There was a earlier Torah existing 2000 years before creation this was hidden with the original light of the first day. This is the Torah of “Y’H”, but our Torah is only the Torah of “V’H”.  Of the name YHV”H . The Torah starts from chesed (kindness) as from here the world was created. Originally the world was created in judgment, these were the worlds that were created and destroyed.

Yet this strict guiding power still interacts in this world with sadeekem (Holy people). With those who possess the soul level of “Chyah and yachidah” (creative intuition-will). These are people who have access to the ancient Torah, which is superior to the Torah that has been revealed. These people GOD had in mind before he created the World. ¹ Now Torah is from Z’a (the small face), but with complete self sacrifice one can taste the Torah of the future. This is the Torah of “atik” (The Anchient of Days) or “aor ganuz” (hidden light). This is aquired by one who never prays for his personal benefit, it is as if he is not part of this world.² So don’t do the Mitzvot (commandments) for your own personal benefit.³

Every sadeek (Holy person)needs to pray for healing of sick people, barren women and every man’s individual lack. At times because of the individuals sins the Holy person’s prayer can be God forbid be prevented from helping the person. Then he needs to pray with all his thought for only the Glory of GOD, raising and exulting GOD’s glory. Then the complaining mouth will be closed. Then there will be to you תענוג (delight) and flow, as the cow wants to give more then the calf wants to suck.⁴

The Ner Yisrael tells us the Torah contains 22,000 letters, if we spell out each letter we get 600,00 letters. These correspond to the 600,000 souls that received the Torah at Sinai, each letter raises the yolk of heaven. At the beginning of the Tikuney Zohar we learn that the notes of the song of the Torah are “Nashamot” (level of  soul of Divine intellect), they are the lights of the intellectual soul. Vowels are “Ruchot” lights of the emotional soul. Rabbi Nachman of Bresslov teaches that the vowels are Yearnings. They are drawn to the letters by desire. All forces within us that seem to be try to prevent us from spiritual accomplishments are actually potential forces to be expressed in the vowel points. There are 9 vowel points corresponding to 9 ”rekia” (firmament’s). These also correspond to the problems that hinder us.⁵ While the letters themselves are “nefashot” lights of the animal soul.⁶ The main “tikun” (fixing) of Atzilut (world of emanation) is through the notes-vowels-crowns-letters. These correspond to the  names ⁷

ב “ ן – מ “ ה – ס “ ג – ע “ ב .

The nature of the supernal light is to rise up to its source.⁸ The note Zirka kills “klipot”(forces of evil), it lengthens the pronunciation of a word⁹. It rises Malchut (the manifest Divine presence) to Bina (Divine understanding) making Keter (will-delight) to Z’a  (source of the emotional soul).

The body of Bina is Bina itself, NH’Y of bina is the flow of bina,Teferet is the essence of bina it makes ketter to z’a.¹⁰ By Teferet one merits to look at the upper Shechinah which is Bina.¹¹ This is the aspect called “Pelah” (wonder). All aspects of Z’a, which brings forth the emotional soul are united from teferet of Bina. As the unification that is drawing the aspect of ketter is through Teferet specifically.¹² Concerning the Teferet (balance) of invocation of Divine names the Ramcha’l teaches that in order to work a name a man must remember the name of the illuminary to arrouse its light, and its angel from it who goes over to do its work. The work is the ruling of GOD and the name causes its arrousel. The light of all your learning shines in your “tikunim” filling all the Divine names.¹³ Love of Yisrael is a segulah (miraculous power) itself to draw into the letters and permutations of Holy names to illuminate and flow by way of avoda (divine service). GOD created the world in His Name, and rules it in His Names.¹⁴ יהו”ה gives Nashamot (souls) to the letters. Forever the Nashama of the letters is the Name.

