Chassidus Online

Protect and shield us from jealousy between fellows. Let not jealousy enter our hearts and may others not be jealous of us. On the contrary place in our hearts the ability to see only the good in our friends, and not their shortcomings! May we speak with each other only justly and pleasantly as is good and desirable in Your eyes. May there be no hate between friends Heaven Forbid.
Strengthen our ties and our bond with love to You. As it is revealed and known before You that we strive to give you only satisfaction and pleasure. This is the basis of all our intentions. If we do not have the intellect to properly direction our hearts to You, please teach us how to know truthfully that which you desire for the good/best.
Above all we beg of You, pleading before you, O’ G-d of mercy, accept our prayers with compassion and good will. Amen, may it be Your will.

Rav Chaim of Chernowitz in his Teshuvah – Responsa concerning performance of mitzvos with the fullest intent – quotes the Tikkunei Zohar (#10 pg 25b) “Every mitzvah that is not performed with awe/fear and love of The Master does not fly upwards.” He teaches that awe/fear and love are like two wings. “They are like the wings of a bird. A bird uses them to soar up through the air to the heavens. However were he to lack wings or if they should break he cannot fly upwards. So too the commandments which are done without love and fear. They are as if they lack wings and how should they fly and rise upwards?”

Rebbe Elimelech had a custom that after the afternoon Mincha service he would converse with his close followers. He would then proceed to a special private room to pray the evening Maariv service alone in seclusion, purity and sanctity. Rabbi Naftali Ropshitzer, a student of the Rebbe always yearned to also be in that room. He constantly wished to see the deeds of his Rebbe and how he prayed at that time. Once he stole into the room unnoticed and hid beneath the bed. The holy Rebbe entered and closed the door behind him. He took his “gartel,” the traditional sash or belt used by Hassidim for prayer and preceded to fasten it about himself. The first time he wound the sash about his waist the whole house was filled with an awesome unbelievable light. The second time he tied the gartel winding it around, the light grew in intensity until the Ropshitzer could no longer endure it. He grew weak and found himself fainting.