Meditations and Advice of Rabbi Yisroel Baal Shem Tov – Installment 3

From Kesser Shem Tov

300

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

One should be most careful from taking the “pious preacher” role – The Baal Shem Tov gives the following example – there was once a pious man who came to a little town – and he desired to know the type of townsfolk – so he went to the pub, for by hearing the words that freely flow, as the tongue is the pen of the heart, he could understand.

 

Much to his chagrin, they were vulgar and lewd, and he was most upset.

 

When they realized that in their presence was a holy man, they decided to appease his disappointment by giving him presents; so they each gave him a gift.

 

Meanwhile this pious person realized that these people bribe him, so he arranged for them all to gather on the morrow, to receive more.

 

However from his association with these coarse and vulgar people he eventually became just like them.

 

301

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

It states that inviting guests is greater than having the Divine presence – however, queries the Baal Shem Tov, having to entertain, would by necessity take one away from the greatest of Mitzvahs, to study Torah – nonetheless concludes the Baal Shem Tov, camaraderie far surpasses.

 

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MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

One should think that they are only a receptacle to receive Divine blessing, and though one must do their part, nonetheless, through praying in a mechanism that one concentrated (on the understanding of the words) then one connects to the Divine level of thought, which this draws in G0d so to speak into the world.

 

302

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

Whatever occurs is a gift:

 

We should only look positively on everyone.

 

If one sees something negative in another, it is a sign that at-least a speck of that evil is in oneself (for we only can see our own evil – even if subconscious). Hence this is a blessing, as it allows me to transform myself (for as the Rebbe says, as we have innate self-love, this blocks our ability to perceive our own negative.)

 

This is also the reason for a wife (for as the Baal Shem Tov states elsewhere) though not everything negative she points out in you is accurate, yet some is – allowing you to thus change.

 

Hence if someone is maliciously disturbing your service, you should consider that G-d has sent them, so you should restrengthen your efforts.

 

The main thing is to remove any trace of sadness and always be happy.

 

For example, there are two kinds of doctors: one who hands out bitter pills, the other sweet – similarly, by engaging in self-flagellation, one then becomes miserable and begins to see the negative in others.

 

However by understanding that everyone is your blessing (as mentioned above) for in fact this is a sweet medicine (that as opposed to G-d hurting you, he allows you to see your own evil so you can simply change it) you fill your heart with love for all, which brings down the Divine favor.

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

Similarly I heard from the Master (this is the writer in Kesser Shem Tov writing) that one should always feel that no matter the spiritual level one attains, one is on a low level.

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

I also heard from the Master, we serve God in thought – for by transforming a negative to a positive, we thus have the oomph to do positive.

 

303

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

The urge to go “number 1” (in Hebrew called “small”) reminds us we are.

 

The urge to go “number 2” (in Hebrew called “big”) reminds us we are a bigshot – hence we need to feel small.

 

304

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

Our sages teach, whenever it says in Tehhilim, Mizmor Lidavid (a song by David) first he sang, and from his joy the Shechinah (Divine voice) spoke, and when it states Lidovid Mizmor, first the Divine voice inspired and this caused his song – hence when we say Tehhilim, we should be humbled, for when does the Divine voice ever come to us?!

 

305

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

The suffering of the Jews (or a Jew) under Gentiles (and nations or persecutors) is to extract all the spiritual sparks – and once this occurs (as the Rebbe says it already has) the throne of evil dissipates, and in fact, the world will be inherited by the righteous.

 

306

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

Just as a mother, desires for her son to say something smart so his father will fall in love (endeared to him) similarly the Shechinah, (God) desires any words or heartfelt positive prayer or good deed.

 

When we do this, all the angels in heaven praise God – for our praise below causes, like a conductor, all the angels to praise above.

 

Similarly, our good below builds the entire universe.

 

307

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

One who truly wishes to become a servant of God must clear his mind from its tumbling thoughts.

 

Even when he eats or drinks he should only think/feel that he does this to have the energy to serve God.

 

One should elevate the Divine pleasure over the physical, and in this way he derives spirituality from food.

 

309

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

How could God cause the Egyptians to hate the Jews? – shouldn’t there be free choice? – however as God had already seen their evil, he allowed them to deserve punishment.

 

310

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

Faith shows one is connected.

 

312

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

It is far easier to have your prayers answered and attain Ruach Hakodesh (a state of Divine communication) today, than even in the time of the Holy Temple.

