, 5769

 

Limud yomi

Daf yomi: Bava Metzia 55
Yerushalmi yomi: Bava Batra 8
Mishna yomit: Keilim 29:2
Halacha yomit: Orach Chaim 314:8
Tanach yomi: 12 Prophets Seder 19
Shabbat parshiot – Eretz Yisroel: Korach
Shabbat parshiot – Diaspora: Shlach Lecho

From: Kaluach – Hebrew/civil calendars

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Daily Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov – 27th Sivan, 5769

 

 

The Baal Shem Tov taught that every day one should tell a friend a story about the deeds of a Tzaddik.

(Divrei Shalom)

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Source: The Baal Shem Tov Foundation

Daily Torah Quote – 27th Sivan, 5769

 

 

“The beginning and end of Torah is performing acts of loving kindness.”

The Talmud

From: Breslev.co.il

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Bringing Heaven Down to Earth – 27th Sivan, 5769

 

Grab the Clothing

By Rabbi Tzvi Freeman

Daily Dose – Today’s Meditation – Grab the Clothing

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Tikun Habris – 27th Sivan, 5769

 

Tikun Habris is the most important topic to discuss in this low generation, and no one is dealing with it.

If you are Jewish then you are part of the Holy nation. Have mercy on your holy soul and stop blemishing it with the sin of wasting seed. Take heed of what the kabbalah says and stop committing this sin of wasting seed.

The Sin of Wasting Seed

One should be careful not to waste seed.

(Sefer Hyirah, Rabbanu Yonah)

A Wonderous Segulah to rectify oneself and to rectify Nefesh Ruach and Neshama. Culled from the Holy ARIZALs works to be said every day after prayers. Tikun Mem Ches from the Tikunei Zohar has the Segulah to bring that which is precious and holy out of what has fallen into spiritual darkness and to rectify the sins related to the Bris Kodesh. Whomever says it will be worthy of many wonderous things relating to body and soul.

Click here to download “A Wonderous Segulah“.

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Source: TrueKabbalah.org

Halacha – Daily Halacha – 26th Sivan, 5769

 

What Is A Bathroom, And Can You Wash Your Hands There?

The Shulchan Aruch writes (OC 4:18) that merely going into a bathroom requires you to wash Netilas Yadayim when you come out. The Mishna Brura explains that this means even if you just enter and exit without doing anything there. How do our bathrooms measure up? Th biggest issue is when there is a sink only in the bathroom what do you do?

The reason why our bathrooms may not be a problem is based on a gemara that talks about bathrooms where the receptacle tank of the toilet is built on a slant and anything that goes into it automatically rolls far away outside the bathroom itself. Because of this it is not halachicly considered a bathroom. While at first glance, says the She’arim Metzuyanim B’Halacha, our flushable toilets would have the same status, there is a big difference. Our toilets actually hold the waste until they are flushed while those mentioned in the gemara don’t hold anything and it is removed from the premises without lingering even for a moment.

The Ois Chaim V’Shalom brings from his father the Darkei Tshuva that even our flushable toilet do not make it a bathroom since although it does linger until flushed, it is not Kavua since it is removed without too much delay. Therefore although he was Machmir for himself, he was Meikil for others when the only sink was in the bathroom.

The She’arim Metzuyanim B’Halacha brings additional heteirim as well. The Mogen Avrohom holds that even a toilet (Graf Shel Ri’i) does not make the room a bathroom if it is washed with a Revi’is after every use and is also meant for another use as well. Therefore a bathroom that has shelves in it to store items would not be considered a bathroom for the din of Netilas Yadayim.

Another heter from the Chazon Ish is that a toilet coated with glass or metal that is washed after every use does not have the status of a toilet. He too however says it is proper to be machmir.

Important Note: We try to convey the Tshuva to the best of our ability. We admit that our understanding may not be accurate. One should learn the tshuva to verify the accuracy of our interpretation. Please also understand that this Tshuva may not be the final word on this topic. One should consult a Rav before drawing any conclusions.

Source: RevachL’Neshama

Tzedaka Mitzva – 26th Sivan, 5769

 

Tzedaka – From The Poor To The Poorer

The Rambam in Sefer HaMitzvos (Aseh 195) says that even a poor person, who himself is a recipient of Tzedaka, is not exempt from the mitzva of tzedaka and must give tzedaka as well. He adds one interesting caveat and that is that he must give to someone poorer than himself. The Chinuch in Mitzva 479 uses even stronger language, saying that he is obligated to give tzedaka only if he finds someone poorer than he is.

If there is a mitzva of tzedaka and a certain person qualifies as a valid recipient why does it make a difference if he has more or less money than the giver?

The Shmuos Gitin (7a) answers that the Rambam (Shoresh 9) categorizes the mitzvos into four groups Dei’os, Pe’ulos, Middos, and Dibbur. The mitzva of tzedaka, he says, belongs in the group called “Middos” character traits, together with Rachmanus and Chessed. This group is based on the Mitzva “V’Ahavta L’Rei’acha Kamocha”. If so, says the Shmuos Gitin, the obligation of giving tzedaka is to love your fellow Jew as much as you love yourself but not more than yourself. It is to create love among Klal Yisroel. Giving to someone who already has more than you would not cause you to love them, on the contrary it would create friction. Therefore the mitzva must be done with a person who you can make better off and closer to your level but not above it.