The name animates your prayer

The letters of יהו”ה are the Nashama of man.¹⁵ If we want to be successful in doing works with Holy names one must be careful with the physical Mitzvot as Teffilin, Sitzet, Succah and lulav.¹⁶ All Holiness of “Kadosh Kadoshim” (Holy of Holies) is from “mazel”. Everything derives from Mazel. The letters יהו”ה come out of Atik from the beard and connect to this Mazel. It supports other letters in Z’a.¹⁷ In Yesod sometimes י is exchanged with מ and called “mazel”. There GOD flows all kinds of good and “chasadim”.¹⁸ All levels of “mochin” (brain-conciousness) depend on the flow of “mazel” which is callled “kadosh Kadoshim”.¹⁹ You need to arrouse the world of thought that is זחרון מוח (brain of memory).²⁰

ON LOVING THE EVIL-DOER

R’ Pinchas said: “One must love even the sinful, but must hate their actions. Although it is forbidden to be close to the wicked, one must still love them, so that perhaps they will return to the path of the Torah. As our Rabbis teach us regarding Aharon, ‘He loved peace and actively pursued peace and brought people closer to Torah.’ (Pirkei Avot 1:12) By loving his fellow men, Aharon brought them close to Torah, bringing them back to the correct path. Although the Gemara (Pesachim 113) says that if one sees his friend sinning, it is a mitzvah to hate him, Sefer Hatanya (ch. 32) limits this to a friend who generally observes Torah and mitzvot, yet has spurned proper rebuke. However, regarding a person with whom one is not friendly in this manner, we find in Pirkei Avot, ‘Hillel was fond of saying, “Be a student of Aharon—love peace … love G-d’s creatures, and bring them closer to the Torah.”’ This refers even to those who are distant from Torah and the service of G-d, and for that reason are referred to merely as ‘creatures.’ They have to be drawn with bonds of love, hopefully bringing them back to serve G-d”.^*

Source: Two Tzaddiks

The Baal Shem Tov once said, “If the Jewish people would sanctify themselves with Torah and mitzvos, they would continually hear the voice of G-d speaking as from Mount Sinai.”
(Kesser Torah)

Join the Baal Shem Tov Mailing Lists

       Baal Shem Tov Story Of The Week List

Description: Enjoy reading the weekly Baal Shem Tov story of inspiration sent to your email address once a week.
How to Join:   Send an email to majordomo@baalshemtov.com with the words ‘subscribe baalshemtov-stories‘ in the body of the message. This email will automatically subscribe you to the list. If you choose to leave the list, you may do so at any time by sending an email to the address above with the words ‘unsubscribe baalshemtov-stories’ in the body of the message.

       Sefer Baal Shem Parsha Of The Week List

Description: Gain a deeper understanding of the weekly Torah portion sent to your email address once a week.
How to Join:   Send an email to majordomo@baalshemtov.com with the words ‘subscribe seferbaalshemtov‘ in the body of the message. This email will automatically subscribe you to the list. If you choose to leave the list, you may do so at any time by sending an email to the address above with the words ‘unsubscribe seferbaalshemtov‘ in the body of the message.

Source: The Baal Shem Tov Foundation

When a man details his claims and requests in speaking to G-d, and wants to win over G-d, as it were, the Creator of the Universe has a great pleasure. Therefore He sends to the man the words he needs to win over Him, as it were, in order to have this pleasure.
(Rebbe Nachman of Breslov)

From: Breslev.co.il

Subscribe to Breslev Israel’s Mailing Lists, please click here.

Praying and Working

We should think of ourselves as ultimately wealthy, possessing limitless funds, good health, strength, wisdom, etc. Why then do we lack so much? Why then do we suffer all that we so need? There are two reasons…

1) That we strive more to come closer to the Creator.

2) That we may sensitize ourselves to the suffering of others, and train ourselves to pray and work for them as well.

Combining these two ideas, we should be praying and working that our entire community should come closer to the Creator.

Have a growth-filled, uplifting day

By: Rabbi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz of “Self-Growth“

Subscribe to “Keep Smiling” and stay inspired.
Subscribe Free.

Blog – To view previous”Keep Smiling”s, click here, or copy this address to your browser: http://keep-smiling-self-wealth.blogspot.com/

“Heavenly Ways” gives us a Torah-based point of view 176 topics, affirmations to accelerate our journey along healthful, heavenly ways. To see excerpt, click here.

“Hearts on Fire“ expands on selected verses from Tehillim to motivate us to new growth. In hard-cover for sale, or otherwise as a free ebook. Click here for an excerpt.

FREE INSPIRATIONAL POSTER – To download high resolution version, click here.

Special: Download the “Keep Smiling” ebook, free. Click here.

“A Handful of Light” expands on the very short, powerful “Letter of the Ramban” with classic mussar and outlook ideas. (287 pages) To see an excerpt, click here.

