modern chassidsh

Ellul

2011-09-12T20:59:00.001-07:00

This month is a serious time in the Jewish Calendar. It is a time when we are close to Hashem. But why this month? Why not every month? What is the nature of this month's element of "Ani Ledodi"? To find the answer we can learn Chassidus.

In Lekuti Torah the Baal Hatanya provides a useful analogy of Melech Basadeh

A king of flesh and blood prior to assuming his dominion will go into the fields and will meet and greet everyone from the commoner (hedyot or idiot) to the upper class of society everyone has his or her chance to make requests and to connect with the king. For when the King goes to his palace, all bets are off. Only those with special status can enter the king's palace to make requests.

Now the king, Hashem is in the field and he is close to us all Kivayochal. Even commoners can make requests but as time goes on Hashem becomes king on Rosh Hashana and as a king there is distance. We experience distance or fear of Hashem irah during Rosh Hashana when he is Melech in the castle, ki vayochel.

Now we have a window of opportunity and we must not squander it. Because now we have access that we won't have in the days approaching where we will experience an awe of the Holy one, or fear. When in awe or in fear there is a distance albeit a constructive and purposeful one.

Ahava and Yirah, Elul and Rosh Hashana are two concepts to be explored and experienced. Both are needed in our spiritual practice. But now the dominant part of our practice is with Ahava which connotes closeness. To be continued.

Rosh Hashana

2005-09-19T09:27:00.000-07:00

For all of you out there its time for a post on Rosh Hashana.
Rosh means head.
Shana means year or time.
Notice that it doesn't say hischalas hashna. That would mean the start of the year.
It doesn't say hischadshos hashana that would mean new year.
So it is not a new year or a start of a year. What is it?
The gemara in eruvin says hakol holech basor reisha gufa azlrnun.
The head controls the body.
Rosh Hashana is a controler of this time cycle.
If we are blessed with a good head (good emotional and intelectual balance) then we can have a good life. If one's head is injured than one can not function.
The time of rosh hashana is critical for the rest of the time cycle for this time will regulate the fuctions of the rest of our year. We must not injure our spiritual head. We must take care of it in this sensitive time.
Then we can be at ease that the rest of the time cycle will have the momenteum to propell ourselves to further rectification of oursleves at all levels (emotional intellectual instinctual (habad, hagat, nahagi) nefesh reuach neshama chaya yichida and our friends at those levels as well.
Shana Tova.

sefiras haomer

2005-05-02T13:17:00.000-07:00

Counting is what we do and it is a mitzva. A simple act. What is the point?
We are told that we are becoming clean tahor from the tumah of mitrayim and like a nidah must count in order to undue the tumah so must we.

pesach and shavous

2005-04-29T06:29:00.000-07:00

In the Hagada we find four son's and the Rasha (wicked) son asks a question "What is this avodah (divine service) for you?" The hagada is troubled by this question.
In the hagada Kol Aryeh he explains that the holy zohar and holy ari' talk at great lenth about the spiritual redemtion. Klal yisroel descending to 49th level of tumah (impurity) and so they escaped and in 49 days to shavous they were metaken those levels. SO the Geula is on two levels. Geulas hakuf vhanefesh. The rasha does not deny the geulas haguf. He would a historical revisionist a denier. But he does not care for and accept the geulas hanefesh and because he does not care he would have not made it out of metzrayim. The ikkur geula is the geulas hanefesh. But why must we knock out his teeth what does his teeth have to do with it?
In the hagaada shel immrei emes from the spinka dynasty, it explains many peshatim. One is that the rasha does mitzvos, but when it comes to his teeth to eating and drinking he does not care to engage in a seudas mitzva. Perhaps he is a nice guy but he has not used his teeth for avodas hashem so we have issues with his teeth. Another pshat is that the teeth are sometimes revealed sometimes concealed. This hints that he is a rasha who is both revealed and concealed. We must bring the reshus out into the open in order to correct it.
May we be zoche to the geula shlema bmhara vyameinu.
Good yom tov.
Modern Chassidish.

