Lazer Beams

Napolean in the Mikva

My beloved teacher Rabbi Shalom Arush, may Hashem bless him always, told me the following joke:

Napolean, during his conquest of the East, arrived in the Land of Israel. He asked his intelligence officer the best way to glean information about the locals. “If you want to know what’s going on inside the Jewish community,” said the intel officer, “go to the men’s mikva; you can hear all the news there.” Napolean heeded this very sound piece of advice – an outstanding morsel of intelligence in itself – dressed up like a Jew and went to the men’s mikva the following morning. He overheard the following conversation between two Jews there:

“What’s the good news, Avraham?”

“Everybody’s saying that Napolean is somewhere in the mikva!”

* * *

A society’s humor truly reflects that society’s image. Rebbe Nachman of Breslev teaches in his famous tale “The Modest King” that we learn about the people of a given nation by listening to their humor. In that light, there’s more than a grain of truth in the Napolean joke. Even though on should refrain from talking in the mikva – undress, immerse, dress, and leave as quickly and as modestly as possible – every mikva has its notorious parliamentarians.

I was dressing one morning in the mikva when I overheard the following conversation between two married Talmudic students:

Continue reading News in the Mikva in this week's Breslev Israel web magazine.

What's easier - being rich or poor? See Fast Money by Rabbi Shalom Arush.

This week's Torah portion is Matot/Massaei with a special message for women entitled The Need to Protect. Also from this week's portion, Rebbe Natan of Breslev discusses Vows and The Power of Speech.

Pray Away is about a young woman's journey from London Yuppie to Emuna-energized Israeli.

The Melitzer Rebbetzen talks about gratitude in Appreciating the Basics.

Breslev Israel is proud to host celebrated children's author Bracha Goetz this week on Breslev Kids, with her rendition of a Maharam parable, The Three-foot Spoons.

Oded Mizrachi is one of Israel's best true-story tellers. Light at the End of the Cave is a hair-raiser.

Do not Murder is part 4 of our series on the Seven Noahide Commandments. 

Here's wishing you a wonderful week from Breslev Israel and the Beams.

Weekly Emuna Live Broadcast

Today's weekly emuna lesson entitled "A Sharp Sword" will be broadcast live today (Wednesday) at 5 PM from the Chut Shel Chessed Yeshiva, 13 Shmuel HaNavi Street, Jerusalem. The lesson is open to the public, and both men and women are welcome. You can see today's lesson live right here at 10 AM EST, 3 PM in the UK, or 5 PM Israel time. Tomorrow night, G-d willing, we'll post a link to the lesson for all those who couldn't see it live.

Rabbi Shalom Arush and Rabbi Lazer in Ephrat

Tonight! Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 8:30 PM, at the Ohel Shimon and Esther Synagogue in Ephrat, Gush Etzion - it's an evening you don't want to miss!

The Gambler

The lust to gamble comes from the lust for money. It causes a person to deviate from Hashem’s commandments him and uproots a person’s emuna in Hashem, truth and Divine Providence.

Gambling seems like an easy path to big money, but it’s really a rocky road that leads the person – and all his relatives – to an unbearably hard and bitter life.

Gambling disorients a person, because the evil inclination always makes sure that some people will earn large sums through gambling. One’s imagination and envy skyrockets when he hears about of someone else’s windfall on the poker table or at the roulette wheel. The evil inclination suckers him into believing that he too can become a “big roller” who earns colossal sums. He loses his good sense and in a short time wastes a tremendous amount of money that he worked very hard for, whereas he could have used the money in a positive way.

The gambler causes untold grief to all of his relatives, and in particular to his wife and children. Their hearts bleed when they see the money that wasted on gambling instead of used on what they really need it.

According to Jewish Law, money that a person earns from gambling is considered thievery; there’s consequently no blessing in such money. Everyone will realize that the money comes from an unclean source and won’t be enjoyed - it only causes suffering...

Continue reading The Gambler on this week's Breslev Israel web magazine.

More great reading this week on Breslev Israel:

Rebbe Natan of Breslev on Good and Evil Speech.

This week, we enter the three-week period between 17 Tammuz (this coming Thursday) and Tisha B'Av. To learn more, see Jerusalem Center Stage and The Three Weeks Again.

The Melitzer Rebbetzen writes about Basic Gratitude.

Bracha Goetz tells about the Survivors of Child Abuse.

Aliya is part 17 of Strangers No More.

The Song of the Insects is part 12 of Perek Shira for Children.

Blaspheming is part 3 of The Seven Noahide Commandments.

Outstanding Daughters is an excellent commentary on this week's Torah portion, Pinchas.

Breslev Israel and the Beams wish you a wonderful week.

Confidence in Commerce

 

Ben Azai says (tractate Yoma, 38), “Whatever is yours you will get. A person cannot touch a hairsbreadth of what is prepared for his friend.”

Rashi explains that one should not fear losing his livelihood or position, because Hashem allows no one to touch whatever’s destined for someone else, even as little as a hairsbreadth.

