Lazer Beams

"I Await His Coming"

We are delighted to share with you a magnificent clip of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of blessed and saintly memory, speaking about Moshiach. Seeing and hearing a true tzaddik is in itself a purification of the soul. Have a wonderful Shabbat and weekend.

Preparing for Shavuot: The Barometer of Successful Torah Learning

Our sages teach that all of Torah centers around loving our fellow human as we love ourselves. Apparently, this is an odd concept: What do the laws of Kashrut, Shabbat, or tefillin have to do with brotherly love? The following video clip, filmed in the gorgeous Judean Hills between Gush Etzion and Hevron, provides the answer and gives us food for thought in preparation for Shavuot, the holiday that commemorates our people's receiving the Torah on Mount Sinai.

Counting the Omer

" By virtue of the Omer that I counted today…may I be purified and sanctified with the sanctity from above, and may this cause an influence of great abundance in all the worlds."(Seder Sfirat HaOmer, terminating prayer).

At the conclusion of each night's counting of the Omer, we ask Hashem that we be purified and sanctified. We also say that our purification and sanctification triggers an influence of tremendous abundance in all the worlds – both material and spiritual.

Before attempting to comprehend the above principles, we have to realize that the people of Israel at Pesach are a nation of newly redeemed slaves. Not only were we newly redeemed slaves at the time of our exodus from Egypt, but every year at Pesach as well. Pesach is the furthest time of the year from the High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, when all of Israel makes tshuva out of the awe of Hashem. As the long winter months transpire, we drop our guard and fall slaves to our bodily urges and appetites.

At Pesach time, we complete a process of physically cleaning our domains from chometz, or leavened agents, and begin a spiritual process of cleaning our hearts as a preparation for freedom. Tshuva is the cleansing of the heart from all evil.

True freedom, which includes the liberty from social pressure and bodily urges, comes only from Torah. Therefore, even though we break off the chains of bondage at Pesach, we're not really free until we receive the Torah 50 days later on Shavuot. During the interim 49 days, we count the Omer as a process of preparing ourselves to receive the Torah. Rebbe Nathan of Breslev says that each of the 49 days corrects a character attribute that corresponds to the 48 ways of attaining Torah (see tractate Avos, 6:6 for the entire list), while the 49^th day serves as a correction to our prayers.

Rebbe Nathan writes (Abridged Likutei Moharan 63:2) that the 49 days of the Omer also correspond to the 49 gates of Tshuva. By reciting Tehillim (Psalms) every day, one can open each gate of Tshuva. Therefore, concludes Rebbe Nathan, saying Tehillim during each day of the Omer is extremely important.

Rebbe Nathan's principle of Tehillim and Tshuva explains how the purification of our souls during the days of the Omer invokes abundance in all the worlds, as we shall see – with Hashem's grace – in the following parable:

Avoiding Slavery

Image, left: Ramses beating a slave, stone engraving found in Abu Simbel temple in southern Egypt

The minute one loses one's personal sense of worth and a positive self image, he or she becomes a slave.

Lack of self-respect, self-deprecation, and ignorance of one's own marvelous qualities and heritage are tickets to the slave train. Shame or embarrassment about one's ethnic or religious background is tantamount to carrying around an iron shackle with a 50-lb. ball and chain.

These feelings of inferiority are an invitation to let society dictate how you should live your life. People who feel inferior are weak; it's easy to exploit a person with no backbone. Controlled and exploited people are the most miserable creatures on the face of the earth.

For a Jew, one of the most important Passover preparations is learning who we are and why we're celebrating. Modern society often discourages us from learning about our wonderful background, our G-d, and what emuna - the full and simple faith in Him - can do for us in every level of life, be it emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and even physical.

Emuna helps you feel good about yourself.  As soon as you begin feeling good about yourself, you become free. Every human has an inherent right to freedom; that's the universal message of the Passover holiday.

