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.

Thought focus

"One is where one's thoughts are." Rabbi Yisroel Baal Shem Tov, founder of the Chassidic movement

  

Original oil painting by James Coleman

Simply speaking, you are where your mind is. If you focus on paradise, that's where you'll be. The choice is completely up to you. Chol HaMoed is a good time to ponder, speak to Hashem, and to put our thoughts in the right place. As soon as we think about Hashem, our minds are in paradise; when we speak to Him, our whole body and soul enter paradise too.

The battle ahead

Many tzaddikim have told us that Gog and Magog is over. Despite Iran's nuclear threats, and our neighbors' continued promises to push us into the sea, both Rav Shalom Arush shlit'a and the Melitzer Rebbe shlit'a continue to promise that the land of Israel is the safest place on earth for any family that observes the Sabbath and grants their children a Torah education. So, like we've said numerous times before, the struggle between now and the coming of Moshiach will be spiritual, where each one of us will have to fight to hold on to our faith amongst a sea of atheism and agnosticism. Rebbe Nachman of Breslev foresaw this spiritual struggle 200 years ago; his disciple, Rebbe Nathan of Breslev, wrote (Sichos HaRan, 35):

Rebbe Nachman said, "A great wave of atheism is coming to the world."

Many times he told us that the world's many sins are resulting in great disbelief. Happy is he who is strong in his faith.

The Rebbe said that the fact that he is predicting this will not prevent this Godlessness and confusion from increasing. Thousands of years ago, Daniel and others predicted that this would happen in the days before the Messiah. They said (Daniel 12:1), "Many will purify themselves and be refined, and make themselves shining white. The wicked will be evil, and only the wise shall understand."

It has already been predicted that there will be great temptations before the Messiah's coming, when "many will purify themselves and be refined, and make themselves shining white" in faith. Fortunate indeed is one who resists these temptations and remains firm in his belief. He will be worthy of all the good promised to us by the prophets and sages of old.

Knowing full well that this has already been predicted, it would seem ridiculous for one to succumb to any temptation to abandon his beliefs. It would seem obvious that every Jew would have enough intelligence to remain firm. But still it is a great trial. Many will fall away, and for this reason it is written that "the wicked will be evil."

The Rebbe said, "Still, I am revealing this for the sake of the few faithful who will remain strong in their belief. They will certainly have great conflicts. But when they see that this has already been predicted, it will give them additional strength and encouragement."

Don't be discouraged. Rebbe Nachman also foresaw the Tshuva movement, when he wrote that, "Many will purify themselves and be refined, and make themselves shining white in faith." Hashem has indescribable joy from every person's slightest spiritual gain. He recognizes our good efforts, and will reward us for them when the time comes. Meanwhile, Hashem doesn't make bombastic demands of us - all He wants is that we should cling to Him and His Torah with simple, uncomplicated faith. He wants us to avoid causing harm, pain, or insult to our fellow human. He wants us to respect each other, to tell the truth and to deal honestly. Basically, that's all we need to do in order to win the spiritual war. Keep the faith, and don't fear anyone or anything except for Hashem. Your steadfast faith is your personal key to happiness, success, and a very bright future.

"A Lesson," by George Lutzman. Rav Shalom Arush shlit'a and The Melitzer Rebbe shlit'a continue to promise that the land of Israel is the safest place on earth for any family that observes the Sabbath and grants their children a Torah education.

Better Wise than Clever

Someone once asked me what the difference is between a wise person and a clever person.

A wise person doesn't get himself into situations that a clever person knows how to wiggle out of.

A Lasting Connection with the Tzaddik

My maternal great grandfather, Reb Yankev ("The Blacksmith") Podrub from Grodno, Belarus (formerly Poland) was a legendary figure in the annals of Stolin-Karlin Chassidus. He arms were like twisted steel, but his disposition was extremely gentle. Although he was a blacksmith. he was also a Talmudic scholar. He worked so that his brother, Arie Leib, could attend rabbinical yeshiva. Ultimately, Arie Leib became the head rabbi of Meretch in Lithuania.