 

The Baal Shem Tov gives an example for this – when a king is in his palace it is very difficult to get an appointment – however if he is traveling and especially if he stops off at an inn, it is much easier.

 

By guarding our thoughts from nonsensical distracting ones, we guard ourselves from the enemy within (making space for the Divine.)

 

313

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

 

Before one speaks, one obviously must think – before one prays one should too – we should contemplate, that our speaking will be the Shechinah speaking through us, and in the Shechinah are all the positive qualities, hence how humble should we become!

 

314

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

The verse states, “What does God desire from you (already”?)

 

The Baal Shem Tov gives an example – even a great minister whom all fear him, when he stands before the king, he becomes like a child – his entire arrogance/pompousness disappears, and he is completely humble.

 

So to, “All that God desires is that we should always be in the state of (mah) nothingness.”

 

A good way to do this, is as mentioned in Choivois Halivavois, imagine how you will, as all people have, and currently are, be eaten.

 

315

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

Nothing is worse than arrogance that comes from humility – in other words, a person senses how great he is, that he is even humble.

 

316

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

The whole point of Torah study – reverence / fear of G-d.

 

317

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

There was once a great Chossid of the Baal Shem Tov who traveled to be with him for Yom-Kippur – but as his horses received no straw he was forced to go to the fields (outside the city) for them to graze – as they were grazing, he fell asleep, and by the time he awoke it was past nightfall (hence he couldn’t go past the tichum – boundary – to walk back.) He was most saddened and spent an entire heartbroken Yom Kippur in prayer and tearful supplication – however when he came to see the Baal Shem Tov, the Baal Shem Tov was joyous – he said, from your prayers in the field, you elevated the prayers of the Jews who prayed in the fields worldwide.

 

 

319

 

In material matters there is pleasure, without satisfaction:

 

For example – if I desire money, then gaining money gives me pleasure (for any pleasure fulfilled grants a pleasure) however it doesn’t satisfy me, as King Solomon says, “Those who love money are never satisfied.”

 

Similarly if I like delicious foods, I gain a pleasure, but the moment I finished the pleasure, it doesn’t satisfy this craving, so we end up like a gerbil, in endless loops.

 

However in Judaism, it is the opposite, for though a person who seeks the answer to a thorny intellectual problem may on one hand feel pain (due to the complex problem) nonetheless the very search, through tomes and ideas, itself is pleasurable; and when he does get the answer, he feels a great satisfaction – likewise the person who studies Torah, or for-example keeps Shabbos.

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

On Shabbos we get an extra Divine soul which gives us great spiritual satisfaction in Torah study and prayer, hence when we do so, it elevates all the Torah study and prayer we did during the week.

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

G-d gave us the Shabbos so we should be able to have a free day – to ascend through Torah study and prayer.

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

Unlike physical pleasures that once achieved a person doesn’t feel satisfied, after we study Torah or give charity, we feel immensely.

 

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

Similarly, scientific discoveries, though they may bring us momentary pleasure, they do not create any satisfaction.

 

How much more so, the “philosophies” (Humanities) that lead us to distorted and misaligned behavior (not only causing lack of pleasure, but deep existential angst.)

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

However the Torah, not only does it give us pleasure, not only does it gives us satisfaction, it furthermore refines, elevates, and brightens our life.

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

When one teaches Torah, the goal is not to enthrall the audience but to inspire (with meaningful lessons) similarly when one listens to a Torah class, the goal is not to choose what you enjoy, rather what you can grow (this is the secret of when G-d told Adam “You can eat all the fruits of the Garden (of Torah”) in other words, you must take lessons and growth, “but from the tree of knowledge (in other words, discerning what you like or don’t) the day you eat it you shall surely die” – for this turns Torah not into a life-teacher, but simply an entertaining show.)

 

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MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

It states, “Make for me a dwelling and I will dwell in you” – as our sages teach, G-d says, each person can be God’s dwelling – what does this mean? – we know we have, say eyes to see, hands to give, ears to hear etc. – now when we use these limbs (our holy temple) for G-d’s desires, such as reading Torah, giving charity, listening to Torah, then we activate the Divine eyes which supervises all of humanity, the Divine hand which gives to all, the Divine ear which hears all.

