Emuna Therapy

Log B'Omer in Meron

What is it about the holiday of Log B'Omer that attracts a half million Jews of all types from all over the world to make the long pilgrimage to the gravesite of Rebbe Shimon Bar Yochie every year on the anniversary of his death?

Rebbe Shimon was a sage who lived about about 2,000 years ago. Most of the people who come to sing and dance with us in Meron know nothing about him or his teachings and yet they are drawn to come. Why?

It is for the same reason that throughout history thousands of Jews who weren't even "religious" willingly gave up their lives for their religion rather than submit to a forced conversion.

It is for the same reason that although secular Jews might not keep Shabbas or most of the other holidays such as Passover, Succos and Shavuous. Almost all Jews regardless of their level of observance light a menara on Chanukah.

This phenomena of lighting  Chanukah menoras at a time when 95% of their neighbors of another religion are lighting up their homes and trees with different kinds of decorations takes courage. The reason they do this mitzvah more than others is because on Chanukah the Greeks were not interested in destroying the Jewish people, what they wanted was to destroy our religion.

The reason that there will be 500,000 Jews of all stripes in Meron Israel tonight is because Rebbe Shimon's soul, like the holiday of Chanuka ignites in all Jewish souls a powerful fire and wish to be connected to Hashem and preserve Judaism at all costs. 

May all your prayers be answered, speedily. Amen.

Dr. Zev Ballen

Our Inner-Conflicts

 

Our inner-conflicts result from a lack of connection to the Truth. There are multiple powerful methods, in Judaism, that enable a person to be confident and conflict-free in every sitution, with everybody and at all times.

Why not treat yourself to about an hour today to watch this this video, I promise you it'll be worth your time!

With blessings,

Dr. Zev

Marital Guidance

 

image credit:Jeff Kreulen

There are extreme fundamental differences between a man and a woman. Few people appreciate how extreme these differences are. A man's way of thinking and his emotional functioning is different than a woman's. They see the world in different ways, react differently to situations, and have different priorities and values. Without understanding what make each other tick, they are bound to make big mistakes without even understanding what they are doing wrong.

If people would realize the tremendous difference between the spiritual and mental make-up of men and of women, they would certainly seek a capable person that could teach them how to successfully live together.

Even great rabbis with vast knowledge in different branches of the Torah sometimes don't understand why they should need marital guidance, especially when those giving the guidance may be far less learned than they are in other areas of Torah knowledge.

- Rabbi Shalom Arush

A Vote For Happiness

Here's a real treat for the English-speaking world, a short but very inspiring clip of Rav Arush giving us great strength and hope. Watch it a few times and let the message sink in! (its also a good way to start learning Hebrew) Courtesy of Breslev Israel. Enjoy!

With Blessings,

Dr. Zev Ballen

 

With Blessings,

Dr. Zev Ballen

 

Infinite Sight

This true story shows how quick and easy it is to become very close to Hashem.

 

 

You can download a copy of our weekly parsha newsletter right here: Download CSC NL Week 5 Chayei Sarah.

Blessing for a good Shabbos!

Dr. Zev Ballen

Coaching At It's Best

We shot this gorgeous clip right after our sunrise prayers at the Holy Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem. I'm grateful to Hashem and our super crew at Breslev Israel for putting this one together. It's a real beauty, guys!

Please enjoy it and share it with your friends!

With Blessings, Dr. Zev

 

Erev Rosh Hashanah

 

 

By Dr. Zev Ballen                                  Image credit: plasticiti3s

 

It is customary to go erev (the day before) Rosh Hashana after the morning prayers to the cemetery and bow prayerfully at the graves of tzaddikim [righteous men]; charity should be given to the poor, and many fervent supplications offered to arouse the saintly tzaddikim, in their eternal resting place to intercede for us on the Day of Judgement. There is an additional reason: the place where tzaddikim are buried is sacred and pure, and prayers are more readily accepted when they are offered on sacred ground, and the Holy One, blessed is He, will show us kindness for the tzaddikim. But it should not be your intention to appeal to the dead who rest there, for that would be tantamount to "Inquiring of the dead," (Deuteronomy 18:11),[which is forbidden.] (Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 128:13)

Celebrating With The Tzaddikim

 

 

Uman, Ukraine, 2010                                                Image Credit:  Sasha Utkin

All harsh judgements are sweetened when Jews gather around the Tzaddick on Rosh Hashanah. The sweeting of harsh judgements comes about when thought is purified and sanctified. This can only be achieved through being attached to the Tzaddick. To attain sanctity in thought, we journey to the Tzaddikim (Likutey Mahoran, 211)

Blessings from Uman,

Dr. Zev Ballen

Peak Performers

 

By Dr. Zev Ballen

Lately I've been feeling totally over-programmed like a human computer with too little RAM to accomplish what it needs to do. There seem to be more chores in my schedule than there are hours in a day to get them done.
 