The renowned "Yanuka" of Stolin, the famous Rebbe Yisroel Perlov ob'm who had over 20,000 Chassidim, would stay in Reb Yankev's house every Shabbat Chanuka when he'd visit his chassidim in Grodno. Even more, The Stoliner Rebbe - who loved horses - insisted that only Reb Yankev shoe his horses.

What was so special about Reb Yankev? He never spoke small talk. Even at work, he'd mumble tehillim and mishnayos. Also, he'd only work long enough to earn that same day's bread with one extra kopeck; he saved the extra kopecks in a jar all year long, and then at the end of the year, he'd use the money to travel to his Rebbe in Stolin for Rosh Hashanna. As such, my great grandfather lived his connection with the tzaddik all year long.

The minute Reb Yankev finished his day's work, he'd fly up the stairs to the Stoliner shtiebel, conveniently located on the second floor over the smithy, and open up a Gemorra. Grodno lore holds him as one of the hidden tzaddikim of the area, may his blessed memory be cherished always.

I heard the above stories and many more from my grandmother Kailie of blessed memory, from Rav Yitzchak Kulitz of blessed memory, former head Rabbi of Jerusalem, who as a little boy saw my great grandfather, and from Rav Benyamin Adler shlit'a of Jerusalem, whose uncle knew my great grandfather well, and from the elderly Stolin-Karlin chassidim of Jerusalem.

*******

Trying to emulate my great grandfather, I set aside twenty dollars every week and put them in a special envelope marked, "Uman - Rosh Hashanna." That way, I live Rosh Hashanna with my beloved Rebbe, Rebbe Nachman of Breslev, all year long.

Today, I'm doubly happy, for I paid a down payment and reserved my ticket to Uman for this coming Rosh Hashanna, 5768. Just hearing the name "Rebbe Nachman of Breslev" is enough to kindle a fire in my heart.

I know that alte zaidie (Yiddish for great grandfather) has nachas (gratification) that his great granchildren are continuing on in the way of Torah and Chassidus. You know what that means? Hitler and western assimilation lost and we won. We shall continue to overcome, amen.

Melitzer Rebbe's Erev Shavuot Message to the Web-viewing Public, 5767

This is the first time in cyber history where a major Chassidic Rebbe specially addresses the web-viewing public.

I was 98% sure that the Melitzer Rebbe shlit'a would refuse when I first approached him with the idea that he address the internet public. His agreement to do so, in order to reach those who may never have the opportunity to see or hear a rebbe in their lives, makes me realize that he is even a greater tzaddik than I thought he was, who fears no one other than Hashem.

Emuna Outreach and the Beams is pleased to introduce you to the Melitzer Rebbe Shlit'a, Grand Rabbi Naftali Moscowitz, who bears a personal message and blessing for each of you. The Rebbe has also allowed us to publish his address, so that anyone who wishes can write and ask for whatever blessings or advice that he or she may desire: Grand Rabbi Naftali Moscowitz, Rehov HaTzivoni 7, apt. 14, Ashdod, Israel, 77571.

Welcome, Melitzer Rebbe:

We miss you, Erez

illustration by Rivi Reiner of Jerusalem

No, this is not an Emuna News article; it's not timely either, because Erez was killed on Sunday and buried on Monday. My brain is still numb. The lump in my throat won't go away. I can barely see the keyboard through the tears. I never did learn how to refrain from crying when the true tzaddikim leave this world, especially those that were so close to my heart.

Erez wasn't a person - he was a universe. He was the epitome of everything beautiful - the Land of Israel, the settlement of Bat Ayin, the Judean Hills, Rebbe Nachman's teachings, Judaism, Jewish outreach, brotherly love, humility, holiness, Chassidism, and the mellow strains of a sublime guitar.

