Lazer Beams

Is There Room for Doubt in Judaism?

There's plenty to read this week at Breslev Israel's English website. Many new BTs (baalei teshuva, newly observant Jews) ask if there's room for doubt in Judaism. With Hashem's help, we give a candid six-point answer this week, that you'll want to read.

If you don't think that men need to go to mikva, Aluf Azut D'Kedusha has a stack of opinions from our sages and leading poskim that emphasize the importance of immersion in the mikva for men. As far as kedusha is concerned, there's all you want with the teachings of Rav Shalom Arush, who this week lightens our load. If your appetite for kedusha (holiness) is still not satiated, then here's another taste of the Noam Elimelech, translated and compiled by Rabbi Tal Moshe Zwecker.

This week's Kabbalah lesson with Rabbi Avraham Greenbaum talks about the mystics of Hebrew letters.

Don't miss this story about the brotherly love and dedication of two wounded Israeli soldiers from the Yom Kippur War in 1973 entitled "My Buddy's Eyes." The author of the story is a good friend of yours.

Rabbi Pinchas Winston is so right when he says that everyone needs to pray.

Alice Jonsson says that domestic strife is like garbage - we need to keep the lid on both of them. For Breslev Kids, here's more of Little Nachman (Part 9) thanks to Rebecca Shapiro.

This week's Torah portion is Behar. We hope you have a splendid week with success in all your endeavors.

Yom HaZikaron: This Week at Breslov World

This coming Tuesday night and Wednesday are Israel's Memorial Day (Yom HaZikaron) for our fallen soldiers, may their holy memories be blessed, amen. Breslev Israel and Breslov World pay a special tribute to those who sacrificed their lives in behalf of our people and our sacred homeland with stories of spiritual heroism.

  Some memories never fade away. Machlouf Cohen was my best friend all during "maslul" - basic training, advanced infantry school, recon school and NCO school. He was 5'4" and 125 pounds sopping wet, but he had a heart bigger than a lion. To this day, I believe that Machlouf was a hidden tzaddik, for his character was superhuman. Machlouf's story is unforgettable - whatever you do, you don't want to miss this story of total dedication.

Incase you didn't know, There's no Sadness in the World: just ask Rav Shalom Arush. Have you ever wanted to know about the Secrets of the Hebrew Alphabet? See this week's Kabbalah lesson with Rav Avraham Greenbaum.

Here's good news for ladies: a new 2-part article from the Melitzer Rebbetzen titled Star of the Show. Noahide columnist Alice Jonsson has another one of her delightful columns with the Illusive Zone. Check it out. Naturally, we don't forget our precious Breslev Kids with part 8 of Little Nachman, thanks to our exquisite writer and illustrator Rebecca Shapiro from Worry Worm fame.

Rabbi Tal Moshe Zwecker brings us another taste of Noam Elimelech and Rabbi Pinchas Winston begins a new thought-provoking series entitled No Atheists in a Foxhole.

This week's Torah portion is Emor, with a half a dozen interesting articles and stories. We wish you a wonderful week. G-d bless always.

This week at Breslov World

This coming Wednesday night and Thursday,  26 Nissan (1 May, 08) is Holocaust Remembrance Day. This week's Breslov World has 17 articles and stories about the Holocaust. No, we'll never forget.

For your personal spiritual enrichment, don't miss Rabbi Shalom Arush's article about Facial Illumination. This week's Kabbalah lesson also speaks about the aspect of faces in Sefirah & Partzuf, about the Divine Countenance.

For English-speaking lover's of Chassidic thought and folklore, we're happy to introduce you to Rabbi Tal Moshe Zwecker's new translation of the Noam Elimelech, a compilation of stories and teachings from the famed Chassidic master Rebbe Elimelech of Lizensk.

The Melitzer Rebbetzen is back with part one of Star of the Show.

My keyboard has been humming lately too. I answer the letter of a person that's stressed out of his skull from a tyrannical boss in "Boss Blues". Count Oliver's Dog is an eye-opening tale from French history with a timely message for all of us.

Noahide correspondent Alice Jonsson dukes it out with the Hillel House in "Challenge to Hillel", and Rebecca Shapiro delights the kiddies with another episode of Little Nachman.

This week's Torah portion is Kedoshim.  We wish you all a wonderful week.

Passover Edition at BreslovWorld

There's a special holiday edition this week at BreslovWorld. The Pesach section includes sixteen articles, including Rabbi Gedalia Fleer's adaptation of Rebbe Nachman's delightful parable, Taste of Bitter Herbs, Rabbi Dovid Sears' presents a beautiful collection of Breslever customs for Pesach. Here's one pearl I especially love:

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Bender once remarked: “I knew people who ate machine matzot who are in Gan Eden today; and I knew people who ate hand matzot who are in Gehenna today. Ober mir fieren zach az meh est handt matzot,"  "However, our custom is to eat hand matzot” (as heard from Rabbi Shlomo Chaim Vitriol).

Our Pesach magazine also has articles by Rabbi Erez Moshe Doron and yours truly. By the way, if you haven't yet seen our 3-minute Pesach film Family Album, you're missing out!

