[The primary disciple of the holy Ba’al Shem Tov
and the author of the first Chassidic sefer ever printed — Toldos
Yaakov Yosef]
THE HEAVENLY VOICE
The Mishnah in Avos (6:2) tell us of a heavenly
voice called a “bas kol”, which calls out to us on a daily basis to repent and
return to Hashem. The Toldos Yaakov Yosef writes that his master and teacher,
the Ba’al Shem Tov, asked, “What point is there in a daily heavenly voice that
no one hears?!”
He answered that on High where the heavenly voice
originates, there are no words and there is no speech; there is only the
spiritual realm known as “Olam HaMachshavah” — the universe of pure
thought. Therefore, any thoughts a person has of repentance, any urges to
return to Hashem and His path, those thoughts and feelings are not his own.
Rather, that is the sound of the heavenly voice. Through our thoughts of
repentance, we do truly hear the bas kol. KESSER SHEM TOV
AGAINST EXCESSIVE FASTING
Quoting from a letter that the Ba’al Shem Tov had
written to him, Rav Yaakov Yosef wrote, “Do not overly engage in fasts and
self-mortification. Such practices lead to depression or anger. But the reason
you should especially refrain from these practices is because, rather than
improving your avodah, they prevent you from studying Torah and serving
Hashem properly.” BEN PORAS YOSEF
Returnity – The Way Back To Eternity
[Selected Teachings From The Chassidic Masters On Teshuvah] by Rabbi Tal
Moshe Zwecker.
Rabbi Tal Moshe Zwecker is a Chassid and
teacher in Ramat Beit Shemesh. Translator of Noam Elimelech and
other classics of Chassidus in English.
R’ Tal Moshe Zwecker
Director Machon Be’er Mayim Chaim Publishing
Chassidic Classics in the English Language
Website: www.chassidusonline.com
Email: chassidusonline@gmail.com
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