The little boy with a strange energy.

I was so inspired when I heard the following story, I decided to share it with you.

This is a story that so vividly demonstrates, the hand of G-d in everything, and reinforces our belief in Divine Providence, prayer, and that “the salvation of G-d, is in the blink of an eye”.

This older fellow, now living in Jerusalem, would say his grace after meals with particular concentration and it was obvious he relished every word of the prayer.

One day his grandchild asked him, why he prayed that way? And he answered the following:

“When I was a child in Poland about 10 years old, our teacher said he would treat us by taking us to the great Rabbi Meir Shapira of Lublin. We were all tested and did quite fine for little lads. After the test, the great Rabbi went over to his book shelf and said he was going to give us all, a very special gift.

He opened up the book and started to read, “whoever concentrates and pays attention to the grace after meals is guaranteed that he will never lack food…” and he repeated this about three times. Once he was finished, he asked, “Who is prepared to accept upon themselves to always say the grace after meals as described here in this book??” I raised my hand and he placed his holy hands on my head and blessed me, that I will see this promise in my life.

A few years later the Germans came, and an SS Soldier placed a stick across the doorway of our class, and announced, “Anybody lower than the stick to the left, anyone who meets the height of the stick to the right.” When it came my turn, I just barely made it and I was sent to the right.

After we went through, there was another line. Anyone with a trade to the right, no trade, to the left. All of a sudden, an adult walks up behind me and says, “Tell him you’re a cook, tell him you’re a cook.” I said to the fellow, I’m only 13 years old? And the fellow said, “don’t worry, I’ll teach you.” So as I approached the German soldier, I mustered all the courage I had, and when asked, do I have a trade, I answered, ” I’m a cook.” So off I went to the right.

The man who I never saw before or afterwards, taught me how to cook, and during all those years I was fortunate to eat well. I rarely ate bread, because it would take so long for me to say the long grace after meals. One day a SS General came to visit our kitchen and when he saw me he said,” why do you look so healthy? Jewish people shouldn’t look so plump.” He gave me a pocket chisel, and in the freezing snowy and ice weather told me to go outside, and dig a whole 4 x 6 feet. Basically, condemning me to death.

I was outside and prayed to G-d. “G-d you where so kind to save my life with food, please don’t make that, the reason for my death.” All of a sudden a truck of German soldiers drove by and threw at me all kinds of potatoes, and vegetables to hurt me. So I said to G-d, “not food. A hole 4 x 6 is what I need”. Not long afterwards, another truck of Polish laborers passed by, and I said to them. “Hey guys you want food?” And of course who didn’t, when it was so scarce. I told them, if they would dig a hole 4 x 6, I would give each one, two potatoes. In no time at all, with their picks and shovels I had my hole.

I went inside and told the General everything was done in these three hours, and he said. “If you are lying, I will kill you on the spot.” He came out with me, and when he saw the hole he told me to run. He said, it was humanly impossible to dig a hole with that small chisel, and accused me of having a bizarre energy around me.

Indeed the grandfather concluded his story, “I never lacked food, and food has been my savior. All because, I accepted to concentrate with my complete mind and heart, when telling G-d, thank you for the food I was granted.”

A Powerful story on trust in G-d.

The following, is a true story that demonstrates, the power of simple and sincere faith in G-d.

Faithful to the instructions he had received from Heaven, the Holy Baal Shem Tov once invited a group of his students to accompany him in his wagon to a certain town, so that they could learn by example, the power of trust in G-d, bitachon.

The local innkeeper was pleased to see them and welcomed them graciously. The next morning, while they were doing their morning prayers, a police officer walked in with a stick in hand, banged on the table three times and left. The students, baffled, froze in their places, but their host remained as cheerful as he had been before. Half an hour later the same man returned, banged on the table three times, and left.

When the Baal Shem Tov asked the innkeeper to explain these strange events, he said, "This is a warning. The policeman is reminding me to bring the rental payment to the land owner. It is repeated three times, and if I do not bring the money at that point, my family and I will be thrown into the dungeon."

Hearing this, the Baal Shem Tov told him, "Judging from your calmness, you must have the money ready, so why don't you go and pay your rent? We will await your return, and then we will be able to take our places at your table peacefully."

