Emuna Therapy

Please Don't Climb on the Balcony

Here is a beautiful example of the type of really inspiring emails that are starting to pour in. This one is so gorgeous, that I had to share it with you before Shabbos.  I want to translate this one into Hebrew and show it to Rav Arush. Wow will he have Nachas from my friend, Natan! Take this one with you into a wonderful Shabbos Hagadol!

Good Shabbos,

Dr. Zev

BS"D

Hello Reb Zev,

I’ve been applying the Rav’s advice of not “disciplining” my children, specially my second one (5 year-old) who’s always up to something interesting. I’ve been praying for them as you suggested, and kindly asked him to please not climb on the balcony railing because it’s dangerous. He usually doesn’t listen when asked in a kind manner. Anyway, the other day I overheard him asking my wife for some object that was beyond his reach. She told him to take a chair and climb to get it. He responded, “Ima, I’m not allowed to climb. Aba said that I’m not allowed!” It was amazing! I immediately gave thanks to Hashem. Do you realize what a ness? He had his mother's permission to climb and refused!! This would never have occurred before!!

I’m learning that the way I’ve been disciplining my children through yelling and hitting (may Hashem spare us) only worked when I was around. As soon as I wasn’t around, the negative behavior continued. It’s the theory of “When the cat’s away the mice come out to play.” They learn to fear me, instead of emuna, love and respect. This doesn't build my emuna or improve me in any way.

Thanks for your advice. I can see how the Rav’s words are so true! We just have to continue interpreting Hashem’s messages through our children’s behavior, make teshuvah and pray for them. Somehow, I never realized that their behavior is also from Hashem. Just another area to apply emuna to. Once we fix ourselves, the negative behaviors will decrease.

Shabbat Shalom!

Natan

The Longterm Challenge

by Dr. Zev Ballen

With Passover coming soon, we are reminded of the many miracles that Hashem performed for us: He brought plagues upon our oppressors; He helped us to escape by splitting the sea; He sustained us in the wilderness; He gave us the Torah and He helped us to conquer all of the nations that were living in Israel.

Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Linder, at Rabbi Shalom Arush's Yeshiva asked: Why is it that Hashem did not perform one more miracle for us by helping us win the war against the nation of Amalek? - What was different about that war? Get the full story right here...

Wishing you Blessings Always,

Dr. Zev Ballen

 

From Hell to Paradise plus Shiur Today!

by Dr. Zev Ballen

Reb Yehuda Zev Lebowitz was a hidden tzadick who we know very little about. He passed away several years ago. Some say that he may have been the head of the 36 hidden tzadikim of his generation. When Reb Yehuda Zev met Reb Shalom Arush he said that Reb Shalom possessed the purest soul that he had ever seen.

Those who are close with Rav Arush know that he too is a very hidden person. Reb Shalom is glad to help others with their problems but he does not discuss his personal life with anyone - Even with the biggest tzadikim of this generation. There was only one exception and that was Reb Yehuda Zev Lebowitz. Reb Shalom said that when he meet Reb Yehuda Zev the tzadik proved to Reb Shalom that he knew everything about his past and everything that Reb Shalom was thinking at the time. Reb Shalom said that he never felt like that in the presence of anyone else.  After he passed away, Reb Yehuda Zev's family told Rav Arush that the tzadik wanted to give Rav Arush the great honor of having his tefillin. Reb Yehuda Zev Lebowitz continues to appear to Reb Shalom in dreams at important times help him know what to doven for and how to lead the Jewish people.

I heard a story about Reb Yehuda Zev when he was a boy from Rav Cossouto. It was on a Shabbos somewhere in Europe.  Reb Yehuda Zev's grandfather came home from shul and a table was set up in the backyard for him to make kiddush outdoors. Just then a truck pulled up and several Nazi soldiers got out. They approached the grandfather and said that they knew that he had a grocery store and demanded that he open it right away. The saintly grandfather apologized saying that he was not able to open the store on Shabbos, but if they came back after Shabbos he would give them whatever they needed. The Nazi's laughed. Pointing to a nearby wall they told him that if he did not open the store within ten minutes they were going to kill him against that wall. Refusing to break Shabbos to open the store the holy tzadik walked  to the wall and stood there waiting with his face flushed against it.  The woman and children were screaming but the tzadik just stood calmly and waited. 

