Rebbe Nosson
BSD TENTH OF TEVET, YAHRTZEIT OF REBBE NOSSON BRESLOVER
A few stories about Reb Nosson the foremost student of the Rebbe, Rebbe Nachman…
Reb Nosson was a genius in Torah, a scholar who was forever searching for truth in serving Hashem. He had studied under the greatest Torah sages of his era, and still was not satisfied that he had the true Derech for himself. He began to search among the Chassidic greats, despite the fact that both his father and his father in law, who were renown Rabbanim, were against Chassidut. Even among the great Rebbes, he found his soul unquenched.
Then he heard about a young Rebbe in a nearby town. This man, a great grandson of the holy Baal Shem Tov was supposed to be of a totally different genre and character, a unique Tzaddik. Rebbe Nosson began to travel to this Tzaddik. On his way, he heard two men talking about their actual encounter with Rebbe Nachman. The men were disappointed with Rebbe Nachman, and so, Reb Nosson began to listen to their story.
It seems that they came to Rebbe Nachman as most people come to a Rebbe- to give a pidyon and ask for a Bracha. These men had come as business partners, asking for a Bracha that their business venture should succeed. After presenting their pidyon and request to the Rebbe, they were surprised that he refused both the Pidyon and their request. “But you just gave so and so a Bracha for Parnassa,” one of the men complained.
Rebbe Nachman answered by telling them a story. Once, a merchant came to buy merchandise from his distributor. He bought so much that his full wagon would not budge. The supplier ran out and gave him some grease for his wheels and the wagon moved along smoothly. An onlooker, who also had squeaky, un-cooperating wheels went into the supplier and asked for some grease for his wagon. The man was chased away- “I don’t sell grease!” “But you just gave that other man grease for his wagon.”
The supplier replied, “That man just bought from me a huge order and has to transport it home, so of course I helped him in this little matter of grease. But I am not a grease seller, and you, who have bought nothing from me certainly don’t deserve any.”
Rebbe Nachman told the men- I am interested in helping Jews serve Hashem. When a person comes to me and asks me, implores me to direct them in serving Hashem, I am overjoyed to comply. If this person needs some blessings of good health and fortune to allow him the presence of mind to serve Hashem, this too I am happy to bestow. But just gashmiyus for the sake of gashmiyus- this is not my business.
When Reb Nosson heard this story, he knew that Rebbe Nachman was the one he was searching for. For Rebbe Nosson was only looking for ways to come close to Hashem. Everything else was secondary.
If not for Reb Nosson and his total dedication to Rebbe Nachman and to spreading his teachings, the world would not know anything of the great Tzaddik.
Rebbe Nosson himself was a very humble man and wanted no kovod- no honor for himself. He could very easily have taken over the mantle of leadership after Rebbe Nachman’s untimely early passing. He did not assume any leadership role, did not become the next Rebbe and spent his entire life in complete Bittul to the teachings of his Rebbe, Rebbe Nachman.
Rebbe Nosson taught the teachings of Rebbe Nachman that Simcha is crucial to a Jew at all times, and that also a person must always have their eye fixed on the Tachlis- the end and point of all life. To this end, he would often just go to any place of Jewish celebration even if he was not personally acquainted with the celebrants. He went, just to open his channels of Simcha. And he would likewise attend funerals and pay Shiva calls to families he did not know, just to remind himself of the shortness of life, so that he could push himself to more accomplishment.
Once, on his attempt to travel to Eretz Yisrael, he saw a group of non Jewish sailors dancing. He joined them in their dance. He said, “They had their thoughts, and I had mine.” He later said that this dancing brought his to Eretz Yisrael.
My own personal love of mainstream Breslov began with something that Rebbe Nosson wrote. I was in a book store and saw a beautifully bound sefer that was put together by Simcha Raz, an author whose other works I had enjoyed. I had already read and thoroughly enjoyed the biographies of R Aryeh Levin and Rav Kook by this author and anticipated this new book that I found. As I began leafing through, I saw it was of a different type. There were poems, lines of beautiful prayers, some sounding like Tehillim, some sounding like my own journal. Tears in my eyes, I felt like I had written this book or that at least I recognized the author from a very deep place within my own soul.
