Daily “PiCK-ME-UPs” – 30th Sivan, 5769

 

Quotes

from “PiCK-ME-UPs” the book

Beyond the Superficial

We see a dog barking at his own reflection, and we laugh. But we too, like this dog, often fail to see beyond the superficial – the externalities of life. We need somehow, to train and align ourselves to the true reason of Creation.

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 – 30th 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.

Join the Baal Shem Tov Mailing Lists, click here to Subscribe.

Source: The Baal Shem Tov Foundation

HEART OF PRAYER – 30th Sivan, 5769

 

The Baal Shem Tov’s Teachings on Prayer

Section 3.9

Before prayer, bring yourself to a state of awe by meditating on the greatness of G-d.

When you want to pray, first bring yourself to a state of awe¹, for this is the gate to enter before the Blessed One.²Say in your heart: “To Whom do I want to attach myself? To He Who Created all the worlds with His words, and Who enlivens and sustains them!” You should meditate on His greatness and exaltedness; then you can enter the supernal worlds.
Tzava’as HaRivash, 66

¹Reverance of G-d
²See Shabbat 31b

Translation and Commentary by Rabbi Dr. Eliezer Shore

Join the Baal Shem Tov Mailing Lists, click here to Subscribe.

Source: The Baal Shem Tov Foundation

Daily Wisdom of Kabbalah Portion – 30th Sivan, 5769

 

Disclosing a Portion, Covering Two – Three Kinds in Concealment of the Wisdom – Permission from Above

This is explained in the book, The Gate to Rashbi’s Words, by the Ari, in The Zohar, Parashat Mishpatim, p 100. It reads as follows, “Know that some of the souls of the righteous are of the Surrounding-Light kind, and some are of the Inner-Light kind. Those that are of the Surrounding-Light kind have the power to speak of the secrets of the Torah by way of concealment and intimation, so their words will be understood only by those worthy of understanding them.

Rabbi Shimon Bar-Yochai’s soul was of the Surrounding-Light kind. Hence, he had the power to clothe the words and teach them in a way that even if he taught them to many, only the worthy of understanding would understand. This is why he was given “permission” to write The Book of Zohar.

The permission was not “granted” to write a book in this wisdom to his teachers or to the first ones who preceded them, even though they were certainly more proficient in this wisdom than him. But the reason is that they did not have the power to dress the matters as did he. This is the meaning of what is written, “Yochai’s son knew how to guard his ways.” Now you can understand the great concealment in The Book of Zohar, written by Rashbi, that not every mind can grasp his words.

His words in essence: Explaining matters in the wisdom of truth is not dependent whatsoever upon the greatness or smallness of the Kabbalist sage. Rather, it is about the illumination of a soul dedicated to this: the illumination of this soul is considered “giving permission” from Above to disclose the Higher Wisdom. We therefore learn that one who has not been rewarded with this permission must not make clarifications in this wisdom, as he cannot clothe the subtle matters in their suitable words in a way that will not fail the students.

For this reason we did not find a single book in the wisdom of truth that precedes Rashbi’s The Book of Zohar, since all the books in the wisdom prior to his are not categorized as interpretations of the wisdom. Instead, they are mere intimations, without any order of cause and consequence, as it is known to those who find knowledge. Thus far understanding his words.

I should add, as I had received from books and from authors, that since the time of Rashbi and his students, authors of The Zohar, until the time of the Ari there was not a single writer who understood the words of The Zohar and the Tikkunim (corrections) like the Ari. All the compositions before his time are mere inklings in this wisdom, including the books of the sage Ramak.

And the same words that were said about the Rashbi should be said about the Ari himself—that his predecessors were not given permission from Above to disclose the interpretations in the wisdom, and that he was given this permission. And also, this does not distinguish any greatness or smallness at all, since it is possible that the virtue of his formers was much greater than the Ari’s, but they were not given permission to it at all. For this reason, they refrained from writing commentaries that relate to the actual wisdom, but settled for brief intimation that were not in any way linked to one another.

