Lazer Beams

Spiritual Adventure! Ukraine, May 28 - June 2, 2013

What a spiritual adventure awaits everyone who joins us in the Ukraine from May 28 to June 2! There will be really special surprises too; not only Uman, Breslev, Medziboz and Berditchev, but a Shabbat experience you'll never forget. For more info and registration, write solarsh97@gmail.com - here's what's planned (click on the image to enlarge it):

A Spiritual Adventure You'll Never Forget

From Tuesday May 28 until Sunday, June 2, 2013 - in another 5 short weeks - Breslev Israel together with InnUman are sponsering a lovely spiritual adventure to the Ukraine, open to both singles and couples. Here's your chance to spend an inspiring Shabbat in Uman, by Rebbe Nachman's hallowed place of eternal rest. You'll be able to go back in time to Berditchev, while pouring your heart out at Rebbe Levi Yitzchak's awe-inspiring gravesite. You'll be able to ask for whatever you want at the holy Baal Shem Tov's gravesite in Medziboz. And much more, with food and lodging that you won't find anywhere else in the Ukraine. And I almost forget - I'll be your tour guide. Check this out:  

(click on the poster to see it enlarged)!

A Lasting Connection with the Tzaddik

Shabbat Chanuka reminds me of my great grandfather, who died some 26 years before I was born.

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 little brother, Arie Leib, could attend rabbinical yeshiva. Ultimately, Arie Leib became the head rabbi of Meretch in Lithuania and one of the prime students of Rav Chaim Ozer Grudzinski, ob"m.

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. From what the old Stoliner Chassidim told me, the Rebbe loved my great-grandfather's pure and simple emuna and the innocence in which he served Hashem.

What was so special about Reb Yankev? He never spoke small talk. Even at work, he'd mumble tehillim and mishnayot. Also, his trust in Hashem was phenominal - 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 Gemara. 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.

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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.

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? The Greeks and the Hellenists lost, and so did Hitler and western assimilation. With simple emuna, we shall continue to overcome, with G-d's help. Have a wonderful Shabbat Chanuka and new month of Teveth!

Uman, Breslev, Rav Arush in Torah Codes

Here is an amazing 3-minute clip where Rabbi Glazerson shows how Uman, Chasidut Breslev, and Rav Arush's worldwide efforts of spreading emuna appear in the Torah Codes. I thank Hashem every moment for granting me the privilege of being Rav Arush's mouthpiece in English. Check this out, it's amazing:

A Glimpse of Spontaneous Joy

Right after the intensive prayers of Rosh Hashana were over in Uman, the streets filled with spontaneous dancing and music. Here's a glimpse of what went on:

Uman Jamming

People are sending wonderful letters about the great time they had with us InnUman this past Rosh Hashana. Here's a little scene of the partying after 2 days of intense praying. Lyle Wexler is playing the harmonica and ZZ (my baby brother) is singing and playing the mandolin. Have a continued joyous Chol Hamoed!

Empowering Women

G-d willing, we'll soon have the details of our upcomimg USA speaking tour, that includes first-time speaking engagements in Tennessee, Oklahoma, and the World Noahide Conference in Dallas. At the termination of our USA tour, we'll be flying to the Ukraine on the way home to lead an amazing Shabbaton and spiritual retreat for women in Uman entitled, "Empowering Women," organized by Shira Herman (Menachem's wife) of Ark 18, which specializes in organizing trips to holy sites all over Europe and especially in the Ukraine. Husbands, this is an awesome gift for your wife; women, this is a break of spiritual rejuvenation that you certainly deserve. Check this out (click on the image to enlarge it):