Torah and blogs:

2005-04-12T07:26:00.000-07:00

Aside from websites there are torah oriented blogs like this one.
Hirhurim.blogspot.com offers litvish yeshiva learning at its best. I have learned a lot from the blog and I hope you will to.
Deralter.blogspot.com has a wide range of guest columnist. His site is dedicated to disseminating authentic mussar. As chassidus teachings, when mussar is done right it can help our avodah. Additionally, the site often discusses chassidus in its relation to mussar. I plan on writing about mussar in comparision to chassidus at a later date. For now let me share with you a posting by Rabbi Yakkov Feldman. For your conveince it is posted here with reshus from the blogmaster and Rabbi Feldman.

Sunday, April 10, 2005

Humility in the Midst of It All
We're told to da'aven with "eyes lowered" and "heart raised high" (Yevamos 105b), which I'd always taken as simply meaning, humbly and with the Ribbono Shel Olam in mind. But the Tzemach Tzeddek offers a splendid insight (in Derech Mitzvosecha, Mitzvos Chametz uMatzah, p. 24b) which also feeds into the Mussar idea of picturing things in order to be aroused to action.He takes "heart raised high" to mean that we're to reflect at length upon the Ribbono Shel Olam's Mahus and Atsmus then -- on how "transcendent of and above all worlds He is" etc. And he warns us to *likewise and at the same time* keep our "eyes lowered" by realizing just how "yeshi" and "davari" (i.e., tangible, carnal, temporal) the universe is, and how it comes into being out of nothingness each and every moment by dint of Hashem's will alone. We're to do both at the same time because if we only reflect upon the Ribbono Shel Olam's Mahus and Atsmus then we're likely to fall for the world and all of its trappings when we finish da'avening, lapse into ta'avos and all sorts of delusions, and accept the physical as of primary importance (as we all do). But we won't fall for that just as long as we keep our "eyes lowered" at the same time and see the world for what it is in relationship to the Ribbono Shel Olam and His presence all over.It occurs to me that the best way to do that would be to picture oneself somehow suspended aloft in the very highest of Heavens and staring both at earth below and at the Ribbono Shel Olam far, far above (kaveyochol) at the same time, and marking the difference. I tried it and found the experience to be very ... uplifting.-- Yaakov Feldman

I posted this because it illustartes the importance of medidative practices in one's quest for balance and spirituality. At inner.org there are some classic meditiations that I plan on discussing.
Your comments are always welcome.
Modern Chassidish

Purim with a bang!

2005-03-29T09:02:00.000-08:00

I was zoche to have purim seudah with my brother's mishpacha in Far Rockaway. I was mikayem the mitzva of Chayiv adom lbsumah bpurya ad dlo Yoda. At the seuda I said over some thoughts on purim. Here is a summary of what I said.

The Baal Shem Tov comments that the mishna says "Hakoreh es Hameglah limafraya Lo Yotzeh Yedai Chovso" (One who reads the migala out of order is not yotzei). One who reads the migaleh "backwards" Back in time as if it is a history book is not yotzeh his chiyuv. One must view the megila as a story to be lived in the present.

The megila says "Ish Yehudi Hayah Bshushan Ushemo Mordichai" Why is mordichai called a Yehudi when he is not descendant from shevet yehuda?

This answer is not as good as the question but we see that when one exibits the personality traits of a great tzadik it is as if he descends from him. Mordichai was called yehudi because he acted like one. He had the power of "HOD" admitance and regocnition of hashems control of the world. He would not bow to haman. He would only bow to hashem. We see elsewhere in the medrash shmuel on avot, that avraham was called a father to those who patterned their life after them. They were his children. Likewise, Mordichai can be called a yehudi because he followed in the path of yehuda. What was the path of yehuda?
To be countinued....

best of the web part 1

2005-03-18T09:14:00.000-08:00

Here is a partial list of websites that are torah related.

chabad.org has chassidus

inner.org is one of my favorites

torah.org has a wide range of subjects

kolbrisk.com is a great website that has torah from one of the greatest torah scholars of our generation harav yosef soloveichik shlita.

