CHASIDUS is not interested in philosophy per se, rather it explains philosophical ideas that help bring out a point that is of interest.
The primary objective in SHAR HAYICHUD is to explain the unity of HASHEM, meaning that HASHEM is everywhere and there is nothing that is outside him or independent of him.
To explain, the ALTER REBBE quotes the BAL SHEM TOV who teaches that the creation is continues and every created being has a life force from HASHEM that brings it into existence continuously. Now, the reason that we can’t see the “light” of HASHEM that creates is because of the COACH HAGEVURA – the power of HASHEM’s might which conceals his creating power. So truthfully every creation is just an expression of HASHEM’s creating power and is not independent.
This KOACH HAGEVURA the attribute of might is just as amazing as the power to create. For just like we can’t create or understand the process of creation, so can’t we understand how the true existence of the creation - the creating power - can be concealed. [Look at the CHACH HAGEVURA and you are looking at a revelation of HASHEM just as great as the splitting of the red sea.]
From here the ALTER REBBE goes on to explain that HASHEM ECHAD – HASHEM is one. All of HASHEM’s attributes are one. The attribute of kindness – expression – the power to create and the power of GEVURA – might – the power to conceal are all one and the same truly united with the essence of HASHEM.
The ALTER REBBE quotes the RAMBAM who explains that HASHEM and his wisdom are one, for “he is the knower, he is the knowledge, and he is the known.”
Now, the objective is not necessarily to have a philosophical explanation of the nature of HASHEM’s attributes, after all the RAMBAM himself says that we can’t even picture it. Rather the purpose of quoting the Rambam’s idea is to teach us that CHESED and GEVURA and the essence of HASHEM are all one, that the power to conceal is an expression of HASHEM just as the power to create is. That supports the main point of SHAR HAYICHUD – the unity of HASHEM, how there is nothing outside of him.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
ANGELS
Angeles. They have a lot to teach us. Perhaps that is why we take the time every day to tell their story.
The first thing to think about is perception of reality. To us, reality is that which can be perceived and tested with the physical senses. To the angels spirituality is reality. The physical? They're skeptical, perhaps it exists but they prefer to remain doubtful. We must understand that our view is not exclusive at all.
Now let's get into the details. The angels have the incredible gift of being able to understand their source. Down here on earth thinking people struggle to try to understand the nature of life, without much success most give up. After all wouldn't you rather spend your time on something that you may be able to understand in your life time?
Perhaps that is why they are so focused, saying the same thing every day, I guess that is what happens when you discover and you can understand the most important secret of your existence.
Interestingly they still want to understand more, they aren’t satisfied. For they realize that their life is a limited expression, only a ray of the source of life.
There are the angels compared to a lion and those compared to an ox. The ox is satisfied with it’s lot, when it has it’s pile of grain the ox doesn't make any noise. The lion doesn't roar unless it has prey, the prey makes him want more. The more it has the more and the stronger it's desire is.
Are you complacent in your spiritual journey or are you never satisfied? Are you the ox or the lion?
The first thing to think about is perception of reality. To us, reality is that which can be perceived and tested with the physical senses. To the angels spirituality is reality. The physical? They're skeptical, perhaps it exists but they prefer to remain doubtful. We must understand that our view is not exclusive at all.
Now let's get into the details. The angels have the incredible gift of being able to understand their source. Down here on earth thinking people struggle to try to understand the nature of life, without much success most give up. After all wouldn't you rather spend your time on something that you may be able to understand in your life time?
Perhaps that is why they are so focused, saying the same thing every day, I guess that is what happens when you discover and you can understand the most important secret of your existence.
Interestingly they still want to understand more, they aren’t satisfied. For they realize that their life is a limited expression, only a ray of the source of life.
There are the angels compared to a lion and those compared to an ox. The ox is satisfied with it’s lot, when it has it’s pile of grain the ox doesn't make any noise. The lion doesn't roar unless it has prey, the prey makes him want more. The more it has the more and the stronger it's desire is.
Are you complacent in your spiritual journey or are you never satisfied? Are you the ox or the lion?
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
The Little Book That Takes Forever To Read
In the early 1970’s in Soviet Russia professor Bronover was beginning a journey to discover Judaism. His journey led him to the “Marina Rassia” synagogue in Moscow.