 

 

This is why Moses was shown the “blueprints” for the Mishkan in heaven, which he told Betzalel who built it – for this is to teach us, that if a physical building can be transposed from Heaven to earth, how much more so can the Divine come to man.

 

320

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

One can sometimes wonder, with the dissenting opinions in the Talmud, it seems as if perhaps G-d-forbid Judaism was lost – in truth, when Moses ascended the mountain he found G-d studying Torah and quoting the future dissenting opinions.

 

In other words, these opinions stem from the three sides.

 

The side of love which finds no fault, the side of justice which finds no mercy, and the side of compassion which is a balance, leaning toward compassion, yet retaining right and wrong.

 

Hence the reason the Talmud and Mishnah quotes the dissenting opinions is to show us that these arguments clarified the law.

 

As we know, the Sanhedrin worked based on a majority, yet we find an anomaly, that if in a capital case all judges found the defendant guilty, he was set free, for the very fact that not a single judge had a dissenting opinion we are wary… maybe the whole court is simply merciless.

 

(It is interesting to note, that when we get to heaven there are two sets of angels, those representing our good and those our bad, with God as judge – so if God is the judge, do we really need our deeds to be weighed?  but in his great compassion God shows us, that every ruling of Judaism, of the Torah, of God is perfectly fair.)

 

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MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

The very names of the Rabbis of the Mishnah represent their souls, which is their Torah (for they come from one of the three sides, hence their tendency, for example of Hillel to be lenient, and Shammai strict.)

 

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MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

The Name of the Rabbi, is his soul (life-force;) While his law, is his mind.

 

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MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

When one learns Torah with awe and love, one attaches their soul to the Rabbi’s soul, hence his source in the Divine.

 

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MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

Even when we study the law of a Rabbi that the final Psak Din (halachah, Judaic ruling) does not go according to him, nonetheless, as we arouse this light in the Divine, we hence cause a great heavenly delight.

 

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MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

Just as it is a Mitzvah to mention the name of the Rabbi (whose law one studies) how much more so, we cause redemption from studying Torah altruistically.

 

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MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

What does it mean to study Torah altruistically – as we know God says, “I have placed my soul within the very letters of the Torah” so to study Torah with the intent to unite with God, does so.

 

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MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

Moshe stands for Mosheh, Hillel and Shammai; for as mentioned, Torah is made up of the logic to permit, the logic to prohibit, and the absolute truth, in-between.

 

343

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

“It was evening, / then morning,” why? – For the benefit of light is only subsequent.

 

335

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

Rabbi Shimon Ben Gamlieil said, “our eyes (during Simchas Beis Hashoivah) were wide open” (through the night) and how do we sleep for centuries?!

 

348

MEDITATIONS

 

If a good deed is better than not – so why did God, who is the first being, not create the world earlier? – the answer is that God had an appointed time when it was best – the proof is that soon we will live in the perfect world of Moshiach (hence one could also ask, why not create Moshiach?) however God whose entire desire is only to bestow, knows the prefect sequence.

 

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MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

There is God’s foreknowledge and God’s desire – one may wonder, if God’s foreknowledge predicts that a. will be evil, on what basis could he be punished?

 

However there is a constant tension between God’s desire and foreknowledge (for example, I may wish to reward my son for studying, yet know that he will not.)

 

Hence, at all times a person has the opportunity to not go according to God’s knowledge, rather desire.

 

349

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

In this world, wherever there is joy there is no trepidation and vice-versa; however when we are dealing with our feelings for God, both simultaneously!

 

350

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

How does one become a true Merkavah – vehicle for the Divine will? – firstly we must integrate our soul with our body, like a diamond that radiates light; and secondly as our sages state, the quality of the diamond (the hardest physical substance) is, it even would smash the hammer trying to crack it, similarly, must our determination be infinitely stronger (then our Yetzer Hara’s).

 

351

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

“She sees the going of her home and lazy bread she eats not” – explains the Baal Shem Tov, this is the soul that is aware of what goes on in her home, heaven; how in one stride, the angel Michoel traverses heaven and Gavriel in two.

 

352

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

Every Kav / beam has six directions: north south, forward behind, right left – this is the secret behind creation Yesh Me-ayin, for Yesh (the creation, beginning from the kav) stands for Yimin (right) and Small (left.)

 

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MEDITATIONS

 

Why do we first say the vowel (Kometz) before the letter (Alef – while we could have said Alef Kometz) for it is the vowel, that explains the letter.