Next week I will highlight other not well known sites for your learning expereince.

Good Shabbos

Siyum Hashas: The good, the bad.....Artscroll

2005-03-01T08:05:00.000-08:00

Much controversy has been surronding the siyum Hashas in the blogsphere. Gil Student, A talmid Chacham of a high caliber, has annonced he is not attending. (hirhurim.blogspot.com).
In addition, Dovbear from dovbear.blogspot.com also will not attend. He linked an article from a rabbi who is boycotting the siyum. SO let's discuss the issues. What are the pros and cons of learning daf hayomi. Here at chassidish.blogspot.com we are commited to spreading out toras chassidus. How does daf hayomi fit in the picture?
It is known that rav nachman of bresslov mentiones that one should be able to even do a cursuryy learning of every portion of torah. Like a traveler who can claim I've been around the world, one can say I've been every place in torah. SO it seems that even daf yomi with its weakness of superficial understanding should be done as per rav nachman.
Let me mention that the lubavitcher rebbe's chitas cycle of can be done on chabad.org This would give a person the background to learn and strenghten the ten sferos along with the ten mivzaim. more details of this on inner.org.
Of course, ideally one should learn shas biyun. Remember that by learning rambam one is learning torah shbal peh.
Lastly, in derech chochma by the ramchal he cites a plan of ones learning. One should learn tanch, mishna, then gemara then nistar.
So, An option is to do rambam cycle first while having an iyun seder along with chitas. Afterwords one moves to daf yomi. The point is daf yomi should not replave iyun and lumdus. It should not replace limud halacha.
If daf yomi supplements other areas of learning its good. If it compromises it it is bad.

A side note: I was not able to post divrei torah in a while. I hope to get back to it shortly.

Isreali politics

2005-02-03T10:40:00.000-08:00

What is going on in Israel is disturbing. Why would anyone trust Abu Mazen to curb terror? A palestenian state would not bring freesom and democracy. Instead, it would empower the terrorist and legitimize and create more terror. Here at chassidish.blogspot.com we are asking for your help to our Israeli brothers who are threaten spiritually and pysically. Here is a list of people for you to contact and tell them how you feel.

Political LeadersUNITED STATESPresident George W. Bush: president@whitehouse.govPhone: 202-456-1414Comment line: 202-456-1111Fax: 202-456-2883
Vice President Richard Cheney: vice.president@whitehouse.govPhone: 202-456-2326Fax: 202-456-7044
Secretary of State Colin Powell: secretary@state.govPhone: 202-647-5291Fax: 202-736-4461
US Ambassador to the United Nations John D. Negroponte: usunpress@state.govPhone: 212-415-4050Fax: 212-415-4443
National Security Advisor Dr. Condoleeza RicePhone: 202-456-1414Fax: 202-456-2883
US CongressUS Capitol switchboard: 202 224-3121 (ask for your Senator or Congressman). Search for your US Senator or Congressional representative by state or by name.
US House of Representatives: www.house.gov
US Senate: www.senate.gov
ISRAELPrime Minister Ariel Sharon: webmaster@pmo.gov.il
Israeli members of Knesset (members of parliament): www.knesset.gov.il
UNITED NATIONSUN Secretary General Kofi Annan: inquiries@un.orgPhone: (212) 963-4475

Please write to these people.

In addition, please donate funds that help israeli terror victems.
Thank you,
Modern Chassidish

Meshane Makom

2005-01-27T08:39:00.000-08:00

I am currently go through a transition period because my older brother is moving away to another city. This has me asking the question what does chassidus say? The Gemarah in Rosh Hashana tells us that there are four things we can do to rip a negative divine decree. And there are those that say there is a fifth. The fifth one is changing places. But not everyone agrees that this changes the decree. In my brother's case I wish him Bracha and Hatzlacha and may he only know from good decrees.
The good news is that the city his moving to has lots of yidden. Our beloved litvish brothers and sisters and of course our CHASSIDIM.

