Lazer Brody's Blog, page 355

Influential speech

Speech without thought is like a body without a soul. A person who speaks without thinking utters empty words, and empty words don't have the power to cast a lasting impression on the listener's heart and brain. Therefore, if you want to influence others, it's a good idea to think before you speak.

The holy Rebbe Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, of blessed and saintly memory said (Kedushat Levi, parshat Vayigash), "Words spoken from the heart penetrate another heart." In other words, when a person fervently believes and acts according to what he says, his words will have the power to influence others. Simply stated, we must practice what we preach for our words to be cogent.

The Yetzer Hara (Evil Inclination) tries to make us speak impulsively. Usually, the result of impulsiveness is remorse. When we allow our brains to filter the words that reach our lips, we don't make mistakes.

When someone asks you a question, you certainly have the right to pause for a moment, take a deep breath, contemplate your answer, and then say it. "I have to think about your question for a while," is always a legitimate answer. Any marksman knows that shooting from the hip is much less accurate than taking careful aim.

Shooting from the lip is even worse than shooting from the hip.

The Sword of Moshiach

This is the generation of Moshiach. Rebbe Nachman of Breslev says that the sword of Moshiach is prayer. That means that Moshiach will fight all of his battles against Hashem's enemies solely by spiritual means. That's exactly why I believe with all my heart that a page of Gemara, an hour of personal prayer, and a recitation of Perek Shira will work miracles, whereas politics and conventional activism will not. Why? Prayer is above the stars and therefore above the restrictions of nature. Above the stars, miracles are normal.

Let us all search deep down within our hearts: If we really believed in the power of prayer, would we resort to lobbying? Would we spend time writing to Congressmen and Knesset members when we could be writing Torah nuances?  

The personal prayers ascending to the heavens from Kansas, Oregon, Alabama, Florida, Texas, Kentucky, Hawaii, the Phillipines, Germany, Alaska and all the other faraway places are making a major impression in the Heavens. Emuna pins are quickly filling the world map.

"Some with chariots, and some with horses, but we, in the name of Hashem, our G-d, will call out (Psalms 20:8)". Hashem wants us all to learn how to skillfully use the Sword of Moshiach..

Fortitude is...

We learn fortitude from our forefather Abraham, who lived his life like a fish swimming against the strongest of currents. He's called Ivri, or Hebrew, which means literally "from the other side," for he stood on the side of justice and monotheism and the whole rest of the world stood against him. So there's nothing new under the sun...

We need a double dose of fortitude now, both on personal and national levels.

Fortitude means...

...saying no to the crowd even when they ridicule you;

...maintaining your personal holiness even when they call you a prude;

...swimming against the current of conformity to do what's right;

...standing firm on your principles.

Here's a Prayer for Fortitude. I wrote it to strengthen myself when things get tough. I'm happy to share it with you, beloved brothers and sisters. Have a great Shabbat!

Erev Shel Shoshanim: Evening of Roses

Fourty years ago, when I made Aliya to Israel, one of my favorite ballads was an Israeli love song called, "Erev Shel Shoshanim", which means "Evening of Roses." Any Israeli singer that was anybody sang it - here is the rendition by the "Parvarim". Below the video clip, I've posted the words in English. Now, 40 years later, the lyrics have taken on a completely different dimension; yes, it's a love song. The love affair is between the Neshama (the holy soul) and Hashem. This love is aroused during personal prayer out in a rose-scented field. Try humming this tune during personal prayer - it's a soul correction for the melody (which was originally sung with different intentions) and it will open up your heart with a flow of words to Hashem.

 

Evening of Roses

Evening of Roses
Let's go out to the grove
Myrrh and aromatic spices and frankincense
Are a threshold at your feet.

Evening of Roses
Let's go out to the grove.
Myrrh and aromatic spices and frankincense
Are a threshold at your feet.

Night is descending slowly
And a breeze of roses is blowing.
Come, I'll whisper you a song in secret,
A melody of love.

