..lifetime opportunity to re-connect ur souls with G-dliness (blessings) & spirituality.... & improve clinical symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders

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Knowledge is Power -- G-dly Knowledge is Super Power.

G-d presented us with His infinite wisdom in the Torah - Bible.....

“to improve (and perfect) the world under (imbued by) the sovereignty (and the guidelines within) of G-dliness. “  The wise sages of the Talmud teach us that the study of Torah is THE antidote for ALL illnesses.

Not only because the Torah will direct you to the right places and the right people who can help you, and not only because the actual wisdom and principles behind any cure is found in the Torah, but most important, because Torah is an infinite perfect energy and when connected with it, “it (is the ultimate strength and energy and it) protects and saves.”

There has been lots of talk lately regarding the phenomenal benefits of meditation and mindfulness. This is precisely what true prayer is all about. Recently I came across an article that quoted a newly published study out of Harvard on the significant positive impact meditation has on our brains and/ as a result especially on our gut. I don’t have to tell you about all the spiritualists who have been practicing this art for thousands of years.

The following is from that article

……It is fascinating to see the brain’s plasticity and that, by practicing meditation, we can play an active role in changing the brain and can increase our well-being and quality of life. Other studies in different patient populations have shown that meditation can make significant improvements in a variety of symptoms, and we are now investigating the underlying mechanisms in the brain that facilitate this change.” –  Britta Holzel, first author of the paper and a research fellow at MGH and Giessen University in Germany

Researchers from Harvard have also released another study showing that meditation can have a significant impact on clinical symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The study showed that elicitation of the relaxation response (a physical state of deep rest that changes the physical and emotional responses to stress) is a very big help.

The study comes out of the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC). This is the very first study where the use of the “relaxation response” was examined in these disorders, and the first to investigate the genomic effects of the relaxation response in individuals with any disorder. The report was published in the journal PLOS-ONE…….

Rabbi Shmelke of Nikolsburg (1726- 1778) was one of the great early Chasidic Rebbes. Born Shmuel Horowitz, a Levite, he traced his lineage back directly to the prophet Samuel who was also a Levite.

Said Rabbi Shmelke.” I want very much to remain in this world and I do not want, THE world to come! The reason is, because here, in this world, we have the awesome days of the High Holidays, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. These are days the prophet tells us, “seek G-d when He can be found, call Him when He is close.” We are afforded the once in a lifetime opportunity to re-connect and refresh our souls with G-dliness and spirituality. We can take advantage of the mitzvah to return back to our pristine purity. What flavor would there be living in the other world, where all this doesn’t exist??”

Chassidic philosophy stresses the importance of meditation, deep concentration and a complete setting aside of oneself when praying. Prayer, putting ourselves into the meaning of the words organized by the mystics and great sages, is the field upon which the exercise and spiritual journey of the soul takes place.

Every day when we say and meditate on, “Hear oh Israel the Lord our G-d the Lord is one” for a few moments, we contemplate on the greatness of G-d all around us, and in everything.  We realize our need for the good graces of G-d everywhere and in everything we do, and we accept this reality in our lives.

This statement and our realization of its veracity becomes our very real connection to the source in the heavens, and foundation upon which we build the rest of the day. With this awareness within us and its deep impression inside, a person eliminates anxiousness and worry.  Faith, trust, and confidence are strengthened.

Rosh Hashanah, both days which are considered like one long day, is all about the mission and task, to take that short moment we meditate on G-ds greatness every morning and work on this realization throughout the Holiday on a very personal level, setting up our connection with THE source and establishing a solid foundation for the rest of the year.

Rosh Hashanah is the birthday of the world, this year is 5777 since creation.

“As we begin the year, so goes it for the rest of the year.”  The ten days of repentance which begin with Rosh Hashanah and end with Yom Kippur, G-d “is more easily found, and is close (er),” waiting for us to make the smallest move towards Him. “Open for me like the eye of the needle and I will open up for you like the greatest doors of the Temple.”

If we should successfully make a deeper and richer connection with G-d during these very potent days, there is no doubt, the coming year will contain many more blessings than the past year. A Sweet Healthy and Happy Year, for everyone.

*** The importance of Joy and a cheerful disposition in our lives.

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Knowledge is Power -- G-dly Knowledge is Super Power.

“It will be when you come to the Land that G-d gives you…you will be happy & joyous, thankful & grateful  with all the good that G-d your G-d has given you….”

The way to begin any day, the first commandment when coming into the land is – BE HAPPY & JOYOUS. How can we put ourselves into the mood of Vesomachta – to be cheerful, by looking around and discovering the so many reasons to be grateful and thankful in life.

When we eat, G-d didn’t have to grant us the enjoyment and pleasure involved. When we go to work and/or come back, G-d didn’t have to make the birds chirping or the beautiful sunset, and yet that is part of the wonderful miracle of a regular day in life.

The trick of the evil inclination is to put blinders on the eyes of your soul so you persist in focusing  on the little that still needs improvement while you ignore and forget to pay any real attention for all  that there is to be thankful and grateful for.

Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi (1745 – 1813) explains in his seminal book Likutei Torah on the verse, “…because you did not serve G-d in joy and in good spirit …..” therefore all the punishments and curses come into our lives.

Rabbi Shneur Zalman asks. Why such severe punishments as reckoned in the Bible, just for not being happy? And he explains the following.

It is written in the holy book of the Zohar that G-d mimics our actions and behavior. When we are sad, G-d is sad. When we exude happiness – up in heaven, G-d so to say, is also happy. Almost like when a parent sees their child is happy, they too become happy.

When someone is happy it is like an oxycodone surge that relieves and eliminates and actually cures pain. When someone is happy the negative is overshadowed by the happiness (because between the two, happiness is light, which is way stronger than the sadness and darkness, as in the verse “a little bit of light chases away much darkness”) and the darkness is severely reduced and/or entirely eliminated.

When there is joy above, all the negativity that may be accumulated against this individual is ignored, overshadowed, reduced and sometimes entirely eliminated.

When someone finds the reason to be happy, because they know and feel in their heart that all that happens is always for the good, and/or they have faith and trust in reaching the light at the end of the tunnel, (they can already see and feel it now) the natural consequence in his/her life, because this is the way G-d created the world, he/she is not punished for their sins and past bad choices, because the joy in heaven has erased all that.

However when there is no joy, automatically there isn’t this special elixir to protect him from the negativity that he himself unfortunately created in the past and so automatically the punishment finds its way to where it was already waiting to go to.

Simcha - Joy and happiness – a cheerful disposition to life, is the most powerful shield and protection from all that is negative.

“Simcha – joy, breaks all boundaries.” The flower of life, the soul of G-d inside, opens and blooms. When someone is depressed, oy vey…..it’s just the opposite…..the poor flower shrivels up into and unto itself.

Rabbi Menachem Mendel, the Tzemach Tzedek (1789 -1866) says. “A person must be very cognizant of his/her thoughts that they are always only happy and upbeat thoughts. He must be very careful to avoid speaking words that carry in them a spirit of sadness, depression and darkness. (Because words alone affect a person’s emotions).  A person should (always) conduct himself as if he is filled with happiness and exhibit actions (posture) of Joy and happiness and eventually this will permeate inside of him and it will become his true feelings inside. “

Rabbi Shneur Zalman explains. When a person does a Mitzva, any mitzvah, this is a tremendous source of joy in one’s life because, the person gets to connect and unite his soul eternally with the essence of G-d who commanded and derives satisfaction from the performance of this Mitzvah. “The commandments of G-d are straightforward; they bring Joy to one’s heart.”

Rabbi Bunim of Pshischa (1765-1827) said. “The joyous heart that seeks G-d…”  The nature of a person is that when he is seeking, he is unhappy until he finds it. In the case of someone who is on a journey of reaching G-dliness and more G-dliness, even on the journey, there is already great inner happiness and joy.”

According to law -- you have NO right to give up!!!! STORY.

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After World War 2, there were many very broken hearts. One such fellow lost everything in the war. His wife, children, possessions, everything, to the cruel Nazis who had taken it all away from him.

He moved to Israel, and one day woke up thinking, I GIVE UP. It was just too much to keep on going, and didn’t seem worth it anymore. His friends noticed and felt his overwhelming hardships he was going through and suggested he see a well-known Rabbi for advice, and motivation.

The Rabbi listened compassionately to his very sorry tale of woe and told him that he wanted to share with him a story.

Not too long ago there was this businessman who would once a year take loans from his entire community and would travel far and wide to purchase all kinds of objects. Once a year, at the largest fair, he would sell all these items, pay back his loans, and with the profits, live for another year.

“Not too long ago”, says the Rabbi, this fellow was not feeling well enough to take this huge purchasing trip and consulted with his wife, who agreed, that she would get all the information from her husband and go in his place.

The husband made the local rounds and as usual borrowed the much needed funds and handed it over to his wife with exact instructions where to go, and how to bargain with all the people she would buy the merchandise from.

When she got to her first destination and opened up her money chest she was shaken to see there was no money there. The wallet must have fallen out someplace, and she immediately fainted.

The thought was worse for her to consider how would her husband pay back all the loans to his friends and family, than the lost opportunity to earn their income for the year. This kept on repeating itself until a young man announced he had found the money and did not intend to return a penny of it.

After a quick investigation it was indeed discovered, the man had the money this lady lost. Quickly, the Rabbi was called in and ordered, this fellow give the money back.

The fellow said to the Rabbi. According to Jewish law, once someone gives up hope from something they lost, of realistically finding it, it belongs to no one, and whoever finds the object is allowed to keep it. According to law, this is a neighborhood that fits this criteria for giving up hope and although the poor lady is obviously pained by this event, what I have, is from abandoned property and is rightfully mine!!

The Rabbi, from his part kept on insisting that the money be returned, and the fellow questioned the Rabbis reason for a very unlawful injunction.

The Rabbi said the following.