For this reason, since the books of the Ari appeared in the world, all who study the wisdom of Kabbalah have left their hands from all the books of the Ramak, and all the first and the great ones that preceded the Ari, as it is known among those who engage in this wisdom. They have attached their spiritual lives solely to the writings of the Ari in a way that the essential books, considered proper interpretations in this wisdom, are only The Book of Zohar, the Tikkunim and following them—the books of the Ari.

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

Source: kabbalah.info

Today 30th 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

Be particular to drink enough for a Borei Nefoshos.

Source: Little Mitzvos Org

The Daily GuardUrEyes Chizuk – 30th Sivan, 5769

 

GuardUrEyes

A website for Jews struggling to maintain their moral purity in today’s world.

Why is Sexual purity so important in Judaism? Our sages called Shmiras Habris “Yesod”, meaning “Foundation”. The foundation of a building is “underground” and no one sees it, yet it holds up the entire building! Shmiras Habris is the hidden part of a Jew, it’s the real you. If the foundation of a Jew is weak, his whole spiritual structure is fragile and in grave danger of collapse. At guardureyes.com we are finally joining together, for ourselves and for all future generations, to strengthen the foundations of our people!

There is a lot of material out there on the subject of guarding the eyes and the Bris, but sometimes “too much” is overwhelming.
A little bit each day is just right, to be able to read, digest and apply it to our lives.

Today’s Shmiras Ainayim Chizuk

“ZOS TORAS HA’OLAH – THIS IS THE TORAH OF ELEVATION.”

Of all the treasures that Hashem bestows upon us, Torah is the greatest of them all. Since Torah is the Divine Wisdom, we might assume that our primary goal in learning Torah is to become wise. However, the Ohr HaChaim Hakadosh, commenting on the verse (Vayikra 8:37): “This is the Torah of elevation,” explains: “Whoever studies Torah will be elevated.” Apparently, the ultimate purpose of Torah study is not only to become wise but also to become “elevated,” i.e., kadosh (holy).

(Vayikra 8:37)

Two Free e-Books, courtesy of GuardUrEyes that will change your life!
Right click on the links below and choose “Save Link/Target As” to download them to your computer. (Print them out to read at your leisure!)

The Guard Your Eyes Handbook. Courtesy of GuardUrEyes
The Guard Your Eyes Attitude. Courtesy of GuardUrEyes

The GuardUrEyes E-mail Chizuk Lists

The Yetzer Hara thinks of new ways to win us over every day. What better way to combat him than to have some chizuk and a new insight every day!

List 1.The GuardUrEyes Chizuk List – Breaking Free.
Receive each day antidotes, tips, articles or quotes from the holy texts, therapists and fellow strugglers, to help you break free of sexual addictions, pornography and/or masturbation. (Click the light-blue tool-bar above to browse the hundreds of previous chizuk e-mails sent out from this list).

List 2.General Chizuk in Shmiras Ainayim
This list will focus less on the “addiction” aspect and more on general Chizuk in Shmiras Ainayim that anyone can use, addicted or not. This list is less intense and explicit than the first, and is appropriate for everyone. (Click the light-pink tool-bar above to browse the previous chizuk e-mails sent out from this list).

Please note: We strongly advise anyone who struggles with masturbation or pornography, even if infrequently, to join the first list as well.

Click here to join one (OR BOTH) of the Chizuk lists described below.

Source: GuardUrEyes

Writings on Kabbalah and Torah – 30th Sivan, 5769

 

Everyone has different abilities depending on the tribe they represent.
Let us all unify and work together in the battle against the Sitra Acher.

WISDOM CAN ONLY BE LOWERED TO A CERTAIN POINT – IF YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND IT READ IT OVER TWO THREE TIMES AND THINK ABOUT IT

Avraham was High Priest

-   There are certain rectifications that could only be done by someone with the position of high priest.
-   At every period in time there is one person who represents the concept of high priest and can do these rectification.
-   The height of these rectifications was done, when the high priest was able to do his work in the temple.
-   Adom originally had this as part of his job. Eventually it got passed down to Noach who gave it to his son Shem.
-   After the war of the four kings Malki Tzedek (Shem) came to greet Avraham.
-   He made a mistake of putting Avroham before G-D, the position got taken away from him.