The following example helps us to internalize this concept: A person desires to buy or to rent a certain apartment; the owner of the apartment tells him: “Sign the contract right now, because many people want this apartment, and I’m not going to wait for you!” Under pressure, he signs the contract without careful deliberation and without consultation, suddenly finding himself in a situation that he cannot manage, and he sinks into debt or similar problems.

One must therefore believe that if this apartment is destined for him – it will be for him! He should give himself ample time to consider the matter at hand, for no person will be able to take the apartment. When the right time comes, the apartment will come into his possession. And if the apartment does not come into his possession, it’s a sign that it was not destined for him. The main thing is that he does not go into debt, and he only takes what is truly destined for him.

If you really want confidence in your business dealings, continue reading What's Yours will be Yours on this week's Breslev Israel web magazine.

“I awoke as I felt my hand touch something thick and scaly. I was still half asleep, but it felt like a snake! A snake in my bed? Under my pillow? Surely I was dreaming…”  - The Serpent is an amazing true story of how Hashem made peace between a husband and wife.

If you haven't been following Rebbetzen Chana Bracha Siegelbaum's elaborations on the weekly Torah portion, your missing an exquisite taste of Torah. See The Tents of Jacob about this week's parsha, Balak.

Breslev Israel is proud to feature a unique 8-part series on the Seven Noahide Commandments. This week we present Part 2, about the prohobition against Idolatry.

Michal Ezra tells how Modesty is more than the length of a skirt in All-Around Tzniut.

Batya Rosen tells how to prevail in a tough-challenge situation in More Spiritual Weapons.

It's A Gift is Devra Ariel's moving true story.

Breslev Kids enjoy another segment of Perek Shira for Children in The Song of the Birds.

The world is changing so rapidly. Every day, banner headlines cry out another potentially earth-shaking crisis; North Korea threatens the USA, grassroots anti-regime demonstrations in Iran, massive American pressure on Israel – no one knows what’s in store for the morrow. Meanwhile, there's an Emuna Revolution taking place...

Longing and Joy is part 16 of Strangers No More.

Here's wishing you a lovely week with blessings of joy and success in everything you do!

Connecting to the True Tzaddik

"You must ask God persistently to be able to draw close to the true Tzaddik. Happy is the one who succeeds in drawing close to the true Tzaddik in his lifetime – happy is his lot! For after one dies it is very hard indeed to draw close. One must pray over and over again to come close to the true Tzaddik in one's lifetime. For the Evil One has made it his mission to confuse the world. Israel is very close to redemption now and people have tremendous longing for God, the like of which did not exist in earlier times. Everyone is longing for God. This is why the Evil One has craftily sown dissension among the Tzaddikim and established many false popular leaders. Even among the true Tzaddikim there are divisions, to the point that nobody knows where the truth is. This is why one must beg God to succeed in drawing close to the true Tzaddik" (Likutey Moharan II, 78).

Read more about Connecting to the Tzaddik on this week's Breslev Israel web magazine.

Rav Shalom Arush's Miracle Notebook will change your life.

For our very special Noahide readers, Breslev Israel is devoting the next eight weeks to Alice Jonsson's wonderful series entitled The Special Path, elaborating on the seven Noahide commandments.

It's hard to believe, but we still have to teach some backward people that We Don't Have Horns.

There's a big difference between feeble human logic and Divine Logic.

If you haven't read Rebbetzen Chana Bracha's column on the weekly Torah portion, you don't know what you're missing; see In Merit of Miriam. You'll find more articles on Parshat Chukat here.

See part 15 of Strangers No More entitled Hear O Israel.

Spiritual Weapons bail a person out in times of trouble. If you can't stand know-it-alls, read Knock Knock.

Breslev Kids learn more about The Song of the Birds in Perek Shira for kids.

Blessings and smiles for a very special week. Chodesh Tov!

A Coin in the Eye

Rebbe Nachman of Breslev explains that the sun shines constantly with the same intensity at the beginning and middle of the day. What blocks the light of the sun is only the earth, which intervenes between man and the sun. Owing to the position of the earth, the light spreads only gradually as the day begins but steadily increases until it spreads over the earth. Similarly, the light of the Tzaddik shines constantly while the barrier is on the side of the receivers. The cause of the barrier is the intervening “earth” – this material world. People are so deeply sunk in the material world that they are unable to receive the light of the Tzaddik. Read more in A Coin in the Eye on this week's Breslev Israel web magazine.

Rav Shalom Arush gives important financial advice in Juggling Money.

Breslev Israel proudly introduces an exclusive segment from Rebbetzin Chana Bracha Siegelbaum's fantastic new book on the weekly Torah portion in The Wisdom of Female Charm.

Jewish music lovers get a big treat this week - an exclusive interview with Chaim Dovid (photo, left) of YaMaMai fame. You also must hear Chaim Dovid's Yerushalayim - it will put chills up your spine and make you yearn to be here with us; by the way, for all those who are writing me and asking me what my comment is to Natanyahu's speech and to Obama, my answer is this song, more emuna, and massive immediate Aliya. We're waiting for you.

