Rebbe Nachman’s Ayeh: Class 5 with Chaya Rivka Zwolinski at BreslovCampus.org
Rebbe Nachman’s Ayeh: Class 6 with Chaya Rivka Zwolinski at BreslovCampus.org
Whenever the Jews traveled, they dismantled the Mishkan (the Tabernacle) for the trip and reassembled it at their new encampment. No matter where the Mishkan was reassembled, it retained all the sanctity of the original Mishkan that Moshe initially assembled. From this we learn that when we travel we can take our holiness with us and reestablish it wherever we go.–Likutey Halachos, Reb Nosson
In this week’s Torah portion, Bamidbar, we learn of the journey of the children of Israel through the midbar (the desert-wilderness). (This journey is possibly the root of the generally non-Jewish expression, “the wandering Jew.”)
Wandering connotes seeking but not quite finding, approaching but always turning.
An Iraqi melody to Kah Ribon, on oud and other instruments.
Music is a vital Jewish spiritual practice. The importance of music, lyric, and melody to Judaism and particularly to Breslov Chassidus can’t be overestimated. Rebbe Nachman of Breslov encourages us to sing, dance, and connect to our deepest spiritual self through song, for through song we become happy, and happiness is a great mitzvah.
Sing many songs at the Shabbos table. Pay no attention to any obstacles. Others at the table may show little desire to sing, but you should still do your part. Make a determined effort to sing happily. Lead the Shabbos table with happiness, because the main thing is the joy of Shabbat.
—Rebbe Nachman of Breslov
Kah Ribon is a zemer, one of the zemiros (songs) we sing on Shabbos. Zemer* means song. Zemer also means “to prune”. Pruning involves cutting away excess matter to strengthen the core, the roots.
On Shabbos (Shabbat), everyone experiences a certain enhancement of their perception of Godliness, and through this, their capacity to give love to their fellow creatures becomes greater.
For a person’s capacity to give love is related to the degree of his perception. And when he offers love to others, he in turn receives love from Heaven.
—Rebbe Nachman of Breslov
Is the Rebbe really saying that through our experience of Shabbos we’ll become better friends, sisters, daughters, moms, and wives?