 

354

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

As (Einstein said) time is relative, so to a human being, a day is time, as is a week, as is a year, as is a decade, as is 50 years – this is only because as our time is limited (hence every moment has value) but to God (time can only be seen as sequence – in other words, transitions – for we begin in darkness, then bring in light, and then continuously add.)

 

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MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

We say, God is, was, and will be; – by knowing that He is (for example, every moment all of reality is recreated -see Shaar Hayichud Vehae-munah) we realize He was, and always will.

 

By understanding this, we understand how awesome this world is – for it means this world arose out of the future delight that God foresaw.

 

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MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

Our sages teach, any Jewish judge (Rabbi offering Halachah) who offers a true judgment (based on Torah) becomes God’s partner in creation – in other words, though this world is constantly created by God, God literally makes him as if he is likewise.

 

355

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

The Targum explains that the word Breishis (“in the beginning God created,”) refers to Chochmah – Chochmah is the letter Alef – in other words, Alef created the entire Alphabet, from Alef to Tav – for each letter is simply double Alef (respectively; so Beis is two, Gimmel three etc.) So the closer one is to the Alef, the closer to God.

 

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MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

God enclothed himself into the letter Alef, which is Light, and created the highest world of light, Atzilus; then he took this Alef and placed it within Beis and created the next world of Beriah and then he took the Beis and put it into Gimmel and there are millions of lower worlds, until the letter Tav which is Tachtoinim, the lowest (and all in order for the lowest, to integrate the Alef!)

 

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MEDITATIONS

 

This then is the exact meaning of the verse – “Alef / God created the heaven” – which refers the Hebrew Alphabet, which is spirituality, from the letter Alef (closest and imbued most to the lowest Tav) “and these then created the physical.”

 

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MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

However after God created the Physical, he foresaw that his light could be misused hence he concealed himself into far darker forces (the lusts and passions of foolish people) this is the statement, “and the world was dark, confusing, but the spirit of God hovered above” – in other words, for those spiritual people, be it Abraham, Moses etc. who would realize that the darkness only is a concealment of God, the truth would manifest.

 

356

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

The Baal Shem Tov interpreted the famous Biblical verse that “we should do the commandments to live!” – that ultimate life, is to transform the gross body, as Chanoich and Eliyahu managed, into light.

 

357

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

Just as when we are praying we can think of work; when we work, we can pray.

 

358

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

The Gemarah says, any prayer that has not a sinner praying together with the Minyan (quorum of Ten) is no prayer.

 

Does this mean we must go specifically to find a sinner?

 

Explains the Baal Shem Tov, if there are ten Tzaddikim (righteous Jews) praying, their passion should be such, that just as a wet twig won’t light, but if you combine it with ten dry, it too will catch – hence, their devotion should light the sinner.

 

359

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

There was once a great Tzaddik, who unfortunately was ill over a long period of time, and he received a blessing from the Baal Shem Tov.

 

One of the Baal Shem Tov’s disciples requested from the Baal Shem Tov that the blessing should be fulfilled already… “not to mention that people were murmuring that the Baal Shem Tov’s blessing wasn’t working.”

 

The Baal Shem Tov told the disciple, he must remain ill.

 

So the disciple pleaded.

 

The Baal Shem Tov said, “I will reveal to you what is going on – in the forest, there are lowlifes who wish to attack, maim and murder Jews; but this righteous person’s afflictions protect them; however in three days, the army will capture them and then he will get better” – and this is exactly what occurred.

 

360

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

Everyday – the Gemarah teaches– a heavenly proclamation goes forth, calling people to the study of Torah – but if we cannot hear it, why does it go forth?… and if we can…. why don’t we?

 

The truth is our eyes (as the soul in heaven does) should be able to see from one end of the universe to the other, and so our hearing…. – but as our eyes and ears are under the dominion of the Yetzer Hara (dark angels) therefore we don’t – however great saints like the Baal Shem Tov, could both see and hear.

 

361

MEDITATIONS

There was a person (the author writes, that he personally heard this story from reliable sources) who was a great Torah genius, however he did not believe in the awesome knowledge and wondrous saintliness of the Baal Shem Tov.

 

The Baal Shem Tov however wished very much to encourage him.