The innkeeper answered, "Truthfully, at the moment I don't have a single coin, but G-d will surely not forsake me. He will provide the money. Let us eat without haste, because three hours still remain to the time limit."

They ate together unhurriedly, and the innkeeper's face disclosed no sign of his dangerous plight. At the end of the meal, the officer strode in for the third time and once again banged on the table, but the innkeeper, unruffled, remained calmly in his place. After saying the grace after meals with deep concentration, the innkeeper went off to get dressed in his Sabbath clothing. When he rejoined them and announced that he would now go pay and his dues, the Baal Shem Tov asked him again if he had the money he needed.

Shaking his head, the host answered, "I haven't got a single penny yet, but I am sure G-d will take care of me!"

He took his leave and the Baal Shem Tov and his students went out to the porch overlooking the road that stretched out before them, to see him off as he set out on his mission by foot.

From the distance they saw a wagon driving towards the innkeeper, which slowed down as he exchanged a few words with the wagon driver. The wagon then continued on its way. After a few moments, its driver backtracked, called out to the innkeeper, and then handed him some money. The wagon then resumed its route towards the inn, where the curious onlookers asked the driver what had transpired.

"I had proposed a deal to the innkeeper," he said, "and offered to buy all the liquor he is due to make this winter, but he didn't agree to my price and continued on his way. Seeing his stubbornness, but knowing his honesty, I decided to give him the amount he had asked for. He then excused himself and hurried ahead, explaining that he was on his way to pay his rent."

The Baal Shem Tov turned to his students and said, "Look, how powerful, is the behavior and conduct of trust in G-d, bitachon!"

“Blessed is the man who puts his trust in G-d, G-d will (then) be his security.” “Trust in G-d forever and ever, for in G-d, is the strength of the worlds.”

Think Good and it will be Good.

Faith, is the foundation and cornerstone to a healthy and solid life. I am not talking about a faith in oneself or a faith in nature. Let’s be reasonable. If statistics dictate that I have a greater chance to fail, then I’m not being reasonable and/or rational, if and when, I decide to nevertheless go ahead with the program, and have positive faith. Using my mind, I weigh the probabilities in either direction and come to a logical conclusion. I may hope; that good luck falls in my favor, but there is no faith over there.

What is the definition of faith and trust in G-d? “I have full faith and trust in G-d, that it will all work out for the best.” What does that mean?

Rabbi Bechaye writes in DUTIES OF THE HEART, that trust in G-d is a complete peace of mind, a condition, in which a person is completely calm, knowing that he can rely on G-d and trust in Him, that it will all be good.

When a person contemplates, how G-d made the world and all that’s in it. Created him, loves him, cares for him, and certainly fills all his needs, and G-d knows what is best for him; when he considers, how G-d alone keeps an eye, always, on his life, and does good, even to those who are undeserving; - he will then be overtaken by this immense feeling of full trust – Bitachon in G-d.

“I am in the best of good hands, all the time.”

Such faith and trust can be found, only in G-d, who created heaven and earth and is always the basis for every moment in this world.

When a person places his full trust in G-d, feeling fully at ease with complete trust in G-d, this outlook and mind-set, is enough to merit G-ds salvation.

This is true even for someone who is seemingly undeserving of G-ds blessings, at this moment. For, this effort of worship, trust in G-d, putting himself in G-ds care, in itself, gives him the merit to be helped.

When the revered Michoel Beliner was still a young man, his son fell deathly ill. Michoel went to the local house of study and shared his bitter news with his colleagues. Doing their best to encourage him, they assured him, that G-d would surely have mercy, and advised him to travel immediately to the Grand Rabbi the Tzemach Tzedek for a blessing. Michoel began to weep, saying, that he would like to go, but the doctors said that it was only a matter of hours, so why should he set out on the road?

One of the older Chassidim berated him. He quoted from the Talmud, that one should never despair of being granted G-ds mercy, and added, that surely the good Angels created by going to the Grand Rabbi would succeed in having the Heavenly verdict postponed until he reached the Rabbi.

One of his friends, a tailor, offered to join Michoel on his trip, and together they set out on foot, here and there hitching a cheap wagon ride. Arriving at last in Lubavitch, Michoel was fortunate to be received by the Tzemach Tzedek immediately.