Exactly ten minutes later another jeep pulled up and another group of Nazis came out. They began yelling at the first group and demanded to know where they had been. They answered that they needed provisions and were about to take them from the tzadik's store.  They yelled back that there was no time and ordered the first group to stop what they were doing. They were forced to leave.  What a priceless gift of chinuch (moral/spiritual development) did young Yehuda Zev inherit in those ten minutes! What was that saintly grandfather was thinking while he stood at the wall? When I heard the following story about Reb Nosan of Breslev I thought I might understand at least something of what great people do under such circumstances.

Reb Nason, the chief disciple of Rebbe Nachman of Breslev said that if after his passing he had to spend time in hell, he knew exactly what he would do to escape unharmed. Reb Nason said that he would begin to recite one of Rebbe Nachman's lessons from Likutey Moharan.  Can you imagine the holy tzadik, Reb Nason of Breslev learning Likutey Moharan amongst the flames of hell. It would not be long, says Reb Nason, before the other unfortunate souls would gather around to hear the Rebbe's teaching. Once that happened - there would be no more hell - only paradise.  Hell cannot exist at all in the presence of holiness - it is forced to disappear. What Reb Yehuda Zev merited to see that Shabbos morning was nothing less than a miracle. He watched as his holy grandfather literally brought Heaven down into a living hell. With chinuch like this, it is no wonder that the boy became a lamed vav tzadik.

Set your alarm and catch my video-lesson later today entitled Peace First! and hear real-life examples of people like yourself who are changing their lives for the better by literally putting peace before everything!

 The lesson will be given today Wednesday March 28, 2012 at 5:00 PM Israel time at 13 Shmuel HaNavi, Jerusalem, on the second floor of the new Yeshiva building where it is open to men. You can also hear the live broadcast at: www.Breslev.co.il: in LA and the West Coast at 7:00 AM; in Denver at 9:00 AM; in Mexico and CDT at 11:00 AM; and the UK at 3:00 PM. If you have any questions you can write me at: zevballen@yahoo.com. See you later!

Wishing you Blessings Always,

Dr. Zev Ballen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smile at your Problems

There was a time when Rabbi Arush was so deeply in debt that there was no chance that he could repay it.  All the same his friends saw him going around with that classic smile.  They remarked to Reb Shalom that they did not understand how someone in his disastrous financial situation could still look so happy all the time. Reb Shalom answered simply that he was just happy that there was a Hashem in the world who he could rely on.

Even so, Reb Shalom knew that it was his responsibility to pay back the money that he owed. He did not think that Hashem wanted him to be learning in Yeshiva while he owed so much money so he took a job -  but not an ordinary job. Reb Shalom reasoned that if he took a regular job he still would not be able to catch up to the mounting interest that was accruing on his debt.  Instead Reb Shalom Arush used the situation to prove to Hashem that he had complete faith in Him.  

From that day on, Rav Arush  dutifully reported for work in the forest where he spent  8 hours a day doing nothing but praying for relief from his debt. Reb Shalom said that Hashem had put him into debt, and only Hashem could save him from debt. Reb Shalom says that he "fought" with Hashem to return him to financial solvency. He said further that Hashem enjoyed the strong arguments that he put forth in his own defense because Hashem really wanted him to win the "fight". Reb Shalom continued to work for  Hashem until his financial situation completely reversed and Hashem made him enormously successful.  

Wishing you Blessings Always,

Dr. Zev Ballen

 

 

 

Longterm Challenge

by Dr. Zev Ballen

With Passover coming soon, we are reminded of the many miracles that Hashem performed for us: He brought plagues upon our oppressors; He helped us to escape by splitting the sea; He sustained us in the wilderness; He gave us the Torah and He helped us to conquer all of the nations that were living in Israel.

Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Linder, at Rabbi Shalom Arush's Yeshiva asked: Why is it that Hashem did not perform one more miracle for us by helping us win the war against the nation of Amalek? - What was different about that war? Get the full story right here... 