Source: RevachL’Neshama

Daily Reminder – 26th Sivan, 5769

 

The Alter of Slabodka – Don’t Complain About The Weather In Eretz Yisroel

Rebbi Ami and Rebbi Asi lived in Eretz Yisroel. When they gave their Shiur in the summer they would move into the shade when the hot sun would shine on them. In the winter they would move into the warm sun as soon as it came out (Kesubos 112). Rashi says that they did this in order to insure that their Talmidim would not complain about Eretz Yisroel.

The Alter of Slabodka points out that every one knows the summer is hot and the winter is cold. Why were they so concerned that no one complained? Would this harm the image of Eretz Yisroel? We see from here how careful one must be about Lashon Hara even about Eretz Yisroel. (MiShulchan Govoa – Parshas Shelach)

“Zachor Eis Asher Asa Hashem L’Miriam BaDerech B’Tzaischem MiMitzrayim”

The Ramban and other Rishonim count, among the Mitzvos Aseh Min HaTorah, the mitzva of remembering and saying with your mouth each day what Hashem did to Miriam when she spoke about her brother Moshe. The Chofetz Chaim in Shaar Tvunah Perek 12 says that being Mikayem this mitzva can save you from the aveira of Lashon Hara. More than just saying the pasuk, says the Chofetz Chaim, one must think about the incident in order for it to have its intended effect.

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Source:RevachL’Neshama

Bringing Heaven Down to Earth – 26th Sivan, 5769

 

Kosher Yearnings

By Rabbi Tzvi Freeman

Daily Dose – Today’s Meditation – Kosher Yearnings

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Self-Growth – Keep Smiling – 26th Sivan, 5769

 

 

Boredom

By Rabbi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz

At the lower level, we blame our boredom on our surroundings. At a higher level, we understand that boredom reflects something lacking within ourselves.

Have a growth-filled, uplifting day

By: Rabbi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz of “Self-Growth“

Blog – To view previous”Keep Smiling”s, click here, or copy this address to your browser: http://keep-smiling-self-wealth.blogspot.com/

“Heavenly Ways” gives us a Torah-based point of view 176 topics, affirmations to accelerate our journey along healthful, heavenly ways. To see excerpt, click here.

“Hearts on Fire“ expands on selected verses from Tehillim to motivate us to new growth. In hard-cover for sale, or otherwise as a free ebook. Click here for an excerpt.

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Special: Download the “Keep Smiling” ebook, free. Click here.

“A Handful of Light” expands on the very short, powerful “Letter of the Ramban” with classic mussar and outlook ideas. (287 pages) To see an excerpt, click here.

PiCK-ME-UPs:
Empower yourself, enjoy life!
Not just another book, but a series of lessons to change our lives, turning darkness to light, misery to joy, shame into dignity; giving us a sense of direction, that we may move through our days with enthusiasm and passion, turning each moment into a jewel, a treasure, and a source of great pleasure and enjoyment. Click here for more.

“Wealth – A Torah Approach” contains over 700 teachings from the Torah, Prophets and our earliest sages on this continually perplexing subject. Click here for an excerpt.

Daily “PiCK-ME-UPs” – 26th Sivan, 5769

 

Quotes

from “PiCK-ME-UPs” the book

For the World

“Don’t seek greatness for yourself”. For, to be great simply for ourselves is to be small. We should rather seek greatness for the world – seek greatness for others, and raise them to new heights. Moreover, we should promote the Creator’s greatness, and draw His presence into our lives.

By: Rabbi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz of “Self-Growth.“

PiCK-ME-UPs:
Empower yourself, enjoy life!
Not just another book, but a series of lessons to change our lives, turning darkness to light, misery to joy, shame into dignity; giving us a sense of direction, that we may move through our days with enthusiasm and passion, turning each moment into a jewel, a treasure, and a source of great pleasure and enjoyment. Click here for more.

FREE INSPIRATIONAL POSTER – To download high resolution version, click here.

Please visit Rabbi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz’s blog at: Keep Smiling ~ Self-Wealth

DIVINE LIGHT – 26th Sivan, 5769

 

The Mystical Light of the Baal Shem Tov

Section 9.

The Baal Shem Tov was incapable of speaking with ordinary people because of his devekus¹ – until his Heavenly mentor, Achiyah HaShaloni,² taught him to recite certain psalms which enabled him to speak plainly without losing his concentration. Shivchei Baal Shem Tov

¹An intense attachment to Heaven
²In prior incarnations, Achiyah HaShaloni witnessed the exodus from Egypt, was a prophet during the time of King David, and taught Elijah the Prophet.

Translation and Commentary by Translation and commentary by Rabbi Dr. Eliezer Shore.

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Source: The Baal Shem Tov Foundation