Hisbatlus
התבטלות

Bittul or nullification is used amongst the students of the Baal Shem Tov, to describe humility, and a removal of the ego. The ego, and its vast needs, can often get in the way of coming close to Hashem, but when we experience Bittul, self nullification, we become aligned with a power much greater than we are, and can be a channel for bringing Godliness into the world.  

Tzipisa
ציפיתה

Leilui Nishmas David Ben Shalom

Instead of just waiting for the great coming of Moshiach, through our actions we can actually bring Moshiach into our present lives.

Moshiach means having a clear vision to Hashem, and serving Him as though nothing is in the way. When I look forward to the geulah I can actually draw back towards me a piece of moshiach and incorporate that into my day to day life. With this outlook every act of chessed, kind word said to another, or even simply thanking Hashem brings moshiach into our lives. When we hold back from looking at something we shouldn’t, or saying a juicy piece of Lashon Hara, our path to Moshiach is cleared and we are already living with the clarity and already living with Moshiach.  

Yidden
אידן

One of the beliefs of Yidishkeit is that the most fundamental element of every Yid is a holy Neshama, a soul that yearns to connect to Hashem.

Over time, as life takes us where it tends to, this central part of who we are can become covered with Kelippos, a shell or peel, that can create a blockage from us accomplishing our mission.

Understanding that at our core we are a holy and spiritual being, and that anything preventing closeness between us and Hashem is not our essential self, allows us to recognize that all we have to do is peel off the outer layer and the beauty will shine outwards, propelling us towards a true relationship with kedusha and Hashem.

Sheep
כבש

מִזְמֹ֥ור לְדָוִ֑ד יְהוָ֥ה רֹ֝עִ֗י לֹ֣א אֶחְסָֽר Tehillim 23

Written by Chaim Ghoori and Maymo Lowinger

Dovid Hamelech proclaims “Hashem is my shepherd, I do not lack, When Hashem is with me, I fear no one!”

In essence we are like sheep, vulnerable and susceptible to all forms of harm, but like a sheep under the watchful eye of his shepherd, we are nurtured, valued, and protected by the loving embrace of Hashem’s presence.  

Living with Hashem’s protective gaze upon us, and knowing that He is intimately involved in every moment of our lives, gives us confidence to succeed in everything we do.

Moshe Rabeinu
משה רבינו

After the sin of the golden calf, Hashem was going to destroy Klal Yisroel. Chazal tell us that in the ensuing conversation, Hashem informed Moshe of his decision to destroy the nation and Moshe assumed that there was nothing he could do to stop it. But Hashem said, “Release me, and I shall destroy them” indicating to Moshe that there was in fact something that he could do! Immediately he stood up and davened on behalf of the Jews, and was successful in saving them. How was Moshe able to pray on behalf of the people who had done such a terrible thing? This was one of the most outstanding qualities that Moshe possessed, and something that we can all embody. Because of the immense love he had for the people, and the confidence in their ability to return to Hashem, he was able to stand up and beg for mercy, obtaining forgiveness from Hashem and ultimately ensuring the continuity of Am Yisroel.  

Each one of us possesses this quality and can be the catalyst for positive growth when we look at other Yidden with Moshe Rabeinu eyes.

Collecting Sparks
רפ״ח ניצוצות
 

During the process of creating the world, sparks of holiness were scattered throughout every part of creation. Man’s goal is to “redeem” these sparks by finding the Godliness within everything, and reconnecting it to its source.    

Everywhere I go, and every interaction I have, is an opportunity to collect these holy sparks and elevate them to their source in Hashem’s unity.

Whether I am waiting in line at the store, doing a mitzvah or something completely mundane, I can always be collecting sparks!

OYS
אות

כל אחד מישראל הוא אות מהתורה Kedushas Levi Parshas Bamidbar

Chazal teach that every Jew is a letter from the Torah, which on a simple level means that each Jew has a particular letter in the Torah which is the root of their soul. Taken a bit deeper, a sefer torah is the holiest religious item that we have. When writing a torah scroll the scribe must have pure and holy intentions and each drop of ink must be placed perfectly onto the parchment, otherwise the letters will not be perfect and the scroll will be invalid. Comparatively, in creating the world, Hashem, the scribe, placed each letter exactly where it needed to be. Each Yid in exactly the right place, in exactly the right circumstances. And just like a Torah needs every single letter to be kosher, our world needs each and every Yid. Taken even deeper, If any two letters in the Torah are touching and not completely surrounded by white parchment, the Torah scroll is also invalid. Each letter needs to have its own individual place and as much as it is part of something bigger it needs to retain its uniqueness and individuality. So too each Yid, while being part of something greater than ourselves, we must always embrace our uniqueness and individuality and use our special qualities to accomplish our personal mission in the world.

Mamleches Kohanim
ממלכת כהנים

וְאַתֶּ֧ם תִּהְיוּ־לִ֛י מַמְלֶ֥כֶת כֹּהֲנִ֖ים וְגֹ֣וי קָדֹ֑ושׁ Sh’mos 19:6

Dedicated to the current generation of Rabbeim and Mashpiim who are inspiring klal yisroel’s children to greatness. Hashem wants us to be a “nation of priests” each one special and elevated, accomplishing incredible things. He also wants us to be a “holy nation”, individuals doing great things in holy ways. To accomplish this he places leaders, teachers, and guides in each generation throughout history to bring out these qualities of greatness.

Especially dedicated to Rabbi Daniel Kalish, a Rebbi who so embodies this mission and who has inspired countless talmidim to reach higher than they ever thought possible, and to count themselves amongst the Mamleches Kohanim V’Goy Kadosh.

Oyros
אורות דתוהו

The Kabbalah teaches us that during the creation process, before everything took its final form, there was a period of Tohu, which we can imagine as energy with no limitation. Upon competition the world was and is a place of Tikkun, with very defined borders and limitations. The Rabbis tell us that as we move closer to Moshiach, there are many souls in this world that come specifically from the “world” of Tohu. These can be people driven with unbridled energy and a seemingly insatiable desire for more. The danger is that, left unchecked, this energy can potentially consume and destroy anything around it.

 
To bring Mashiach we must wrap this energy and passion inside of vessels able to withstand this light and therefore able to deliver this energy to the world. This understanding provides an incredible insight into the root of the souls of our generation. The passion burning within these souls, can at times be misunderstood as a lack of ability to concentrate or a desire to break things, when in fact it is just a liveliness that needs to be channeled in the correct way. When this passion and fire is used to fuel mitzvos and yidishkeit, simple and finite moments receive an energizing jolt sourced in The Infinite One above.

I Love You Hashem
אני אוהב אותך השם

Four simple words so succinctly summing up our relationship with Hashem.

Say this out loud, meditate on these simple words, and sense your unbreakable connection deepen..

I- me, my core, my essence, the deepest part of my being

Love- an intense feeling of deep affection

You- My Father, My King, My creator, My protector

Hashem- G-D over everything

Raztah Vshav
רצוא ושוב

Rebbe Nachman teaches that one must become an expert in Ratzah and an Expert in Shov, Equally adept at both Running and Returning. Life is full of ups and downs, a constant ebb and flow of the human experience. Our job is to deepen our relationship with Hashem and live with Him at all times. Each person experiences life differently. For some the ups come easy, and they have to focus on retaining their level. For others the focus must be on trying to grow ever so slightly, and pulling themselves up from being down.