11/30/15

AND YOSEF DREAMT A DREAM



VAYEISHEV
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30
18 KISLEV, 5776
ב"ה
וַיַּחֲלֹם יוֹסֵף חֲלוֹם (בראשית לז, ה)
AND YOSEF DREAMT A DREAM (BEREISHIS 37:5)

A Jew and His Dreams

In Parshas Vayeishev we read about Yosef's two dreams that foretold that his family would one day bow before him. In the first dream, Yosef and his brothers were represented by the plant kingdom: eleven sheaves of wheat bowed to Yosef's sheave. In the second dream, his family was represented by the solar system: the sun, the moon and the stars.

Like Yosef, Pharaoh too had two dreams, which we read about in Parshas Mikeitz. Pharaoh's dreams had identical themes as well, both foretelling seven years of plenty that would come upon Egypt, followed by seven years of hunger. And also in Pharaoh's dreams, the imagery changed from one dream to the next. In Pharaoh's first dream, the years of plenty and famine were represented by fat cows and emaciated cows, while those same themes were represented in his second dream by healthy ears of grain and gaunt ears of grain.

Notably, Yosef's series of dreams featured celestial beings—the sun, the moon and the stars, whereas Pharaoh's did not. In addition, Pharaoh's dreams "deteriorated," as it were. His first dream involved animal life, whereas his second dream featured a much lower form of life—the vegetable kingdom. In contrast, Yosef's dreams progressed—from the earthly to the heavenly.

The contrast between these two sets of dreams highlights the differences between these two dreamers. Pharaoh's dreams were devoid of anything "heavenly," symbolizing a person whose mind is wholly engrossed in his earthly pursuits. It comes as no surprise that such a person gradually becomes more and more entrenched in his material obsession, as represented by the "degenerative" sequence of Pharaoh's dreams.

Yosef's dreams, however, were different. Because a Jew, even as he goes about his routine in the physical world is simultaneously thinking about the Heavenly aspects of his life—his spiritual development and G-dly purpose. Yosef therefore dreamed of the earthly as well as the Heavenly, and in an order of "progression," because his life as a whole was in a constant state of growth.

—Likutei Sichos, vol. 3, pp. 805-806



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Asa

11/29/15

тренинг по богатству



Рав Фадида, тренинг по богатству.
Упражнение.
Составь бюджет, напиши огромную сумму денег. Ребе говорит, что каждый еврей должен быть в нашем поколении богатым. Поэтому пишем сумму серьезную. Далее, расписываем (и не за один раз, а тщательно работаем над этим где-то неделю) - на что я намерен это потратить в ближайшие декады.
Шаг 3 и самый главный - приглашаем Всевышнего быть с нами партнером в этом деле. Заинтересовываем Его. Как Ханна, чью молитву даже изучаем в Рош а-Шана. Она говорила так: "Б-же дай мне ребенка не для того, чтобы мне иметь кайф, а для того, чтобы я Тебе служила через это, он будет святой, будет Тебе служить" и родила пророка Шму
эля.
Шаг 4 Задействуем тему Шабата. Шабат приносит богатство. Обещаем, что будем улучшать, более красиво выполнять заповедь Шабат.
Шаг 5 повторяем свой Хазон устно каждые 8 часов. Наш организм усваивает и запоминает намерение.
Вселенная начинает вибрировать в такт нашему намерению.
При таком раскладе когда ты в итоге разбогатеешь, это НЕ будет за счет других аспектов твоего счастья, т е не произойдет подмены ценностей (типа получи богатство вместо здоровья и т д) Не возникнет "эффекта шагреневой кожи", когда исполненное желание вызывало ужимание жизни и общей суммы жизненных возможностей.
А следующий шаг - это веди себя так как будто ты уже получил богатство. В чем-то одном уже сейчас будь таким, как если бы.

11/26/15

Menachem Mandela



 I
A couple from Brooklyn arrived to Michigan for a wedding. They were pulled over by a Puerto Rican police officer for a minor traffic violation. The woman politely explained to the officer that they're not so familiar with the local traffic laws, as they are from Brooklyn N.Y. The officer became excited. He asked if they're Lubavitch. After answering in the affirmative, the officer told them a story. 

His father was a taxi driver in Brooklyn for many years. Once 2 people were getting a ride to Lubavitch Rebbe. The taxi driver asked if they can get a blessing for him too, as he didn't have kids for many years. They told him why not, but park the taxi and come in with us. He got a dollar and blessing, and sure enough a short while later his wife got pregnant. As a gratitude, they named the son Menachem Mendel after the Rebbe. That is him, the police officer. 

