Lazer Beams

The Miracles of Hanit

Image at left courtesy of Haaretz.com shows the Israeli Missile boat "Hanit" being tugged into Ashdod port after having been hit by a Hizbulla missile off the Beirut shore on July 14, 2006, during the Second Lebanon War.

17 October, 2006. A young Israeli Naval sergeant boarded the northbound train in Tel Aviv. I was on my way to a present a lecture in the Haifa area and he was returning to his base in the Haifa port. He sat down across from me, looking at me intently while I was learning my Gemorra. I looked up at him, smiled, said "Shalom aleichem!"

He sighed deeply, as if relieved, and sheepishly asked, "Can I talk to you, Rav?"

Footprints

Today is Memorial Day for Israel's fallen soldiers, may their sacred and gallant souls rest in eternal peace, amen. "Footprints" reflects the mood of the day - the battle scenes are all from the Lebanon War two years ago.

Mighty Machlouf

Mighty Machlouf was a real hero. May his sacred memory be an inspiration to us always, amen.

Everywhere I Walk, I Walk in the Land of Israel

In continuation of our Eretz Yisroel series this week, here is a clip of Guy Tzvi Mintz and I singing Rebbe Nachman's famous quotation, "Wherever I walk, I am walking in the Land of Israel." A basic tenet of Breslever Chassidic thought is to strive to move to the Land of Israel. Even if one can't, one should yearn so much for the Holy Land, that one's thoughts and feelings are actually here. The more you love someone, the more you think about them.

This week's Torah portion is Vayakhel. Here are wonderful commentaries that you can use for your Shabbat table, including a Chassidic Pearl and a Chassidic story. The Beams and BreslovWorld wish you a wonderful week.

A Message to Mr. Bush: Don't Touch My Anointed

Mr. Bush is on his way from the White House to the Holy Land of Israel this week. We here at the Beams have a 2-minute highly educational message for him. I hope he sees it, for the future of his nation depends on it. See for yourself:

The Miracle of little Nissim Hillel

At the end of my talk this past Monday night in Ramat Bet Shemesh, a young father from the audience, Baruch Tannenbaum, called out to say that Emuna - pure and simple faith in Hashem - is for real. I invited him up to the microphone to tell his story. It's amazing - you can see it right here:

It's moments like this that give me strength. Thank You, Hashem.

This week is the second week of the six-week period of "Shovevim", Parshat Va'era. There's plenty of quality reading including a Chassidic Pearl and a story for the Shabbat table. Enjoy, and have a great week!

Lev Tahor - A Pure Heart

Rebbe Nachman of Breslev says that hearing the music of an upright musician is beneficial to one's soul and spirituality; that's why it's so good to hear the music of my very dear friend and "brother", Guy Tzvi Mintz, may Hashem bless him always. Even if you don't understand the Hebrew, you'll find the music lifting you higher. G-d willing, the Jewish music world will be hearing a lot more from Guy Tzvi - he's as pure and as invigorating as the late afternoon breeze in the Judean Hills.

This song is entitled "Lev Tahor," and based on Likutei Moharan I:156. Enjoy it!

Bat Ayin with Guy Tzvi

Guy Tzvi Mintz and Lazer, earlier this week at Bat Ayin

This post is a special thanks to our wonderful supporters of Emuna Outreach, who so generously sponsored our evening of song and inspiration earlier this week at Bat Ayin in Gush Etzion, a beautiful settlement with the most beautiful people - inside and out - one would ever want to meet. Bat Ayin is the home of Erez Levanon of blessed and martyred memory, who was brutally murdered by terrorists 9 months ago. Not only did our supporters cover all the costs of the evening, but they also contributed over $1000 of books and CDs to establish the new Emuna lending library in Erez's memory.

G-d willing, we hope to have some video clips of the evening at Bat Ayin posted here on the Beams in the near future. Just being with Guy Tzvi is an inspiration. His music penetrates the heart and goes straight to the soul.

Today, we received a lovely letter from Mrs. Kerem Perlman, the general secretary of Bat Ayin:

Dear Rabbi Brody,

The Shiur you gave this past Sunday at Bat Ayin, along with Gay Tzvi Minz, was exceptional. The "holy lights"  of Bat Ayin were uplifted. Lessons in Emunah and Simcha, Singing and Dancing, and much laughter ignited the shul.  Many of the attendees came up to me after the shiur with glowing smiles on their faces, expressing grattitude. Thank you for bringing "spiritual chizuk" to our Yishuv.  Also, thank you for the donation of books and CDs for the "Keren Erez" lending library, in memory of Erez Levanon z"l.  It is already in great use.

Sincerely,

Kerem Perlman 

Emuna, joy, and chizuk (spiritual reinforcement) are the name of the game. I never cease to express my gratitude to Hashem for enabling me to devote my life to spreading emuna and joy wherever I can. Thank you, Hashem, and thanks once again to our cherished friends and supporters of Emuna Outreach. May Hashem bless you always.

Flight 613

You can learn about emuna from all the stimuli in your environment and in your daily routine. "Flight 613", a little 2-minute inspirational shot of emuna, is the product of my thoughts on the plane last week from Atlanta to Washington, DC. I hope you enjoy it.

Hashem's Commando

David Dome, in the middle of hitbodedut, received a sudden inspiration that resulted in this song:

Hashem's Commando

He left his old life behind

Now he tidies the mess in our minds,

To bring us from the dark into the light.

Confronting the things that are wrong,

In the places where lies don't belong,

And changing our grey into black and white.

Hashem's Commando faces the fight,

Changing the darkness to the brightest light.

Hashem's Commando shows us what to do

To help us become Commandos too.

The things that are not in his control ,

He hands over to the Master of his soul,

And whatever he gets is for the very best.

His yetzer wants to give him a hit,

Well , he ain't having none of it,

Keeps his composure and says thanks for the test.

Hashem's Commando takes on the fight,

Changing the darkness to the brightest light.

Hashem's Commando sees only the good,

In the people who feel that they never could.

We must try with the best of our ability,

To find our way to The Trail of Tranquility

Emuna's Garden is such a beautiful sight .

When we get there we're gonna see,

Thousands of Commandos living joyfully,

In Love and Peace having won the fight.

Hashem's Commando he gets the last punch,

Hits the yetzer so hard, sends him right out to lunch.

Hashem's Commando will help us pass the test,

And see that it's all for the very best.

Thank you so very much, David; this lovely melody put more than one tear in my eye.