Mitzvot and Body Health

Hello Rabbi,

Does the performance or violation of the mitzvot affect the body? More specifically, I have a pain in my right leg that no doctor has been able to cure? Is there something spiritual I may have done wrong or a correction to make? Thank you! Wim B., Amsterdam

Dear Wim,

A 16th century CE scholar from Tzfat, Rabbi Elazar Azikari (who composed "Yedid Nefesh" and was a colleague of the famed father of Kabbala Rabbi Yitzchak Luria) wrote a monumental book called "Sefer Hacharedim", or The Book of the (G-d) Fearing. In this book, he takes each part of the body and lists the corresponding mitzva. There are 613 mitzvas that correspond to the 613 parts of the body. The fulfillment of a mitzva adds to the spiritual vitality of the corresponding body part, and the spiritual vitality strongly influences the physical health of that particular body part.

For example, tefillin affects the left arm and the front part of the head. Belief in G-d affects the heart. Eye problems can often be traced to stinginess (refusal to give charity) or to looking at forbidden things. It's quite noteworthy that cervical cancer is almost unheard of among woman who practice family purity. The list is long and elaborate.

The famed Shatzer Rov of London o.b.m, the grandfather of the Melitzer Rebbe of Ashdod, would go to the doctor when he was sick and simply request a diagnosis. Then, he would go home and improve his practice of the mitzva that corresponds to his sick part of the body in order to cure himself.

I often use the Sefer Charedim in helping others. I've seen it do things that the doctors can't do. All a person needs is faith. Physical sicknesses are rooted in spiritual causes, since the spirit is the life force. Therefore, many physical ailments can be cured by Teshuva, that is, correcting a mitzva that in turn healthfully influences a certain part of the body. That's it while standing on one foot.

As far as the pain in your right leg, ask Hashem in your daily hitbodedut sessions to enlighten you as to what has brought on the pain and to help you to make teshuva for the root cause. I'd also suggest that you check if you haven't insulted your father or fail to honor him in any way.

Stay healthy, Wim. Warm regards to all our friends in Holland. Blessings always, Lazer

Ceasefire: Time for the Emuna Arsenal and Shema Yisrael

After three weeks of daily missile attacks, Monday was the first day of quiet here in Ashdod. G-d willing, schools will reopen today, as the city - like the rest of Israel's south - gradually returns to normal.

Meanwhile, Hamas vows to rearm. Iran is happy to accomodate them. Many analysts, including Israeli political leaders themselves, feel that this temporary lull will end in more rocket attacks when Hamas replenishes its losses and reactivates its weapons-smuggling system. One may think I'm naive, but this is not necessarily so.

Renewed hostilities don't depend on Iran or Hamas - it depends on us. The current lull in the fighting is Hashem's way of giving us another chance to make teshuva. Hashem doesn't expect people to make a massive revolution in their lives; all He expects is that they learn about emuna, say Kriat Shema (reciting the Shema Yisrael prayer) with their children at night, and try to be  a little bit better than they were yesterday. Why Kriat Shema? If one million more Jewish children learn how to say Kriat Shema, then Hamas and Hizbolla will be neutralized without our having to fire a shot. This is the arms race - we must teach every Jewish child to say Kriat Shema before Hamas rearms or before Iran becomes nuclear.

See the following one-minute clip, "The Answer to Terror and Islamofascism," by Emuna Outreach:

Emuna Outreach and the Beams want to express our sincerest appreciation to Disney illustrator "Baruch" Ken Becker, who is always there to help us fight the spiritual battles. Baruch designed our cute little "Shema Yisrael" boy, who we've nicknamed "Srulick Shema". "Srulick" is now a 4"x4" magnet that's being sent with every new Emuna Outreach order and contribution. Here he is, and you're welcome to print him out and post him by your child's bed or on the children's bedroom wall:

Click on the above image to get a full-size image suitable to print out on your computer.

Email your not-yet-observant friends and family, and promise them limitless blessings for themselves and their children by just saying one sentence before bedtime. Rashi tells us in his commentary on the Torah that even if a person has no other mitzva than reciting the Shema Yisrael prayer, Hashem will save him from danger:

Shema Yisrael, Adonoi Elohenu, Adonoi Echad

Hear O Israel, The Lord is our God, The Lord is One!

The more ambitious can find the entire Shema in Hebrew, English and transliteration here.

