Sunday marks 230 years since the first Chassidic Aliyah (immigration to Israel), when three leading rabbis and their students arrived in Israel on Elul 5, 5537 (1777).
The group of settlers was led by Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk, Rabbi Avraham of Kalisk and Rabbi Yisrael of Polotsk. The men, though leaders of Chassidism in Russia, rallied 300 of their students to make the perilous journey to the Land of Israel.
All were disciples of Rabbi Dov Ber, the Maggid of Mezeritch. They were also joined by Chabad founder Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, but he was instructed by Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk to remain in Moholiev, on the Dneistre River, as they passed though the city, in order to remain behind to serve as the leader of the Chassidic community in White Russia and Lithuania.
The group faced many perils on the way to the Holy Land. One of the boats they used sank, and with it 30 Jewish passengers died. They eventually reached the Land of Israel on the fifth of Elul.
They established a Jewish community in Tzfat, but were harassed and attacked by the Ottoman Turks and Arabs, and were forced to resettle in Tiberias (T'veria).
Rabbi Schneur Zalman retained close contact with the settlers and arranged for much-needed funds to be sent to them. They faced extreme difficulties as the students lacked trade skills and knowledge of the basics of state-building, but Rabbi Menachem Mendel refused to give up.
(From INN Arutz 7 )
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Thursday, August 16, 2007
What is Chassidus? Part 10
Hanhagos HaAdam continued...
10. Make sure to properly relieve and clean yourself before prayer and meals. When you feel the need to go relieve yourself, do so immediately and do not hesitate or you will transgress the prohibition of “disgusting your souls.”
10. Make sure to properly relieve and clean yourself before prayer and meals. When you feel the need to go relieve yourself, do so immediately and do not hesitate or you will transgress the prohibition of “disgusting your souls.”
Sunday, August 12, 2007
What is Chassidus? Part 9
Hanhagos HaAdam of the Rebbe Reb Melech (Rabbi Elimelech of Lizensk) continued...
9. Guard yourself from any speech before praying in the morning because such speech nullifies and ruins the power of concentration and devotion during prayer.
9. Guard yourself from any speech before praying in the morning because such speech nullifies and ruins the power of concentration and devotion during prayer.
What is Chassidus? Part 8
Hanhagos Ha'Adam from the Rebbe Reb Melech continued...
8. Guard yourself from hating any man except the truly wicked that are clearly known to have no merits whatsoever. Such people whose actions can be favorably judged are to be loved like your own body and soul. Fulfill with them the verse “love your neighbor as yourself.”
8. Guard yourself from hating any man except the truly wicked that are clearly known to have no merits whatsoever. Such people whose actions can be favorably judged are to be loved like your own body and soul. Fulfill with them the verse “love your neighbor as yourself.”
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Tu B'Av - 15 of Month of Av
The Talmud in Taanis 26b says that: "there are no greater Yom Tov holidays for the Jewish people like Tu B'Av and Yom Kippur", what makes Tu B'Av such a Yom Tov!?
Listen to my new MP3 clip for more on my playlist on the bottom right sidebar.
Gut Yom Tov & Chag Sameach
Listen to my new MP3 clip for more on my playlist on the bottom right sidebar.
Gut Yom Tov & Chag Sameach
Thursday, July 26, 2007
What is Chassidus? Part 7
Hanhagos HaAdam of the Rebbe Reb Melech (Rabbi Elimelech of Lizensk) continued...
7. Guard yourself from transgressions and evil thoughts in every way possible.
7. Guard yourself from transgressions and evil thoughts in every way possible.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
What is Chassidus? Part 6
Hanhagos HaAdam from The Noam Elimelech of Lyzhansk
6. You should purify and refine your body and soul with learning as previously stated. Learn the Talmud, and Tosfos, also learn and study all the homiletic Aggadah teachings found in Gemara. These teachings are a special remedy to cleanse the soul.
6. You should purify and refine your body and soul with learning as previously stated. Learn the Talmud, and Tosfos, also learn and study all the homiletic Aggadah teachings found in Gemara. These teachings are a special remedy to cleanse the soul.
