Why do YOU eat?

People eat for all kinds of reasons. When they’re lonely, when they’re anxious, when they’re angry, when they’re happy, when they’re sad, when they are bored, and when they are tired, and on and on it goes.

So we do agree, our interest in food is not limited to its nutritional value but as well to fulfill psychological and emotional  drives and needs.

There is a rule in mysticism that everything we see is just a symptom, an indication and an exterior expression of an underlying spiritual current and energy. The reason something appears and is true in this physical world is because, underlying what we see, is a spiritual root and basis for this physical reality.

Once they came over to Rabbi Simcha Bunim of Peshischa, a great Hassidic master in the early 1800s in Poland and asked him. “Why do Hassidim spend  time,  sitting, eating and drinking with each other, when that precious time can be better spent praying and studying the bible.”

The Rabbi answered. “The bible writes, “You should eat the (second)  tithes of your grain …. Before G-d your G-d, in (Jerusalem) …in order that you will learn to fear G-d your G-d for all time.”

“From here we see, that when the right people are sitting at a table, with the correct attitude, in a proper atmosphere, and they gather with the express purpose to use this opportunity to stir the hearts of each other, by sharing stories of great holy people,  it is possible to reach the elevated quality and virtue, fear of G-d.”

Food, not only serves the needs of our bodies and our intellectual and emotional needs, food and drinks can help strengthen and nourish the spiritual needs and aims of the soul.

In the book of Psalms King David says,” They wandered in the wilderness in a path of desolation ….hungry also thirsty their soul languished with them….” On this verse, the Baal Shem Tov taught a great mystical principle.

The hunger and the thirst a person has for food and drink derives from deep down inside the soul. The G-dly soul, sent down here to this world to fulfill its mission to make  a G-dly abode of this physical world, seeks and craves the G-dly sparks inside the food, to uplift and transform the otherwise physical food, to a higher purpose.

The G-dly soul within every person is like a candle. Always dancing and flickering upward, with a constant never ending thirst to fulfill its purpose. When the soul is not able to reach and satisfy its raison d’etre it languishes, and as a result the person many times subconsciously feels emptiness within their lives.

The desire for food teaches the Baal Shem Tov,  is a deep down desire to connect with a world that needs fixing. This fixing which brings inner fulfilment is reached in the case of food, when the connection is made with the G-dly spark inside. When we keep in mind, that eating should serve the purpose and be another way to make this world a more G-dly place.

The Bible also says it is possible, “you might then eat and be satisfied, build good houses and live in them……as your heart becomes arrogant you (might) forget G-d your G-d.” It’s a double edged sword.

We can take the food in our hands and realize how blessed we are to see, smell, touch and enjoy the food and give thanks to G-d for this, not taking for granted this incredible gift.. Or, we can gluttonously  grab the food to feed  and strengthen the pleasure seeking,  self –indulgent side within ourselves.

Every time we eat, we can either master the food, by deciding what, when, and how, we will eat, or, the food becomes our master. It tell us, what, when, and how, to eat it and then, we’ve become subservient to it.

The Fear of G-d

“And now, Israel, what does G-d want of you? Only that you be in (fear) awe of G-d your L-rd., so that you will follow all His paths and love Him... (Deut. 10:12)”

The two greatest motivators in a human being are fear and love. Fear before love.  Rabbi Aharon of Karlin said, “Fear without love is not complete. Love without fear is nothing.”

The great defender of Israel, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev after a long visit with his teacher the preacher of Mezritch returned home.  The father in law of Rabbi Levi Yitzchok not very fond of the preacher asked his son in law. “So what did you gain from your new teacher, the preacher of Mezritch.” Rabbi Levi Yitzchak answered. “I learned (how) to fear G-d.” Immediately the maid was called in and asked. “Do you fear G-d? “And the maid answered, “Sure.”

Turning to his son-in-law in a mocking tone he said, “So you spent all that time, for what a simple maid has? “ Rabbi Levi Yitzchok answered, “She says, she fears.”

King Solomon concludes his book of Ecclesiastes, “Ultimately, all is known, fear G-d and observe his commandments, for this is the whole purpose of man…” When it comes down to it, King Solomon advises, to fear G-d as the basis and, final objective of human existence.