This is an unbelievably cogent contribution to Israel's security and to overcoming our enemies. By virtue of the "Shema", we'll see limitless blessings both individual and collective, amen.

Aishet Chayil: A Woman of Valor

A Woman of Valor, called Aishet Chayil in Hebrew, is a hymn which is customarily recited on Friday evenings, after coming home from synagogue. Aishet Chayil is a twenty-two verse sonnet that King Solomon wrote as a conclusion to the book of Proverbs (Proverbs, chapter 31). The verses of the sonnet are arranged in the order of the Hebrew alphabet, from Aleph to Tav. It praises the woman of valor as virtuous, righteous, and capable. According to the Midrash, Aishet Chayil was originally composed by our forefather Abraham as a eulogy for his wife Sarah.

Singing Aishet Chayil at the Shabbat table after Shalom Aleichem and before Kiddush is very conducive to marital bliss. It's a lofty way for a husband to display his high regard for and his gratitude to his wife. According to Kabbalah, Aishet Chayil refers to the Shabbat Queen, the spiritual soul-mate of the Jewish people. It is also a reference to the Shechinah (Divine presence) and to the neshama, the soul. The fact that Judaism describes these exalted concepts using the Jewish woman as the metaphor shows the enormous regard that Judaism has for women. Aishet Chayil is a tribute to her.

Yosef Karduner and I recorded the following clip so that you'll be able to sing the original Breslever version of Aishet Chayil at your Shabbat table. For your convenience, below the video player are the complete lyrics in transliteration and in translation.

Aishet chayil mi yimtza v'rachok mip'ninim michrah
An accomplished woman, who can find? Her value is far beyond pearls.

Batach bah lev ba'lah v'shalal lo yechsar
Her husband's heart relies on her and he shall lack no fortune.

G'malathu tov v'lo ra kol y'mei chayeiha
She does him good and not evil, all the days of her life.

Darshah tzemer ufishtim vata'as b'chefetz kapeiha
She seeks wool and flax, and works with her hands willingly.

Haitah ko'oniyot socher mimerchak tavi lachmah
She is like the merchant ships, she brings her bread from afar.

Vatakom b'od lailah vatiten teref l'vetah v'chok l'na'aroteiha
She arises while it is still night, and gives food to her household and a portion to her maidservants.

Zam'mah sadeh vatikachehu mip'ri chapeiha nat'ah karem
She plans for a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

Chagrah v'oz motneiha vat'ametz zro'oteiha
She girds her loins in strength, and makes her arms strong.

Ta'amah ki tov sachrah lo yichbeh balailah nerah
She knows that her merchandise is good. Her candle does not go out at night.

Yadeha shilchah vakishor v'chapeiha tamchu felech
She sets her hands to the distaff, and holds the spindle in her hands.

Kapah parsah le'ani v'yadeiha shil'chah la'evyon
She extends her hands to the poor, and reaches out her hand to the needy.

Lo tira l'vetah mishaleg ki chol betah lavush shanim
She fears not for her household because of snow, because her whole household is warmly dressed.

Marvadim astah lah shesh v'argaman l'vushah
She makes covers for herself, her clothing is fine linen and purple.

Noda bash'arim ba'lah b'shivto im ziknei aretz
Her husband is known at the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.

Sadin astah vatimkor vachagor natnah lak'na'ani
She makes a cloak and sells it, and she delivers aprons to the merchant.

Oz v'hadar l'vushah vatischak l'yom acharon
Strength and honor are her clothing, she smiles at the future.

Piha patchah v'chochma v'torat chesed al l'shonah
She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the lesson of kindness is on her tongue.

Tzofi'ah halichot betah v'lechem atzlut lo tochel
She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Kamu vaneha vay'ash'ruha ba'lah vay'hal'lah
Her children rise and praise her, her husband lauds her.

Rabot banot asu chayil v'at alit al kulanah
Many women have done worthily, but you surpass them all.

Sheker hachen v'hevel hayofi ishah yir'at Hashem hi tit'halal
Charm is deceptive and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears God shall be praised.

T'nu lah mip'ri yadeiha vihal'luha vash'arim ma'aseha
Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.