Wishing you Blessings Always,

Dr. Zev Ballen

Nissan, the Key to Freedom

 

 

by Dr. Zev Ballen

On Wednesday of this week Rabbi Shalom Arush spoke to the members of the Kollel at the  Chut Shel Chesed Yeshiva in Jerusalem. The Rav spoke about the great significance of the month of Nissan to the Jewish people and the entire world. The Rav quoted Rebbe Nachman of Breslev who wrote in Likutey Moharan that there are two months of Teshuva(repentance) in the Jewish calender - Tishrei and Nissan. In Chodesh Tishrei we do Teshuva out of fear, but in the month of Nissan we do Teshuva because we love Hashem.

All thirty days of the month of Nissan are like Yomim Tovim (holidays). On the first 12 days of the month they used to bring the sacrifices of the princes of Israel; on the 13th day of Nissan was the Isru Chag (extra holiday) for the princes. On the 14th of Nissan the Korban Pesach (Passover sacrifice) was brought in the Holy Temple. Following this were 7 days of Passover and the Isru Chag of Passover   All in all Nissan is a month of many holidays. 

The Rebbe wrote in Likutey Moharan that Nissan is the Rosh Hashana - the beginning of the year - for kings. This means that it will be in Nissan that Hashem will decide who all of the nations Kings will be including when our Mashiach will come. There is a side to say that The first day of Chodesh Nissan is even more important that Rosh Hashana in Tishrei. In Tishrei everyone is judged on their individual thoughts, speech and actions but in Nissan, Hashem is judging the whole world collectively. 

The Rav is asking you to consider how very important the upcoming month is to the welfare of the Jewish people and to put special effort into your dovening and learning all month long.  Especially on the first day of Nissan which falls on  Shabbos, Parshas Vayikra - we should pray that Hashem will send us Mashiach, the true King of Israel and establish his Kingdom in Jerusalem as the leading kingdom on earth.  In the event that Hashem decides that it will be better to delay the coming of Mashiach until more of the Jewish people can still gain reward for returning to Him; we should pray that He will at least send us worthy leaders who will be good for the Jewish people. Usually we do not make requests of Hashem on Shabbos, but I recall that Rav Arush wrote in his book In Forest Fields, that it is an exception if the request leads to oneg Shaboos. If the request will give you simcha and add delight to your Shabbos, Rav Arush permits it. This is certainly what the Rav means here. To participate through ones prayers in bringing the Mashiach and quickening the final redemption on Rosh Chodesh Nissan will give even the saddest Jew something joyful to look forward to - therefore Rav Arush permits it even though this year Rosh Chodesh falls on Shabbos. Thanks to Myriam Kalchstein for her question on this point.

Nissan is not only the month of the Geula (our Redemption), but Rosh Chodesh Nissan is also Rebbe Nachman’s birthday. In Breslever tradition, we hold Rebbe Nachman of Breslev as the true Tzaddik of the generation until Mashiach comes. This is what Rebbe Nachman meant when he said that his fire will burn until the coming of Moshiach. Breslever Chassidim  try to visit Rebbe Nachman’s holy gravesite in Uman on Rosh Chodesh Nissan for this reason. Rav Arush and Rav Brody are probably in transit to Uman as I am writing this.

Have a wonderful Shabbos Rosh Chodesh!

Wishing you Blessings Always,

Dr. Zev Ballen

    

Rav Arush and Rav Brody Flying to Uman

by Dr. Zev Ballen

Rav Berland, the Rebbe of Rav Shalom Arush is known as a human angel -  his service to Hashem is so intense that he has gone for periods of three days without sleeping and eating. When Rav Berland was young and new to Breslever Chassidus he was a chavrusa (study partner) with the famous Steipler Rav. One year, before Rosh Hashana, Rav Berland informed the Steipler that he would be traveling to the gravesite of Rebbe Nachman in Uman for Rosh Hashana.  Somewhat taken back the Steipler expressed his concern that Rav Berland's trip would disturb their learning schedule.  Rav Berland then asked the Steipler Gaon if he could make him the same guarantee that  Rebbe Nachman made to all of us. The Rebbe promises to save the soul of anyone, from hell, who says a short prayer by his gravesite and gives a penny to charity. To this the the Steipler humbly answered that he could not give such a guarantee.