Source: TrueKabbalah.org

Teachings of the Sages – 30th Sivan, 5769

 

ON PRAYER

R’ Pinchas said: “When a person prays for a certain thing many times and is not answered, he should go on praying and not give up, since everything depends upon the hidden light, which is revealed daily in the world”.^*

^*Ms. Jerusalem 3759, fol. 106a (A), cited in Hasidism as Mysticism: Quietistic Elements in Eighteenth Century Hasidic Thought, by Rivka Schatz Uffenheimer, p. 167. Reprinted with permission of Magnes Press (B)

By Rebbe Pinchas of Koretz

Source: Two Tzaddiks

Rabbi Nachman’s – Sayings & Teachings – 30th Sivan, 5769

 

Rabbi Nachman’s – Sayings & Teachings

THE PURPOSE OF LIFE – Something else inside you

Most of the things a person fears cannot harm him at all. But this only becomes clear to him when he is dead, lying on the ground with his feet to the door. He will then have true clarity of mind, and he will look at himself and understand the truth. He will see that his fear of the various people standing in his way was vain and foolish. All that fear was for nothing – for what could a mere mortal do to him?

The same goes for his desires and temptations. Lying there dead, he will realize that he wasted his days. He will know that his strongest desires were mere foolishness. For who really forced him? Only then will he clearly see the truth.

There is a very deep point in all this. There is something inside a person that makes him afraid of various things. The person may fully understand that the things he fears cannot harm him at all, yet he cannot help being terrified. This is because of that something within him that causes him to be afraid.

Many people have ridiculous phobias which they themselves know to be ungrounded, yet they cannot control them. For example , when a person is taken by surprise by a group of people coming at him from behind with fearful shouts, he instantly feels fear even before he is consciously aware of what it is behind him. Since the object of his fear has not yet entered his conscious mind, why should he be afraid if not because of this innate something that causes him to fear?

The same is true of desire. Even when a person knows that his desire is vain and foolish, something inside him continues to feel the desire. Here again, it is not the person who desires, but something else within him.

If you learn to understand yourself, you can easily rid yourself of all fears and desires. Once you realize that they are baseless and that only this something inside you causes the fear or desire, you will be able to overcome everything.

You have free will, and you can easily train your mind to avoid the thing inside you that causes these fears and desires.

Sichot Haran #83

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

Subscribe for free emails: AZAMRA EMAIL LIST, Weekly Torah diary and news about Azamra, UNIVERSAL TORAH, weekly emails with commentary on the current Torah Portion, KNOW YOUR BIBLE, daily Study Notes on the NaCh (Prophets & Holy Writings).
Click here to Subscribe.

JOIN AZAMRA’S GLOBAL NETWORK, if you would like to join Azamra in spreading Torah spirituality and healthy living in Israel or anywhere else in the world, please register with the HAVERIM Global Network.

 

SOURCE:

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 – 30th Sivan, 5769

 

Perek Shira – 30th Sivan, 5769

Perek Shira: Retzifi Say Nachamu Nachamu Ami – The Rare Bird Survives The Galus With Achdus

The Knaf Renanim describes this unknown bird that lives in the northen hemishphere and does not like the cold. Yet during migration season when the rest of the warm weather birds fly down south the Retzifi, says the Kenaf Renanim, stays behind because it doesn’t want to miss the first days of summer. How does it survive the harsh winter? Groups gather together ranging from tens to hundreds and descend together to the bottom of a lake or river and form a tight circle where each bird puts its head underneath the feathers of the bird next to it.

From the Retzifi we learn two valuable lessons, says the Knaf Renanim. First unlike the American expression that says “when the going gets tough the tough get going” we learn that when the galus gets hard do not run away. Accept your punishment and do not curse the pain and grief. We should be so excited in anticipation the Geula that we simply don’t want to leave our place for greener pastures. We should endure just to be first on line when the big day comes.