Friday, July 20, 2007
What is Chassidus? Part 5 - Yohrzeit Hillula of the Holy Arizal Hay Menachem Av
Hanhagos HaAdam of the Rebbe Reb Melech (Rabbi Elimelech of Lizensk) continued...
5. Sometimes learn with great awe a few of the holy writings of the Arizal. This must be done with awe reverence and fear of Hashem. In the previous generations they had holy and lofty souls and would guard themselves from the time of their youth. They were ready and properly prepared to study the Kabalistic wisdom.
However in our lowly generation with our base physical lusts and desires you must cleanse and purify your soul from all sins. Once you see that the evil inclination is no longer inciting you and trying to cause you to sin and lust after the silly vanities of this world as he once was, you can study these holy writings more often. Hashem should merit us to refine and purify our holy thoughts with truth and complete sincerity. He will open for us the gates of wisdom in understanding the holy writings of the Arizal.
Those who are clothed in the lusts and desires of this physical world and in the vanities of time who study such texts may however, suffer detrimental consequences heaven forbid.
(See Maor veShemesh to parshas emor “The cult of Shabbtai Tzvi (the false messiah) may their name be blotted out that lived in those past days became heretics as a result of this lack, they studied Kabbalah while their bodies were in an impure state.”)
5. Sometimes learn with great awe a few of the holy writings of the Arizal. This must be done with awe reverence and fear of Hashem. In the previous generations they had holy and lofty souls and would guard themselves from the time of their youth. They were ready and properly prepared to study the Kabalistic wisdom.
However in our lowly generation with our base physical lusts and desires you must cleanse and purify your soul from all sins. Once you see that the evil inclination is no longer inciting you and trying to cause you to sin and lust after the silly vanities of this world as he once was, you can study these holy writings more often. Hashem should merit us to refine and purify our holy thoughts with truth and complete sincerity. He will open for us the gates of wisdom in understanding the holy writings of the Arizal.
Those who are clothed in the lusts and desires of this physical world and in the vanities of time who study such texts may however, suffer detrimental consequences heaven forbid.
(See Maor veShemesh to parshas emor “The cult of Shabbtai Tzvi (the false messiah) may their name be blotted out that lived in those past days became heretics as a result of this lack, they studied Kabbalah while their bodies were in an impure state.”)
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
What is Chassidus? Part 4
Breslov Shabbaton RBSA
The Breslov Shul of RBS A is happy to announce that it is hosting a Shabbaton this Shabbes, Parshas, with many different Breslov Rabbanim,authors, personalities, leaders and guests attending. The community is invited and welcome to attend any or all of the tefilos,shiurim, and Seuda Shlishis.
All activities will be taking place in LevHaTorah, Nachal Luz corner of Nachal Refaim (Under Pnei Shmuel).There is a schedule of events below as well as a brief decription of some ofthe attending Rabbanim.We look forward to seeing you all there.
May we all have a meaningful Shabbes Chazon.Breslov Shabbaton Parshas Devarim – Shabbes Chazon - at Lev HaTorah
Friday Night 7:10 : Mincha (at candle lighting time)
7:40: Breslov Kabbalas Shabbes led by Rav Efraim Kenig
Divrei Torah by Rav Nachman Burshtein
Maariv
Shabbes Morning:
7:30 AM Shiur: Rav Ozer Bergman in English, - The Power of Personal Prayerin coming close to HaShem.
