Lazer Beams

Controlling all of Creation

Rebbe Nachman of Breslev teaches (Likutei Moharan I: 34), that every individual has the potential of being a "righteous governor". Certainly, each of us has the potential of being righteous, a "tzaddik", for the prophet said, "And your people are all tzaddikim!" (Isaiah 60:21). A tzaddik has the special ability to govern over all of creation.

Reb Nosson of Breslev explains (Likutei Halachot, Yora Dea, Mila 4:16), that "Creation continues to exist and function by virtue of Israel's service to Hashem, and their blessings and praise of Him, blessed is He." In simple terms, every creation fulfills its purpose in the universe thanks to the prayers and songs of Israel, thanking and praising Hashem. For example, when Israel blesses Hashem for creating the sun, moon, and stars, they glitter and illuminate! As such, the Israel that controls nature is virtually above the level of nature; nature cannot control Israel.

Rabbi Alexander Ziskind of saintly and blessed memory writes explicitely (Yesod VeShoresh HaAvoda, Gate 3, Section 5) that Israel governs over creation and that creation must comply with Israel's directives. In his elaboration of Psalm 148, he notes that a person in this lowly physical world has the power of commanding all the creations – both in the upper worlds and in the lower worlds – to praise Hashem; they are required to obey, as a fundamental law embedded in the very fiber of creation. Anyone who realizes that his or her prayers, Psalms, and songs of praise have the power to dictate orders to all of creation will surely acquire a burning desire to sing constant songs of thanks and praise to Hashem; these songs of thanks and praise are a scepter in a person's hands that enables him or her to rule over nature.

Do you know what that means? With songs of thanks and praise, together with emuna, one can order bacteria and viruses to leave the body, and they must adhere!

All of creation sings to Hashem. Why don't you join in?

The Sword of Moshiach

This is the generation of Moshiach. Rebbe Nachman of Breslev says that the sword of Moshiach is prayer. That means that Moshiach will fight all of his battles against Hashem's enemies solely by spiritual means. That's exactly why I believe with all my heart that a page of Gemara, an hour of personal prayer, and a recitation of Perek Shira will work miracles, whereas politics and conventional activism will not. Why? Prayer is above the stars and therefore above the restrictions of nature. Above the stars, miracles are normal.

Let us all search deep down within our hearts: If we really believed in the power of prayer, would we resort to lobbying? Would we spend time writing to Congressmen when we could be writing Torah nuances?  

The personal prayers ascending to the heavens from Kansas, Oregon, Alabama, Florida, Texas, Kentucky, Hawaii, the Phillipines, Germany, Alaska and all the other faraway places are making a major impression in the Heavens. Emuna pins are quickly filling the world map.

"Some with chariots, and some with horses, but we, in the name of Hashem, our G-d, will call out (Psalms 20:8)". Hashem wants us all to learn how to skillfully use the Sword of Moshiach..

The Ignition Keys

Here's a Lazer fable for you:

A group of mighty Watusi hunters were walking home to their village at the end of the day's hunt. They reached a narrow clearing, but there path was blocked by a big truck. The chief said to his ten fellow tribesman, "Come, let's push this iron elephant out of our way." They pushed and pushed, but the truck barely budged.

Suddenly, a European-looking man in a safari suit emerged from the jungle. He saw the Watusis trying to push his truck out of their way, and offered in perfect Watusi dialect, "Excuse me, gentleman; I'll be happy to move the truck out of your way. In fact, it will be my privilege to give you a lift back to your village."

The chief and his tribesman were flabbergasted. Not only did they refuse to believe that the frail-looking European could succeed in moving an iron elephant on his own, but to carry them back to their village, all eleven of them? He must be deranged, they thought.

The European produced a key chain from his pocket, and waved it before the the chief's nose. "With the aid of this modest key, I shall move the truck and carry you home!"

"Labumba!", said the Watusis to each other, spinning their forefingers around their foreheads, indicating that the stranger was a fool.

The European unlocked the door to the truck, climbed aboard, put the key in the ignition, turned the switch, stepped on the gas, and VARROOOOOMM! Scared out of their wits from the roar of the 425-horsepower Detroit engine, the Watusis scattered in eleven different directions, mostly up. Now, watching from the treetops, they saw the iron elephant cruise merrily away, with no one even pushing...

