KESER SHEM TOV – 6th Tammuz, 5769

 

KESER SHEM TOV

Anthology of the Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov

KST. 26

The Baal Shem Tov taught:

Since the Shechinah (the Divine Presence) encompasses all worlds – the inanimate, the plant, the animal, and the human worlds – including all types of creatures, good and evil alike. And since the Shechinah is the Absolute Unity, how can two utterly opposite entities exist in one thing? This is particularly a conondrum because good and evil are complete antitheses, while the Shechinah is an Undifferentiated One.

However, evil is actually a vehicle of good. An example is when Pharaoh pursued the Israelites to the Red Sea, regarding which the verse says that, “Pharaoh came close” ¹ – literally, brought them close. ² Another example is when one sees how the wicked behave, and then one is grateful that one is not that way, in which case, the evil brings him the pleasure and satisfaction of being righteous. In fact, evil is virtually elevated in this way, only that as soon as the evil is thus elevated, its evilness is dissipated. ³ An evil thought is also a vehicle in this fashion. ⁴

Also, sometimes a soul descends from the world of Atzilut [the one closest to G-d] into the world of Asiyah [representing the physical world] and sees how people are not respecting the honor of the King of world. This soul is greatly distressed by this lack of respect for the King’s honor, but then he has pleasure that he is not among those people.

This explains the verse, “G-d said to Abram” ⁵ (Abram symbolizes the soul, as stated in the Zohar6 ), “Go away from your homeland,” that is, from the world of Atzilut to the world of Beriah [the world immediately below Atzilut], “and from your birthplace,” that is, from the world of Beriah to the world of Yetzirah [the world below Beriah, “and from your father’s house,” that is, from Yetzirah to Asiyah, which is, “the land that I will show you.” That is, there you will see how the people of the world of Asiyah disrespect G-d’s honor, and you should rebuke them.

¹ Exodus 14:10
² By causing the Israelites to fear for their lives and to cry to G-d, Pharaoh was thus responsible for bringing them closer to G-d.
³ Toldot Yaakov Yoseph, Lekh Lekha 1. This teaching can be understood within the context of the teaching that everything that G-d created is good – including the evil inclination (Midrash), and the existence of evil in this world is actually only from our perspective. Hence, when one reaches this realization, and uses “evil” for its true purpose of being a vehicle in various ways for reaching G-d, its evilness dissipates.
⁴ That is, if one realizes that the thought was only sent to him for the purpose of his realizing that it was sent from G-d, this very realization brings him closer to G-d.
⁵ Genesis 12:1
⁶ Zohar I 80b

Translation and commentary by Rabbi Yehoshua Starrett.

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I will greatly appreciate your donations to the Baal Shem Tov Foundation. All of the money they receive is used to operate their websites (www.BaalShemTov.com and www.Mezuzah.net), produce and distribute the weekly Baal Shem Tov Times, and translate original sources of the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov including, Keser Shem Tov and Sefer Baal Shem Tov. Their future plans include rebuilding the Baal Shem Tov website, promoting the World Wide Mezuzah Campaign and offering a number of tele-classes about the life and teachings of the Baal Shem Tov.

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Sefer Baal Shem Tov – 6th Tammuz, 5769

 

Sefer Baal Shem Tov

The Baal Shem Tov’s Teachings on the Torah

And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face. (Numbers 16:4)

All the [evil traits] that Balaam had, Moses was suspected of having as well. For as long as the ascension of the Shechinah is not complete, as it will be in the Messianic Era, when the impure shells will be annulled and G-d will swallow up death forever (Isaiah 25:8), all the elevations can only occur in the mind of an upright individual. And an upright individual can only reach and ascend to his root by means of his opposite. That is, when [evil] comes to his mind, and he becomes motivated to [serve] G-d .¹
Pri Ha’Aretz, Matos

Every human being contains the entire world, whose myriad creatures are reflected in the endless thoughts that pass through his mind each day. Good thoughts parallel good creatures and evil thoughts are related to harmful ones. By subduing the evil in one’s own thoughts, the evil in the world is also overcome. The non-Jewish prophet and sorcerer Balaam was the very opposite of Moses, and embodied every possible evil trait; yet he too existed within Moses’ thoughts, and through his presence there, Moses was inspired to overcome his own evil and attain the level of a Tzaddik. This is the process of uplifting the sparks of holiness from among the impure shells that will continue until the coming of the Messiah.

Translation and commentary by Rabbi Dr. Eliezer Shore.