On his first visit he noticed a few people studying a small book. In response to his question they told him that title of the book was Tanya. He asked them how long will it take them to finish learning the book, they looked at him as if he asked a strange question, they told him that they spend their entire life studying the Tanya.
He was intrigued. He was accustomed to a very different type of study. At the university they would stay up all night drinking coffee and reading books for the exams, after which they would never look at the book again. What was in that book that would cause people to keep coming back to read it? Why can’t you just master the book and move on?
It fascinated him; he had to get a taste of it. He has been studying Tanya ever since.
I heard this story as a young boy and it made an impression on me. I shared it at a class today and it seems that this story has a universal appeal.
On his first visit he noticed a few people studying a small book. In response to his question they told him that title of the book was Tanya. He asked them how long will it take them to finish learning the book, they looked at him as if he asked a strange question, they told him that they spend their entire life studying the Tanya.
He was intrigued. He was accustomed to a very different type of study. At the university they would stay up all night drinking coffee and reading books for the exams, after which they would never look at the book again. What was in that book that would cause people to keep coming back to read it? Why can’t you just master the book and move on?
It fascinated him; he had to get a taste of it. He has been studying Tanya ever since.
I heard this story as a young boy and it made an impression on me. I shared it at a class today and it seems that this story has a universal appeal.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
The Point in the Palace.
Chasidus discusses the importance of keeping the “light” of CHOCHMAH within the “palace” of BINAH.
Ever since you were a young child you wanted to become a doctor. You were fascinated by the taught, you could not stop imagining how great it must feel to spend years of studying the science of medicine, to know that you are empowering yourself to help other people.
You finally make it into medical school. The first few days are great, as exciting as you expected if not more thrilling. But after a while the excitement wears off and you are struggling to assimilate all of the details. The thrill is gone you are left spending your time on details that fail to inspire you. You wonder "why did I ever get into this in the first palce? what was I thinking?"
What has happened is that you left the realm of CHOCMOH, the general idea with all the “light” and excitement that comes along with it, and you moved in to the realm of BINAH, where the focus is on breaking down the general idea and understanding the various details.
To live a meaningful life you must have both Chochmoh and Binah. Even more fulfilling is to have them both simultaneously, being able to maintain the “light” and power of the general idea while immersing and focusing on the details.
My biggest challenge is the following: after someone is finally excited about learning, after they are excepting to hear life changing words, I sit down with him and begin to tell him details. What to do if two people are fighting over a gourmet.
I must bring the “Light” to the details, if I can feel that every word is the word of Hashem, the way I speak will be different, the words will shine. It will be evident that these words are part of a whole. These words are a detailed expression of the true essence, the source of all happiness and the source of all of life.
If I can have experience the “point” of Chochmoh in my own life, in my own learning, then it will express itself in the Binah, in the details.
And let’s not forget, the “Light” is irresistible.
Ever since you were a young child you wanted to become a doctor. You were fascinated by the taught, you could not stop imagining how great it must feel to spend years of studying the science of medicine, to know that you are empowering yourself to help other people.
You finally make it into medical school. The first few days are great, as exciting as you expected if not more thrilling. But after a while the excitement wears off and you are struggling to assimilate all of the details. The thrill is gone you are left spending your time on details that fail to inspire you. You wonder "why did I ever get into this in the first palce? what was I thinking?"
What has happened is that you left the realm of CHOCMOH, the general idea with all the “light” and excitement that comes along with it, and you moved in to the realm of BINAH, where the focus is on breaking down the general idea and understanding the various details.
To live a meaningful life you must have both Chochmoh and Binah. Even more fulfilling is to have them both simultaneously, being able to maintain the “light” and power of the general idea while immersing and focusing on the details.
My biggest challenge is the following: after someone is finally excited about learning, after they are excepting to hear life changing words, I sit down with him and begin to tell him details. What to do if two people are fighting over a gourmet.
I must bring the “Light” to the details, if I can feel that every word is the word of Hashem, the way I speak will be different, the words will shine. It will be evident that these words are part of a whole. These words are a detailed expression of the true essence, the source of all happiness and the source of all of life.