As proof to the story, he always carries along his passport. The couple asked if they can take a picture, otherwise nobody will believe them. To which he agreed.

11/24/15

Did the Rebbe say that he is the Moshiach?



During Rabbi Groner’s testimony, he was asked whether using the title “Melech HaMoshiach” was ever authorized, or allowed, by the Rebbe to be used in the Rebbe’s Seforim. This after noting that some Seforim bear that title, such as the Lekutei Sichos and “Bsuras Hageulah”.

Rabbi Groner responded that he once entered the Rebbe’s room and expressly asked whether they may use the title, and the Rebbe consented. Afterwards, he read for the Rebbe the exact wording of the title page of “Besuras Hageulah” which states Melech HaMoshiach after the Rebbe’s name, and asked whether that may be printed, and the Rebbe nodded his holy head in the affirmative.

Read the full story here:


11/23/15

Two Names, Two Paths of Divine Service



1. Compare the verse: “Your name will no longer be Yaakov. Instead, your name will be Yisrael,”
 לֹא יִקָּרֵא שִׁמְךָ עוֹד יַעֲקֹב כִּי אִם יִשְׂרָאֵל יִהְיֶה שְׁמֶךָ 
with  וְלֹא יִקָּרֵא עוֹד אֶת שִׁמְךָ אַבְרָם וְהָיָה שִׁמְךָ אַבְרָהָם “Your name will no longer be Avram,” and state that a person who calls Avraham by the name Avram commits a sin.4  But not if referring to Yaakov by that name and not Yisrael.

2. What is the difference? After G-d gave Avraham his new name, the Torah refers to him with that name only. But with Yaakov, even after G-d gave him the name Yisrael, the Torah still refers to him as Yaakov.

3. Why?  Yaakov and Yisrael reflect two approaches to avoida. Every Jew must possess both traits, there are times when a Jew must carry out his avoda like Yaakov, other times,  like Yisrael.  Although Yisrael implies a higher level, sometimes the Divine service of Yaakov is necessary.

4. The difference between the approaches of Yaakov and Yisrael is: The name Yaakov indicates that the blessings from Yitzchak  acquired through deception and trickery.(עָקְבָה))Through cleverness, Yaakov was able to snatch Yitzchak’s blessings from Esav.  Yisrael, is reflects a higher rung. 

5. For Yisrael, there is no need to get blessings by craftiness. Instead, they are granted him: “as befitting a ruler, in a revealed manner.”  the blessings given by Yitzchak9 “The dew of the heavens and the fat of the earth” refer to material prosperity. To receive these blessings, Yaakov and Rivkah were willing to take risks and employ deception. For example, Yaakov had to wear the clothes of Nimrod,10 the one who “with his kingship, caused the entire world to rebel against [G-d].”11 What was the purpose of these tactics? To elevate the sparks of G-dliness which are contained in material entities.

6. a lesson for us. A Jew must approach eating, drinking, etc.  with a certain measure of craft and deception.(maamar Padeh B’Sholom,) How do you commit a fraud? He does not reveal his true intent. He begins by appearing to follow the path which his opponent desires, but at a particular point, he changes course and does what he desires, although it is against his opponent’s wishes.

7. This is the way a Jew should approach material activities. On the surface, he like everyone else he eats, drinks, and deals in business. But he engages in these activities “for the sake of heaven.”13 He wears “Esav’s clothes,” but carries out all his material activities with a sense of inner purpose: to elevate the sparks of G-dliness contained in the material entities.

8. The Divine service of Yisrael  is different. The blessings for prosperity granted him by Yitzchak are conferred upon him “as befitting a ruler, in a revealed manner.” He does not have to conceal the G-dly goal of his material involvement. For material concerns do not create a conflict for him; for him, there is no concealment of their G-dly source. 

9. an example, by simply eating a Shabbos meal, a Jew is performing a mitzvah. This is different from the task of refinement which he performs during the week. During the week, he eats for the sake of heaven, i.e., with “deception.” For a Jew is practicing “deception” every time he performs a physical activity for a spiritual purpose. On Shabbos, the physical activity of eating itself reflects holiness.

10. This concept is alluded to by the name Yisrael, which was granted to Yaakov because: “You strove with angels and men and prevailed.”
כִּי שָׂרִיתָ עִם אֱלֹהִים וְעִם אֲנָשִׁים וַתּוּכָל 
The terms “angels” and “men” refer to the challenges we face in our Divine service, for both involve the concealment of G-dly influence. “Angels” refer to the 70 spiritual archangels who serve as channels through which the Divine influence that maintains material existence passes. This process veils G-dliness.