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Source: The Baal Shem Tov Foundation

I will greatly appreciate your donations to the Baal Shem Tov Foundation. All of the money they receive is used to operate their websites (www.BaalShemTov.com and www.Mezuzah.net), produce and distribute the weekly Baal Shem Tov Times, and translate original sources of the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov including, Keser Shem Tov and Sefer Baal Shem Tov. Their future plans include rebuilding the Baal Shem Tov website, promoting the World Wide Mezuzah Campaign and offering a number of tele-classes about the life and teachings of the Baal Shem Tov.

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Avodah – Ahavas Yisroel – 6th Tammuz, 5769

 

A Relationship With The Seret Vizhnitz Rebbe Kindled By A Ski Trip

The Makor Baruch once traveled to Switzerland to raise money for the yeshivah which his father, the Seret-Viznitzer, had established in Chaifa. Two Seret-Viznitzer chassidim who lived in Switzerland accompanied him on his fundraising rounds.

One day, they passed one of the largest and well-established banks in Switzerland, and one of the Swiss chassidim decided they would enter the bank. “Come, we will try to allow the Jewish bank manager, Dr. Koshland, the merit of tzeddaka and supporting Torah.” They entered the bank, and the chassid who knew Dr. Koshland introduced the Makor Baruch. “Please meet the son of the Seret-Viznitzer Rebbe. He has mosdos in Chaifa and he came to Switzerland to collect money for the yeshivah…”

As soon as the bank manager heard the name of the Seret-Viznitzer Rebbe, he excitedly arose from his chair and said, “You want to tell me about the Seret-Viznitzer Rebbe?! You want to tell me? I’ll tell you who he was!”

The three men were shocked. How in the world did the bank manager know the Seret-Viznitzer Rebbe? The bank manager sat them down and told them his story.

“Years ago, I traveled on vacation to Davos on a skiing trip. One morning in Davos, I went to the small shul to daven Shacharis already dressed in my ski clothes, in order to save time. An elderly man greeted me warmly with ‘Sholom Aleicham’.

“I was surprised by the warm greeting from a total stranger. I said, ‘Kavod Harav, I think you’re mistaken. I don’t recognize you. Maybe the Rav meant to greet someone else?’

“’I didn’t make a mistake!’ the Rav said, who was none other than the Seret-Viznitzer Rebbe who was in Davos recuperating from an illness. ‘I’ve been here a long time, and I’ve never seen you. You must be new here and you deserve a Shalom Aleicham. No?’

Dr. Koshland continued his story. “This greeting impressed me greatly. I thought to myself, ‘When in our generation does an elderly honorable man greet a young man – a total stranger?’ When I returned from my ski outing that day, I saw the Rebbe sitting on a bench. I approached him and inquired about his welfare, and he answered me warmly, as if I was his closest friend. From then on, I maintained a close connection to the Rebbe. I sought his advice often, and from then on I arranged my trips to Davos when I knew the Rebbe would be there as well.”

The two Swiss chassidim were astounded by the bank manager’s story. However, the Makor Baruch was not surprised by the story. He was well aware of his father’s habit to greet all Jews warmly, thereby fulfilling the words of Chazal to be the first to greet each person. One warm greeting to the bank manager had spurred a close relationship with the Rebbe which lasted for decades.

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Tefila – Mashal – 6th Tammuz, 5769

 

Ben Ish Chai – When The House Is Full Of Food

The Gemara in Brachos (10b) says that if you eat before davening Hashem asks, “after you are haughty then you are Mikabel Ol Malchus Shamayim?” What is the connection between eating before davening and Ga’ava?

The Ben ish Chai (Ben Yeho’ada) answers with a Mashal. There was person who was awarded by the king with income to last him for an entire year. Every day on his way to the market to purchase food for his family, he would pass the king’s courtyard and stand there for five minutes. Only then would he proceed to the market.

His friend asked him why do you bother doing this? He answered that even though he takes the money from his pocket to go to the market, it doesn’t really belong to him. It is the king’s money that he gave him in the beginning of the year. But his entire family watches him take the money out of his own wallet and they are liable to think that it really belongs to them. Therefore he passes the king’s courtyard on the way to the market so that he and his entire family will not forget where the money came from.