The famous letter

2005-01-12T10:53:00.000-08:00

The baal Shem Tov wrote a letter to his brother in law Rav Gershon from Ketov. An english translation is available here at http://www.inner.org/chassidut/bstleter.htm. This letter contains some of the foundations of chassidus. The importance of attaching oneself to G-d at all times through fullfilling Torah and Mitzvos is central and mentioned in the letter. This letter informs chassidim of their mission to bring the geula through spreading the torah throughout the world. To be countinued....

What is Chassidus?

2004-12-10T09:58:00.000-08:00

This is a fundamental question. The answer is the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov and his followers. This includes a broad amount of works that are often unheard of and neglected outside of Chassidic circles.
The works attributed to the Baal Shem Tov: Kesser Shem Tov, Toldos, BASH on Torah and more.
The Works Of the Maggid of mezeritch.
The works of the lubavitch sect of chassidm. (spans seven generations of rebbuhas and the chassidim are still teaching).
The noam elimelch.
The kedushas levi.
The Ger Dynasty (including sefas emes).
And many many more.
Here at chassidish.blogspot.com we will scratch the surface to expose the light of the chassidc gems that have been covered only to long.

Myths and facts: Niglah

2004-12-08T08:54:00.000-08:00

There is a myth out there that Chassidus does not encourage the learning of the revealed portion of the Torah (EG. Talmud and Tnach). Nothing could be further from the truth. I think this myth has been fostered in an attempt to discredit the progress that Chassidim have contributed to society. Evidence to this fallacy is the sages within Chassidic ranks that have mastered the Talmud and shulchan aruch. In chabad circles, the baal hatanya and tzemach tzedek have stood as examples of luminaries in both the revealed and hidden dimensions of our Torah. In the writings of the Baal Hatanya he emphasizes the need and obligation to master the revealed torah potion (Igros Hakodesh chapter one). The curriculums in chassidic yeshivas of all streams have hours set aside for nigleh study. I hope this post sets the record straight. True torah study involves revealed portions of Torah.

Rosh Hashana Dchassidus

2004-12-02T09:45:00.000-08:00

Today, Yud tes Kislev marks a new year of chassidus. This is the aniversary of the publishing of the sefer Hatanya. It is also a day where thousands of chassidim make a siyum on the sefer hatanya and begin a new chitas cycle. Last night, there were many people fabrehgining. This year bezratrat hashem I plan bli neder to publish on this blog insights into chassidus. I am asking you for your participation so that we can all learn from one another. Have a good Yom TOv.
Modern Chassidish

Parshas Vayeshev

2004-11-30T07:18:00.000-08:00

Yosef Hatzadik in this week's parsha has dreams or perhaps visions. (It is interesting that the most popular word in bussiness is vision. One would think that this was reserved for prophets or religious people...). He revealed two dreams to his brothers and the second dream he revealed in the presence of his father. His father denounces the dream and the torah tells us His father was shomer the davar. Why would yaakov be shomer on a dream that he has denounced. what does this imply? (ayin Rashi and kesser Shem Tov Introduction). To be continued.

Spinka Rov

2004-11-23T07:38:00.000-08:00

I was zoche to spend some time this weekend with the Spinka Rov. He is the Rebbuha's son from Yerushalayim. It was quite an experience. I will be sharing dvrai Torah soon. But first, he related to us that Hashem does kindness to us always. If we are good or bad, thankful or unthankful we get plenty from him. I said "Der abeshter feert da velt" (Hashem runs the world). He told me if you believe this, then you will see it.

why chassidus

2004-11-08T07:58:00.000-08:00

here is a question for all of you. Why study chassidus? I am interested in hearing what you think.