Wellsprings of Torah & Chassidus

Degel Machne Efraim - (in progress)

Where the wellsprings of the Ba'al Shem Tov & his grandson the Degel Machne Efraim - Rav Moshe Chaim Ephraim Rav of Sudilkov overflow to the online community.

                            

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Ohel or Tzion of Degel Machne Efraim - Rav Moshe Chaim Ephraim Rav of Sudilkov Degel Machne Efraim
There is a story about the Degel in Sifsei Kodesh: "The grandson of the Baal Shem Tov, the Degel Machaneh Ephraim, was, after his marriage a great masmid, and most of his learning was in Gemara with Rashi's commentary and Tosafos. He had deviated somewhat from the Chasidic way which did not concentrate so heavily on Gemara. The Baal Shem Tov liked to take him on excursions every now and then, and this caused the Degel anguish at having to cease from his Torah study. But once a guest came to them from some town or other, and the Baal Shem Tov asked him about a certain householder from that place. The guest answered with praise, saying that this person was a great masmid. The Baal Shem Tov then said, 'I am very envious of his ceaseless learning, but what can I do? I do not have time to learn for I have to serve Hashem.' When the Degel heard these words, uttered in holiness and purity, they entered his heart, and he began to conduct himself in the Chassidic way from that moment on."......
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 The Prayer before Praying
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 goRav of in our friends, and not their shortcomings! May we speak with each other only justly and pleasantly as is goRav of 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 goRav of/best.
Above all we beg of You, pleading before you, O’ G-d of mercy, accept our prayers with compassion and goRav of will. Amen, may it be Your will.
 Free as a bird
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?”
 The Light of the Rebbe's Gartel
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.