Erez devoted his life to Hashem, to Rebbe Nachman, and to Jewish Outreach. He spent the last seven summers roaming the boondocks of India looking for lost Jewish souls that he could bring back to the fold with the magnetism of his ever-so-gentle personality and sweet guitar.

Words defy description of the evil that could extinguish such an exquisite candle. Erez was murdered while talking to Hashem in personal prayer, at one of his favorite spots for hitbodedut. People ask, "Why?"

Since we don't have the Holy Temple and ritual sacrifices that atone for our sins, Erez of blessed and saintly memory was undoubtedly taken as a flawless sacrifice for all of Israel. We are therefore required - wherever we may be - to mourn his death.

As a martyr who was killed in the sanctification of Hashem's name, Erez shall reach the loftiest portals of Heaven. May he intercede for all of us, amen. Baruch Dayan Emes.

Hear Lazer's mini-eulogy of Erez Levanon ob"m, to the touching background music of Erez singing his exquisite song, Lev ve'Maayan, The Heart and the Spring.

Erez

"Dvekus" - a pictorial essay

"Dvekus" literally means "attachment to"; in Chassidic jargon, it describes one's clinging to Hashem. The greater a tzaddik is, the stronger and more constant his "dvekus" to Hashem. With Hashem's loving help, we seized an opportunity to show you the dvekus of a real tzaddik - the Melitzer Rebbe shlit'a. These are fresh pictures of the Sunday night sheva brachos (after a Jewish wedding, we have 7 days of festivity, joyous meals, and celebrating, known as "sheva brachos") at the Melitzer Shul in Ashdod. The Rebbe's grandson Itamar, son of the Bistiner Rebbe of Petach Tikva, married the granddaughter of one of Israel's leading poskim (rabbinical lawgivers), Rav Meir Bransdorfer of the Eda Haredis in Jerusalem.

Here's what the Melitzer looks like, dancing in dvekus:

Photo 1: Melitzer Rebbe with his grandson Itamar, the bridegroom

Photo 2: Holy ecstasy

Photo 3: The fire of holiness

Photo 4: Two of Ashdod's foremost tzaddikim: left, the Pittsburger Rebbe shlit'a; right, the Melitzer Rebbe shlit'a

Below, you can see a 30-second film clip.

*******

May you all have joy in your own homes, amen.

Mazal Tov to our wonderful friends Antony and Avivit Fields in the UK on the birth of their son.

Mazal Tov to a very special couple that holds a special place in my heart - Ken and Rachel Tzipora Salkover in the USA, on the occasion of their first anniversary.

Hot off the presses: Nachum Kligman, my dear friend from Bet Shemesh and the moving force behind Emuna TV, just now informed me that his wife gave birth to a baby boy - Mazal Tov!

Adar is the month of joy... we're only getting warmed up...

Especially dangerous

The Melitzer Rebbe shlit'a reemphasized during his Shabbos-afternoon talk what he said last week, namely, that the lack of holiness and the lack of modesty create the dinim, the severe judgments that are the root of the recent Qassam barrages. He said that Bilaam and Balak used every trick in the book to curse Israel; they used magic, voodoo, you name it. They even tried to imitate Israel by making sacrifices on the altar. Nothing helped; their curses didn't catch hold - on the contrary, Hashem turned them into blessings. Yet, as soon as the people of Israel fell prey to the temptation of licentiousness and broke the bounds of holiness, 24,000 were killed by the plague and another 176,000 were killed by the judges of Israel (Rashi according to th Gemorra in tractate Sanhedrin), a total of 200,000 dead because of debauchery with the Midianite women. The Melitzer Rebbe shlit'a said that the same thing applies today - no one can overcome Israel until Israel breaks the boundaries of kedusha (holiness). Sorry folks - the Melitzer doesn't chocolate-coat the truth. In Israel, immodesty and impurity are especially dangerous.

Thought for the day

It's nice to be smart, but it's smarter to be nice. --Lazer Brody