The Baal Shem Tov, Illusory walls

Illusory walls

When someone wants to serve God or travel to the true Tzaddik, he is bound to face obstacles. Each person imagines that the obstacles he faces are greater than those facing others and finds it hard to withstand them. But no-one is ever confronted with obstacles that are beyond his ability to overcome if he really wants. The truth is that there is no obstacle at all, because God is present, albeit veiled, in the very obstacle itself.

The greatest of all barriers are those in the mind – when the person is divided from God or from the Tzaddik in his own mind and heart. A person may have come to the Tzaddik despite all the physical obstacles. But if some small doubt about the Tzaddik then arises in his mind causing his heart to falter, this is the greatest obstacle of all. Similarly, a person encounters many obstacles when he wants to pray. However, if after overcoming them all he is ready to pray but his heart is contorted and turned away from God, this is the greatest obstacle of all.

The Baal Shem Tov told a parable about a king who left a great treasure in a certain place, surrounding it with all kinds of illusory walls. When people came to these walls they thought they were real and that it would be very hard to break through. Some retreated immediately; others broke through one wall but could not break through the second. A few broke through more walls, but no-one could break through them all until the king’s son came and said: “I know that all these walls are pure illusions and the truth is that there is no wall at all!” He went forward confidently until he overcame them all.

All the obstacles and temptations standing in the way of true fear of heaven are illusory walls. Be courageous and strong-hearted! All the apparent obstacles, such as financial and other material constraints or opposition from others, will disappear if you are determined and courageous in your quest for God.

Likutey Moharan II, 46

Taken from The Essential Rabbi Nachman.

http://azamralive.com/product/essential-rabbi-nachman/

The Thirteen Principles of Faith

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Torah for the Nations: Judaism 101

Ongoing course on the basics of Torah faith and practice for the burgeoning numbers across Africa, Asia and many other places throughout the world who seek reliable information about authentic Judaism in order to make informed choices about their pathway as Jews or Noahides in the face of widespread confusion and disinformation.

JUDAISM 101 is not a Jewish conversion course but may serve as a guide for students, teachers, community leaders, prospective converts, returnees to the Torah and people of all faiths and backgrounds who seek true understanding of the mission of the People of Israel.

Elijah the Prophet said: I call heaven and earth to witness for me, whether it is a Jew or a gentile, a man or a woman, a slave or a maid-servant, everything depends on the person's deeds: according to what the person does, so Holy Spirit rests upon them."
(Tanna d'vei Eliyahu 9:1)

PART 1

The Thirteen Principles of Faith

The fundamental principles of Torah faith were compiled by the outstanding sage and codifier of Torah law, Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon (also known as "Maimonides" or "The Rambam" c. 1135-1204). Many Jewish congregations customarily recite the Thirteen Principles of Faith every day after the morning prayers.

1. I believe with complete faith that the Creator, blessed be His name, is the Creator and Ruler of all created beings, and that He alone made, makes, and will make all that is created.

2. I believe with complete faith that the Creator, blessed be His name, is a Unity, and there is no Unity like Him in any way, and He alone is our God, who was, who is, and who always will be.

3. I believe with complete faith that the Creator, blessed be His name, is not a material body and is not affected by physical phenomena, and nothing whatever can compare with Him.

4. I believe with complete faith that the Creator, blessed be His name, is the first and the last.

5. I believe with complete faith that only to the Creator, blessed be His name, is it fitting to pray, and it is not fitting to pray to any other beside Him.

6. I believe with complete faith that all the words of the prophets are true.

7. I believe with complete faith that the prophesy of Moses our teacher, peace be upon him, was true and that he was the father of all the prophets, both those that came before him and those came after him.

8. I believe with complete faith that the entire Torah as we have it now in our hands is what was given to Moses, peace be upon him.

9. I believe with complete faith that this Torah shall never be changed nor shall there ever be any other Torah from the Creator, blessed be His name.

10, I believe with complete faith that the Creator, blessed be His name, knows all people's deeds and all their thoughts, as it it written: "It is He that fashions their hearts together and He understands all their deeds" (Psalms 33:15).

11. I believe with complete faith that the Creator, blessed be His name, rewards those who keep His commandments and punishes those who violate His commandnents.

12. I believe with complete faith in the coming of the Messiah, and even though he may be delayed, nevertheless I anticipate every day that he will come.

13. I believe with complete faith that the resurrection of the dead will occur at the time when the Creator, blessed be His name, shall desire — let His Name be exalted forever and to all eternity

By Azamra Institute.

http://www.azamra.org/nations/judaism-101.php

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