8:00 Shacharis Kiddusha Raba Sipurei Maasios Shiur given in Hebrew by Rav Nachman BursteinShiur for women simultaneously by Mrs. Shoshie Nissenbaum in Hebrew /English
4:30 Avos U Banim
5:00 Shiur for Women by Mrs. Shoshie Nissenbaum – Shabbes Chazon as a preparation for Tisha B’Av (This shiur will be this week’s regular weekly ladies Shabbes Shiur)
5:30 Shiur for men by Rav Nasan Maimon - (English) Shabbos Chazon – The meaning behind it
5:30 Shiur for men- Rav Nachman Burshtein (Hebrew) Selected Teachings of Rebbe Nachman z”l
6:30 Mincha
7:00 Seuda Shlishis
7:30 Divrei Torah - Rav Chaim Kramer (English) - Finding the hope throughthe mourning
7:30 Divrei Torah -Rav Efraim Kenig (Hebrew) – Rebbe Nachman on the 3 weeks, as a prelude to Geula
7:30 Shiur for Women- Mrs.Shoshi Nissenbaum The special role of Women in Chasidut Breslov
8:30 Maariv Motzai Shabbes Rav Nachman Burstein: The eldest son of Rav Moshe Burstein,
Rav Nachman is awalking encyclopedia on Rebbe Nachman, his teachings, and on Breslov history. His expertise on traditional Breslov melodies is unparalelled, andhe led the Rosh HaShana tefillos at the Breslov gathering in Meron (pre-Uman) for over two decades.
Rav Efraim Kenig: Son of Rav Gedalya Kenig, Rav Efraim is one of the leaders of the Breslov community in Tzfas, as well as one of the heads of NachalNovea institutions in Tzfas. Rav Efraim is also the Baal Musaf in Uman forthe main minyan at the Breslov Rosh HaShana gathering.Rav
Chaim Kramer: A student of Breslov Chasidus for over 40 years and ason-in-law of Rav Tzvi Aryeh Rosenfeld Z"l, Rav Kramer is the director ofthe Breslov Research Institute, which has been translating and disseminating Rebbe Nachman's works for over 25 years. He has authored many original workson Breslov teachings, including "Crossing the Narrow Bridge", "Through Fireand Water (Biography on Reb Noson of Breslov)", "Moshiach", "Anatomy of theSoul", and more.
Rav Nasan Maimon: Director of the Breslov World Center and a son-in-law of Rav Tzvi Aryeh Rosenfeld, Rav Maimon has been teaching classes in Breslovfor several decades. He currently teleconferences a weekly shiur in Likutei Halachos to students of Breslov Chasidus around the globe.
Rav Ozer Bergman: A writer, editor, teacher and educator, Rav Bergman is a member of the Breslov Research Insititute Staff. He has worked on the translation into English of many volumes of Likutei MoHaRan, and hasrecently authored a work on Hisbodedus (Private Personal Prayer) titled:"Where Earth and Heaven Kiss".
Rav Meir Alkavetz: 18th Generation direct descendant of Rav Shlomo AlkavetzZ"l,author of the Lecha Dodi prayer, Rav Meir gives many weekly shiurim inBreslov in Hebrew and English.
All activities will be taking place in LevHaTorah, Nachal Luz corner of Nachal Refaim (Under Pnei Shmuel).There is a schedule of events below as well as a brief decription of some ofthe attending Rabbanim.We look forward to seeing you all there.
May we all have a meaningful Shabbes Chazon.Breslov Shabbaton Parshas Devarim – Shabbes Chazon - at Lev HaTorah
Friday Night 7:10 : Mincha (at candle lighting time)
7:40: Breslov Kabbalas Shabbes led by Rav Efraim Kenig
Divrei Torah by Rav Nachman Burshtein
Maariv
Shabbes Morning:
7:30 AM Shiur: Rav Ozer Bergman in English, - The Power of Personal Prayerin coming close to HaShem.