This money never belonged to the lady who was just a messenger. She does not have any proprietorship over the money and therefore has no right, to separate the legal owner from his possession. Her mission was only to spend the money in order to help enrich the investors according to their agreement and no more.  Since the rightful owner at this point, does not even know the money was lost, he could not have abandoned the money, it still belongs to him, and you have no right to steal this money you picked up from the floor from its rightful owner. Even more so, you have the biblical commandment of guarding it until it is returned to its owner.

And now, our Rabbi in our story, turns to the dejected and depressed fellow.

G-d woke you up in the morning and implanted a very special and unique soul in you. G-d has faith and trust in this very valuable commodity, the soul, life, and entrusted it in your hands as “His” messenger to add light and life in this world. He has appointed you as His messenger.” A MESSENGER HAS NO LEGAL RIGHTS TO GIVE UP ON THE ENTRUSTED OBJECT IN HIS/HER POSSESSION ON BEHALF OF HIS/HER DISPATCHER.”

The above is the true story that happened with Rabbi Y. Galinsky. For the rest of this fellow’s life, every time he felt like giving up, he would remember this story. He would remind himself that he was merely a messenger on a  G-dly mission. He had no legal right to give up on life, and to the contrary was obligated to guard and watch this precious soul as long as he was entrusted by G-d Almighty Himself, with this very precious commodity.

Everyone has their own Demons (enemies) Don't be afraid......"He" gives u the strength.

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Deut. 20-8, “ And the officers shall continue to speak to the people and say, "What man is there who is fearful and fainthearted? Let him go and return to his house, that he should not cause the heart of his brothers to melt, as his heart."

Rashi – Rabbi Shlomo  Yitzchaki  (1040 -1105)  says,” we are talking about a soldier who is afraid of the sins he has done.” Since it is an accepted fact, that the Israelites were far less in numbers and in fighting expertise than all the lifelong warriors they needed to face off, their only chance of winning in war, is the blessings of G-d.  Some knew very well they didn’t deserve these extraordinary blessings and were justifiably afraid to enter battle.

Rabbi Dovid Morgenstern of Kotzk  (1809 – 1873) explained this a little deeper, and answered a self-asked question. So, why couldn’t the soldier ask G-d for forgiveness, and he will surely be forgiven?  The Torah tells us, that at any time a person asks G-d sincerely for forgiveness, it is granted. And he clarified;

If a soldier went to war, consumed by the thoughts of his shortcoming, and feeling guilty and unworthy, he wouldn’t be in the ideal frame of mind or in the right emotional state of joy and trust in G-d to ask with a full heart for repentance, and was therefore not suited for war.

Rabbi Avraham Mordechai of Gur (1866 – 1948) takes this even further, and says that this above mentioned problem of not being able to completely and fully repent has an even worse dimension to it.

 If a soldier went to war and would be preoccupied by all kinds of worries, and was unable to detach himself entirely from his regular life, so he could focus entirely to the task at hand, if an arrow should hit him and he would die with all these thoughts racing through his mind, without the chance to ask G-d for forgiveness with a full heart, “there is nothing worse, than a person who passes on to the other world, and didn’t take advantage of the opportunity in this world, and in this lifetime, to ask G-d - ONE LAST TIME - for forgiveness.”

It is this possibility and its eternal affect on the person’s soul that we are so concerned about, even more than the compromise in his fighting abilities.

G-d grants life to each of us for the purpose of fulfilling a G-dly task. To be “His” soldier, to repair this world and help bring it under the influence of G-dliness and spirituality. This is true in our own personal lives, and regarding our responsibility to the world around us. In this mission we face many enemies and road blocks.

Maimonides – Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon (1138-1204) says the following.

……To whom does the phrase 'Is there a man who is afraid or faint-hearted refer to? The phrase should be interpreted simply, as applying to a person whose heart is not brave enough to stand in the throes of battle.

Once a soldier enters the throes of battle, he should rely on “the Hope of Israel and their Savior” in times of need. He should realize that he is fighting for the sake of the oneness of G-d's Name. Therefore, he should place his soul in his hand and not show fright or fear.

He should not worry about his wife or children. On the contrary, he should wipe their memory from his heart, removing all thoughts from his mind except the war.

Anyone who begins to feel anxious and worry in the midst of battle to the point where he frightens himself, violates a negative commandment, as it is written (Deuteronomy 20:3): 'Do not be faint-hearted. Do not be afraid. Do not panic and do not break ranks before them.'

Furthermore, he is responsible for the blood of the entire Jewish nation. If he is not valiant, if he does not wage war with all his heart and soul, it is considered as if he shed the blood of the entire people, as ibid. 20:8 states: 'Let him go home, lest he demoralize the hearts of his brethren like his own……

 In contrast, anyone who fights with his entire heart, without fear, with the intention of sanctifying G-d's name alone, can be assured that he will find no harm, nor will bad overtake him. He will be granted a proper family in Israel and gather merit for himself and his children forever. He will also merit eternal life in the world to come as I Samuel 25:28-29 states: 'G-d will certainly make my lord a faithful house, for my lord fights the wars of G-d and evil will not be found with you... and my lord's soul will be bound in a bond of life with G-d.'