To this day, the watusi chief is still scratching his head: "How could a little key move an iron elephant, when eleven mighty Watusis could not?"

**********

Most of us aren't much smarter than the Watusis. We think that we can accomplish something only by physical means. Oftentimes we push for something and knock our brains out, yet we achieve minor results, that is, if we don't do damage to ourselves first. It takes tons of explosives to penetrate a reinforced enemy bunker, but if you have a key, you can peacefully walk right in the front door. Oh yes, we all have a general belief that there's a G-d in heaven who runs the show, but few of us really believe in the power of prayer - that Hashem really listens to us. Otherwise, we'd be putting a lot more effort into sincere prayer and spirituality.

Prayer is the tiny little ignition key that can move the iron elephant where the mighty hunters could not.

With all the problems left over from 5769, and staring us in the face from the outset of 5770, it's about time we learned to pray. Rosh Hashana is the best time to start. By the way, it's hard to push a stubborn elephant...

May you and yours be inscribed in the Book of Life for a wonderful New Year 5770, amen!

Public prayers with private emotions

The Mishna offers us important advice, especially for Rosh Hashana, when it says (tractate Avos 2:4), "Don't separate yourself from the public." When a person prays as a part of the tzibur, the public community, he or she gets judged together with the entire public. Such a trial is much easier, for it's less exacting on the individual. Therefore, it's advisable to pray in an upright community with upright people, preferably led by a righteous person. For this reason, many people travel great distances to pray with a tzaddik on Rosh Hashonna. May all those travelling to pray by Rebbe Nachman's gravesite in Uman, Ukraine have a safe trip.

In Israel, there's no need to worry if you don't belong to a synagogue; there a tens of places where one can pray with a tzaddik, have a place to stay with festive meals, and it won't cost you a cent. Miron is a fantastic place to spend Rosh Hashana. In Ashdod alone, a guest can pick from any number of inspiring places; for yeshivishe davening, you can go to Grodno. For chassidishe davening with a Rebbe, you can go to Pittsburg, Neshchiz, Chernobel, or Melitz (the Belzers and Gerrers all go to Jerusalem, while the Vishnitzers go to Bnai Brak). If you like Sfardi davening, you can pray with the Baba Sali's grandsons, Rebbe Raphael or Rebbe Yekutiel Abu Chatzira (each has his own shul) right here in Ashdod.

If you're in America, and you either don't have the money for High Holiday tickets or you don't know where to go, or maybe you're an embarrassed newcomer to traditional Judaism, there's no need to worry. My very special brothers at Chabad sent me this Rosh Hashana services link, where you can find the shul nearest you that will welcome you with open arms, including a place to eat and a place to stay.

Praying with the public is important, but sometimes it's worthwhile just to close your eyes, bury your face in a scarf or hankie (if you're a woman) or in your tallis (if you're a man), and pour your heart out to Hashem in your very own words. This way, you have the advantage of the public aspects of prayer (public merits, shofar, kaddish, kedusha, etc.) with the emotion and intensity of your deepest meditation. Don't hold the tears back.

An old story attributed to the Baal Shem Tov zatza"l tells of a orphaned country bumpkin who couldn't read the aleph-bet, yet believed in Hashem with simple and pure faith. He came into town to join in the Rosh Hashana services, but didn't know how to pray a word. When others cried out in prayer, he simply looked up at the heavens, and said, "Dear G-d, I can't read or pray, but I know it's a holy day. I don't know what the others are saying, and I don't even know how to express myself. I do know how to imitate a rooster, so I dedicate this call to you...Cockadoodle-doo! Cockadoodle-doo!" As the orphan crowed, the tears streamed down his cheeks, for this was his personal prayer from the inner walls of a pure heart. The Baal Shem Tov said that the orphan's prayers pierced the heavens, and caused all harsh verdicts for the coming year to be rescinded.