The book contained snippets of selected passages from Rebbe Nosson’s Likutei Tefillos. When Rebbe Nachman taught that a Jew must talk to Hashem daily in their own language, and beg for all that is needed in spirit and body, Reb Nosson taught us how, he actually recorded many of his own personal conversations with Hashem, and directed our path in this great service called Hisbodedus. His words opened my heart in a powerful and truthful way, and for that, I remain eternally indebted to him. May his Neshama have an Aliyah and may he return to us soon, in Techiyas Hamaisim, along with his great Rebbe and along with all the great souls, with the coming of the greatest soul, Mashiach Tzidkeinu now and immediately.
PARSHAT VAYIGASH- TZADDIK AND BAAL TESHUVA
BSD PARSHAT VAYIGASH 5767
YERUSHALAYIM IH’K
Chazal reveal that Torah is the blueprint of the universe. Hashem looked into the Torah and created creation. And as the world unfolds, we see time and again that very basic Torah concepts become ‘popular’ topics of discussion.
One such topic is personality typing. In the psychology section or the self help or even the new age section of any major book store, you are able to find countless books on personality typing. How to get along with others, how to understand others, how to manipulate them etc. are all hot topics. This idea is firmly rooted in our Torah and goes back to the original duality of Adam and Chava, and then to their first set of sons – the ones who didn’t survive- Cain and Abel.
For our purposes right now, we will concentrate on the puzzling disparity of the two main leaders of our nation, the prototypes of the two Mashiachs, Yosef and Yehuda. Although all the sons of Yaakov Avinu had different temperaments which corresponded to their different tafkidim in the world, the nation is led and titled by being called Yosef or Yehuda. Each of these men was a leader, a king and each had a clarity that was accepted by Hashem, guided by Hashem. Yet, each had a different almost mutually exclusive way of defining Avodat Hashem and leading.
A most complete and complex treatment of the topic of Yosef and Yehuda is given by Reb Tzadok HaKohein of Lublin. He traces the major differences between Mashiach Ben Yosef and Mashiach Ben David to their respective mothers, Rochel and Leah.
Rochel Emeinu is described as beautiful; Leah is described as having swollen eyes from crying. Torah does not focus at all on the external, and we are left wondering as to these descriptions. Chazal explain clearly the tears of Leah- she was reacting in Tefilla and Teshuva over the rumors that she was to marry Esav. People were saying, Lavan has two daughters and his sister Rivka has two sons. Let the elder marry the elder and the younger the younger.
People’s gossip should have had no bearing on the actions of this great woman, yet she found a point of truth in what they said. Rochel, her sister, had no apparent inner conflicts. She always did what was correct and had a composure that bespoke her faith in Hashem. Leah was conflicted in many areas- all spiritual. Yet, she worked through these conflicts, with enormous inner strength and determination. Yet, the hard work took its toll and she was often misunderstood- even by herself at times.
The primary sons that Rochel and Leah bore shared this same destiny. Yosef was given the appellation of Tzaddik. He had a tendency and ability and will to overcome absolutely all obstacles that conflicted with holiness. He was not ‘the perfect man’, but he was close to it. His nature was sublime, he saw truth at its essence and he gravitated towards holiness and was repelled by impurity.
Even when he began to feel the weakening of his body and mind to the onslaught of Eshet Potifar, who accosted him not just with her physicality, which was oppressively powerful, but with spiritual excuses (she saw in astrology that they would have descendants together) he summoned up the deepest inner resources, used his imagination in a holy way and envisaged his father’s face.
In contrast, Yehuda failed at the same exact test.
Yosef is the Tzaddik, son of the Tzaddeket Rachel, and Yehuda is the Baal Teshuva, son of the Baalat Teshuva Leah.
Baal Teshuva here is not referring to the miraculous movement that we are currently privileged to be witness to and a part of. The Baalei Teshuva of today are basically Jews who had very little Judaism or had poisoned Judaism served to them as children. Their return is more of a ‘making up for lost time’ type of Teshuva.
The highest level of Baal Teshuva, which actually includes many powerful Jews today, means someone who is a Master of Teshuva. They have sinned, erred, gone off, corrupted their soul. And they have felt the unbearable pain of being disconnected in soul from Hashem, and have inched their way back to Him.
