Lazer Brody's Blog, page 331

Bibi cites Rebbe Nachman

All the Israeli media is citing polls that Prime Minister Bibi Natanyahu's popularity has taken a turn from a nosedive 31% approval with full throttle up to a 53% approval after his speech in Congress. Many people are shrugging their shoulders and asking, "What's the big deal? The PM said nothing new!"

I'll tell you what the big deal is - the Prime Minister mentioned Rebbe Nachman of Breslev - quoting the Tzaddik and mentioning his name is enough to turn the scales.

In the clip you're about to see - courtesy of dear friend Yossi Sasson from Ephrat, may Hashem bless him - Bibi is talking his exercise walk with his wife Sara and the bodyguards on the morning before his speech in DC. A few Israeli journalists get to tag along; one asks Bibi how will he possibly pull Israel out of the diplomatic frying pan when the whole world is on our cage. Bibi answers, "Haven't you ever heard of Rebbe Nachman of Breslev? He said that the whole world is a very narrow bridge, and the main thing is not to be afraid at all..."

See for yourself:

I pray that the Prime Minister's coming successes will be the result of an hour of personal prayer a day, Shabbat and tefillin. Bibi comes from good stock; his paternal grandfather was a well-known orthodox rabbi.

Big Beams blessings for a wonderful Shabbat!

Introducing "The Garden of Gratitude"

With Hashems's loving grace, this book is the most significant life-changer since The Garden of Emuna. And congratulations everyone - you can now attain your brand new copy of The Garden of Gratitude here.

 
The Garden of Gratitude by Rabbi Shalom Arush and translated by Rabbi Lazer Brody is an ever-so-bright spiritual light that is guaranteed to illuminate your life in a way you can't begin to imagine. This book is the next step up the ladder of inner peace and self-realization from Rabbi Shalom Arush's multi-million copy international best-seller, The Garden of Emuna.

Written in a reader-friendly and readily comprehensible style, The Garden of Gratitude explains how to make a quantum leap in your personal and spiritual growth – through gratefulness! The attribute of gratitude is a prerequisite to true happiness and success in all of our interpersonal relations, especially marriage.

If life seems to be like a brick wall or a dead end, then learning to give thanks is the key to a new tomorrow. As you'll see in this amazing book, gratitude defies nature and invokes miracles of every type. People surrounded by the darkness of supposedly-terminal diseases or apparently insurmountable debts saw the light of day after taking the advice of this book.

Imagine that your life is digital washing machine with 26 cycles, but you only know how to use 3 of them. The Garden of Gratitude will teach you how to learn the other 23 and get the most out of your life. Reading this unforgettable book will make a dramatic change in your life for the better and will do wonders for your interpersonal relationships. This book is something you owe yourself.

Deluxe softcover, 384 pages.

Beams Bulletin: It's Here!

If Hashem sent Rav Shalom Arush 200 Watts of Moshiach's light with the multi-million copy best-selling Garden of Emuna, then there's 400 Watts of Moshiach's light in The Garden of Gratitude, which we had the privilege of translating and adapting for the English speaking public. The book just arrived in Jerusalem from the printing presses, and will go on sale in the Breslev Israel online store later today. You have no idea what this book will do for you... More details forthcoming soon, G-d willing.

Miron Moments: First Haircut

By tradition, we give our little boys there very first haircut at age 3 - they get there new sidecurls, tzitzit, and begin learning how to read. A beautiful custom is to do the first haircut in Miron on Lag B'Omer; below, are two angelic images my camera brought home from Miron:

1. Little lad moments before his first haircut - 

2. "The Lone Tear" - a little cutie moments after his first haircut - 

Healthy little lambs grow up to be big strong rams...

Emuna Reaches Out to the Sick

Rabbi Brody,

Thanks to you and your helpers, sick people in the hospital are being encouraged by your videos!

I am a nurse in Kansas City and through God's grace and your videos I was able to help some very sick people relax. The "Prayer for fortitude" video lifted the spirits of 3 of my patients.

One of my patient's was a young girl who ingested a large amount of an over the counter pain medicine, she nearly died.  She did not know how to cope well with the stresses of her life.  I noticed several Christian religious books in her room so I encouraged her to watch the 3 minute meditative cure video on her IPAD to help her relax. She watched it 3 times in a row. I  showed her 2 other videos and then told her she was on her own because she could find your videos herself. I pray that she learns to take her worries to God.

Praise God! Videos made in Israel that encourage people to turn to Him and live by emuna are helping the sick in Kansas. Ki mtzion tetze torah!

I hope this encourages you and your team.

Sincerely, Eric Conyers

It certainly does, Eric - thanks so very much! Blessings always, LB

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):

The Wine - Vinegar Option

During one of my trips abroad, I had the privilege of meeting an amazingly interesting military analyst who specializes in strategic studies for a para-governmental organization. He told me that he has a superb track record in second-guessing global conflicts and their outcomes. But as far as Israel goes, he sighs in frustration. "You gentlemen ruin my track record. Everything that happens over there defies all logic. It's not the natural course of events…"

So true. The Jewish People defy both nature and logic. The Gemara, Zohar, and our sages all confirm the fact that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and their offspring are above the stars. 

Our beloved Rebbe Nachman of Breslev emphasized the importance of simple faith over intellect. In the words of our contemporary teacher Rav Shalom Arush, "If you believe in Hashem, you'll do His will – it's that simple." Continuing this line of thought, the Gemara illustrates that if we do Hashem's will, it doesn't matter what we do – we'll succeed! Unfortunately, the opposite is also painfully true.

The Gemara (tractate Berachot 5b) relates an account of Rav Huna's four hundred casks of wine which had turned into vinegar. On hearing of his misfortune, Rav Yehudah, the brother of the Holy Rav Salla, or, as some say, Rav Adda bar Ahavah, came and visited him, accompanied by the Rabbis. They said, "Let the master examine himself carefully."

"What!" said Rav Huna, "do you assume that I have been guilty of wrong-doing?"

"Shall we then," said the sages, "suspect the Holy One, blessed be He, of executing judgment without justice?"

Continue reading The Wine - Vinegar Option on this week's stimulating issue of Breslev Israel web magazine. 

In your time zone, it might still be Lag B'Omer. You can see how meaningful this day is, especially in regard to what's happening to us right now, in Soothing The National Pain.

Alsp this week:

Rabbi Shalom Arush: Hezekiah and Moshiach

Rabbi Avraham Greenbaum: The Empty Void, on Likutei Moharan I:64

Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach: Our Covenant from Sinai

Rivka Levy: Fakebook

Zev Ballen: Swerving Home

Racheli Reckles: Layers

Dovber HaLevi: Always in Season

Chaya Ovadia: The Teeter Totter

This week's Torah portion is Bamidbar.

We look forward to seeing all our friends across the USA during our 3-week speaking tour (4th week in the Ukraine), beginning June 12, 2011. We'll be all across the USA, from NYC to Chicago, Denver, Seattle, and LA. We'll also be hitting points from North to South, from Minneapolis, to Memphis, Oklahoma City, Miami, and Dallas. A big surprise awaits Monsey too. Details forthcoming soon, G-d willing.

Have a wonderful week!

Lag B'Omer Message: Jewish Unity

Lag B'Omer in Meron

Thawing the Freeze