No edition of Breslov World would be complete without our beloved teacher, Rabbi Shalom Arush. The Melitzer Rebbetzin writes about what it feels like to be Alone in a Crowd.

Have you ever wondered why an ambulance doesn't play Moonlight Sonata on its siren? Find out here on Breslev Beams.

In the personal growth and relationships area, here is the concluding part 12 of Rabbi Pinchas Winston's Be Positive. I answer a troubled wife's question in Physical Intimacy and Communicative Intimacy.

We've been receiving fantastic feedback about our regular features: Rav Avraham Greenbaum's weekly Kabbalah lesson, Alice Jonsson's Noahide Corner, and Rebecca Shapiro's honey-sweet Breslev Kids page that's now featuring Little Nachman.

This Shabbat is Passover Eve. Have a good rest so that you;ll be bright-eyed for the Seder. This week's Torah portion is Acharei Mot, and here's wishing you a wonderful week.

Freedom from Nonsense

Rosh Chodesh Nissan is Rebbe Nachman's 236th birthday (5532-5768).

This week's BreslovWorld has plenty of ideas, fun, and action. We talk about Pesach as the freedom holiday, both freedom of body and freedom of mind, which includes Freedom from Nonsense. Also, we're pleased to share with you our new 3-minute film about Pesach, Family Album; this is something you have to see.

Rav Shalom Arush elaborates on the internal dimension of guarding one's eyes. In this week's Kabbalah lesson, Rav Avraham Greenbaum differentiates between direct light and returning light.

We have three extra special for our female readers: The Melitzer Rebbetzen is back with part 2 of Emuna in a Woman's World. Batya Rosen courageously helps herself escape from despair Hashem in the Driver's Seat. Alice Jonsson's finds Hashem's fingerprints all over the place in A Verdant View.

Can-do people are the greatest. Read what Rabbi Pinchas Winston has to say about them. Tzvi Fishman talks about The Power of Penitence.

Rebecca Shapiro treats Breslev Kids to Part 5 of Little Nachman.

This week's Torah portion is Metzora, and all though the Shabbat HaGadol is officially next week, the day before Pesach, your local rabbis will be giving special sermons about Pesach this coming Shabbat.

Have a wonderful week and G-d bless with good tidings.

This week at BreslovWorld

This week's edition of BreslovWorld has something special for every member of the family. For Dad and for gig brother, there's Rav Shalom Arush's lesson from The Garden of Yearning, The Eyes, about how the eye sees and the heart covets. There's also another installment of Tzvi Fishman's acclaimed Secret of the Brit, which discusses Wasting the Life Source. I can't begin to tell you how many wives have told us that their husbands have become so much pleasurable to live with since they've been reading our articles about personal holiness, namely shmirat eynayim and shmirat HaBrit. That's exactly what we hoped for. Also, for Dad to feel really good about himself, we are pleased tp present part 2 of Will Power, which is part 10 of Rabbi Pinchas Winston's Be Positive.

Here're some goodies for Mom: The Melitzer Rebbetzen, writing exclusively for BreslovWorld, talks about the meaning of being a homemaker in part 1 of Emuna in a Woman's World. If you haven't yet met the Melitzer Rebbetzen, this is a unique opportunity. A Glimpse of the Garden is Alice Jonsson's portrait of the world as we'd like to see it.

Teenagers will want to read the poignant letter of a 14-year old with divorced parents that feels unloved and uncared for in The True Loving Father. For our younger readers, there's a new episode of Little Nachman, beautifully illustrated by Rebecca Shapiro.

For those interested in Kabbalah, Rav Avraham Greenbaum teaches this week about Keter. And, if you like science, read about the secrets of the sun The Song of the Sun.

This week's Torah portion is Tazria, and it's also Parshat HaChodesh. For your enjoyment, here's a Chassidic Pearl for the Shabbat table. Have a wonderful week!   

Introducing Hezy Levy

Several days ago, the Beams gave you a sneak preview of Hezy Levy. Today, you can read all about him in this week's new edition of BreslovWorld. Amazingly enough, Hezy is much better known in Europe than he is in the USA and in Israel. Yet, I have no doubt that he'll be a rising star all over the world, especially since the modern-day troubador made such an enormous sanctification of Hashem's Name in front of the whole world. The article also contains two high-resolution film clips of Hezy singing in the European Music Festival for Peace, and two fantastic MP3's. This is a must read, see, and hear.

Talking about must-reads, BreslovWorld was swamped with warm comments about the Melitzer Rebbetzin's cyber debut last week. She's now back with an amazing dose of Jewish woman's outlook entitled "Can You Create Angels?", which tells all about preparing for Passover.

Where do you go when you need to strengthen your emuna? To Rav Shalom Arush, of course. This week, Rav Shalom talks about emuna without doubts.

In this week's Kabbalah lesson, Rav Avraham Greenbaum explains how Hashem structured creation to assure a person's free will. Rabbi Pinchas Winston talks about will power, and Tzvi Fishman elaborates on the importance of guarding one's eyes in Windows of the Soul. Alice Jonsson ponders the aftermath of the Mercaz HaRav massacre 2 weeks ago.