Similarly with davening. We receive all our livelihood from Hashem. However we don’t actually take our money from Shamayim. It is in our wallet and our bank account and it comes from our salary or profit. We are liable to forget the true source of the money. Therefore we come to the king’s courtyard, the Bais HaKneses everyday before we eat to remember the real source. If we eat first, then when we arrive in Shul, Hashem asks, after you ate and think it is his own, now you comes to daven and thank me? (Otzros HaTefila)

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Daily Reminder – 6th Tammuz, 5769

 

Ten Tests, One Fatal

Avos D’Rebbi Nosson (9) says that our forefathers, in the Midbar, tested Hashem ten times. The only one they were punished for was Lashon Hara.

“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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Bringing Heaven Down to Earth – 6th Tammuz, 5769

 

Thought for the Day

Exchange Of Matter

By Rabbi Tzvi Freeman

Daily Dose – Today’s Meditation – Exchange Of Matter

From the wisdom of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, of righteous memory; words and condensation by Tzvi Freeman. To order Tzvi’s book, “Bringing Heaven Down to Earth, click here.

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Self-Growth – Keep Smiling – 6th Tammuz, 5769

 

 

More…

By Rabbi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz

The heavens help us. Now, let’s ask for more heavenly help. The Creator is present in our lives. Now let’s ask that He should be even more present in our lives.

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.

This Week’s Article – The Highest Pleasure

 

This Week’s Article

The Highest Pleasure

By Rabbi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz

What is the highest pleasure? Where, when and how are we the happiest?

This is not a child’s question. We can’t answer it by saying, “When I eat ice-cream” or “when I am at the beach”. To change these words to something like “when I win the jackpot” or “when ten thousand people applaud me”, is also not enough. For in answering this question properly, we have an opportunity, an excellent opening to find the attitude and mindset we need to live at the highest of levels.

Is it really possible to be HAPPY? Seriously, is this an option we have? Try Rabbi Schwartz’s “Six in a Box” for the Torah’s YES to this and other motivational topics. Click here.

So let’s ask the question again. What is the highest pleasure? In which way can we live happily ever after?

Now to escape hardship is not possible. Each one of us has his own parcel of problems. Therefore, instead of avoiding problems, we have, somehow, to tackle them. Instead of wishing they would disappear, we need to make them a part of the pleasure. Somehow, we have to program ourselves to look at life’s difficulties as a challenge — even as “fun”. Here is an example of an “attitude formula”:

“Thank You Hashem, for the troubles in my life, for through them I learn to come closer to You — Master of Creation — Source of all pleasure and goodness.”

       Pleasurable Problems

We believe our problems are good for us. They help us develop. If we use the opportunity they give us in the right way, they help us grow. As such, we should accept them graciously. Moreover, we should even take in pleasure in our problems…

“One minute, please, you say we should take PLEASURE from our problems?”

The solution lies however, in strengthening our commitment to personal improvement. As refined as we are, we need to become more refined. As disciplined as we are, we need to strive for higher levels of control. We may think calmly, we may be happy with our everyday, but we can improve these areas as well. We can become more, much more, than we are right now.

If this is where we are holding then our problems are welcome. For they serve as indicators, measures of how well we are doing. For example, if I’m working on controlling my anger, then an event that provokes anger can show me how strong I am, how much progress I have made. It is my speedometer on the road to self-perfection. Surely then I should take pleasure in it?

Author, Rabbi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz.

Rabbi A.T. Schwartz, will appreciate your donation – with gratitude and humility. Please click here to donate.

Olam Chesed Yibaneh — A world of kindness prospers
(Tehillim 89.3)

All rights reserved (c) Avraham Tzvi Schwartz

Daily “PiCK-ME-UPs” – 6th Tammuz, 5769

 

Quotes

from “PiCK-ME-UPs” the book

   

Happiness Quotes

A level we must reach

Happiness is a level we must reach – we must achieve. On the other hand – once we make it ours – we may enjoy it forever.

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

Daily Wisdom Portion of Kabbalah – 6th Tammuz, 5769

 

“Love thy friend as thyself.” Rabbi Akiva says this is a great rule in the Torah Collective and Individual

The Love for the Creator & Love for the Created Beings – Collective and Individual

The above statement, although it is one of the most famous and cited sayings, it is still unexplained to everyone with all its vastness. That is because the word rule (or collective) indicates a sum of details that relates to the above rule, that each and every detail carries a part within it in a way that the gathering of all the details together creates that rule (or collective).

And if we say “a great rule in the Torah,” it means that all the texts and the 612 mitzvot are the sum-total of the details that relate to the verse of “Love thy friend as thyself.” It is difficult to understand how such a statement can contain the sum-total of all the Mitzvot in the Torah? At most it can be the rule (the collective) of the part of the Torah and texts that relate to the Mitzvot between man and man. But how can you include the greater part of the Torah, which concerns work between man and G-d in the verse, “Love thy friend as thyself”?