PiCK-ME-UPs:
Empower yourself, enjoy life!
Not just another book, but a series of lessons to change our lives, turning darkness to light, misery to joy, shame into dignity; giving us a sense of direction, that we may move through our days with enthusiasm and passion, turning each moment into a jewel, a treasure, and a source of great pleasure and enjoyment. Click here for more.

“Wealth – A Torah Approach” contains over 700 teachings from the Torah, Prophets and our earliest sages on this continually perplexing subject. Click here for an excerpt.

Jacob threw another pair of socks into the satchel, latched it and grabbed it along with the bag of food his mother had packed.  He’d have to set out on foot before nightfall.  He walked down the hall and stepped out the front door, closing it quietly behind him.  Esau was nowhere in sight.  He’d left the house in a rage after speaking with their father.  Jacob was afraid he’d gone too far this time.  When their mother told him to pretend to be Esau just to gain his father’s favor, Jacob had hesitated.  Not because he thought it was wrong as much as he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to pull the deception off.  His mother convinced him that with her help he’d be successful.  And he was.  Now Esau was pissed.  He was threatening to kill Jacob.  And they both knew the story of their ancestors Cain and Abel.

Jacob crossed the front garden and walked through the gate.  His mother watched from behind the curtain.  He looked back nervously.  She knew he was worried about Esau.  But Jacob deserved his father’s favor.  Esau was her firstborn, but only by minutes.  And he’d always been her husband’s favorite.  She loved him, but he didn’t need her the way Jacob did.  Esau could take care of himself.  Jacob needed someone to look after him.  Jacob needed her.  Quiet tears wet her cheeks as she watched her baby walk away.  She hoped that her brother would take care of Jacob until it was safe to come home.

Jacob walked until the sun had fully set.  Until fatigue put the fear to rest.  He dropped his satchel and looked for a place to rest his head.  He found a soft patch of dirt and a flat rock to rest his head on and lay down in the warm night air.  He knew that the only path he could take was forward, away from everything he knew.  He’d never met his mother’s brother and hoped he’d be welcome.  Jacob’s father had told him to go to Laban to find a wife, and now that Jacob finally had his father’s favor he’d do as he was told.  He knew he’d screwed up his relationship with his brother, but at least he could try to please his father.  Maybe some good could still come from what he’d done, what his mother had persuaded him to do.  He fell asleep with all kinds of conflicting emotions swirling inside him.

Jacob slept restlessly, dreams tormented his unconscious. He tossed and turned all night, until he finally fell into a deep and peaceful slumber just before dawn.   He woke with the last dream still in front of his eyes.  There was a ladder with angels walking up to heaven and down to earth.  And God, the God of his father Isaac, the God that his father praised was in the dream.  God told Jacob that the place he’d slept would be his.  That Jacob would populate the land with his own children.  And God told Jacob that He’d protect him.  Jacob woke refreshed, sure that he could create good from the trouble he’d caused.  Hopeful that what lay before him would be better than what lay behind.  Jacob felt like a new man.  He looked forward to meeting his uncle.  He packed up his things and set out.  The sun was shining and it would be a good day.

I just found a cool website:  Torah Cafe.  Check it out and let me know what you think.  There are videos on all sorts of topics of Jewish interest.  Once I catch up I’ll watch a few.

The blessing of one who loves you is worth more in Heaven, is more acceptable and arouses more Divine mercy more than the recommendation of the Angel Michael.
(The Baal Shem Tov)

From: Breslev.co.il

Subscribe to Breslev Israel’s Mailing Lists, please click here.

Vamos refletir sobre o que Yeshua diz em Matitiyahu (Mateus) 10: 34-36:

“Não penseis que vim trazer shalom à terra; não vim trazer shalom, mas espada. Porque eu vim pôr em dissensão o homem contra seu pai, a filha contra sua mãe, e a nora contra sua sogra; e assim os inimigos do homem serão os da sua própria casa.”

Pode parecer estranho Yeshua, o Sar Shalom (Príncipe da Shalom), dizer que não veio trazer shalom, mas dissensão nas famílias. Mas o que será que ele realmente quer dizer? Ele diz que não veio trazer shalom, mas espada. Que espada? Se olharmos o que Rav Sha’ul diz em Efessayah (Efésios) 6: 17, podemos começar a entender isso:

“Tomai também o capacete da salvação, e a espada da Ruach, que é a palavra de Elohim”.