In doing so, in coming back, the Baal Teshuva does something extraordinary. She or he transforms a negative energy into a positive one. He or she joins Hashem in the creative process. A Tzaddik stays within the borders of Halacha, perfecting the world that can be perfected. A Baal Teshuva actually expands the world. A Baal Teshuva goes out to a place that is not in the borders of Halacha. This initial leaving the boundaries of Halacha is wrong. It becomes the setting for error and sin. Yet, the Baal Teshuva is standing in this foreign territory. He then proceeds to make Teshuva, from the deepest place within of longing for truth, for Hashem, for unity. He loves Hashem. The deepest love is turned to Hashem. The longing to come close to The Beloved. This is one aspect of Teshuva from Ahava. This Teshuva brings Hashem into this foreign place, a place that was barren of holiness. A new arena has been opened, by the Master of Teshuva.
Dovid Hamelech, with the soul of Mashiach, seemingly made mistakes. His was not a narrow, constricted nature, boundaried cozily within the Daled Amot of Halacha. Peretz, the son of Yehuda and Tamar, whose name means to break forth from confinement, was the ancestor or Dovid and so, the Mashiach is called Ben Partzi, the son of Peretz. Dovid’s was not a calm soul. Nor was his life. His life was filled with battles, wars, arguments, misunderstandings, the butt of derisive remarks by outwardly great people.
And he rose above it all, bringing all his emotions into his great Tefilla of Teshuva, his great gift to us all, his Tehillim.
This week, in Parshat Vayigash, we are told that the two great kings, the two great and perfect leaders, the two Hashkafot of Tzaddik, and Baal Teshuva meet. The Baal Teshuva comes towards the Tzaddik. The Tzaddik remains hidden, allowing the Baal Teshuva enough room to expand to the final greatness before revealing his identity. And as the Tzaddik reveals that he has been solely and instrument for the Baal Teshuva to use, to achieve his greatness, that is has been a story only for the upcoming crowning of the Baal Teshuva, the mask disappears. The Tzaddik cries from the pain he has been chosen to have inflicted on the precious soul of the Jew. The Tzaddik cries with joy that the Jew has reached his and her potential. And the Jew, stunned that the exile and Hester Panim have disappeared, realizes the final joy- that there has never been separation at all. The exile and threat was never real- it was always in the hands of He Who loves us in the deepest way.
And so it will be soon, when the final revelation begins. Reb Tzaddok teaches that in the end, there will be a total merging of the Tzaddik and the Baal Teshuva, of Rochel and Leah, of serving Hashem with fear and serving Hashem with love.
And so, each time we try within our own life to create balance between the necessary awe and the sought after love in our personal Avodat Hashem, we bring the final Geula one step closer.
THE MIRACLE OF HOPE
BSD 
CHANUKA MIRACLES IN YOUR LIFE
Why do we celebrate this Yom Tov of light for the eight days that the menorah burned, if officially there was enough oil for one day, which would just give us a seven day miracle? There are hundreds of answers, esoteric, kabalistic, historical and hysterical (that we love holidays and need a longer one in the dark winter). Here’s one of my favorites.
Living in Eretz Yisrael in the times of the Chanuka story was demoralizing. Much like today, there was assimilation, where Jews began to behave like non Jews. Secular behavior was rationalized with excuses like, “We need to blend in to the secular world”, or “We have no choice, they will kill us if we keep the Torah”.
Those who did hold on to Torah and Mitzvos were indeed persecuted, and preferred to live in the hills and caves around Yerushalayim than be subject to the abuse of the Greeks and Hellenists in the cities. I looked today out my window to the mountains around Yerushalayim and wondered what it must have been like living out in the cold and rain of winter, in the heat and scorch of summer. The strength of these people just amazes me.
And this went on for years. Not only were the religious Jews fugitives, but they proactively fought battles with the Greek armies. When the fighting was basically over, they re-entered the Bais Hamikdash and the Menorah story took place. They saw the Holy of Holiest desecrated, raped by the immorality of the Greeks. They felt humiliated and abandoned. The pain of seeing the most Beloved in such a state…
But they shook off the despair and began to repair. They replaced the fallen objects, and decided they wanted to light the Menorah. Searching for pure oil became an obsession. They knew that halachically they could light with any oil, but they refused to compromise on love. This was about love and dedication, not halachic status. They were alive, passionately wanting to prove their desire for D’vekus. But even more, they were desperate for a sign from their Beloved that the love was mutual. They got their sign, lit the Menorah and began to live again.
