Parshat Vayishlach
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BSD PARSHAT VAYISHLACH 5767 YERUSHALAYIM IH’K
Yaakov Avinu has begun his return to Eretz Yisrael, and this return must of necessity contain the highest test of his entire exile. And so, he prepares to meet with his brother Esav. Chazal teach us that Maaseh Avot Siman Labanim- the stories and events of the forefathers were a portent for us, their children. Our forefathers also understood this and therefore, there was no event in their lives devoid of meaning, significance, thought, intent and prayer. Each step that our father Yaakov took was pregnant with energy for the future.
Yaakov Avinu goes out to meet his spiritual adversary. One of the ironies of his life, and ours, is that those who are our fiercest opponents are also our relatives. Brothers, cousins and uncles were Esav, Yishmael and Lavan. Great potential was within each one, coupled with great danger as that potential went lost. And even as Klal Yisrael davens for world peace, for the fulfillment of the human dream of Divine knowledge, our host countries and even our adopted step brother government in the Land try to overthrow our holy deeds.
The Torah teaches that Yaakov Avinu prepared with prayer, gifts and yet armed himself in case of war. The prayer was answered, the gifts received and war was temporarily avoided. Yet, the exile of Edom still lingers.
Rebbe Nachman reminds us of another method of preparation that our Avos and Emahos perfected. He encourages us to empower ourselves, to arm ourselves with the ultimate weapon, the secret weapon that each of our masters and teachers cultivated, expanded, permeated into their every cell and eventually radiated.
The weapon that is at the root of all Emuna, Bitachon, prophecy, Ruach Hakodesh and Dveykus.
That weapon is nothing more than plain, old fashioned simple Simcha.
Rebbe Nachman echoes the teachings as far back as creation- be B’Simcha with whatever happens.
Stay calm, relaxed and enjoy.
Focus on all that is good and right in your life and in the world.
Ultimately, everything that we know and see and experience is within that which is Hashem.
We are totally and completely safe.
Period.
If you read the shelves of books that line the self help- inner discovery section of all the major secular bookstores you will find book after book explaining the dynamics of just why a person should always stay happy. There are pseudo mystical physicists who will explain that a happy disposition translates into a positive aura which in turn will draw positive successful and happy events to that happy person. There are doctors who quote statistics about happy brain waves turning into happy brain chemicals which heal the body thus encouraging longer life and a happier disposition. There are artists who will tell you that the world loves love and spurns bitterness, allowing the world to return your smile but forcing you to cry alone.
Etc. Etc. Etc…..
All of this is true and more. There are spiritual blockages that are opened with a little happiness. There are physical blockages that parallel these spiritual ones that are likewise unlocked. There are happy angels, who encourage and generate more happiness. Processes like these and infinitely more mysterious ones are taking place around and within us. All fueled by happiness.
The Bal Shem Tov taught that although being sad is not an official sin, not officially one of the 613, yet its effect, the result of sadness is more detrimental than the worst Tum’ah. It is therefore not a surprise that the affliction of sadness, depression and discontent is rampant even in the world where Mitzvos are valued.
The Land of Israel is presently surrounded on all sides by mortal enemies. Threats are not just from north, south east and west, but from the air and the sea, and underground! These threats are not limited to the military, but include the finances and economy, the workings of governments and thoughts of power hungry pseudo leaders. The threat is also within. Many of our best souls are searching and confused.
So, here is one exercise we can add to our arsenal, in addition to the volumes of Tehillim and personal prayers.
Prepare yourself by thinking about all the people in your life. Give each a mini-second of acknowledgement and recognition. Include each in your being.
Now, expand your thought to include all souls from your soul group/family, whoever they are and wherever they are.
You might want to then expand your thought to include all Jews on the planet, and if you want, to include all humans.
Now, think about the greatest Tzaddikim you have learned about. The Avos, the Emahos, all the Tzaddikim from Tanach, and the more contemporary ones who you feel connected to.
Know that you can attach all these souls together, just with the power of your thought. You can certainly attach your thought to great Tzaddikim, and you can actually bind your soul to great Tzaddikim.
Now, just sit for a while and fill up with pure, simple joy. This might take some practice, but you can actually use the power of your mind, thought, imagination and emotion to conjure up within you a great feeling of appreciation, and joy. Make this a real joy, the joy of knowing that you are an indestructible and holy soul, a part of God. Allow this joy to come from trust in Hashem, from appreciating the gift of Torah, from reviewing all of your life’s blessings, from being awestruck at the beauty of the world and its artistic song, or from wherever you create joy. Allow this joy to course through your body. Sing a song of joy and gratitude to Hashem. Ask for nothing; just sing to Him from Simchas Hachaim. Give over this joy to Hashem, and let Him use it for whatever He ‘needs’.
Rebbe Nachman explains that one of the weapons of Esav is sadness and dejection. What can we do, we are human and in exile and so we all fall prey to this every so often. Nevertheless, there is much to be happy about- the world will have its fixing, the Geula will come. He has promised and He will deliver.
Our story has a happy ending- if it’s not happy yet, then it’s not ended yet. And until it is, we can create small pockets of time and space where we help speed the process up a little bit, by empowering our souls and our Tzaddikim and our holy Torah with the power of our happiness.
No one ever heard of defeating armies with nothing other than Simcha- until now…