De acordo com o Rav Sha’ul, a espada é a palavra de Elohim, ou seja, a Torah. Sabemos que, de acordo com o próprio Yeshua em Matitiyahu (Mateus) 5:17, Ele  não veio destruir a Torah ou os profetas; mas cumprir. Os sábios concordavam que um dos papéis do Mashiach seria explicar a Torah. E Yeshua foi a plena revelação do propósito da Torah, nos mostrando na prática como aplicá-la corretamente.

Sabemos também que o mistério da ira contra a Torah tem operando fortemente nos dias de hoje, trazendo engano e afastando pessoas do Caminho do Eterno, conforme dito em Tessalonissayah Beit (II Tessalonicenses) 2:7-12:

“Pois o mistério da ira contra a Torah já opera; somente há um que agora o detém até que seja posto fora; e então será revelado o inimigo da Torah, a quem o Senhor Yeshua matará como o sopro de sua boca e destruirá com a manifestação da sua vinda; a esse inimigo da Torah cuja vinda é segundo a eficácia de HaSatan com todo o poder e sinais e prodígios de mentira, e com todo o engano da injustiça para os que perecem, porque não receberam o amor da verdade para serem salvos.  E por isso Elohim lhes envia a operação do erro, para que creiam na mentira; para que sejam julgados todos os que não creram na verdade, antes tiveram prazer na injustiça.”

Vemos pessoas seguindo um falso messias, que opera segundo a eficácia de HaSatan, com poder, sinais e prodígios, levando muitos a negarem a Torah do Eterno e suas mitzvot.  E em Yirmiyahu (Jeremias) 3:14, YHWH diz: “Convertei-vos, ó filhos rebeldes, diz YHWH; pois eu vos desposei; e vos tomarei, a um de uma cidade, e a dois de uma família; e vos levarei a Tsiyon”.

Quantos de nós não temos em nossas famílias pessoas que estão na operação do erro, sendo enganados por HaSatan, convencidos que a Torah não é mais válida, que foi abolida pelo seu falso messias. Estas palavras podem parecer duras, mas são verdadeiras, e confirmadas pelo próprio Yeshua, em Matitiyahu (Mateus) 7:22-23:

“Muitos me dirão naquele dia: Senhor, Senhor, não profetizamos nós em teu nome? e em teu nome não expulsamos demônios? E em teu nome não fizemos muitos milagres? Então lhes direi claramente: Nunca vos conheci; apartai−vos de mim, vós que praticais a transgressão da Torah”.

E é quando nós enveredamos pelo Caminho da Teshuvá, que estas pessoas que estão sendo enganadas se levantam contra nós.  Nossos pais, irmãos, amigos, pessoas próximas, que começam a nos olhar diferente, começam a dizer que ficamos loucos, que nós estamos no erro, por querer guardar os mandamentos de Elohim. Vemos então o que Yeshua quis dizer. Quando começamos a seguir o verdadeiro Mashiach, recebemos então a espada de Elohim, que é a Sua Torah Viva, e então filho se levanta contra pai, filha contra mãe, nora contra sogra, e assim, e os da nossa própria casa se tornam nossos inimigos.

Abraham serving the 3 strangers

Today I shall provide the summary of the Haftarah portions that linked to both Parashah Vayera and Chayei Sarah readings from the FFOZ Torah Club Volume 3 study material. The Haftarah’s connection to Parashah Vayera draws primarily upon the prophetic promise of a son made to a barren woman and its subsequent fulfillment. In the Torah portion, the Angel of the LORD promised that Sarah would bear a son, saying, “I will surely return to you at this time next year; and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son…. At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son” (Genesis 18:10, 14). In the Haftarah portion, Elisha virtually quotes this text when he tells the Shunammite woman, “At this season next year you will embrace a son” (2 Kings 4:16).

The Haftarah texts also listed many miraculous doings of Elisha, the beloved disciple of Elijah and one of them is being taught by our beloved Master to privately seek out our loving Father who is unseen. Yeshua sought out secluded places where He could spend time in prayer. He said, “When you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:6). In the Haftarah, we read this passage, “So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons; they were bringing the vessels to her and she poured” (2 Kings 4:5). The same is found in this passage, “Come, my people, enter into your rooms and close your doors behind you” (Isaiah 26:20). Hence, we can see that if we seek the Father in heaven secretly and closed the door behind us, our prayer is 100% answered.