By Rabbi Yehuda Leib HaLevi Ashlag – Baal HaSulam, The Love for the Creator & Love for the Created Beings

Source: kabbalah.info

Today 6th Tammuz, 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.

Street

Do pick up rubbish/obstructive items lying in the street (especially in Eretz Yisrael).

Source: Little Mitzvos Org

The Daily GuardUrEyes Chizuk – 6th Tammuz, 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)

INADVERTENT SEEING

You might be wondering: how can a man live in the world without seeing immodestly dressed women? Isn’t it inevitable that every time a man steps into public he will sin?

The answer is that a person is required to avoid looking at immodest images and to develop an aversion to looking. As long as he follows these two stipulations, then even if he inadvertently sees an immodest sight, he is not culpable. However, after inadvertently seeing the immodest sight, he must turn his eyes away. If he continues looking or takes a second look, he commits the sin of “straying after his eyes.”

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

Daily Writings on Kabbalah and Torah – 6th Tammuz, 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

Nimrod tried to blind Avraham

-   Avraham was placed in a dungeon before he was taken out to be burnt.
-   Nimrod made sure the dungeon was pitch black, after an extended period of time he took him out into bright sunlight.
-   Avraham’s many merits saved him.
-   Meaning Nimrod knew that blindness would limit Avraham’s ability to perform a miracle.

(Medrish Talpiyot, branch of Avraham.)

Source: TrueKabbalah.org

Teachings of the Sages – 6th Tammuz, 5769

 

ON PRAYER

“Rabbi Pinchas of Koretz [taught] the supreme importance of prayer, and the personal nature of prayer at its deepest level: ‘The Torah is a bride’s ornament. Therefore, one may explain it to others. But prayer is itself divinity as Scripture says: “[G-d] is your praise and is your G-d,” (Deuteronomy 10:21) [so that each person receives] in accordance with what is deemed appropriate by G-d. “[Her husband is] known in the gates (she’arim)” (Proverbs 31:23)—“[The Holy Blessed One is known and cleaves to each person] according to the measure [sha'ar] of their understanding” (Zohar I, 103b). Therefore, one is unable to explain it [prayer] to others’”.^*

^*Ge’ullat Yisra’el, pt. 1, para. 21, p. 10b, by Joshua Abraham berabbi Israel of Zhitomir (A), cited in “Prayer Is Itself Divinity,” by Larry Tabick (C)

By Rebbe Pinchas of Koretz

Source: Two Tzaddiks

Rabbi Nachman’s – Sayings & Teachings – 6th Tammuz, 5769

 

Rabbi Nachman’s – Sayings & Teachings

THE PURPOSE OF LIFE – Doorway to life

For a Tzaddik, death is just like going from one room to another.

Sichot Haran #156

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 – 6th Tammuz, 5769

 

Perek Shira – 6th Tammuz, 5769

Perek Shira: The Amazing Bruised and Battered Pomegranate

We have been seeing way too many little gnats in our apartment the past few days. When searching for the source we noticed that the untended pomegranate tree in our garden (due to Shmittah) has many pomegranates that are in quite poor condition. Not to get too graphic but they have many wounds from ants and other pests and most seemed to have exploded open. So we now have pomegranates that are hanging open like a book with all their seeds totally exposed and attracting many gnats.

While cutting them off the tree I noticed that although the fruit was in really terrible condition, the seeds themselves had a deep Bordeaux color, smelled divine, and seemed perfectly intact. How can this be after being exposed to the elements for what seemed like quite awhile?

This brought to mind the gemara in Megilah that explains the pasuk in Shir HaShirim, which is the song of the Pomegranate, “K”pelach HaRimon Rakaseich” just like the rotten pomegranate is full of beautiful seeds so too even the emptiest of Jews are full of precious mitzvos. The pasuk continues “MiBaad Latzamaseich” “behind your knot” even if they have exposed and defiled themselves in many ways, their mitzvos somehow manage to all stay intact and are protected and waiting for them in the World to Come.

So remember that you and all Jews no matter how we appear on the outside are precious and loved by Hashem. Think about all the mitzvos you have done over your lifetime and know that they have an everlasting impact. You’d be surprised what zechusim we all have. Think about this and you will have more respect for others as well as more respect for yourself.

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