 

One day he was learning a commentary which he couldn’t comprehend – and he spent many weeks trying to understand, but he couldn’t… – one night he had a dream and he was escorted through heavenly realms until the light was so intense he couldn’t open his eyes, and finally he was brought to a room and was told to open his eyes – there he saw the Baal Shem Tov and other great Tzaddikim – the Baal Shem Tov explained to him the meaning.

 

That Shabbos he went to the Baal Shem Tov’s table, meanwhile thinking this might have been just a dream, however the Baal Shem Tov said to him, “Welcome, did you look to verify if the explanation I told you was correct?”

 

From that moment on, he became firmly attached to the Baal Shem Tov.

 

362

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

When we concentrate in prayers, it is like an intimate union with God.

 

363

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

The Baal Shem Tov teaches, that when you see someone evil, instead of hating them, you must realize that as we are a single soul; there must be subconsciously some of that evil (desire in me, though I repress the fact I have it, so as not to make myself appear bad – even to myself) and hence by rectifying that evil – I eliminate it.

 

364

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

Whenever you learn Torah, understand that even if you are not so into it, your soul rejoices.

 

365

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

Fear of a negative can be transposed into understanding, that all comes from God; so it is really God’s love (calling you home, and this transforms negative to positive.)

 

366

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

There is expansive and contracted in the three primary realms of space, time and soul (times when we are secure and open, and insecure and fearful) this is why, before teaching one should tell a joke – or connect positively, for this opens the heart of the recipient.

 

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MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

In truth, the goal is that even when an anxious disposition exists within the world, and one doesn’t feel the Divine love, one coerces oneself to do what is right.

 

367

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

The idea of Rotzu / Vshuv (literally the energy goes up and down-) for through taking a break from Divine devotion during work, eating, sleeping etc. the soul rests – and the mind (which has limits) refreshes, to subsequently be able to serve G—d.

 

A person who measures how much time he needs off in order to be able to sustain the Divine service, is continually – even during the break, for this is the intent – serving God.

 

368

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

 

The great Tzaddikim take foreign thoughts (as they are always connected to G-d, hence all thoughts not connected, come from negative sources) and connect them to their source (for all is sourced in some kind of positive); However if one does know how (and as the Alter Rebbe says, this is primarily a task for the Tzaddikim) it is enough to know that in everything there is the external element (which may be negative) and the internal (which is positive.)

 

370

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

Just as when a person is deeply connected to a desire, then they do this with all their passion; similarly in the world, God sends us (in every generation) a soul like Moses, who is one hundred percent permeated with the truth (there are no foreign desires)…  to the extent the generation connects to the Tzaddik, is the extent they get connected (with truth vs. false pretenses.)

 

372

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

From the passion that evil exhibits, we may deduce how much passion we must have.

 

373

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

All words can be connected to the Divine – certainly words of Torah (as the Baal Shem Tov mentions, to meditate that within these words is the Divine author.) Even when talking to a friend (for letters automatically come from the Divine.)

 

375

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

There is a known story of two jesters who Elijah The Prophet told Rabbi Yehoshau Ben Levi (I think) that they would receive the portion in the world to come – for they knew how to elevate, inspire people.

 

376

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

The foundation of a home determines the home, for if the foundation is leaning, the entire structure will be off – similarly if a person is filled with ego (delusions of self-grandiosity) even the good they do, is filled with ego – conversely, a humble person filled with admiration / love, will see good even in evil.

 

377

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

The pleasure in physical delights comes from ancient angels that fell.

 

378

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

 

Our sages teach, all Torah that isn’t accompanied by work causes sin.

 

For while we pray and study Torah we need to use our mind – ironically, though this inspires us, part of the inspiration and the use of our mind adds to our ego; and then when we are not actively engaged in mental pursuits, our ego can take over (hence we can fall into lashon hara, anger, arguments) therefore one should engage in work.

 

379

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

A Torah teaching banishes the negative.

 

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MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

If one needs to be punished… then as the ability to generate positive blessings purely from trust (in God’s goodness) is absolute – hence they take away the trust – thus one should pray that God grants them trust – this is why it states, that Abraham trusted, and this was considered a good thing – in other words, that it was granted.

 

384

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

When one is studying Torah they are on a high level, when they are engaged say in chit-chat or mundane affairs, on a low; but the ultimate goal is to elevate – in other words, to do all for God.