Let us continue with the Prophet Elisha and the Shunammite woman events as stated in the Haftarah reading for this particular Parashah study and there are too many of them for me to share it here in my blog but one of them is truly applicable in our daily life that we need to practice it in the Name of Messiah Yeshua. Our Master teaches that one who provides for a prophet or a righteous man (tzaddik) without any ulterior motive in doing so will receive a reward. Conversely, one who offers provision to the servant of God for the sake of some reward will not receive a reward. Yeshua also says that when we provide for His disciples, it will be reckoned unto us as if we had provided hospitality for Him, and one who provides hospitality for Him is regarded as one who has provided hospitality for God. He says, “Whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward” (Matthew 10:42). So brothers and sisters in Messiah, provide hospitality to one another especially to your pastor or rabbi.

Alright, now lets move on to the next Parashah study – Chayei Sarah. Remember we are always doing the Haftarah portion of each week’s Parashah study. The Haftarah’s connection to Parashah Chayei Sarah study corresponds specifically to Genesis 24 as it begins with the words, “Now Abraham was old, advanced in age.” This passage is strongly related to the Haftarah text because it too begins with the same description of King David: “Now King David was old, advanced in age.” Genesis 24 ends with Abraham assuring that Isaac is his sole successor by bequeathing all of his possessions to him and sending his other sons away with gifts. A similar concern regarding succession rights provides the same story for the Haftarah portion as well. To be frank, I personally enjoy better in the Haftarah Vayera study than this one because this study is not so much on the Prophets but it deals more particularly on David’s offspring and his later life. Albeit it may not be an interesting study for most but it still have its learning point especially for those who are concerned over bringing up righteous children for God’s glorious hope. In 1 Kings 1:6 the verse said, “His father had never crossed him at any time by asking, ‘Why have you done so?”‘ And the verse means David had failed to discipline his sons. David’s lenience is evident in the Amnon story and in the Absalom story. David had spoiled Adonijah, and the man was used to getting what he wanted. When parents do not discipline their children, the children grow up disrespecting their parents. Adonijah disrespected David by declaring himself king against his father’s wishes and before his father’s death.

Again, the Haftarah Chayei Sarah study is filled with tons of prophetic implications that we can look forward to a Messianic Era (World-To-Come) through our Messianic King Saviour from our FFOZ Torah Club Volume 3 study material that I do not have the time to blog everything here. But what I have written here is certainly sufficient for a momentary pondering upon the Scripture to live a righteous life for HaShem/Elohim and for His glory.

Shalom for now and until the next Parashah study….

The Holy One, blessed be He,

said to Moses,

“I have a precious gift

in My treasure house,

called the Sabbath,

and desire to give it to Israel;

go and inform them.”

*(Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Shabbath, 10b)

Courtesy of The Jewish Gallery.

“Have a wonderful Shabbat!”

…………………………………………………………………………………….

Today when someone has a baby in the first year of marriage people jump and say Mazal Tov. Years ago they would say, there is doubt whether this person really knows that there is a Hashem.

(Birchas Avrohom of Slonim)

Source: RevachL’Neshama

duh.  Now that I’ve started this, of course I’m changing path a bit.  But not too much.  I’ve decided to read Torah commentary.  And it’s really interesting.  ‘”m reading Rashi’s commentary on the Torah and at the same time I’m reading the “Rashi’s Daughters” series by Maggie Anton.  So I feel like I know the man!

Also, I may be a bit late this week, what with Thanksgiving and all.  Today we’re going to visit the other half of the family.  I’ll take my computer, but we’ll see if I have time to turn it on.

I hope some of you are reading along with me.  I’d love to hear comments on the weekly portions.  Torah is meant to be studied in community…..

This parsha contains two Aramaic words: yagar sahadusa.  These words were spoken by Lavan HaArami, the father in-law of Yaakov Avinu.  The Aramaic language is unique in the sense that it is a gateway between the Holy Tongue and all other languages.  It seems that Torah must pass through this gateway; it has never been directly translated in such a manner that the translation retained its actual meaning.