"When I entered the Rebbe's room” he later on related, “and handed him the request for my son, I thought to myself, 'Who knows what has meanwhile happened with him?...,' and I began to weep. The Rabbi read my note and said, 'Don't cry. You must have Bitachon – full trust in G-d, with a simple faith, that He will save your son. Tracht gut vet zien gut. (Think good and things will be good.) You will yet celebrate the bar-mitzvas of your grandsons!' "

Soon after, the boy recovered completely. From then on, whenever Michoel experienced difficulty, he would bring to mind the luminous face of the Rebbe as he spoke those words, and the situation would change for the better.

This is the meaning of the words, "Think good and things will be good."

Taking full control of your life.

Mysticism tells us, everything in the world is made of an outer shell and an inner energy.

What you see, is only surface, skin deep, and, it isn’t the real deal. What is hidden from the eye after we do some scratching and digging will reveal, the reason why you see what’s perceptible to the eye. That is why in the Bible this world is called “concealed” and a “world of falsehood.” This is so, mainly, because what we see is just the surface, and the inalienable truth needs to be discovered deep inside.

In a person, there is a constant struggle between the outer part, the body, and the inner dimension, the G-dly soul. The body wants to keep on concealing on the inner G-dly soul and its yearnings. The body seeks self fulfillment. Ego, pleasure, anything and everything for the physical self.

The soul yearns for what it naturally craves and longs for. To remain connected to its source, the infinite and the eternal. The soul looks for long term spiritual fulfillment and accomplishing its purpose, for being imprisoned in a corporeal body. The soul is constantly looking to liberate itself from the narrow confines of the short sighted body.

That is why we feel sometimes empty and hollow inside. We feel like there must be more to life. This is the G-dly soul, trying to express itself against the ever powerful force of the body, and all its hedonistic desires.

Both the G-dly soul deep inside of us, and the “animal” soul that vivifies the body are made of ten faculties, which comprise the logic and emotion of each soul. These two souls, with its strengths and weaknesses, they are what they are, and we can’t change them. Some people are born with certain tendencies and propensities to do good and to pursue outstanding and admirable goals. Others, or maybe these same people, are born with a penchant and weakness towards certain behaviors. It is what it is.

There is however a little hope, to control our destinies, and it is in our choices. How, and what, we allow to express itself, in our thoughts, speech, and actions.

A person has one brain, one mouth, and can DO one thing at a time. In mysticism these are called the garments of the soul. Garments, because, just like clothing which are not the person, but are put on and taken off at will. So too with these faculties, each one of them, it is always our choice, we have full control over what we allow ourselves to think, speak and do. And, just like garments make a statement about our personalities and character; the way we think, speak, and act, tell volumes of what is going on inside of us.

Although it is almost impossible to change the nature our souls directly, a person has total free choice over, what he decides to think, speak, and do, at all times.

Let’s say you have a feeling in your heart to think, say, or do, something bad. That may not be entirely your fault. You where born with that tendency. However, what YOU decide to indulge in with your mind, what YOU decide to talk, or do, is always and totally in your control. Unless of course you made yourself intoxicated, and you’ve lost your abilities at that moment, but it was you, who decided to drink, and therefore still remain responsible for your actions.

Harmony in our lives, is when we follow the desires of the G-dly soul. It is deeper and richer. The G-dly soul is who we are, and who we identify with. The body, is a temporary dwelling place. While we are here in this physical world, the body affords us the opportunity to earn merit and become spiritually stronger, by overcoming the superficial and shallow challenges of this materialistic world.

The more a person exercises his choice to think, speak, and do positive things, and gets himself into the habit of allowing his G-dly soul to express itself regularly, and win over the self indulgent desires of the body, the more the person has succeeded and accomplished to infuse the world with “light”, which prevails over the confusion of darkness so many people suffer from.

Are you spiritual? Religious?

I bet many of you didn’t know. Some people, are religious and not spiritual, and there are people who say they choose to be spiritual and not religious at all. These two mistaken ways of conduct come from a flawed understanding of these two expressions.

Let us define spiritual. One pretty good definition I found, “pertaining to the spirit or soul, as distinguished from the physical nature.” And religious, well that’s a bit more difficult, because everyone has a different idea of what it is. I guess one would say, I know a religious person when I see one. Oh yes?