8:00 Shacharis Kiddusha Raba Sipurei Maasios Shiur given in Hebrew by Rav Nachman BursteinShiur for women simultaneously by Mrs. Shoshie Nissenbaum in Hebrew /English
4:30 Avos U Banim
5:00 Shiur for Women by Mrs. Shoshie Nissenbaum – Shabbes Chazon as a preparation for Tisha B’Av (This shiur will be this week’s regular weekly ladies Shabbes Shiur)
5:30 Shiur for men by Rav Nasan Maimon - (English) Shabbos Chazon – The meaning behind it
5:30 Shiur for men- Rav Nachman Burshtein (Hebrew) Selected Teachings of Rebbe Nachman z”l
6:30 Mincha
7:00 Seuda Shlishis
7:30 Divrei Torah - Rav Chaim Kramer (English) - Finding the hope throughthe mourning
7:30 Divrei Torah -Rav Efraim Kenig (Hebrew) – Rebbe Nachman on the 3 weeks, as a prelude to Geula
7:30 Shiur for Women- Mrs.Shoshi Nissenbaum The special role of Women in Chasidut Breslov
8:30 Maariv Motzai Shabbes Rav Nachman Burstein: The eldest son of Rav Moshe Burstein,
Rav Nachman is awalking encyclopedia on Rebbe Nachman, his teachings, and on Breslov history. His expertise on traditional Breslov melodies is unparalelled, andhe led the Rosh HaShana tefillos at the Breslov gathering in Meron (pre-Uman) for over two decades.
Rav Efraim Kenig: Son of Rav Gedalya Kenig, Rav Efraim is one of the leaders of the Breslov community in Tzfas, as well as one of the heads of NachalNovea institutions in Tzfas. Rav Efraim is also the Baal Musaf in Uman forthe main minyan at the Breslov Rosh HaShana gathering.Rav
Chaim Kramer: A student of Breslov Chasidus for over 40 years and ason-in-law of Rav Tzvi Aryeh Rosenfeld Z"l, Rav Kramer is the director ofthe Breslov Research Institute, which has been translating and disseminating Rebbe Nachman's works for over 25 years. He has authored many original workson Breslov teachings, including "Crossing the Narrow Bridge", "Through Fireand Water (Biography on Reb Noson of Breslov)", "Moshiach", "Anatomy of theSoul", and more.
Rav Nasan Maimon: Director of the Breslov World Center and a son-in-law of Rav Tzvi Aryeh Rosenfeld, Rav Maimon has been teaching classes in Breslovfor several decades. He currently teleconferences a weekly shiur in Likutei Halachos to students of Breslov Chasidus around the globe.
Rav Ozer Bergman: A writer, editor, teacher and educator, Rav Bergman is a member of the Breslov Research Insititute Staff. He has worked on the translation into English of many volumes of Likutei MoHaRan, and hasrecently authored a work on Hisbodedus (Private Personal Prayer) titled:"Where Earth and Heaven Kiss".
Rav Meir Alkavetz: 18th Generation direct descendant of Rav Shlomo AlkavetzZ"l,author of the Lecha Dodi prayer, Rav Meir gives many weekly shiurim inBreslov in Hebrew and English.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Degel & Koznitzer Maggid on the 3 Weeks and Masei
The Holy Koznitzer Maggid's teachings based on his Rebbe The Grosser Maggid of R' Dov Ber of Mezritch and the Degel Machne Efraim's teachings from his grandfather the Holy Baal Shem Tov on the 3 weeks Bein HaMeitzarim and Parshas Matos - Masei
Free Streaming Audio MP3 Class & Download available here
Free Streaming Audio MP3 Class & Download available here
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Whereever I may Roam
"My Grandfather the Holy Baal Shem Tov Z"LL taught that we must each travel through our own 42 stations in life, just as the Jews sojourned and encamped 42 times in the desert. Each one of us begins at birth when we leave the constriction of the womb called mitzraim and until we enter the holy land above of the next world."
Degel Machne Efraim Parshas Masei
Degel Machne Efraim Parshas Masei
Monday, July 2, 2007
The Ohr haChaim haKadosh
The Holy Baal Shem Tov said that the Ohr haChaim had the soul portion of King David known as Ruach Dovid of Aztilus - and that he heard Torah from Hashem himself each night. He was from those of the Heavenly Chariot of the Merkava and had revelation of souls and true Divine Inspiration - Ruach haKodesh. The Baal Shem Tov himself was the Nefesh Dovid of Aztilus and he wished them to connect together all three aspects portions of the soul Nefesh, Ruach & Neshama & to bring down the Neshama Chaya and the final redemption. - Rabbi Yitzhok Issac of Komarna - Nesiv Mitzvosecha
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