The preacher of Mezritch explains, a person must fear the sin itself and not merely the punishment it incurs. The situation is analogous to a father who warns his son not to walk around barefoot. The father warns that if the child steps on a thorn, he will have to be brought to a doctor to remove it and the operation will hurt him a lot. The son, because of his youth and limited intelligence, is not afraid of the thorn itself and the possibility that he might step on one; he is merely afraid of its removal. The father, however, truly wants him to avoid the thorn, and sees its removal as a positive remedy if he should so require it. So it is with our avoidance of transgression. Man wishes to avoid punishment, but G-d worries about the sin itself, and sees the punishment as a necessary atonement and correction.

Doing the right thing and staying away from what’s bad is “for our own good.” “The Bible was granted, to improve the world.” In the book of mysticism the Zohar, it says, “G-d looked into the Bible (as a blueprint) and from it, He created the world.”

The things we are commanded to do, like resting once a week and be disciplined with our eating, and start the day with a prayer so we are focused on our purpose, and wash our hands when we come out of the restrooms, are all for our own benefit. Doing what’s wrong, is plain and simple to our own detriment.

The Baal Shem tov, teacher of the preacher of Mezritch explains. The above verse in the Bible to fear    G-d is not the very simple and immature fear of punishment and fear of a G-d who is greater and stronger. This is something expected in anyone who contemplates on the source for everything and our constant dependence on G-d.

The commandment, is to be so aware of G-ds greatness  and prominence that a person feels ashamed to do something wrong, that could and would upset and/or offend Him, similar to the way a person would behave and act if a great and respected person was standing right there at his side.

In the Talmud, “Rabbah the son of Rav Huna says, whoever has the knowledge of Torah but lacks fear and awe of Heaven can be compared to a guardian who holds the keys to the inner chambers but lacks the key to the outer doors.” 

How to pray.

It was decreed by G-d that Moses, would not enter the Land Of Israel. Moses was not happy with this and longed desperately to enter the Holy and G-dly land. The Bible says, “(Moses) requested from G-d at that time….Please let me cross over and see the good land that is on the other side of the Jordan, this good mountain (of Jerusalem) and the Levanon (Holy Temple.)

The word in Hebrew used by Moses indicates a request from G-d, “for free”. Not because Moses felt, he deserved it, but just because.

When a person comes before G-d to pray, he might think G-d should fulfill his request because he behaves well, or maybe he did some “good deed”. And even he wasn’t the best person under the sun, wasn’t it G-d who created all temptations, obstacles and hardships to be a perfect person. And while we’re at it. Wasn’t it G-d who created us and the whole universe, so in truth he owes it to his creations to be responsible and live up to his duties to provide whatever is necessary?

However with this train of thought, why even pray and ask from G-d, to begin with? If I am owed whatever, then shouldn’t it be coming on its own? Especially, if it is due to us because of what we worked hard for and earned?

Now now, let’s cool it down a bit. First of all. If G-d created a system to reward us for behaving well isn’t that a kindness in itself that G-d granted us, that possibility? And even if G-d should live up to His responsibility, and take care of the world He created, He doesn’t always have to provide on a sunny day when the weather is just right. So perhaps, prayer covers these two scenarios. One, that G-d continues to provide us with the opportunity to be of service, and two, that when and how He does provide, it should be in such a way, that we enjoy His blessings.

Moses is teaching us two great lessons from this portion of the Bible. One. Never give up praying. Even after Moses was told by none other than G-d Himself, that it was decreed he wouldn’t enter the land, Moses knew never to give up praying. Even if we have prayed and asked thousands of times, “hope in the Lord, be strong and let your heart be valiant, and hope (again) in the Lord.” Never give up on hope and prayer.

Another thing. The proper approach to beseech G-d, is to come in humility. Never demanding. The way that works, is, as if leaning on G-ds kindness, a request. Not because we deserve, but because G-d is the ultimate in kindness and goodness.

A person must feel that he is undeserving and truthfully, even if he is Moses, there is never anything we as puny human beings can do to reach and compel G-d, master of the universe.  Moses himself, who represented G-d in taking the Israelites out of Egypt and went up to the Mountain of Sinai for 40 days to bring down the ten commandments, and all the other tremendous spiritual heights he reached, is described as “the humblest human on the face of the earth.”

