Lazer Beams

Decline of the Dollar

Last year at Purim, the US dollar was worth nearly 4.50 NIS (new Israel Shekels). This year, it's worth 3.39. That's a whopping 25% decline in one year.

Israelis with greenback-dollar savings have been taking a beating on paper. In search of advice as to whether to dump for a loss and salvage what they can, or to hold on to the greenbacks and pray for better days, many folks have turned to this generation's tzaddikim for advice.

Depending on the tzaddik you go to, you might get a complete opposite answer. Rav Eliezer Berland said publicly in one of his recent lessons that the dollar is degenerating fast, and by Rosh Hashonna 5769 (this coming September), it won't be worth a wooden nickel. Therefore, according to Rav Berland shlit'a. folks should dump the greenbacks while they still can.

On the other hand, the leading Sephardi Kabbalists and the Gerrer Rebbe shlit'a have told people to hold on to their dollars, because the greenback will make a big comeback.

So who do you listen to?

First of all, according to Chassidic thought, when the tzaddikim of this world are at odds with one another, it's a sign that the same debate is going on in the Heavenly Tribunal.

The historical precedent is the Napolean-Russia War of 1812. Back then, the tzaddikim were also at odds with one another. Rebbe Menachem Mendel of Rimnov wanted Napolean to win the war, because he thought that the Jews could serve Hashem much better under the French Emancipation. The Koznitzer Maggid and the Chozeh of Lublin wanted Tzarist Russia to win the war, since they thought that emancipation would be a mortal blow to the Jews, and that it would lead to a drift away from traditional Judaism. The same debate between the tzaddikim was also going on in the Heavenly Court; that's why Napolean's campaign in Russia was so bitter and bloody. In the end, the Koznitzer Maggid and the Chozeh gained the upper hand, therefore Napolean lost.

If I'm not mistaken, the same debate is going on right now in the Heavenly Tribunal. Rav Berland wants all of Israel to trust in Hashem only, to learn complete emuna, and not to depend on flesh and blood. Therefore, he wants the dollar to die, so that all of Israel will turn to Hashemn and not to the greenback. The Gerrer Rebbe and the Kabbalists think that the Jews will serve Hashem better when they they have money in their pockets, so they want the dollar to be strong. The Heavenly Court will make it's decision according to what is most beneficial to the Jews; in other words, how the Jews can best serve Hashem.

* * * * *

To my dear brothers and sisters overseas - don't think that the value of the dollar abroad doesn't affect you. While the property values of Five Towns are going down and down, the property values of Ramat Bet Shemesh, Yad Binyamin, and other places in Eretz Yisrael are doubling. These are hard facts that anyone can verify.

My suggestion is that you bet on Israel and Moshiach. Trust in Hashem, and not in the dollar.

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.

Father, Pick us up!

"Master of the world, the people of Israel are your tephillin (allusion to a Talmudic passage in tractate Menachot - LB); when a simple Jew drops his tephillin on the ground, he picks them up and kisses them. When the people of Israel suffer and are thrown in the dust, isn't it proper that you should pick them up and kiss them?" --Rebbe Levi Yitschak of Berditshev, Ukraine, late 1700's

One thing Orthodox Jews don't suffer from is amnesia. We never forget.

Left, Nazis mocking a Jew with torn tefillin, while other Jews lie on the ground before being executed, Poland, 1940

This coming Wednesday is the Fast of 10 Teveth, that commemorates the beginning of Nebuchadnezzar's siege on Jerusalem that led to the destruction of our first Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

As long as we don't have Moshiach and our Holy Temple in a united and rebuilt Jerusalem, we are still in exile. Those who trust in a heretic secular government are trusting in a wobbly reed.

Those who disdain our holy heritage have no problem subjugating themselves to foreign influences that don't have our best interests at heart. When we can't roam freely in our Holy Land, we are still in exile. When we can't pray at the gravesite of Yosef HaTzaddik, then we don't have sovereignty.

Palestinians destroying Joseph's holy gravesite near Shechem (Nablus). This is an act of blatant antisemitism, not antizionism. The anti-emuna regime and the army did nothing to stop this defilement of one of our most holy places, October, 2000

Under the Oslo Accords, this Jewish and biblical holy site was to remain under Israeli jurisdiction, despite being located in Shechem - an ancient Jewish town now inhabited by Arabs under the control of the so-called Palestinian Authority.

On October 7, 2000, however, former Prime Minister Ehud Barak withdrew IDF forces and evacuated Israeli civilians from the site after Arab attacks against Joseph's Tomb intensified as part of the overall Palestinian terrorist war against Israel. This is the same Barak who today as Defense Minister has forsaken Sderot and its population to incessant rocket fire from neighboring Hamastan.

We have no one to trust other than Hashem. Period.

Defense against the Cyber Jihad

Emuna Outreach staffer Chanoch Turner from Ramat Bet Shemesh just sent me an urgent email, asking me to double-check all our firewalls and cyber security. The arch-villains of Al Qaeda - Bin Laden and his greasy groupies - have declared a cyber war on Western, Jewish, Israeli, and other "apostate" websites.

Should we be alarmed, Jewish and Israeli bloggers and webmasters? Heck, no. As long as you mention the word "emuna" every day in whatever you write about, then a Divine protective cloud will hover over your website. If you don't write any slander, stick to the truth, and encourage people to strengthen their emuna, all the vicious hackers in the world won't be able to touch a hair on your cyber head.

Let's fight evil with emuna. The dark-side faith of the Jihadi (Holy War) and Shahidi (suicidal) Islamofascists leads to the sword and bloodshed. The light-side faith of a Breslever Chassid leads to love, peace, and a great big smile on your face. You don't fight darkness with tanks - you simply light a candle. Better yet, let's light up a 5,000 Watt projector of emuna that illuminates the entire horizon.

If you can read this sign...

Back in the old days, my high school wrestling coach hung a sign on the ceiling of the workout gym. It said, "If you can read this sign, you're losing!"

It's not a good idea to be pinned on your back either in scholastic wrestling or in life. Sadness and depression pin you down; in other words, if you're sad and depressed, you're losing the match.

Most losers need to do one of two things to turn the tables around and become winners: Either they should start listening to their coach's advice, or else get a new coach.

For beating the Yetzer and sadness, there's no coach like Rebbe Nachman of Breslev.

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...

Reb Nosson's Yahrtzeit and 4 exciting New CDs

Ashrenu

A Free Gift

Woman of Valor

Easy Income

Rav Shalom Arush and I are proud to introduce the above 4 CDs, the newest addition to our English series. In honor of Reb Nosson's yahrtzeit (the 162nd anniversary of his departure from this world) today, we're having a special sale that will last for 2 weeks, until January 13, 2007: Buy any 3 of the above 4 CDs, and you'll get the 4th automatically for free.

You can order from the tool bar on the right hand side of this site. Despite the weakening of the dollar in Israel and rising shipping and handling expenses, our Outreach Program is doing its utmost to maintain the prices of our books and CD as moderate as possible.

By purchasing an extra CD(s) for a friend or relative, you are performing several important mitzvas that include hafatza and helping your fellow human live a better life. Karen G from Atlanta wrote me that she gave a CD to her friend at the office that was suffering from a severe emotional crisis; the friend said that she was actually contemplating suicide, but the CD was a literal lifesaver that completely altered her negative outlook. When Karen G will complete her 120 years on this earth, she'll see that for less than six dollars, she saved a person's life. The Talmud says that saving a life is like saving the entire world.