The second valuable lesson that we learn is that the way to survive the galus is through achdus. Each bird has no chance to survive individually. Its warmth and survival come from joining together in a way that each bird can provide warmth to its neighbor. So to for us to survive the galus and the threats from the outside Am Yisroel must stick together and unite and provide support for our fellow Jew.

After the Churban Hashem prepares us for the Galus and tells us “Nachamu Nachamu Ami” Learn from the the Retzifi how to hang on during the cold dark winter in order to enjoy the first rays summer.

Subscribe to revach.net Mailing Lists, click here.

Source:RevachL’Neshama

On this day – Limud yomi – 30th Sivan, 5769

 

Limud yomi

Daf yomi: Bava Metzia 58
Yerushalmi yomi: Bava Batra 11
Mishna yomit: Keilim 29:8
Halacha yomit: Orach Chaim 315:5
Tanach yomi: 12 Prophets Seder 21
Shabbat parshiot – Eretz Yisroel: Chukat
Shabbat parshiot – Diaspora: Korach

From: Kaluach – Hebrew/civil calendars

Free Download: Kaluach3 is the latest version of Kaluach Hebrew/civil calendars, specially designed for 2000/XP/Vista.

Daily Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov – 30th Sivan, 5769

 

 

Rabbi Nosson of Nemirov once told his disciple, Rabbi Nachman of Tulchin, “The Baal Shem Tov said that he came to the world just to do away with the ill-tempered Torah scholar.”

(Avanehah Barzel 41)

Join the Baal Shem Tov Mailing Lists, click here to Subscribe.

Source: The Baal Shem Tov Foundation

Daily Torah Quote – 30th Sivan, 5769

 

 

“There are eight rungs in charity. The highest is when you help a man to help himself.”

Moses Maimonides (Rambam)

From: Breslev.co.il

Subscribe to Breslev Israel’s Mailing Lists, please click here.

Tikun Habris – 30th 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

There is a type of znus that is quite common amongst the young people, they waste their seed. This comes from their ignorance of how damaging this act is. It is an obligation to warn everyone young and old, let them know the severity of these issues until they tremble from fear. Every city should appoint men to watch and teach the people to stay away from this terrible sin.

(Pelah Yoetz ot zayin)

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“.

Free E-Book “You Shall Be Holy“, click here to download.

Source: TrueKabbalah.org

Halacha Daily Halacha – 29th Sivan, 5769

 

The Obligation To Go To The Bathroom

The Shulchan Aruch (OC 3:17) says that if you hold yourself back from relieving yourself when needed, you are oveir Ba’al Tishaktzu. There is debate among the Poskim if this issur is Min HaTorah or MiDirabanan. The Mogen Avrohom (103:4) holds that it is MiDirabanan. The Mishna Brura (31) brings from the Pri Megadim that if you hold yourself back because of embarrassment, you are not oveir. Additionally if you hold yourself back from passing gas you are not oveir this issur.

The She’arim Metzuyanim BaHalacha brings from the Divrei Chaim of Sanz that the average man typically goes three hours before needing to releive himself and he need not rush to the bathroom based on imaginary needs. Furthermore he says that Hesech HaDa’as, not thinking about it, also helps.

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

Daily Reminder – 29th Sivan, 5769

 

Poisonous Snakes

Someone who speaks Lashon Hara is compared to a snake. The gemara in Ta’anis (8a) tells us, in the future all the animals will gather around the snake and ask him, “The lion pounces his prey to eat and sustains himself, the wolf tears his enemies and nourishes himself. Why does the poisonous snake kill his enemy?

We can ask the same question when we poison other people’s reputation with no gain to ourselves.

“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.

Take advantage of this great opportunity and sign up for RevachL’Neshama’s daily email reminder. Feel free to email this to your friends and family. Who knows, it may arrive right when it is needed most!

Subscribe Zechiras_Miriam — daily shmiras halashon reminders, click here.

