Emuna Therapy

Missed Signs

David had been trying to please his parents and do well in Yeshiva for most of his life. The problem was that it was becoming academically too challenging for him. His self-esteem suffered terribly because he found himself dropping further and further behind his class especially as his Rebbe's became less supportive and understanding. 

Finally, when he couldn't take it anymore, David walked out of Yeshiva and went home. How did his parents react? They were in shock. What did they do? You can read the whole story in Don't Worry Father. which Breslev Israel was kind enough to publish.

Here are the other articles published by Breslev Israel this week: 

Breslever Shtick

The Newsmaker

On Territorial Concessions

30 Minutes To Glory

The Mystical Kinneret

The Power of Tikkun Chatzot

Partners With Hashem

Baby Steps 

The Worst Comes True

With Blessings for a Great Week,

Dr. Zev Ballen

Emuna Tele-Classes Today

Dear cherished friend,

Do you need some sound advice in some area of your life? Would you prefer to speak to an experienced professional who works exclusively from an emuna orientation?

I am available to you for two hours today. You can call in and speak with me anonymously if you wish; or feel free to just listen and learn from the other callers.

Simply dial your county's phone number below and enter access code: 218660. 

Choose from two classes: 10-11am Israel time or 7-8pm Israel time.

Obviously I'm hoping to have the opportunity to speak with you personally. 

Live with strength and live with joy.

Blessings,

Dr. Zev

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Sponsored by Breslev Israel

*This number is not accessible when calling from outside of Australia.

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Honoring Your Children

Children will only accept guidance from parents who love them when they are 'failing'; who advocate for them when they are not 'succeeding'; who protect them from dishonor and self-doubt; and who accept upon themselves the full responsibility of being a parent. 

Wishing You a Wonderful Family Shabbos,

Dr. Zev Ballen

Here is this week's Parsha Newsletter:  Download CSC NL Week 29 Chukat

 

Ask Dr. Zev

                              Dr. Zev Ballen

It fills me with great pleasure and gratitude to Hashem that I can now invite you to call me directly with your questions about emuna-parenting on our new interactive conference-call sponsored by Breslev Israel and the Chut Shel Chesed Yeshiva of Rabbi Shalom Arush.

In order to accommodate those of you who live distant from Israel as well as those of you who live in Israel or near-by, there will be two groups. 

Every Thursday:  1:30 - 2:30, Israel time. To request access to the call please contact: yehuditbell@yahoo.com.    

Every Thursday: 7- 8pm, Israel time. To request access to the call please contact: nehamajulie@hotmail.com.

I am, G-d Willing, looking forward to facilitating both of these groups. 

With Blessings,

Dr. Zev Ballen

 

 

The Old Neighborhood

My friend has a son who he loves dearly. From the moment of his birth, my friend has loved and sheltered his child from harmful influences. When the boy was about ten, my friend moved his family to an ultra-orthodox neighborhood, and further insulated his son from the world-at-large. One day, Alan told his father that he wanted to go back to the old neighborhood to visit his childhood friends. His father was against it, but Alan was determined to go. Alan left his father to explore his roots. He missed his old friends and was curious about the life that his parents had led before he was born. 

My friend knew that Hashem was leading his son in this way, so he turned to Hashem with tears saying: "Hashem, I know that it's You who is taking my child to that place where You Yourself won't dwell! - and I know that I can't stop You, though I wish that I could.

  

You are testing me, Hashem, and You are testing my son too. So I'm begging You, G-d of Mercy - return my precious child to me at once!" 

The boy arrived at the Los Angeles airport and his uncle picked him up. Alan's uncle immediately lavished him with attention. He took him straight to the shopping mall and bought him expensive gifts. When they got home, Alan prayed the mincha service and unpacked some of his food from Israel. "Why do you have to eat that food?" asked the uncle. "And why do you have to pray three times a day? Do you really think that G-d cares about these things?" "Of course He cares", Alan answered. "I'm doing these things for Him." "Oh that's ridicules, said the Uncle, you've been brainwashed. There's so much in life that you're missing. Your parents haven't educated you properly. But I'll take you out and show you how to have fun. I want you to enjoy your stay with me. Now is the time to expand your horizons, Alan. We'll go horseback riding and then I'll take you to a club where they have music that you'll really love." Then he took the boy to his room and said: "Douglas is away, you can stay in his room, Alan. There's a computer in it. I know that teenagers can't be without a computer. You'll have complete privacy to do whatever you want here." Alan closed the door and felt a deep sadness. He never felt more alone in his life.

