Rebbe Nachman teaches us that when we make a choice that moves us away from the light, and then repeat it, we create a concealment, a veil between us and God.
It can be difficult to remove that veil because it’s as if we’ve created a different reality, so much so that sometimes we begin to believe in the veil more than in the deep truth it conceals.
“Their love also doesn’t amount to anything”, that is, the love and friendship which exist among…the common mass of people. Theirs is not true love. Each one is only concerned with his own interests. Any expressions of love and friendship are purely a matter of show, in order to make a good impression, for ulterior motives.
In actual fact, everyone is jealous of everyone else.
—Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, Tzaddik, 471
The Rebbe goes on to tell us other uncomfortable truths about our standards of love, friendship, and jealousy.
May we possess no foolish, conceited thoughts…May we recognize our imperfections…
May we forget about our impressive family background and anything else that might make us haughty. Instead, may we stand before You like paupers, aware of our paltriness.
—Prayer Number 97, Likutey Tefillos (The Fiftieth Gate, BRI)
“Please! I already feel so low, why do I have to speak to God about my imperfections? He already knows what they are. I already know what they are. (Boy, do I.)”
If you’re thinking this, I don’t blame you. Many of us put ourselves down, beat ourselves up. We focus on our flaws and this makes us feel terrible.
Why would we ever want to turn the spotlight on our imperfections?
To listen, click the play icon, above.
Why am I here?
What is the ultimate goal of my life?
How do I achieve this and other important goals?
How can I tell that if I am making the best possible choices for me?
How do I know what will make me truly happy?
Where should I go to get the best advice?
*Rebbe Nachman of Breslov tells us that there is always a tachlis (a purpose and goal, combined), behind a tachlis. It’s just a matter of how deep we want to dig. This class explores some of the Rebbe’s insights as well as a reading of the Rebbe’s story A Story of Trust.
If you would like to sponsor a shiur in memory of a loved one or other reason, or if you would like to hold a class in your home, contact: chayarivka@breslovwoman.org.
*Please note: BreslovWoman classes are geared towards a variety of students and audiences with various types of secular and religious affiliations. However, many of the Rebbe’s teachings are essential for everyone, which is why, for now, we’re not labeling the ones that are being posted.
This Coming Sunday, Extend Your Chanukah Glow and Join Us for:
What’s My Life Mission?
A Talk Based On the Powerful Teachings of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov
What Will We Discover?
Rebbe Nachman of Breslov said that the best way to approach life is with simplicity, joy, and truth. Yet, many of us have burning questions about what our true life path is. With Hashem’s help, we’ll use the holy teachings of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov to answer the following questions and more:
Why am I here?
What is the ultimate goal of my life?
How do I achieve this and other important goals?
How can I tell that if I am making the best possible choices for me?
How do I know what will make me truly happy?
Where should I go to get the best advice?
DATE: This coming Sunday, 5 Tevet-December 8th
TIME: 1:00 (afternoon)
PLACE: The Home of Mrs. Rivka Sara (Belinda) Borukhov, Director of Outreach for BreslovWoman.org
Rego Park (Queens, NY)
Email: chayarivka@breslovwoman.org or bgal33@gmail.com for address and directions
(This shiur will also be repeated Monday night, I”yH, in Brooklyn. Limited seating. Please contact chayarivka@breslovwoman.org for information.)
Also, join us in Brooklyn for tonight’s class: Why The Greeks Don’t Eat Latkes
Every individual knows her own personal pain and sorrow and the distance that separates herself from God. —Rebbe Nachman of Breslov
How can we make the distance between us and God less? Each of the following is a vital step towards connection:
Learning Torah in general and the teachings of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov in particular
Sharing what we’ve learned with others (and vice versa)
Doing mitzvos and good deeds
The first, learning, is one way to begin to commune with and understand your deepest, truest, self. We need to know who we are(and who we are in a larger context), in order to connect with others.
Rebbe Nachman of Breslov’s teachings are, among other things, a comprehensive, holistic self-actualization system.
Breslov Chassidus offers profound variations on numerous themes, ranging from practical to spiritual, from earthy to intellectually elegant. Though the ramifications are cosmic, each lesson is also personal.
While it’s true that each is part of a larger whole, each lesson, analysis, meditation, and prayer is important in its own right.
Even a little bit of Breslov has the power to set off spiritual rumblings that may shake the foundations of your deepest self. After only a brief period of learning Breslov, you’ll begin to understand the holy source of your soul, the value of the true you—and this understanding is essential to living a meaningful life.
If you are an ambitious self-starter, you can being with Meir Elkabas’ excellent Breslov Therapy guide, a how-to on creating your own self-development program.
But what if you want something a bit simpler? I ran this 3 step program by Reb Elkabas and he gave his enthusiastic approval.