Righteous people think, that had someone else been given all the opportunities they were granted they would most likely perform even better than themselves, and this made them feel undeserving. An empty vessel leaves room for more. A person who is arrogant and full of his own self-worth leaves no room for G-d and/or His blessings in his life.

The way that works in prayer is expressed most eloquently and powerfully by none other than the great King David. “Let My soul be dust to all……Do it for the sake of Your Name…do it for the sake of your Holiness…”

Conclusion of the study.....STRESS IS..

In a splashy, much-discussed paper published in 2008 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, John Coates and Joe Herbert of Cambridge University concluded, stress spurs cortisol secretions. If you're stressed like a normal mammal, running from a predator, cortisol helps to save your life. But chronic psychological stress—a human specialty—elevates long-term cortisol levels, which increases the risks of stress-related diseases.

When did cortisol levels rise in stock traders? You might think: when they lost money. But that wasn't it. Instead, market volatility, raised cortisol. This makes lots of sense, given that the two key building blocks of psychological stress are lack of control and unpredictable situations.

In addition to its effects throughout the body, cortisol also influences cognition, emotions and behavior. This is what Dr. Coates and his colleagues address in their new study, also published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.

In the Torah, which precedes this study by thousands of years, in the code of Jewish Law, it tells us not to nominate an exceedingly old person, especially if he has no children, to the position of a judge. The reason is because he lacks compassion and sensitivity, two necessary ingredients in being a judge.

But shouldn’t a legal case be deliberated strictly on the basis of objective rational legal concerns. If the judge is a scholar and has the knowledge and is honest shouldn’t that be sufficient? Why are we including in the required conditions to be a legal judge, one’s emotional traits and character leanings?

The Bible says – Moses became angry, and as a result, he erred.

The picture is pretty clear. According to the Bible, it is impossible to completely separate ones emotions from ones intellect. The emotions will influence ones intellect.  It is also true, that with ones intellect it is possible to not only harness and direct ones emotions, but actually create a new desire and emotional interest.  But that is expected from the head which rules the heart “by nature.”

The big deal here, is that a person’s emotional inclination and state of being, works backwards too, on the intellect. It is impossible to separate the two.

The Talmud discusses the two different schools of Hillel and Shammai. Hillel was generally leaning to more lenient rulings while the house of Shammai was generally strict in their rulings. In mysticism it explains the underlying reason. The soul of Hillel was from a more right leaning spiritual source which is generally benevolent in nature.  Shammai on the other hand was from a more left leaning source which is associated with strictness and judgments.

The law, generally follows the rule of Hillel because – the power of leniency, mercy and compassion, is greater, and that is what G-d in his Torah demands of us.  Although we are first and foremost a people of laws, those laws must be administered, influenced and spiced, with mercy and compassion.

Our sages tell us, our present calamities came about because of senseless hatred. People were not nice to each other for no special reason. Just because.  The way to undo this negative, is by turning to the positive side, being nice to one another and developing a feeling of kindness for people, for no special reason, just because.

Just because every human being is created in the form and image of G-d. Just because every human being has a special place and a unique purpose that perfects the world, for all of humanity.

If we nurture the feeling of kindness for each other for no special reason, just because, our thoughts and decisions will reflect those feelings. This will ultimately eliminate the negativity in the world and bring the final redemption, of peace and harmony for all of humanity.

Meditation – 42 – Einstein - trips and a kosher high.

One of the names of G-d is known as the name 42. In Hebrew, G-d the “blessed” the one who “blesses”, begins with this very same number and name, 42. It’s no wonder that when the Israelites traveled from Egypt their place of slavery and where they were born as an independent people, until they reached the ultimate destination, the land of Israel, there were….. you guessed it, 42 journeys.

Our sages tell us, life is a series of journeys and growths, until we reach the ultimate. All told, everyone must go through all 42 stops and growths. In the number 42 there is the blessings and the path of G-d.

Every day too, is a world unto itself and from the moment we wake up until we conclude the day and make it a productive day where meaningful destinations were reached, there is a series of stops and goes. This all begins with our morning prayers, the booster rockets for the rest of the day.