As he looked up at the computer, Alan's heart froze. He understood the new "privilege" he had been given...Continue reading here.

 Blessings Aways,

Dr. Zev Ballen

 

A New Bill: Only Filtered Internet

Dear Friends,

   

A new Bill was submitted for Knesset approval which would force internet suppliers in Israel to supply only filtered internet to the public without open access to pornography. People who would like to have un-filtered internet would have to request to have it open.

We all know how pornography is destroying society. The average age of exposure to online pornography is 11. The largest group of internet porn viewers is youth between the ages 12 to 17.

If this bill passes, it can accomplish much more than the big internet Assifa in Citi-Field last week. It will automatically give filtered internet to millions of Jews, both religious and non-religious. We must do all we can!

Please add you name to our petition to help pass this bill.

Please sign at:  http://www.atzuma.co.il/safekids

Just enter your name at the top right hand corner and e-mail (optional).

Please forward to all your contacts!

G-d Bless,

Dr. Zev Ballen

New: Emuna Therapy Column

The Chut Shel Chesed Yeshiva, of Rabbi Arush, has requested a weekly column on Emuna Therapy to be included in their weekly Parsha Newsletter. This is a new forum and opportunity for us to learn from each other about topics that most of us live with -- This column is for you. It is your forum to express yourself and receive answers to your questions in the areas of marriage, parenting and individual issues. This week's column, is entitled: Humility: The Foundation of Emuna-Parenting. You can download it here:  Download CSC NL Week 22 Behar.  Have a wonderful Shabbos Behar.  

Wishing You Blessings Always,  

Dr. Zev Ballen

 

Don't Worry, Father

 

 

by Dr. Zev Ballen

 
Rabbi Shalom Arush teaches us about the importance of consulting with a Rabbi or a respected friend before making major life decisions -- but when it comes to finding ones unique purpose and mission in life -- says Rabbi Arush --- not even a Rabbi can help a person to figure that out. 

How can Rav Arush expect us to not be critical of our teenager's choices when they are still so impressionable and impulsive. What will become of our kids if we don't try to stop them from making the wrong choices? Read about David who left his parent's way of life to find himself; and how his parents, who were initially horrified, used the teachings of Rav Arush to transform their hurt and shame into a joy that they had never known. Read the whole story in:  Don't Worry Father.

Wishing you Blessings Always,

Dr. Zev Ballen

Parenting in Reverse

by Dr. Zev Ballen

My Rebbe, Rabbi Shalom Arush, warns us not to rebuke our children. He raised his own beautiful, successful children without criticizing or rebuking them at all. With emuna, Rav Arush knew that if he prayed for his children and did t'shuva (repentance) for every personal defect that he saw in them that they would excel.

One might object saying that this is all well and good for Rabbi Shalom Arush, but we are not tzaddikim and we do not have his strength to refrain from making critical remarks. To this the Rebbe gives you his promise that if he could do it so can you. The truth is that Rav Arush is not expecting us to be on his level. His level is actually much higher than this - he just sees capabilities in us that we do not see in ourselves.

The main idea of the Rav's approach to child-rearing is that: the only way to raise healthy children is by first working out our many imperfections of character before trying to work out theirs. Rav Arush does not expect perfection from us, he simply wants us to acknowledge the futility of forcing values and traits onto our children that we do not possess. The Rav prays for all of us to have the wisdom to avoid the pitfalls of psychological and even religious approaches to parenting that focus exclusively on the child.  Tune into this must-see video where I more fully explain Rav Arush's approach to raising children...

Enjoy,

Dr. Zev Ballen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Save Our Children

After being expelled from Yeshiva, Moshe became progressively more isolated and distant from Judaism and Jewish kids; he was looking at the internet until late hours of the night and sleeping away most of his days. Moshe’s behavior toward his parents was severely oppositional, and at times, he exploded into fits of rage. By the time I met Moshe, it had been a long time since he had any pleasure from his life – he appeared to be severely depressed. Read the full story about how Moshe was revived by the beautiful words of my Rebbe, Rabbi Shalom Arush in Save Our Children.

With Blessings Always,

Dr. Zev Ballen