Night is descending slowly
And a breeze of roses is blowing.
Come, I'll whisper you a song in secret,
A melody of love.

At dawn, a dove is cooing.
Your head is full of dew.
Your mouth is a rose to the morning
That I'll pluck for myself.

At dawn, a dove is cooing.
Your head is full of dew.
Your mouth is a rose to the morning
That I'll pluck for myself.

I love You, Hashem!

Attaining a Real Peace Agreement

Don't be angry at foreign politicians seem to be against us. Don't be upset either when our enemies threaten us. Both be frustrated with the so-called peace talks never get off the ground. Remember that no one can touch a hair on our heads if Hashem wills otherwise.

Rebbe Nachman teaches that Moshiach will fight all his battles through prayer. The tyrants won't conquer the world, but emuna will.

We, the Jewish people, must be deserving of Hashem's Holy Land and particularly of His Holy City Jerusalem. Once we so deserve, the nations of the world will run to build homes for us in Jerusalem and will fight each other for the right of contributing to the rebuilding of our Holy Temple. Yet, if our priorities in life are brass door handles, a country club membership, or a season ticket to the Lakers, then we certainly won't merit the Holy Land, the Holy City, or the Holy Temple.

King Solomon teaches that when Hashem is pleased with a person's ways, even that person's enemies reconcile with him. That's the real peace agreement.

Baby Learns Torah

Breslever babies start learning Torah at a young age. Eleven week-old Nachman decided to shed his bodily lusts (his pacifier) for the sake of learning Torah. See for yourself:

Chanukah Chance of a Lifetime

 
How would you like to spend Shabbat Chanuka (Dec. 3-4, 2010) with us in Uman? Tal Rotem tells all about the Chanuka Chance of a Lifetime in these week's Breslev Israel web magazine.

Also this week, Rebbe Nachman tells about Eternal Life. Rav Shalom Arush teaches The Right Way to Ask for what we want.

Our sages knew that the world was round when Columbus and his cronies were Like Monkies in the Trees. Rabbi Erez Moshe Doron gives us the gripping Encounter with the Master, part 36 of Warriors of Transcendence.

Natalie Kovan recalls some poignant Baal Teshuva Moments.  Chaya Ovadia is Tuning Out her TV. Rivka Levy writes about a former Supermodel that became a Baal Teshuva, and Monica Fuchs tells the Rosh Hashanah lesson she learned from a courageous 11 year-old who refused to let an obstacle ruin his participation in the holy kibbutz in Uman.

Yaakov Bar Nahman writes about The Rising Dragon.

This week's Torah portion is Lech Lecha. Have a wonderful week!

 

Tiny Tribulations

This 50-minute emuna lesson could save your life:

"Shabbat Sholom"

Emuna Outreach and the Beams are dedicating this Shabbat to Sholom Rubashkin, Jonathan Pollard, and all our other incarcerated brothers that have been victims of an ugly double standard, the worst type of injustice that has put them behind bars for life for offenses that others get a rap on the knuckles for. We therefore say, "Shabbat Sholom", hoping and praying that Hashem in His infinite mercy will bring Jonathan home to Israel and have Sholom released as soon as possible. Don't lose hope - emuna is above the stars.

Pray for: Sholom Mordechai ben Rivka (Rubashkin), Yonatan ben Malka (Pollard), and of course Gilead ben Aviva (Shalit) who is still in the hands of indescribably ruthless and cruel captors.

Sholom, Jonathan, and Gilead are in jail for our sins, not for theirs. Both devoted their lives to other people; their are many of walking around that owe these two our lives. Let's at least work together for some Jewish unity in their behalf; that's what the following important and beautiful clip is all about. "Shabbat Sholom!"

A Song for Sholom

This one's also special. By praying for Sholom Rubashkin, you get a double mitzva - ahavat Yisrael and pidion shvuyim, for your prayers can move mountains to mitigate harsh judgments, both in Heaven and on earth.