If I can have experience the “point” of Chochmoh in my own life, in my own learning, then it will express itself in the Binah, in the details.
And let’s not forget, the “Light” is irresistible.
Friday, July 11, 2008
By the Rebbe
- In honor of the 3rd day of the Hebrew month of Tammuz, the 14th Yahrtzeit of the Rebbe's passing, I flew to New York to be by the Rebbe's grave site. I arrived Friday morning, July 4th, the Yahrtzeit was on Sunday July 6th and I flew back Tuesday morning.
It turns out I lost my voice on Friday. So there I was a whole Shabbat together with over 2000 people by the Rebbe and I couldn't talk. To tell you the truth it was the greatest gift. I was forced to listen. And I think that was a lesson Hashem was teaching me.
What I learned is there is 2 ways to listen. One way is to listen so I can get a word in edgewise. Then there is the real meaning of listening, to listen not just with my ears but with my heart.
By the Rebbe's grave site there is so much holiness and spirituality. To be able to sit and listen to others and to just take it all in was just amazing.
By the Rebbe's grave site there is so much holiness and spirituality. To be able to sit and listen to others and to just take it all in was just amazing.
Bilam and The Mountain peak.
"From the top of mountains I see him, and from the hills I gaze upon him".
These are the words of Bilam as he begins to bless the Jewish people at the plains of Moab, while standing of a mountain top gazing at the nation.
Surprisingly Rashi who usually interprets the verse in the most literal way translates this verse in the following way: I gaze at the strength - (“mountains” are rock solid, and strong) - of the people given to them by (their “peak”) the patriarchs and matriarchs.
Why?
Why does Rashi choose to say that Bilam was speaking allegorically?
The rebbe explains this by looking at the opening verse where the Torah says that Bilam “opened his parable”. Now, in the first series of blessings we do not find any parables. Bilam’s language is quite clear. Therefore Rashi must look for the parable, and Rashi finds it hiding on the mountain peaks.
Squeeze a little deeper and you discover the wine of the Torah, the delicious intoxicating secrets hidden within the Torah.
The conventional meaning of strength is the solidification of ones existence. The strength of the Jews by contrast is their ability to put themselves on the side, to dedicate and nullify themselves to Hashem. They have this unbelievable strength to connect to Hashem under all circumstances, to they want to loose their own existence and unite with Hashem as the flame yearning to escape the confines of the candle, disappear and connect to it’s source.
Think about a parable. When something is so revolutionary, so very different then what we are accustomed to, so foreign, then we need to use a parable to understand and explain it.
Bilam is trying to grasp the strength of the Jewish people. He recognizes that he can’t comprehend it, he is left with no choice but to use a parable, so he starts talking about the mountain peaks.
(Lekutei Sichos vol. 28)
These are the words of Bilam as he begins to bless the Jewish people at the plains of Moab, while standing of a mountain top gazing at the nation.
Surprisingly Rashi who usually interprets the verse in the most literal way translates this verse in the following way: I gaze at the strength - (“mountains” are rock solid, and strong) - of the people given to them by (their “peak”) the patriarchs and matriarchs.
Why?
Why does Rashi choose to say that Bilam was speaking allegorically?
The rebbe explains this by looking at the opening verse where the Torah says that Bilam “opened his parable”. Now, in the first series of blessings we do not find any parables. Bilam’s language is quite clear. Therefore Rashi must look for the parable, and Rashi finds it hiding on the mountain peaks.
Squeeze a little deeper and you discover the wine of the Torah, the delicious intoxicating secrets hidden within the Torah.
The conventional meaning of strength is the solidification of ones existence. The strength of the Jews by contrast is their ability to put themselves on the side, to dedicate and nullify themselves to Hashem. They have this unbelievable strength to connect to Hashem under all circumstances, to they want to loose their own existence and unite with Hashem as the flame yearning to escape the confines of the candle, disappear and connect to it’s source.
Think about a parable. When something is so revolutionary, so very different then what we are accustomed to, so foreign, then we need to use a parable to understand and explain it.
Bilam is trying to grasp the strength of the Jewish people. He recognizes that he can’t comprehend it, he is left with no choice but to use a parable, so he starts talking about the mountain peaks.
(Lekutei Sichos vol. 28)
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