In Likutei Moharan 1:19,  Rebbe Nachman of Breslov explains that Aramaic, or Lashon Targum, as it is also known, is conceptually related to the concept of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.  Aramaic functions as a conduit between the holy and the mundane.  The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil is understood on a mystical level to mean an admixture of objective good and evil; eating of its fruit caused knowledge of both to meld together.  Man can no longer separate between the two; he now only has his subjective opinions about what is desirable and undesirable to guide him.

In a deep sense, our job in this world is to peel good and evil apart again, to discern one from the other, elevate the good, and destroy the evil.  This is one of the reasons why we lift the kiddush cup during kiddush.  There is an opinion that the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil was the grape.  Wine, the product of the grape, has the ability to either expand the mind (when used in moderation) or to dismantle one’s human stature.  It can go either way, like Aramaic.  By lifting up the cup, we demonstrate that we have power over it and not the reverse.

Lavan is a very complex personality.  He is called “Lavan”, which means “white”, which would indicate straightforwardness and truthfulness.  Yet, he is also Lavan HaArami, the Aramean, the letters of which can be rearranged to mean “the liar”.  A person like this revels in lack of clarity, misunderstandings, unclear, cunning communication.  And don’t be fooled into thinking that we stand on the sidelines hissing at this bad guy–each one of us has this trait.  If we didn’t, the Torah would not spend so much time on Lavan.  He referred to the pile of stones designated as a mark of covenant between himself and Yaakov by the Aramaic term Yagar Sahadusa.  He made his oath in the name of the G-d of Avraham–seemingly to satisfy Yaakov Avinu and appear kosher.  Yet, he then adds “the god of Nachor” to the oath, indicating that he still placed his trust in the idol worshipped by Avraham Avinu’s forebears. And even if he didn’t, he needed the duality, the option to go this way or that.

But Yaakov Avinu only referred to the pile as Gal Eid, in the Holy Tongue, and would only make an oath in the name of the G-d of Yitzchak Avinu.  For Yaakov Avinu, who was the vehicle for G-d’s attribute of Emes (Truth), there was no other way but true and clear. He would accept no duality, even if it would cost him the opportunity to ingratiate himself to the other party, as diplomats do. And make no mistake, at the moment of this exchange, this was the highest level diplomatic negotiation taking place in the world, not between Carter and Brezhnev, but between two people representing the side of holiness and the sitra achra. This was the defining moment for Yaakov Avinu. And he would accept no duality. Because there is only One. Truth is singular.

I believe that life is also about clarifying, clarifying the good from the bad, making that which is unclear clear, and emerging with or at least moving towards a defined sense of meaning where there was previously an entropic mess, an existential vaccuum.  Our lives become healthier both spiritually and emotionally when the proper boundaries are in place, when we are able to tune in to the actual task that stands before us, and the context of our lives is truth.  When we accomplish this we are able to stand at the gateway where all opposites meet, and remain on the side of clarity and holiness, like Yaakov Avinu.

ON LOVING THE EVIL-DOER

[R' Pinchas of Koretz] once said: “Who is a consummate tzadik? He who loves a consummate rasha [wicked person]. Who is an incomplete tzadik? He who loves an incomplete rasha.” Ginsburgh explains: “In the inner [depths] of one’s soul, it is the very highest level of tzadik that reaches down in love to raise up the very lowest level of rasha. The inherent goodness of the consummate tzadik sweetens the existential suffering of the consummate rasha”.^*

Source: Two Tzaddiks

Whenever one studies Torah or performs a mitzvah, he should realize that the agent of his actions is not really himself but the Shechinah.
(Tzafnas Paneach 21b)

Join the Baal Shem Tov Mailing Lists

       Baal Shem Tov Story Of The Week List

Description: Enjoy reading the weekly Baal Shem Tov story of inspiration sent to your email address once a week.
How to Join:   Send an email to majordomo@baalshemtov.com with the words ‘subscribe baalshemtov-stories‘ in the body of the message. This email will automatically subscribe you to the list. If you choose to leave the list, you may do so at any time by sending an email to the address above with the words ‘unsubscribe baalshemtov-stories’ in the body of the message.

       Sefer Baal Shem Parsha Of The Week List

Description: Gain a deeper understanding of the weekly Torah portion sent to your email address once a week.
How to Join:   Send an email to majordomo@baalshemtov.com with the words ‘subscribe seferbaalshemtov‘ in the body of the message. This email will automatically subscribe you to the list. If you choose to leave the list, you may do so at any time by sending an email to the address above with the words ‘unsubscribe seferbaalshemtov‘ in the body of the message.