 

386

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

 

Once the Baal Shem Tov visited a townlet – and during the third Shabbos meal, the landowner (in those days, towns were owned by squires) invited some of the Jews and together they sat (with Kosher food) and sang Jewish songs etc. – The Baal Shem Tov saw that in heaven they were much impressed – so he said to the man – “what is your motive?” – he replied “There is a saying “let my soul expire with the Jews” – I heard that on Shabbos Jews receive an extra soul which departs after Shabbos – so I want that my extra soul should depart with them.”

 

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MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

The Baal Shem Tov taught, that if someone is in the need of a miracle, he should give 18 Gedulin (a polish coin – perhaps one could substitute this with a number of current 18) for candles for the Synagogue, for the soul of Rabbi Meir, The Master of Miracles; and he should say – “I promise these 18 gedulin for candles, for the soul of Rabbi Meir, the Master of Miracles – the God of Meir Answer me! The God of Meir Answer Me! The God of Meir Answer Me! – And may it be your will God our God, that just as you listened to the prayers of your servant Meir, and did miracles and wonders for him, so shall you do for me and all Jewish people who need both hidden and revealed miracles. Amen May It Be Your Will.”

 

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MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

It is known that the human is a micro of the macro -the entire universe is your reflection – so be what you wish.

 

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MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

It is known that all acts of giving entail two components: the first is the love hence desire; then the actual specific gift.

 

However this is only in the world of time where there are differences (hence there is a. the love based on a motive (or identification) and then the giving, and then the subdivisions within giving) however in God, everything happens simultaneously – so as it arose in his heart to love the Jewish people, the world was simultaneously created – however we then must understand how this world is a continuous expression of his love.

 

391

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

How can one know if they have proper fear of God?

 

The test is, if a Minister was standing before his king and someone brought by, one of – say – his favorite foods, but because at that moment the fear of the king is upon him (or the bashfulness before the king) his heart would not even seek the food.

 

393

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

In the beginning of the service of God, one may use the otherwise deleterious trait of arrogance – for example, one may induce oneself about the reward God will give them – for though in essence “who truly is deserving?” and eventually one wishes to do what’s right for the right reasons, however to begin with, a person must incentivize.

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

By Tzaddikim they constantly fluctuate between the state of arrogance and humility – for in order to incentivize oneself to do something new – particularly an entirely new service – one must have a trait of boldness; nonetheless, once one does it (or during) one must do so with humility.

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

Even by regular people, the Yetzer Hara tells a person, “Who are you…?” Causing them to doubt what effect they can, and even should have.   So a person must say to themselves, “the entire world was created solely for my ability to make it better!” – however once one does the actual service one must return to a state of infinite humility, for it is alone God that has empowered.

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

We can now understand the bizarre reason why Korach, who himself was a very great scholar quarreled with Moses.

 

You see Korach understood, at times a person must use the trait of arrogance; for Moses who the Torah itself says was the most humble person (something Korach must have been able to see) had to use this trait as a king, leader (though he wished for neither – as we know, God forced him.)

 

However, as Korach in truth was arrogant, and as arrogance causes jealousy, and as jealousy causes rationalization (in other words, the jealous person sees evil where there isn’t, in others; and can’t see their own) hence Korach felt, Moses extended his “arrogance” too far – however Moses being truly humble, understood; and he tried to teach Korach that he should be happy with what God had ordained – this is truly a very important lesson, for wherever there is a leadership role (for as a child wishes to be big, a fool wishes to be great) a person should, like Moses did, try to defer.

 

395

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

For the Tzaddik, whenever he prays, he prays for the lack in the Shechinah, and that which he personally lacks, he understands is a reflection of the lack in the Shechinah – however the average person, who cannot set his own needs aside, should not attempt to pray as the Tzaddik does – for whenever a prayer ascends to heaven, it is inspected; if it is sincere, it is accepted (hence the Tzaddik who is sincere it is accepted; and likewise even if I pray for myself, as long as I am sincere, it is accepted – in other words, I don’t pretend I am altruistic.)

 

Now there are two kinds of loves a parent has for their child, the first is when the child does something clever, and the second is for the child, despite anything – similarly, the Tzaddik, through elevating this world, creates a delight by God; but his deepest connection is simply his personal (as all people can have) love.

 

397

MEDITATIONS / ACTION

 

The ability to create people who return – to G-d / Judaism etc. – is mainly through the Tzaddikim who are able to reveal the person’s essence.