Your wife deserves to hear you sing Aishet Chayil this Shabbat. Wait and see how she smiles at you!

This Shabbat is very special - Shabbat Miketz, Chanuka, and Rosh Chodesh. May your Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Chanuka be especially lovely. Don't forget how much Hashem loves you, and the smile will never leave your face, amen.

Shma Yisrael

We here at Emuna Outreach and the Beams want to pave the road for Moshiach, so that he'll get here a little faster. We're sure that you want to help. It's a tremendous mitzva and it won't cost you a cent. So what do we do?

Both Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef and the Melitzer Rebbe, may Hashem bless them both, told me that if a million more Jewish children knew how to say "Shma Yisrael," Moshiach would come. Together, we can do it.

Email your not-yet-observant friends and family, and promise them limitless blessings for their children by just saying one sentence before bedtime:

Shma Yisrael, Adonoi Elohenu, Adonoi Echad

Hear O Israel, The Lord is our God, The Lord is One!

The more ambitious can find the entire Shma in Hebrew, English and transliteration here.

Here is a moving filmclip that shows how the Shma prayer alone can protect a Jewish soul:

Emuna Outreach needs your help in this project. This very moment, you can become a full activist in Jewish Outreach by helping us to spread the word. You can't imagine the blessing you'll be invoking on yourself and on your family for every child you tell about "Shma Yisrael". Make it clear to the parents that you're not out to change their lifestyle or anything else, just to teach them and their children the catch phrase that is the secret of Jewish survival since the beginning of time. All you have to do is send your friends a link to this post (click on "permalink" at the bottom of this post for the link), and you're already part of our team.  We welcome you!

Birkat Cohanim: The Priestly Blessing

Close your eyes, and imagine that we're together in the Holy Temple in rebuilt Jerusalem. Here is a blessing for all of our viewers and readers, from the mouth of a "Cohen", a member of Israel's priestly tribe, my cherished friend with the golden honey-coated voice, Shlomo Katz.

No Easy Way Out

Dear Rabbi Brody,
I'm not religious, but I get a kick out of your column and your broadcasts, even though I disagree with you plenty. One thing I particularly don't like is the fact that you're always hounding Jews about keeping all of the 613 commandments. So what if I'm Jewish? Why can't I just keep the seven Noahide commandments like you tell the non-Jews to? How come you're so nice to the non-Jews, and you're all over the case of the Jews. That doesn't seem fair. Please explain. Thank you, GA from Ohio

Dear GA,

Diesel fuel is fine for a diesel engine, but it won't propel a jet engine. The spiritual profile of a Jew differs that of a non-Jew. Therefore, the spiritual diet that can keep a non-Jew healthy won't get a Jew off the ground. A non-Jew can eat shrimp and lobsters all day long, and as long as he/she observes the seven Noahide laws, he/she is considered righteous. If you eat 28 grams of shrimp, you put a gaping hole in your soul. Whenever you turn on a light bulb with a tiny flick of the finger on the Sabbath, you cut yourself off from Hashem. On the other hand, a non-Jew can do whatever he or she pleases on their Saturday.

If a Jew keeps 612 out of the Torah's 613 commandments, and willfully breaks #613, he or she is considered a transgressor. Not fair? Consider this - if a grain of sand lands on your hand, nothing happens. But, if it lands in your eye, you suffer excruciating pain. Not fair? A hand and an eye - while both being very necessary parts of the body - are built differently with different strengths and sensitivities; the same goes for a Jew and a non-Jew. While both are Hashem's beloved creations, they have different strengths and different sensitivities because of their different tasks in the world. Yet, like an eye and a hand, both are vital.

Since you're a Jew - whether you like it or not - the only way for you to guarantee yourself true happiness in this world and in the next is to keep all 613 mitzvas. There's no easy way out. We all came down to this lowly world to perform a difficult task, and not to have fun and games. Yes, I will continue to get on your cage for your own good - if that's so distasteful for you, why do keep on reading the Lazer Beam? I'll tell you why, GC - deep down, it makes your soul feel good. Think about it, GC. If you add some emuna to your life, you'll feel great. With smiles & blessings, Lazer Brody