The first day’s miracle? That Jews had the inner strength to desire and pursue a spiritual life after such a long time of apparent disconnection. To want to try again. To battle despair and the apparent Divine indifference. To internalize that now famous teaching of Rebbe Nachman that there is no such thing as despair for a Jew. To reach up a little higher, to push a drop more for Simchas HaChayim. This was the miracle of the first day. Hope that translated into constructive behavior.
That and more. The Sanzer Rav says that although they only got a little miracle, that also didn’t sadden or disappoint them. They accepted this Divine but tiny miraculous offering and allowed themselves to fill up with the Joy and Love of the Sender. This joy is the root of our Chanukah celebration.
We are now in the end of time. If you are sensitive, you will have noticed for a while now that “time” is moving “faster”. As the exile ends and the redemption begins, the tests of apparent ‘hester panim’ are stronger. The miracles of our daily life are commensurately stronger. Every time I am in a predictably large crowd and a bomb does not go off, I know a miracle just happened. The hashgacha here is complete.
The fact that people continue to search for Hashem in daily life, that the schools here are Baruch Hashem packed with Chutznikim who are desperate to re-connect to Hashem, that kids are now going to Ben Yehuda to say Tehillim and light candles, that even the little miracles that happen are enough to inspire us to keep up our Avoda—this is the living miracle of Chanuka.
The Jews who have the strength to come here to visit, those who send their hearts, their children here to learn , and those heroes who plan to come and live here, they are today’s Macabbim.
We all keep asking, “What else can we do to bring Mashiach?” “What is Hashem telling us and how should we respond personally?” We need the Mashiach Tzidkeinu to guide us. But the fact that we still care to ask, and that we are prepared and committed to push ourselves an extra drop- that is a miracle.
So I bless you to hang on a little longer; don’t give up on your desire to ‘know Hashem’ in a real way. Stare into the fire of the Chanuka candles and allow them to transport you back to Yerushalayim. Search for the constant Nissim in your own life and recognize them as kisses from Hashem.
But in the end, be stubborn in your determination that the total and complete Geula happen now, that all evil be destroyed and that its energy be transformed into good. Let the little miracles sustain you and keep you spiritually alive so that you can spread the Godly light that belongs to you. Absorb the fire of Chanuka, let it fuel you, and then use its power to radiate the Unity of Hashem to our People.
CHANUKA -LIGHT AND VESSELS
BSD
Why is Chanukah one of the most popular holidays? The Gemara states, “Oils and wicks that are not permissible for use as Shabbos lights are indeed permitted for the Chanukah lamp” (Shabbos 21.A). Our Rabbis have taught that, among other things, this means that a Jew who might not respond to the glory of Shabbos can still find relevance and inspiration and connection to Hashem on Chanukah.
Chanukah is the only Yom Tov that is totally Rabbinic in origin, totally relying on the unbroken tradition of the Oral Torah. Yet, it is universally celebrated, even in homes where no other Yom Tov is heralded. This is the strongest response to the Hellenists who mocked the ability of our nation to preserve our unique way of life. Every halacha that we keep is only because of the tradition of the Torah She be’al Peh.Chanuka is the Yom Tov that is totally from the Torah She’ Be’al Peh, yet no Jew questions it’s celebration.
The Sfas Emes taught: The Gemara first gives us the details of the laws of Chanuka and then later asks, “Mai Chanuka”, what is Chanuka about anyway?
The ‘lack of logic’ in the order of how Chanuka is presented by the Gemara is itself a lesson. As the generations come closer to the Geula, we will have more clarity and many “Chidushim” on the meaning and relevance of the miracles of Chanuka. We will notice more miracles in our own lives.