Source: The Baal Shem Tov Foundation

There is a general rule – pray all the time in order to reach what is hidden from you, until you merit to rise higher and higher, and then you will reach the main point of joy.
(Rebbe Nachman of Breslov)

From: Breslev.co.il

Subscribe to Breslev Israel’s Mailing Lists, please click here.

Radiate

Be a sun — not a pale sun, but a bright sun, a warm sun, a friendly sun. Be a sun — not a weak sun, but a handsome sun, a beautiful sun, a majestic, magnificent sun. Radiate light and energy. Radiate joy, the love of life. Radiate optimism. Look forward to an exciting, wonderful future.

But to succeed as suns, we must fulfill two conditions:

(1) We must remember that the Creator is the source of our energy. From Him we draw the inspiration we need to glow, to shine. Therefore, we must keep our connection to the Creator alive and healthy.

(2) We must be surface-level kings, but not actual kings. Only the Creator is king.

As the Creator’s representatives, we may live in palaces, surrounded by beautiful objects, surrounded by servants. Still, we are not the King himself. We only represent Him — His power, majesty, goodness. As for true power, majesty and goodness — these are with the Creator.

(Excerpted from “Be a King“.)

Have a growth-filled, uplifting day

By: Rabbi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz of “Self-Growth“

Subscribe to “Keep Smiling” and stay inspired.
Subscribe Free.

Blog – To view previous”Keep Smiling”s, click here, or copy this address to your browser: http://keep-smiling-self-wealth.blogspot.com/

“Heavenly Ways” gives us a Torah-based point of view 176 topics, affirmations to accelerate our journey along healthful, heavenly ways. To see excerpt, click here.

“Hearts on Fire“ expands on selected verses from Tehillim to motivate us to new growth. In hard-cover for sale, or otherwise as a free ebook. Click here for an excerpt.

FREE INSPIRATIONAL POSTER – To download high resolution version, click here.

Special: Download the “Keep Smiling” ebook, free. Click here.

“A Handful of Light” expands on the very short, powerful “Letter of the Ramban” with classic mussar and outlook ideas. (287 pages) To see an excerpt, click here.

PiCK-ME-UPs:
Empower yourself, enjoy life!
Not just another book, but a series of lessons to change our lives, turning darkness to light, misery to joy, shame into dignity; giving us a sense of direction, that we may move through our days with enthusiasm and passion, turning each moment into a jewel, a treasure, and a source of great pleasure and enjoyment. Click here for more.

“Wealth – A Torah Approach” contains over 700 teachings from the Torah, Prophets and our earliest sages on this continually perplexing subject. Click here for an excerpt.

By Paul Salahuddin Armstrong

“When the boy was old enough to work with his father, Abraham said, ‘My son, I have seen myself sacrificing you in a dream. What do you think?’ He said, ‘Father, do as you are commanded and, God willing, you will find me steadfast.’ When they had both submitted to God, and he had laid his son down on the side of his face, We called out to him, ‘Abraham, you have fulfilled the dream.’ This is how We reward those who do good ― it was a test to prove [their true characters] ― We ransomed his son with a momentous sacrifice, and We let him be praised by succeeding generations: ‘Peace be upon Abraham!’ This is how We reward those who do good: truly he was one of our faithful servants.”
The Qur’an 37:102-111 (M.A.S. Abdul-Haleem)

“Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, Father? Yes, my son? Abraham replied. The fire and wood are here, Isaac said, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering? Abraham answered, God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son. And the two of them went on together. When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, Abraham! Abraham! Here I am, he replied. Do not lay a hand on the boy, he said. Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son. Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.”
Genesis 22:7-14 (NIV)

The story is familiar to Jews, Christians and Muslims; the prophet Abraham, peace be upon him, was asked by God to make the ultimate sacrifice, his beloved son, though perhaps disagreeing on which son Abraham was asked to surrender, the meaning of this account doesn’t change. Who could make such a sacrifice, when we’d give everything for our children? Abraham dearly loved both his sons and their mothers, he surely would not have wanted to harm either of them in any way or form. To understand this account, we need to look beyond the worldly veils disguising it’s true meaning. Everything that manifests in the physical world begins with an intention, a beginning within a person’s heart.

To continue reading, click here…