11. An even greater concealment is brought about by “men”: who ridicule Jews for seeking to observe the Torah and its mitzvos.  it is more difficult to overcome human obstacles than those which are brought about through spiritual beings, i.e., the inherent veiling of G-dliness involved in the creation of material existence. For this reason, the entire Shulchan Aruch begins by stating: “Do not be embarrassed by those who scoff.”

Yisrael is  the ability to “strive with angels and men and prevail” is that Yisrael is able to see through the concealment perpetrated by both angels and men. Not only do these forces not contend with him, they consent to the blessings he receives. Not only does Yisrael defeat the archangel of Esav, but that angel blesses him, in keeping with the dictum: “His enemies will establish peace with him.” This includes the YH,  the source of all sin and conflict. Not only will this force not present any opposition, it will “establish peace,” and offer assistance.

When Struggle is No Longer Necessary
The distinction between the levels of Yaakov and Yisrael can be clarified based on the maamar in Likkutei Torah,21 which interprets the verse:22 “[G-d] does not look at wrongdoing within Yaakov, nor does He see vice23 within Yisrael.” 
לֹא הִבִּיט אָוֶן בְּיַעֲקֹב וְלֹא רָאָה עָמָל בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהָיו עִמּוֹ וּתְרוּעַת מֶלֶךְ בּוֹ

12. On the level of Yaakov, there is no “wrongdoing;” there is , however, “vice.” a struggle is necessary so that no wrongdoing ensues, for on Yaakov’s level, the veiling and concealment of G-dliness is a challenge. Therefore Yaakov is given the title “My servant,”
תִּירָא עַבְדִּי יַעֲקֹב
for his Divine service of refining the animal soul involves labor and toil. 

13. With regard to Yisrael, by contrast, there is no “vice.” There is no need to contend with the yetzer hora. Yisrael has already “strive[n] with angels and men and prevailed.”  He has already nullified all the veils concealing G-dliness. Therefore, the Divine service of Yisrael does not involve a struggle with forces opposed to holiness. Instead, his efforts are dedicated solely to reaching higher and higher within the domain of holiness, “go[ing] from strength to strength.”25

14. Two Maxims

The Previous Rebbe related26 that the Tzemach Tzedek was once sitting with chassidim at a farbrengen. Suddenly he jumped onto the table and exclaimed: “[Our Sages’ statement:] ‘What difference does it make if you kill it entirely or kill it partially?’ can be applied to the yetzer hora…. It is, however, necessary to kill it partially.”
As the farbrengen unfolded and led to dancing, the Tzemach Tzedek continued: “When one kills the yetzer hora as it is written,27 ‘My heart is slain within me” one’s life takes on a new cast.”
The two maxims of the Tzemach Tzedek reflect the different levels of Yaakov and Yisrael. On the level of Yaakov, it is necessary to wage war against the yetzer hora, “killing it, [at least] partially”; 

On the level of Yisrael, the yetzer hora has already been slain, and existence takes on a new visage; it becomes a life of satisfaction and pleasure.

Two Levels of Spiritual Light

The two levels of Yaakov and Yisrael point to two rungs within the G-dly soul. The letters of the name Yaakov, יעקב , can be divided as י' עקב , i.e., only the eikev, the heel, the lowest level of the yud, the soul, shines within the person. As such, it is possible for the body and the animal soul to conceal the light of the Divine soul, and thus conflict ensues.

The name Yisrael, ישראל , can be divided into the words לי ראש , “the head for Me.” 
The “head” of the soul shines within him. there is no need for war; “You [have] strive[n] with angels and men and prevailed.”

the name Yisrael describes the righteous, while Yaakov relates to beinonim “intermediate men,” which is “the attribute of all men.”29 More particularly, within the Divine service of the ordinary man, the name Yaakov refers to our efforts during the week, while the name Yisrael refers to our devotion on Shabbos.

Moreover, within the Divine service of the tzaddikim, there is a rung of observance associated with Yisrael and a rung in proportion to their level of righteousness associated with Yaakov. this is obvious from the Talmudic passage which states that even after Yaakov our Patriarch was given the name Yisrael, he was still sometimes called Yaakov.

Since every Jew, both beinonim and righteous men, relate to the level of Yaakov, the Torah still refers to him by that name even after he has been renamed Yisrael. The name Yaakov remains, because even afterwards, his Divine service must bear a relationship to that level.

An Assurance of Victory

 “[G-d] does not look at wrongdoing within Yaakov.” The verse does not exclude “vice,” however, YH  exists at Yaakov’s level. The level of Yaakov involves a struggle with the yetzer hora that requires strenuous effort, and involves danger. Nevertheless, Yaakov has the inner strength to succeed in this struggle and remain free of “wrongdoing.” For every Jew is  “an actual part of G-d.”31 As such, just as it is impossible for anyone to overcome G-d, it is impossible for anyone to exert any authority over a Jew’s soul, if he resists. 