Hashem never turns away anyone who comes to Him with a with sincerity. Rebbe Menachem Mendel of Kotsk said that nothing is more whole than a broken heart. May you have a sweet New Year 5770, and may all your prayers be answered for the very best, amen.

One Hour a Day

Do you remember the song "Peace of Mind" from way back when, by a group named "Boston"? Well, Menachem Herman and I got a hold of it. I changed the lyrics and called it "One Hour a Day," turning it into a song about hitbodedut, talking to Hashem for an hour a day in personal prayer. Menachem of course plays the music better than the original, just like he did in Sweet Home, Jerusalem. Here's something to really brighten your day:

ONE HOUR A DAY

Music by "Boston", performed by Menachem Herman and Emuna - Lyrics by Rabbi Lazer Brody

Now if you're feelin' kinda low 'cause your soul is cryin'
The Geula's coming much too slow
And you shout in the darkness 'cause you feel like dyin'
There doesn't seem to be any place to go
Yeah, yeah, yeah

I understand about deep depression
But I don't care what people say
My heart and my soul need their daily expression
I'll talk to Hashem for one hour a day. (yea...)

Now you're lookin' around for some real action
Something that's good for your head
But wherever you search you get a bad reaction

So why not try Hashem instead?

I understand about deep depression
But I don't care what people say
My heart and my soul need their daily expression
I'll talk to Hashem for an hour a day.. 

One hour a day, an hour a day, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah...woa!

Now everybody's got advice they just keep on givin'
Doesn't mean too much to me

Lot's of people out to make-believe they're livin'
'Cause emuna they don't yet see.

I understand about deep depression
But I don't care what people say
My heart and my soul need their daily expression
I'll talk to Hashem for an hour a day.. 

One hour a day, an hour a day, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah...woa!

Where is Moshiach?

Where is Moshiach? That and a few more important questions are answered in the following 9-minute clip:

The power of a niggun

The Melitzer Rebbe shlit'a taught me the secrets of praying with a niggun (melody), as follows:

1. A niggun speaks the heart's deepest emotions, and is far more expressive than words.

2. A niggun rises higher and faster than words.

3. Prayer in words only is subject to a bombardment of outside thoughts and disturbances that destroy kavonna, or intent. A niggun focuses prayer by uniting the brain and the heart. The stronger and better-focused the prayer, the more resistant it is to the Yetzer Hora (evil inclination), who tries to destroy the prayer or block its ascent.

4. A niggun helps a person cling to Hashem almost instantly; when one clings to Hashem, nothing can block prayer.

5. A niggun cleanses the soul, and facilitates the wonderful emotional releases of tears and laughter.

The Melitzer Rebbe shlit'a also quoted an advice from the Ariza'l for anything that ails or troubles a person: During Shacharis (morning prayers), if one should sing Shiras HaYam word for word and in the niggun of Torah reading.

***Here's a Lazer secret: When I really need to use heavy spiritual artillery, like pleading to Hashem to give someone the blessing of children or to save someone from a terminal disease, I use Guy Tzvi Mintz's niggun, "Dibbur Shel Teshuva" - the tears flow...

Have a wonderful week, with smiles and blessings!

Independence Day

To all our friends in the USA, happy Independence Day. Have you ever thought what Independence Day really means? How are you independent when everybody from the bank to your boss is telling you what to do and when to do it?

Independence is asking and receiving everything you need - emotionally, spiritually, and materially - from Hashem. That way, you're independent, because you don't need a handout from anyone.

For Breslevers, every day is Independence Day, a day when we spend at least an hour talking to Hashem. Have a great week.

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

Song of the Frogs: Daybreak in Breslev

Baruch Hashem, I'm back in Israel after a wonderful Shavuot holiday in Uman, Ukraine, by the holy gravesite of our beloved Rebbe and teacher, Rebbe Nachman of Breslev, of saintly and blessed memory.

The Ukrainian countryside gave birth to many tzaddikim; the following clip shows the mist rising from the Bugg River outside the town of Breslev at daybreak. The frogs readily join in your personal prayer, in a surrealistic atmosphere of holiness. No wonder this was one of Rebbe Natan's favorite spots for secluded personal prayer. Enjoy this minute of inspiration - it will soothe your soul.