Modern Techelet concludes Rabbi Mordechai Kornfeld's outstanding 4-part series on Biblical Blue.

There's a world of difference between speculating when Moshiach will arrive and simply anticipating Moshiach, as we see in this week's Breslev Israel editorail, which tells more about The Yetzer's Desensitization Process.

Clarifying Issues tells of a young woman's challenge in a divorce. Call of the Eagle is part 14 of Strangers No More. Tongue Dodging talks about the art of the snake - evil speech.

Breslev Kids enjoy the Song of the Rooster, which is part 9 of Perek Shira for children.

This week's Torah portion is Korach in Israel and Shlach Lecho abroad. Here's wishing you a wonderful week!

Connecting to the Tzaddik

Rebbe Nachman of Breslev teaches us how to hold on in these turbulent times: "It is very good to attach yourself to a true Tzaddik. In the upheavals at the time of the coming of the Mashiach, God will 'grasp the ends of the earth and shake the wicked from it' (Job 38:13) . But one who is attached to a true Tzaddik will be able to cling to him so as not to be cast off with the wicked. By holding onto the Tzaddik he will remain firm" (Sichot Haran #22). Continue reading Connecting to the Tzaddik on this week's Breslev Israel web magazine.

Rav Shalom Arush describes the Successful Businessman. Rabbi Pinchas Winston discusses moving to Israel in Roam & Board, particularly in light of this week's Torah portion which is Shlach Lecha.

Rabbi Mordechai Kornfeld tells more about Biblical Blue in Argaman and Techelet.

Learn how the Yetzer resembles a mosquito in Desensitization.

Batya Rosen tells her own candid story in Reflections on a Year.

Chaya Ovadiah gives the background to Jewish names in What's in a Name. Alice Jonsson asks a probing question: will this be Our Last Generation of Noahides? Shlomo Brunell continues his story in 2-sided Magnet.

This week we have a special treat for Breslev Kids: The Real Super-Hero by Bracha Goetz tells all about Samson, with a beautiful illustration by Rebecca Shapiro.

Here's wishing you a wonderful week from the Beams and Breslev Israel!

The Royal Signature

Talmudic tradition says metaphorically that The Almighty has His own personal signet ring - it's called truth. So, wherever you see an imprint of truth, you see The Almighty's signature. Read all about The Royal Signature in this week's Breslev Israel weekly web magazine.

Rav Shalom Arush talks about marriage and finances in Jerusalem of Gold. Rabbi Pinchas Winston calls for our leaders to observe the Torah in Laws for Leaders.

Rabbi Mordechai Kornfeld tells more about Biblical Blue in Fins, Scales, and Snails.

Rabbi Tzvi Meir Cohn tells the delightful story of Rebbe Mendel'e of Vitebskin Concealed Humility. Oded Mizrachi tells the story of a young mother that survived a head-on collision with a truck in The Birth of Rivka.

With Hashem at your side, you're Never Lost. Did you know that trees sing? Breslev Kids know, because they read The Song of the Trees from Perek Shira for children. Apropo trees, Rivka Levy tells about the significance of her Emuna Garden, while Shlomo Brunell writes about being Uprooted in preparation for his spiritual odyssey.

This week's Torah portion is Nassa outside of Israel and Beha'alotcha in Israel. Have a wonderful week!

Why Cover My Hair?

Many women ask me why Jewish law requires them to cover their hair. In a nutshell, the status of a woman's hair changes at the time she is married to her zivug, her soul-mate. The restriction of not displaying her hair to any and all onlookers symbolizes the discipline she brings to herself upon making the commitment to a single male. Through this, she brings phenominal blessings to herself, to her husband, and to her entire family, even affecting the uprightness of her descendants!

My esteemed friend, scholar, and Kabbalist Rabbi Pinchas Winston gives one of the best explanations I've ever seen as to why a married woman should cover her hair in this week's Breslev Israel web magazine.

This coming Friday (and Shabbat, outside of Israel) is Shavuot. Shavuot is also the yahrtzeit of King David and the Baal Shem Tov.

Hashem had to put evil's #1 angel to sleep before He could give the Torah to Israel. Read about it in Our Secret Weapon.

It's better to owe to your wife than to owe to the credit company, as you'll find out in My Wife, the Creditor.

Rebbe Natan explains that adultery results from a spirit of Folly.

Many have asked us about the Breslever custom of the "techelet", the blue string on their tzitzit. Read all about it in our wonderful new series, In Search of Biblical Blue.

Each Jew is a Letter of the Torah.

Fighting the Tide is part 11 of Strangers No More.

Alice Jonsson writes this week that Pity is not Justice.

Breslev Kids are learning Perek Shira; this week, the learn The Song of the Lightning.

This week's Torah portion is Bamidbar (In Israel; outside of Israel, for the next 6 weeks, our overseas brothers will be a week behind us since this coming Shabbat they'll be reading the Torah portion for the second day of Shavuot).

Breslev Israel and the Beams wish you a wonderful week and upcoming Shavuot holiday.