For a Jew always has the inner strength to be victorious. Indeed, he has been assured that he will ultimately prevail, as it is stated:32 “No one will remain estranged from You.” 
לְבִלְתִּי יִדַּח מִמֶּנּוּ נִדָּח

“All of Israel has a portion in the World to Come.”

This promise affects our Divine service at present. The assurance that we will be victorious in the struggle should infuse us with strength and happiness which will, in turn, hasten the victory. As my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, said: “A soldier… proceeds with a happy melody, although he goes to a place of danger…. It is his approach in happiness which enables him to be victorious.”

Happiness, Instead of Fear

Some at the Melaveh Malkah  say: “Do not fear, Yaakov My servant.” Likkutei Torah says that  on Shabbos the Jews  are on the level of Yisrael. There is no need for strenuous efforts to refine the world’s material substance.

When Shabbos departs, Jews make the transition to the level of “Yaakov My servant,” and prepare to resume their mission of refining material entities in the weekdays which follow. Therefore they are assured: “Do not fear, Yaakov My servant.”

A Jew is promised that there is no need to fear this transition. Adaraba, he is empowered to proceed in his Divine service with happiness and satisfaction. This in turn will hasten the completion of the task, and the coming of the era in which we will receive “generous recompense for our efforts”
שׁ לָהֶם שָׂכָר טוֹב בַּעֲמָלָם: in
“the era which is all Shabbos and rest for life everlasting.”


A close encounter of the third kind



Let my master go on and I’ll move at my own pace until I reach Seir.
יַֽעֲבָר־נָ֥א אֲדֹנִ֖י לִפְנֵ֣י עַבְדּ֑וֹ וַֽאֲנִ֞י אֶתְנַֽהֲלָ֣ה לְאִטִּ֗י לְרֶ֨גֶל
 הַמְּלָאכָ֤ה אֲשֶׁר־לְפָנַי֙ וּלְרֶ֣גֶל הַיְלָדִ֔ים עַ֛ד אֲשֶׁר־אָבֹ֥א אֶל־אֲדֹנִ֖י שֵׂעִֽירָה

Yaakov's intent was a reference to Moshiach  who in future will meet Esau's  descendants and judge them.
Moshiach can come  in one of two ways: at it's appointed time (be Ito)  or Achisheina (I will hasten it).  Achisheina is better since it's faster but be'Ito also has an  advantage too: if Moshiach comes before his time,  those aspects of existence that are not rectified won't be able to accept revelation and will be overwhelmed by Elokus and break down from it. Yakov himself was on level of Moshiach but felt that the world was not and “yelodim rakm” refers to those not ready. That’s why he said “if  the flocks are rushed, they’ll die” and advised Esau: "I will reach you in Seir" a reference to long the golus to rectify the lowest parts of creation. This is analogous to the local and the express trains: the local takes longer but  picks up passengers from many stations and peole can proceed at their pace.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yaakov  bowed down 7 times to Esav. Esav is Tohu (chaos), bowing down elevated good in each
The name Yitzchok is  8 x 26 and  Yaakov is 7 x 26, 26  is the gematria of Shem Havaye.
Yaakov go the 7 from Yitzchok and Esau got 1 part. The gematria of Esau is 376, or 26 + 350.
350 is  טמא)50 ) times 7 which the 7 pure parts of Yaakov and Esau's 1 "26" part was the common denominator with Yakov. Thus the 7 bowings neutralized Esau leavingt him with Shem Hav.
the uncovered positive in Esau who then ran towards Yaakov.
——————
The temporary reconciliation between Yaakov and Esau is the base for how Yidden refine Esau (nefesh bahamis and goyim)
Stage 1: Esau is low but  is forced to behave : kissing Yaakov by way of  iskafya (subjugation).
Stage 2: Esau is transformed and refined, kisses Yaakov sincerely: isapcha (transformation)
The Haftora: they will judge mountain of Seir and Esau becomes  a force for goodness.
On the personal level: Esau is external manifestation of goals, we feel subservient to Esau and need to neutralize Esau, we must see past Esau to the inner purpose and when Moshiach arrives, Esau will be subdued.
By viewing Golus as a long trip towards Seir and by focusing on the end game when Esau is harmless, Esau becomes harmless andtamed even now!

E: yesh li rov, klipa, dispersed : nefashos
Y yeshi kol (iskalelus) nefesh