The following are some
tidbits for strengthening oneself in trying and difficult times. It is our hope
that they will be of true and eternal help:
1. The
main area of free will in life is regarding Faith/Emuna. To choose to believe
that Hashem is running your life and not you.
2. Know
and believe that when the evil one sees that you are getting so close to the
"gold mine" he makes life dark, upside down and totally futile just
to totally sidetrack you from getting to the gold. All you can do
is cry, lift your eyes Heavenward and not give up for a better future (and
present).
3. For
the sake of free will Hashem enables you to connect to Him even in the most
darkest of situations. This is especially expressed in one's ability to speak
to Him and yearn for His closeness even within one's personal mess.
4. The
power of Torah study - especially the teachings of the True Tzaddikim - is so
great that even the person "trapped" in the deepest concealment can
attain a true arousal to come back to Hashem.
5. The
farthest places and situations from holiness contain specifically the highest
levels of hidden holiness. it is our job to uncover and reveal these hidden
sparks by connecting and coming back to Hashem from these low places.
6. When
things are going so "seemingly" bad that it seems so
"obvious" that Heaven is behind all this - know that things are on
their way for the good. But - it depends on your positive outlook and keeping
your cool under the duress.
7. Living
life is like experiencing the fear and panic of the cries and roars of wild
beasts in a deep jungle. But, if you listen closer, you will hear and notice
that it is truly a beautiful melody that they are singing. (see The Exchanged
Children; R. Nachman's Stories)
8. When
everything is simply "falling down" on you to the point that it is
absolutely ridiculous and clear Divine Providence - all one can do is to say
"thank you" for all the good within the turbulence.
9. Possibly,
the greatest joy in life is "picking-up" and properly understanding
the meaning of the hints that Hashem sends you through your daily trials and
tribulations.
10. When
a person is tuned in to Hashem and His Divine Providence, when hit with such a
down to the extent that he is so bitter that he doesn't even want Hashem
anymore, still in His compassion He still sends that person personal salvation. This
is because Hashem knows that deep down inside a person wants to be a good Jew.
It's just that the external pressure of the situation pushes a person to act
the way he does.
11. Normally
when a person is suddenly faced with feelings of major futility, weakness,
depression and rejection it could be because they are about to go up a new
level in life. And these feelings are the souls "symptoms" of
feeling the new evil forces that will have to be overcome at this new level.
So.... cheer up and don't give up. For Hashem won't send you an overwhelming
situation.
And
if one "nevertheless" finds oneself in "terminal" and
"dead-end" overwhelming situations, know that this emanates from a
profound blemish of faith (see Likutey Moharan part 2 lesson 5).
And
the only way to heal this "fallen" faith is by seeking out deep
counsels from Hashem as set out in His Torah and by His Tzaddikim. For they all
offer deep and sound advice for every conceivable and seemingly dead-end
situation in life.
This
is so since Hashem is called "First and Last" - meaning that no
matter how low you may fall, Hashem, your Creator - is always a
"step-ahead" in that He has already "prepared" a safety-net
"below your down" to help you come out. But first, Emuna must be
rectified.
This
Emuna constitutes Emuna in Hashem, His Tzaddikim, His Torah, and
"especially" in your true worth and precious value in Hashem's Eyes.
12. Thus,
to deal with the seemingly overwhelming situation, you cannot hit it
"head-on". Rather you must go a step above, dealing with the
"source" of the terminal situation - namely a lack and blemish of
Faith.
And
if in the meanwhile the situation is so painful that "you rather
be..." (G-d forbid) you can subconsciously ponder this point of attaining
deep advice that is even deeper than your situation and can help you out of the
situation. It exists but you must seek it out. The key is obviously praying
about this itself.
* * *
For those familiar with the
teachings and guidelines of Rebbe Nachman, his teachings/advice and his
following, there is major, major emphasis put on spending the Rosh Hashanah
holiday by his gravesite in Uman, the Ukraine.
In a nutshell and very
briefly, Rosh Hashanah is the Day of Judgement where one needs the best defense
lawyer possible to pass this serious day with a positive outcome, since it is a
day that determines the rest of the year (and one's life!). Thus, the concept
of travelling to be with Tzaddikim (our best defense lawyers in the Heavenly
Court) for the Rosh Hashanah holiday.
Another very special point
about Rebbe Nachman's grave is his promise and oath to do everything in his
power to pull a person out of the lowest abyss of hell. This promise is
directed to those who visit his gravesite, give there a coin to charity towards
the merit of Rebbe Nachman's soul, then recite the Ten Psalms known as the
Tikkun Haklali (The General Remedy), and take upon themselves not to
resort to folly again. (see: http://www.breslov.org/bookstore/inspirational/rebbe-nachman-39-s-tikkun-softcover/prod_39.html).
Thus, the Breslover
Chassidim, followers of Rebbe Nachman and his teachings, combine the 2 by
reciting the Tikkun Haklali on the eve of Rosh Hashanah by his gravesite in
Uman. Because of it's importance there is a customary united recitation of the
Tikkun Haklali at exactly 12 noon in Uman where everyone together recites the
Tikkun Haklali on behalf of the entire world.
For some video clips of
last years recitation in Uman, please follow:
· http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lP7ouzN65VE - the recitation inside the courtyard of Rebbe Nachman's holy
grave
· http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwlGEDLjzPo - the joy immediately following the recitation
I am eagerly willing to
recite the Tikkun Haklali at the noon-time united recitation specifically on
behalf of the names of people who can help and chip in to this important and
special opportunity:
·
50$ per
name
·
100$ for
every 3 names
To send participating funds:
1.
via paypal at:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=43L2R4XSC7GL4. In the description box on the left please include your Hebrew name
along with mother's Hebrew name. If this is not possible, then full English
name will suffice.
2.
or send a check or
money-order to:
Meir Elkabas
11 Polansky St.
Jerusalem, Israel
95271
(don't forget to include
the names)
* * *
Sincerely and with
blessings for a wonderful and awesome New Year
Article by: Meir Elkabas
Email: breslovtherapy@gmail.com.
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