Prayer done properly, elevates a person from the ground he is on to a much higher rung and perspective in life. Prayer is a “ladder firmly embedded in the ground with its top in the heavens.” In our morning prayers there are many elevations possible that have the power to raise and uplift a person from the “narrow and constricted, to the wide and expansive”.  And then again, the next day, we begin from where we left off, to continue moving and transporting ourselves higher and higher.

First, a person both mentally and physically must prepare themselves for this exercise. Before one stands in front of the infinite G-d he must disengage and detach from the thoughts and surroundings of this world. They must purify and cleanse themselves of the dirt and distractions of this world. The code of Jewish law says, we must cleanse our bodies and wash our hands before we can approach the holy.

Internally and externally. The radios, TV, smartphone, news of the day etc. are all impediments and obstructions in the effort to plug in and connect the soul inside, with G-d, to influence the mind and the emotions with stronger and deeper vibrations.

The first expression and the first actual phase in our prayers, designed by the prophets and Rabbis of the great assembly, is to acknowledge and subordinate to G-d.  The only true and everlasting existence in the universe is G-d. All that the physical eye sees is an illusion that appears real but is really not. "Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one." - Albert Einstein

This first meditation elevates the person from the finite natural constraints he has come to believe are immutable. The person becomes aware of a spiritual element that broadens his perspective and possibilities and becomes an exodus from the plateau he was on not too many minutes before this.

In our daily prayers and exercises connecting with G-d out there and inside ourselves, there are generally four stages until we reach the highest for which we stand and is known as the “eighteen blessings prayer.”

At this point, the person should be so fired up absorbed and fixated on the real deeper reality and meaning to life, so completely freshly excited and yet humbled,  he feels he can’t even speak on his own, with his own thoughts, and he prays, “G-d open my lips so my mouth can express its praise for You.”

At this point, a person knows they are never alone. They will feel, G-d is the source and everything makes sense for the good.

And this begins all over again, like taking a shower or eating breakfast every morning, from the experiences of yesterday to the new challenges of the day ahead.

No matter how many days we already prayed and connected, life is a constant journey moving higher and higher. No matter what level a person begins his journey from, the Egypt of today, “the road of a million miles begins with the first step.”

How to Be, "Happy".

Many times we hear great leaders preach the importance of serving G-d in Joy. King David throughout his book of Psalms is exhorting us to serve G-d in happiness. King David tells us, the answer and the blessing is in being happy, filled, with trust and optimism in a good G-d.  “All that G-d does is for the good.” One might think, easy for him to talk. After all he was, the King. However King David was a person who had far from an easy life.

After he was born, for over twenty five years he was considered an illegitimate child by his own siblings. His own father sent him out to shepherd in the field, hoping an animal would “take care” of him. After he was anointed King, he was not accepted, and his own father- in-law wanted him killed. He had children who died on him, and a son who wanted to kill him. Close associates betrayed him terribly.

And still, King David was speaking from his heart. The answer to all in life, is to be joyous.

Rebbe Aharon of Belz was known for his piety and mysticism. Rebbe Aharon was called the "Wonder Rabbi" by Jews and gentiles alike for the miracles they claimed he performed.

His reign as Rebbe saw the devastation of the Belz community, next to the Polish border in western Ukraine, along with that of many other Hasidic sects in Galicia and elsewhere in Poland during the Holocaust.

Rebbe Aharon was once visiting in Hamburg Germany   when  Rabbi  Jacob Rosenheim, founder of the world wide  Agudath Israel Organization intended to take advantage of this golden opportunity, by coming with a list of 15 questions and an entourage of important people, to greet the visiting great Rebbe.

Rabbi Rosenheim asked the Belzer Rebbe. “We are now in a period of time when we are sad and mourning the terrible persecutions against our people. How is it nevertheless possible to serve G-d in joy?”

King Solomon tells us, “In all your ways, you should know Him - G-d.” Whether we are eating, walking, sleeping, doing business, or praying, in ALL our ways we must always keep in mind the awareness of G-d who is always around us and watching each individual. So essentially we are always serving a purpose and it must be done in Joy. How does one accomplish what seems many times almost impossible and out of reach?!