I want to share with you what I recently heard here in Yerushalayim, in the name of the Imrei Emes, the Gerrer Rebbe. The Chashmona’im found pure oil with the seal of the Kohen Gadol and this oil burned in the Menorah for eight days. The Rebbe explains that it wasn’t necessary for the Kohen Gadol to put his seal on the containers of oil. On fact, he never usually did. This vessel and oil was different and unusual. The Kohen Gadol had a measuring vessel that he would use to pour the exact amount of oil needed for the Meal Offering. He would then use this pre-measured oil when giving the Korban Mincha. Once, years before the Chanuka story, Yochanan Kohen Gadol was pouring oil into his measured vessel. He poured, and poured and, to his shock, he was able to keep pouring into this vessel and it still had room for more. He poured in all the oil he had, many times the amount that the vessel had the capacity to contain. When the Kohen Gadol saw this miracle, he knew that somehow this was a significant vessel and very blessed oil. He knew it would be needed at a later time, so he hid this jug of oil under the floor tiles in the Bais Hamikdash.
The miracle was not only in the oil, which originally wasn’t even supposed to be for the Holy Menorah, but in the vessel that kept “expanding” to be able to contain and hold the oil!
In chassidut we are always using the terms Kli-vessel and Ohr –light. The body is the Kli, the soul is the Ohr. Our mind is the Kli, peace and understanding is the Ohr. A mitzvah is the Kli; the spiritual light is the Ohr. The Knesset Yisrael is the vessel, the Torah is the light. The Torah is the vessel, and Hashem is The Light.
Without correct and appropriate vessels, we couldn’t receive and hold onto any light. Just think of how you would drink that hot delicious coffee from the urn, with no cup! Imagine a giant vat of ice cream at your disposal and you have no spoon!
Rebbe Nachman teaches that in order for blessing to come mamesh into our practical lives, we need to make vessels to bring down and hold these blessings. One vessel that can do this is tefilla.
Each particular Mitzvah is a custom made vessel for a specific blessing to enter our reality.
What is the miracle of Chanukah? That Hashem expands our vessels, stretching them far more than we are able. He freely gifts us with the greatest present-more potential, more keilim, and more expanded keilim. And then, he pours into the keilim that he gave us, more of His Light. More joy, more understanding, more peace.
With greater understanding of life, with more clarity, with Godly light in us and around us, we can make wiser choices in how to live the years He has granted us here in this place.
With actualized Keilim, we can learn Torah on the deepest level, and retain it all.
All year long, we are working on our keilim. On Chanukah, Hashem gives us His Present of His Presence and expands and refines our Keilim!
With all our strength, we stretch ourselves up towards Hashem’s outstretched loving Light. And as we all know, on Chanuka He bends down to kiss us.
Our job generally is to make ourselves into the purest and greatest vessels to receive Hashem’s light. We can then share and radiate this Light to heal our selves, our Nation our Land and ultimately the whole world.
We light thirty six Chanuka lights. They are tiny physically, but they pour out enormous energy. They are parallel to the thirty six hidden tzaddikkim in this generation. They are also equal to the thirty six hours that Adam and Chava spent in the Light of Gan Eden.
We bless each other and we also bless Hashem that all these should come together in the final Geula and we should all dance together here in the Rebuilt Yerushalayim in the Bais Hamikdash Mamesh Now.
Have the Happiest and most Miraculous Chanuka!
CHANUKA MELAVA MALKA
BSD Breslov Women’s First Chanukah Melave Malka
You are warmly invited to the very first N’shei Breslov Chanukah Melave Malka!!
Come hear an uplifting and inspiring shiur from Rebbetzin Rena Rochel Silber , enjoy the music and singing and light refreshments.
When? Motzei Shabbos Chanuka, 26 Kislev, December 16 at 8:00pm.
Where? At the home of Tanchum and Heather Burton
5 Ibn Dnan (other side of 52 Chai Taib)
Har Nof, Jerusalem
Your donation of NIS 20 will help N’shei Breslov continue to provide a unique and friendly forum for bringing women together in the z’chus of Rebbe Nachman zy”a, for learning and growth.
Please RSVP this week to Golda Doniger at goldmike@012. net.il. Please let her know how many people are coming with you and what food/drink you can bring…
Become part of the growing community of Breslover chassidot and friends here in Har Nof and Jerusalem
Parshat Vayishlach
BSD
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…