On a lighter note, we have a special Passover cleaning section. Rebecca Shapiro presents Breslev Kids with part 3 of Little Nachman.

This week's Torah portion is Shmini and it's also Parshat Parah. Here's a Chassidic Pearl to embellish your Shabbat table too. Have a wonderful week!

Purim at BreslevWorld

Purim is this coming Friday. Would you like to put yourself in the Purim mode? This week's edition of BreslovWorld has a dozen wonderful articles about Purim.

Do you think the world is improving? What's the ultimate goal? Ask Rebbe Nachman. In his interpretation of Rebbe Nachman's "Lost Princess", Rabbi Shalom Arush shows us that in reality, there is no concealment of Hashem's Divine Presence.

Read about the difference between flamboyant power and silent strength in yours truly's weekly article. Rabbi Pinchas Winston talks about the meaning of true Bitachon, trusting in Hashem. Rav Avraham Greenbaum's weekly Kabbalah lesson describes the "hanhaga", Hashem's Divine mode of government.

Why should a women dress modestly? Tzvi Fishman gives us the answer in Part 11 of "Secret of the Brit."

Rebecca Shapiro invites Breslev Kids to enjoy part 2 of Little Nachman. Alice Jonsson takes us to Mount Katahdin in Maine - we're very fortunate to have her as our Noahide correspondent.

This week's Torah portion is Tsav. Here's a story and a Chassidic Pearl for your Shabbat table.

Rabbi Shalom Arush has a special message for you.

Breslov World and the Beams wish you a wonderful week.

Emuna News Bulletin: New Entifada Brewing - a Message from Rav Shalom Arush

In answer to the many letters that we've received in recent hours, this morning's article on Mystical Paths is true - Arabs attacked Rav Shalom Arush shlit'a and his son David Moshe during hitbodedut. I just spoke to Rav Shalom, and am happy to report that beyond bruises and scratches, he and his son are OK, thank G-d.

The Israeli media is purposely turning a blind eye to the new entifada that's erupting all over Israel. Last night, three Arabs tried to hijack an Egged #350 Mehadrin bus on its way from Ashdod to Bnai Brak. Thanks to Hashem and the lightning fast action of Ashdod's Police special forces, the 3 were seized. My wife and my daughter were on that bus.

The media is ignoring civil disorder among the Israeli Arab population in the Galil, Jerusalem, and Ramla areas that includes rock throwing and several cases of assault. Hizbulla radio from Lebanon and Hamas radio from Gaza are inciting Israeli Arabs to riot and violence. There is no longer a "safe" place in Israel.

Rav Shalom told me to say that the entire people of Israel are in grave danger. The IDF doesn't have the answer. The only thing that can save us is Teshuva, Hitbodedut, and Hafatza - spreading emuna far, wide, and fast. We appeal to all of our friends and readers to devote 10 minutes of your daily personal prayer to begging Hashem to have mercy on the people of Israel. There's no time to waste.

Meet Guy Tzvi Mintz, the Melitzer Rebbetzin, and more...

B"H
This week's BreslovWorld has something exciting for every member of the family. For music lovers, the young at heart, and those who yearn for the Land of Israel, you'll be delighted to meet Guy Tzvi Mintz, one of the fastest rising stars in Chassidic music today. Guy Tzvi is a Breslever chassid and what Rebbe Nachman calls a truly kosher musician whose music will uplift your soul. Read all about him, and hear him sing both on two MP3's and on a video clip at the bottom of the article.
For the first time in history, a major Chassidic Rebbetzin addresses the web audience. We're pleased to introduce you to Rebbetzin Shaindel Moscowitz, the witty and charming better half of the Melitzer Rebbe shlit'a, one of this generation's true tzaddikim. The Rebbetzin asks, is it good to be a Jew or tough to be a Jew? See her answer...
In these difficult times, Rabbi Shalom Arush talks about the best weapon - prayer. Rav Dovid Charlop, our good friend and super-specialist in educating young men with problematic background, brings the dramatic expose of "Marty", a yeshiva boy that fell into a bad crowd and drugs, as well as the happy ending.
OK kiddies, here's a treat for you: We're delighted to share Rav Shalom Arush's children's book "Little Nachman," with you, that tells about the childhood adventures of Rebbe Nachman of Breslev. Little Nachman is gorgeously illustrated by BreslovKid's Rebecca Shapiro.
Rabbi Pinchas Winston discusses what it means to really trust Hashem. Rabbi Avraham Greenbaum teaches another enlightening lesson in Kabbalah. In the "Source of Life", Tzvi Fishman discusses the seriousness of tikkun HaBrit. Noahide correspondent Alice Jonsson takes a refreshing look at the need to utilize the moment at hand rather than worrying about the future of fretting about the past.
This week's parsha is Vayikra and Shabbat Zchor. There are lots of goodies for your Shabbat table including a Baal Shem Tov Story and a Chassidic Pearl.
The Beams and Breslov World wish you a wonderful week with good tidings.