The Rebbe of Belz answered. When a person realizes that the world and everyone’s life was put in motion by a loving and compassionate G-d for the sake of an important and benevolent goal, our view and outlook of the present moment can and will take on an entirely different perspective.

When a person accepts the words of out prophets, that all roads lead to the eventual “light at the end of the tunnel”, to the rebuilding of our third Temple, when peace and harmony will reign over the entire world, the mere focus and anticipation, the envisioning of those great times to come, make the mouth already salivate in the present.

It’s a matter of how we decide to think and what we focus on as the Holy Baal Shem Tov taught, “A person lives in his head.”

It’s not the physical possessions and/or circumstances that create the happiness in one’s life. Sure, sometimes they can make things easier or more difficult, to place oneself in a positive frame of mind.

Ultimately, the joy a person experiences, and the tremendous blessings and good that come as a result is up to the individual to decide where he/she wants to be.

The Holy and great mystical Rabbi Yitzchak Luria once said. “All the greatest heights of holiness I reached, is due to the happiness and joy in serving G-d.” 

Faith in G-d & A Human Being?

My recommendation for this new biography – My Rebbe, by Adin Steinsaltz.   Also, check out www.therebbe.org.

As we approach the twentieth anniversary since the great Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson physically left this world, I dedicate this article to the faith one is expected to nurture in “the servants, the prophets” of G-d in every generation.

When the Israelites miraculously came through the Reed Sea the Bible states, “they had faith in G-d and in Moses his servant.”  From this statement, the Midrash, a commentary on the Bible says, “we learn that faith in a faithful shepherd, is equivalent to faith in G-d Himself.”

In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses, as he recounts the giving of the Ten Commandments says, “I stood between G-d and yourselves to tell you the word of G-d.”

The faith a person has in Tzadikim- spiritual righteous human beings, is an extension of the faith we have in G-d. G-d who in His great mercy is beyond comprehension, and who takes care of his world, sends His human messengers in every generation to represent His interests in this world.

The Baal Shem Tov explains that according to the refinement of the soul of an individual, which may have already taken place in earlier reincarnations, a person merits to feel his special connection to this shepherd and guide.

Once, immediately after the Sabbath when there was no chance anyone had money in their pockets, the Baal Shem Tov asked his disciples to purchase candles to brighten up the house of study. The students hurried to fulfill their masters’ request and placed their hands in their pockets to pay with the money they would surely find. Such was their faith in their teacher and mentor.

The soul is eternal and not limited to any physical limitations, especially the soul of the Tzadik- righteous Holy man. As the years advance, his soul becomes stronger and more available to all those who connect to him, by following his requests and studying his teachings.

There are great benefits to pray to G-d, at the place where the body is interred. Prayers of the individual are more readily accepted, since the place is holy, and because one is aroused more deeply in prayer standing before this great person, his prayers are more meaningful, more powerful and reach deeper and higher levels in G-d. Prayers at this place, connects ones prayers with the Holy Temple as it will be in the times of Moshiach. Imagine the incredible superior quality there is in such prayer and connection with G-d.

Once, a certain villager fell ill and asked his wife to ask the Tzadik for a blessing. She didn’t believe in the powers of a Tzadik but to please her husband she hired a wagon to travel to Reb Yisroel of Ruziyn. On her way she passed a village where the local innkeeper in dire straits sent his wife to go along for a blessing to address their own difficulties.

When they arrived, they both wrote down their problems and request for a blessing. In their excitement, each woman took the others woman paper. To the lady whose husband was ill, the Tzadik gave a blessing. To the lady whose husband couldn’t pay his bills, the Tzadik recommended an application of hot cupping glasses and leeches.

This woman had a strong faith and when the day approached for the payment she got her husband to place the blood sucking leeches and applied the heated cupping glasses. The henchman who came to pick up payment reported to their boss that the tenant was lying in bed dripping with blood all over him.

Deeply moved, the landowner forgave the debt and gave them three years rent free.

The Tzadik of Ruziyn when he heard the story told a colleague. “ Believe me, when that woman stood before me, I knew no way of drawing down help for her. She alone, through the intensity of her faith, drew her own salvation from heaven.”