Just imagine what a spiritual giant Rebbe Nachman was to make such a promise.  The Rebbe promised us that if we will just remember him for one second and say the  tikkun hakalali (general remedy of ten psalms) that he will erase all of our sins and renew us like newborn infants. Our job is to believe in the power of the Rebbe's promise. He said that we could count on him and by attaching ourselves to him there is no need to worry about anything. He will open the paths for everything that we need.

It is a Breslev custom to pray at the holy gravesite of Rebbe Nachman of Breslev before Pesach (Passover) the time of our national redemption from Egypt. Rav Arush will be flying to the Uman on Thursday, G-d willing. This is a very auspicious time to connect yourself to Rav Shalom Arush - the Light of Rebbe Nachman in our generation. By supporting Rav Shalom you give him the ability to advocate for you and your family in the most critically important ways.

The Rebbe also wrote beautiful melodies. Here is a very special rendition of one of the Rebbe's melodies for the Friday night Kabbalas Shabbos prayers of Breslever Chassidim by Rabbi Lazer Brody and the Kisufim Trio. Enjoy!

 

 

Wishing you Blessings Always,

Dr. Zev Ballen

Parenting with Love

 

by Dr. Zev Ballen

 In all my years in the mental health field, I have never read anything that resembles what my Rebbe, Rabbi Shalom Arush has written about parenting. I hope for your sake, that your children are still young - but even if they are not - you have the Rebbe's promise that if you follow his advise closely that you will see unbelievable Blessings - not only from your relationships with your children - but from your relationships with everybody.

First, with Hashem's help, I will present the simple and obvious truth of my Rebbe's approach to parenting. Then, from my experience as a psychotherapist, I will illustrate just how quickly it works. Continue Reading...

With Blessings Always,

Dr. Zev Ballen

 

Looking for Marital Bliss?

 

by Dr. Zev Ballen

In all my years, doing Marital Therapy I never had the tools to help you achieve marital bliss that I do now. Rabbi Shalom Arush has revealed the secrets to a deeply peaceful,satisfying, and worry-free marriage which I am happy to share with you in this week's Video-Lesson entitled Marital Bliss. You can hear the live broadcast today - Wednesday March 14 at: 5:00 PM Israel time at 13 Shmuel HaNavi, Jerusalem, on the second floor (for men). You can also hear the live broadcast in LA and the West Coast at 7:00 AM; in Denver at 9:00 AM; in Mexico and CDT at 11:00 AM; and the UK at 3:0)PM on Breslev.co.il. If you have any questions you can write to me at: zevballen@yahoo.com.

With Blessings Always,

Dr. Zev Ballen

Standing Alone

by Zev Ballen

Lately I've been immersed in Rabbi Shalom Arush's book The Garden of Wisdom (soon to be available in English, G-d willing) and I haven't been able to put it down. I don't think I have ever been more positively influenced by a book - even one by Rabbi Arush himself.

Today I came upon a passage in the Garden of Wisdom that raised a question in my mind. Rabbi Arush said that in his service to Hashem, Abraham remained so separate from others that it was if they did not exist. Rabbi Arush said further that any of us who want to want to serve Hashem in Truth must be willing to do the same - to be separate from others as though they do not exist.

How can we reconcile this teaching that Abraham lived his life as though there was only himself and Hashem with what the Torah says about Abraham in many other places? The Torah actually describes Abraham as the kindest and most hospitable man that ever lived - the consummate 'people-person' who would go to any length to spread peace and the knowledge of Hashem to anybody.

When Hashem said to Abraham “…I will make you the father of a multitude of nations,” Hashem in effect appointed Abraham to be the father of the entire world. Can you imagine the level of interpersonal savvy that Abraham must have possessed for Hashem to pick him for this role? How could Abraham have been both a religious zealot who separated himself from the world and a loving father-figure to all of the nations? Certainly this cannot be what Rabbi Arush meant when he said that Abraham lived his life as though he were alone with Hashem. See more here...

With Blessings Always,

Dr. Zev Ballen