Mysticism explains that everything in the universe is made of a body, an outer shell, and that which energizes and gives life to the body, we call this, soul. A moving car, the body, has a person inside, steering and directing the body. In this example the person is the soul and energy of the moving car.

The metal body and frame of a car, has a motor inside, which thrusts and propels the frame of the car. The motor is the soul of the frame. Wires, are the outer shell, the body, which carries the electricity that flows through them, and so on, all the way down to the source of everything, and the energy of the whole world, G-d.

In all these examples, the internal soul and energy alone, without the framework and channeling of the external body, can not, and, will not ever accomplish the realized outcome, which can come only through the partnership of the two elements working together.

Disorganized and random electricity without the channeling of wires is not only unhelpful it is downright dangerous. The body, whether it is the frame of the car or the wire, without the soul, will obviously not be able to carry out the desired objective.

Spiritual, as we mentioned before, relates to what’s deep inside, the dimension that energizes our bodies. It is, the spark and soul of G-d within. Someone who meditates on the greatness of G-d in the world at large, and within his own small world and body, will begin to feel spiritual and exalted. This appreciation and emotion must have a method and technique, to channel and express this spiritual energy, no different than someone who feels love for someone, or something, and doesn’t have a way to express and manifest this feeling.

Religious people, generally have a code of conduct that is expected from them by their religion. Living in a physical world it is clear, that if someone eats or takes his medication and doesn’t enjoy doing so, this doesn’t matter, since it’s the deed that counts. However there is no dispute, that enjoying your food and having a positive and optimistic outlook when taking medication, will greatly improve your wellbeing.

There is a Chassidic saying, “The Baal Shem Tov showed us HOW we should serve G-d, and Rabbi Shnuer Zalman showed us how we are ABLE to serve G-d.” These two great luminaries represent the soul and body of a mystical worship of G-d known as, Chassidism.

Spirituality is the HOW and the WHY, the energy, the life the vigor. Religion is the actual practice, doing what we where commanded to do, in order to be in G-ds good grace and bring blessings to our lives. Both spirituality and religion are important in order for people to be complete.

On the one hand, the prophet tells us, G-d doesn’t (just) want our sacrifices, G-d desires our hearts. On the other hand the Sages tell us, it is the actual deed that counts.

Someone who is spiritual and not religious has accomplished nothing in this world. He has not enhanced his physical reality. The world is the same. Someone who is religious, and spiritual, has combined soul with body, to make his life and the world around him truly alive, energized, with the greatest measure of life one can ever reach in his lifetime.

Do We Have Free Choice???

The question goes like this. If G-d is everywhere and everything is predestined, do people have any choice and/or influence in the end results?

The answer to this question can become a lengthy thesis, which isn’t the function of this article. So, I will make it short, and to the point.

G-d made this beautiful world. Just look around. The colors, the trees, the birds, the flowers, the squirrels, and let’s not forget the lizards. Every day there are billions and trillions of elements in this orchestra we call the universe, playing for us a most stunning and dazzling piece of music. Every single day, just as the sun rises in the east.

In your body alone, there are trillions of cells, all working in conjunction with each other to perfectly produce your heartbeat, and your breath. All of this, quite obviously doesn’t just fall into place.

If a symphony orchestra with 80 or 100 players needs a maestro to coordinate the musicians, otherwise there’s a good chance the group will not be in sync with each other, how much more so, the zillions of elements that work in harmony with each other to the micro mini degree in our universe, could never operate without the wisdom of a great and wise conductor. To think otherwise, is outright foolishness.

The Bible says, when G-d created the world, He made it, in an evolved and mature ready to use fashion. Adam, on his first day, was a 20 year old adult and, the great redwood trees, already had all their rings in them. It was a “prepared table”, set, and waiting for people to enjoy.

The universe and all that’s in it, is the creation of G-d, all the time. G-d however wanted ( for a reason that we will discuss some other time) that people should have a small little role in perfecting and completing the universe, so He left important, but yet very insignificant in size and quantity, areas that us humans can participate in taking a role, with G-d, in making it just right.

G-d knows what he wants, and He always gets His way. He instructed us to do, and not to do, certain activities which he told us in the Bible, in order, to bring about this perfection that he intended for the world.

