Lazer Beams

Hashem's Commando

My very dear friend, singer and composer 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.

The River's Song

Osyio (Greetings - LB) Rabbi Wolf Brother,

I was so happy to hear that our Tsa la Gi (Cherokee - LB) brothers in Tennessee and Texas also hold the opinion that we have Hebrew roots. So much is the same - I follow your teachings about personal prayer in solitude with the Holy One out in nature and I'm moved to tears about the Jewish Perek Shira song of creation. Our meditation, the fringes on our clothes, our language, and our clinging to the One God (in the old way, not the way the white missionaries did to our people) are all signs of our mutual roots. Now that we have DNA testing, there is no doubt.

As a small token of appreciation for the love and respect you have honored our people with, I'm enclosing a film clip of Wayra, a Bolivian Indian who plays the native American flute like we do. To the best of my knowledge, King David also had such a similar flute. May you enjoy it, and may the Holy One bless your journeys in life with smooth and pleasant paths.

Looking forward to the day when the lost tribes will be returned and reunited with mother Israel, your friend and brother, Silver Cloud from Oklahoma

Yizhar Shabi: Shir HaMaalot

Here's a special treat: Breslever Yizhar Shabi is singing Shir HaMaalot, with a great film clip showing many tzaddikim and Breslever scenes. In the film, you'll say Rav Lazer Berland, Rav Shalom Arush, Rav Odesser of blessed and saintly memory and the Lubavitcher Rebbe of blessed and saintly memory, and many more. Click here to enjoy it!

Adraba

When Israel is being threatened, we have to strengthen ourselves in two areas: In regard to Hashem, we have to strengthen our emuna and thank Him for everything - the good and seemingly otherwise. In regard to our fellow human, we have to look for and focus on his or her good points - that's what the song "Adraba" is all about:

Psalm 105: Shiru Lo

If you feel down in the slightest way, simply sing along with the above melody: "Shiru Lo, zamru Lo, Sikhu bekhol nifla'osav" and you'll be a different, happier person within 90 seconds. Try it - it works. Have a wonderful Shabbat!

"VeHacohanim"

Earlier this week, Shlomo Katz (a "Cohen," or member of the priestly tribe) and I joined together in an evening of song and inspiration in Ramat Bet Shemesh. Here is one of Shlomo's very special original melodies, based on the Yom Kippur liturgy that describes how the People of Israel in the courtyard of our Holy Temple in Jerusalem fall on their faces and prostrate themselves when they hear the High Priest call out the Ineffable Name Yud-kay-Vav-kay once a year on Yom Kippur. How I long to witness such a Yom Kippur - soon, G-d willing. The Beams, Emuna Outreach, and Breslev Israel wish you a wonderful Shabbat. 

V'hi She'amda

V'hi She'amda is a Passover song whose words come from the Haggada. It conveys a very timely message for the Jewish people: He who stood by our forefathers stands by us to deliver us from the hands of our enemies.

Yonatan Razael wrote a beautiful melody for this song, which he sings here with Yaacov Shweikey. We hope you enjoy it. Moadim l'simcha - a joyous Passover!

And Even Though He Tarries...

All the preconditions that our sages have stipulated for the coming of Moshiach have been fulfilled. The time is especially ripe now, when it's Motzaei Shmitta, the year after the Sabbatical year, and when Birkat HaChama (the blessing of the sun, when it returns to the exact position that it was on the day of its creation, once in 28 years) falls on Passover eve (about once in five centuries, and today is the day).

Despite all the eager anticipation, and even though he tarries, we still wait for Moshiach innocently and patiently with simple faith. "And even though" in Hebrew is Ve'af al pi.

The Rambam's 12th principle of emuna is, "I believe with full and complete faith in the coming of Moshiach; and even though he tarries, I shall still wait for him whatever day he comes."

My beloved spiritual brother Shlomo Katz, himself a kohen (member of the priestly tribe), put the Rambam's above principle to music in his new album, "Malei Olam," an allusion to Hashem, Who fills the universe with His Divine Presence. We strongly recommend that you keep your eyes and ears open for this exquisite new CD. As a treat to Beams readers, here a "Kosher for Passover" taste:

Shlomo Katz: Ve'af Al Pi

 

Meanwhile, we hope to see you soon right here in the Holy Land of Israel in our rebuilt Bet Hamikdash, speedily and in our days, amen. Have a wonderful and joyous Passover!

It's Good to Thank Hashem

The best advice for handling any tough situation in life is simply to thank Hashem. "Hashem, I know that You gave me this difficulty as a growth opportunity to make teshuva and to get close to You. Thank You for my difficult situation. I know that there's no tribulations without prior transgression, so help me rectify the wrongdoing the invoked the stern judgment in the first place." With such an attitude, you'll see miraculous solutions to problems that you thought were insurmountable.

One of my favorite melodies during  hitbodedut is Psalm 92, "It's good to thank Hashem," that Shlomo Katz and I are singing here:

This Shabbat is Shabbat HaGadol - have a wonderful Shabbat and weekend!

Everywhere I Walk, I Walk in the Land of Israel

Concluding 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.