Listen to RevachL’Neshama’s Shemiras HaLashon Yomi in their audio section. Two halachos a day according to the Luach. http://revach.net/audioarchives.php

Source:RevachL’Neshama

The Daily GuardUrEyes Chizuk – 29th Sivan, 5769

 

GuardUrEyes

A website for Jews struggling to maintain their moral purity in today’s world

Why is Sexual purity so important in Judaism? Our sages called Shmiras Habris “Yesod”, meaning “Foundation”. The foundation of a building is “underground” and no one sees it, yet it holds up the entire building! Shmiras Habris is the hidden part of a Jew, it’s the real you. If the foundation of a Jew is weak, his whole spiritual structure is fragile and in grave danger of collapse. At guardureyes.com we are finally joining together, for ourselves and for all future generations, to strengthen the foundations of our people!

There is a lot of material out there on the subject of guarding the eyes and the Bris, but sometimes “too much” is overwhelming.
A little bit each day is just right, to be able to read, digest and apply it to our lives.

Today’s Shmiras Ainayim Chizuk

The Zohar compares this world to a churning ocean and the body of a man to a ship in the sea. Therefore, man requires knowledge in order to guide himself on a straight course, avoiding mishap and losing his way. The ocean of life roars fearfully and continuously. The winds of challenge blow and the negative impulse rips about like a tornado with unimaginable force. All of life comprises great and endless tests, which can easily capsize the ship and sink it into the murky, nethermost depths.

Yirat Shamayim and the study of Mussar will prevent the body from sinking into the miry depths of desire and corrupt character traits.
(Rabbi Yitzchak Blazer, Ohr Yisrael)

The Image of Hashem

When Shem and Yefet covered up their father’s nakedness, they held a blanket and walked backwards so as not to see him. They could have walked towards him and kept their eyes lowered. Why did they feel it necessary to walk backwards?

Since the image of Hashem is etched upon the human countenance, simply exposing the face to improper sights is spiritually harmful! Therefore, they walked backwards to protect their souls.
(The Alshich)

From the booklet “Windows to the Soul” ^* by R’ Zvi Miller of the Salant foundation.

^* “Windows to the Soul” by R’ Zvi Miller of the Salant foundation. (Right click the link and choose “Save Target/Link As” to save the PDF booklet to your computer). To subscribe to eMussar, the daily lessons of the Salant Foundation, send email to salant@netvision.net.il

The GuardUrEyes E-mail Chizuk Lists

The Yetzer Hara thinks of new ways to win us over every day. What better way to combat him than to have some chizuk and a new insight every day!

List 1.The GuardUrEyes Chizuk List – Breaking Free.
Receive each day antidotes, tips, articles or quotes from the holy texts, therapists and fellow strugglers, to help you break free of sexual addictions, pornography and/or masturbation. (Click the light-blue tool-bar above to browse the hundreds of previous chizuk e-mails sent out from this list).

List 2.General Chizuk in Shmiras Ainayim
This list will focus less on the “addiction” aspect and more on general Chizuk in Shmiras Ainayim that anyone can use, addicted or not. This list is less intense and explicit than the first, and is appropriate for everyone. (Click the light-pink tool-bar above to browse the previous chizuk e-mails sent out from this list).

Please note: We strongly advise anyone who struggles with masturbation or pornography, even if infrequently, to join the first list as well.

Click here to join one (OR BOTH) of the Chizuk lists described below.

Bringing Heaven Down to Earth – 29th Sivan, 5769

 

Stop Groping

By Rabbi Tzvi Freeman

Daily Dose – Today’s Meditation – Stop Groping

Subscribe to Daily Dose

Adapted from the Rebbe’s wisdom, this e-mail is a great way to start your day. Just a few lines, it is guaranteed to give you lots to think about. And it takes only a minute to read! Please click here to Subscribe.

Chabad org Subscription Lists

Chabad org offers a variety of content for all tastes, delivered daily, weekly, and more. Please click here to Subscribe.

This Daily Dose from: Chabad.org

Self-Growth – Keep Smiling – 29th Sivan, 5769

 

 

Hurting

By Rabbi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz

We grow most when we experience hardships, especially when this involves other people hurting us. For this reason also, we should take pleasure from them.^*

^*Shabbos 88b

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.

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

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.