The Talmud tells us, “ everything is in the hands of G-d except for the fear of G-d.” This means, that everything that happens in the world and in life is predestined. It will happen, one way or the other. The only area in which we humans have total control and we are held responsible for, are our choices which convey and make evident our fear of G-d. Our choices demonstrate to G-d, our moral standing regarding our fulfillment of the mission, G-d created each one of us. By the choices we make, G-d knows whether to use us to bring about a good, or bad occurrence, which was already in G-ds mind to happen.

In our daily prayers we ask, ” ...so that we shall not labor in vain…..” From the words of this prayer that was arranged by our great sages we see, that a person may make an effort to do good and will be rewarded for this, however he may not be lucky that his good intentions will come about, because it wasn’t G-ds will at that moment. A person can choose to pull the trigger, and with that has demonstrated his wicked murderous character, and the person shot will not lose his life, because he wasn’t yet destined to leave this world.

Maimonides says, that although G-d runs the show down to the smallest particle of the world, we must say, that in the area of moral choices – the choice alone, is always entirely ours. Otherwise, reward and punishment which is a cornerstone of the Bible would not be possible and the Bible is clear, “see I give you this day, the good and the bad, life and death, and I give you the strength to choose, life.”

Living life - to Enjoy.

We where talking about anxiety.

What brings it on and how to relieve ourselves of the stress, uneasiness and apprehension associated with high anxiety. If left unaddressed, ultimately this takes its’ toll on any human being in a major way. I am aware that there is a whole bunch of advice out there which includes, exercising, breathing techniques, and many other approaches, however, most important is the attitude and mindset of the person. It’s not just a matter of putting on a smile, and technique, it’s all about what’s going on behind the surface movement of ones face, insides ones head.

Only a person with a firm and unyielding belief system can build for himself an edifice that will not crack under the daily vicissitudes of life.

Part of what brings on stress and anxiety is the constant internal struggle and the perplexity a person is living with, many times on a subconscious level. He doesn’t even realize what’s going on inside. On the one hand he wants to become rich and famous, on the other hand she wants to workout and look good. On the one hand he wants to be fulfilled spiritually inside, on the other hand she wants to hang out with the girls, be part of the fun and not appear like an oddball. A psychological and emotional tug of war, on a continual and persistent basis. Being pulled in so many directions, it’s no wonder that after a while a person doesn’t know who they are and where they are going.

No wonder the person is unsure of the future and craves for control and self empowerment. No wonder, the person feels insecure and has an excessive need for approval. No wonder, the person overcompensates for their insecurities by seeking perfectionism.

Peace, is when the many different sides and perspectives are living in harmony with each other. All the different sides still retain their own individuality, however they are all directed and influenced under one canopy, big enough to encompass the many different interests. A common ground, greater than the many vast differences, which separate one from another.

Every human being if they are to be strong in life must develop their trust in G-d. This is one of the cornerstones and fundamental pillars to a sturdy and secure life. This is the canopy, big enough to cover all pursuits in a person’s life. This isn’t something that happens just by saying your trust in G-d. This comes from a conscious effort to feed ones faith on a daily basis, by studying the Bible and mysticism, related to this specific topic, and then meditating on those concepts in prayer.

A person, who trusts in G-d, will never give up or become despondent. Whatever appears to be happening he is strong in his trust that through his prayers and good deeds, things can and will turn around for the good, in a way that can be visible appreciated. Trust in G-d is strong enough, to unify the many different directions people are drawn to in life.

Prayer in itself is tremendously therapeutic. During prayer and meditation on the greatness of G-d, a person is transported, uplifted and enveloped in a secure place where everything is for the good. Not only does he trust that it’s all for the good, but has to go through some temporary inconveniences, but further, he strengthens and develops a solid trust in G-d that brings and transports a person to a place where the actual occurrence in the present tense, can be appreciated as being for the good.

Being alive in the fullest measure, means living every moment to the fullest degree. For this a person must be in a joyous frame of mind, since joy is the emotion that breaks any barriers that may hinder a person from enjoying and living life to the fullest.

Instead of anxiety and constrictness in life, and existence weighing heavy on a persons shoulder, a person who develops his faith and trust in G-d that He is entirely good, light, brilliant, and positive, will have complete joy and a great life to enjoy.