My 'logical' mind tells me that I am either falling behind because there is something wrong with me or because my workload is objectively too large.
 
Not having nursed on the Garden of Emuna as a child my 'natural inclination,' during times of stress, is to compare myself to other people.
 
Like who? 
 
I usually 'like' to compare myself with some idealized superman figure such as Rebbe Noson of Breslev, the main student of Rebbe

Nachman of Breslev.  How was it, I ask myself, that Reb Noson was able to make every second of the day count and he accomplished so much in his lifetime?  How was it that He got up at midnight; that he learned the whole Torah in depth and reviewed it many times; that he wrote volumes of original ideas on Rebbe Nachman's Torahs and volumes of letters to his son; that he was an adviser to many; that he had regular lengthy meetings with Rebbe Nachman; that he prayed for long periods; and that he still had the time and patience to be present when his children returned from school; to sit with them; speak with them; eat with them; pray with them and put them to sleep?
 
The evil inclination is happy with me comparing myself to Rebbe Noson. If I fall into this trap, it is certain to decrease my joy and leave me feeling frustrated and inadequate.  As I strain to  overcome inertia and not fall further behind schedule I become more and more alienated from my family, from myself and from Hashem. 
 
Not good.
 
I grew up thinking that multi-tasking was the only way to go. Boy was I wrong. Not even a computer can multi-task. Only Hashem can multi-task without developing stress-related symptoms.  I confess to you that  life does not go well for me when I try to be Hashem. 
 
Hashem gives us a world of 'freedom' and over-choice to force us to realize our limitations and humbly accept His Will to do one task at a time.  Just try to keep up with every friend, relative and teacher you ever had on facebook - see how long that will last. Good luck being there for your kids and household while your friends from first grade keep calling to you from the other room. It is Crazy! 
 
NO. When I am stressed out, it's a clear sign that I am too involved with myself. My stress can come from thinking that I do not have enough money, honor or pleasure in my life and that if I run short on any of these I will not survive.  My stress can also come from the even more ridiculous game of looking for approval from my evil inclination who is telling me that I'm inadequate and so I am compelled to show him that I am not.
 
All this is so exhausting. It makes you want to sleep.
 
Aye, but Reb Noson hardly slept at all? 
 
Well the chances are good that you and I could also do with less sleep if we retired from fighting with our evil inclinations. Reb Noson simply planned his work and worked his plan in the best way he could and left the rest to Hashem. He made himself deaf to the whispering doubts that attack us all day long. If we would do the same, we would get the same results that he did. That is a promise from Rebbe Nachman himself! 
 
Reb Noson also spared himself the stress of comparing himself to other people. What possible connection could there be between my purpose in life and another person's purpose in life? I do my best when I expect the best. The more I look for the good, the more I find it. The more I believe  I can make Hashem 'happy' the more He shows me that I can. 
 
Tzaddikim have one speed and that's forward - they don't look back. He wakes up in the morning unburdened with yesterday's packages on his shoulders. He likewise has no worries about tomorrow.  He simply prays before acting and thanks Hashem for everything that comes his way. He is flexible and light on his feet because Hashem has freed him from the burden of 'self.'  Hashem sends protection, strength and productivity to those who serve Him and not themselves.  
 
There are no rules for a spiritual peak performer. He has discarded logic and abstains from correlations. He is free from performance anxiety because he will be very satisfied with whatever he is able to achieve. He does not worry about finishing on time or being criticized because he is completely confident that Hashem will help him to do his best.  
 
So practically speaking, is there at least one bit of advice that I can use to 'perform' better when I feel over-programmed? I asked myself this question recently and I remembered what a good friend of mine told me works wonders for him. I tried it on myself and it works like a charm. Continue reading here...

Wishing You Blessings Always,

Dr. Zev Ballen
 

Rabbi Twerski and the Vatican

By Dr. Zev Ballen

Rabbi Doctor Abraham Twerski, M.D., is known for his pioneering work with alcohol and drug addiction. Once there was Catholic priest who came to Rabbi Twerski to treat his alcoholism. The priest gave Rabbi Twersky an example of why so many of his fellow clergyman are struggling with alcohol addiction. He said that when the Christian person comes for confession he drinks a cup of wine. Then, after the confession, he leaves the remaining bottle of wine with the priest.

Rabbi Twerski told the priest that Rabbi Moshe Feinstein ruled that they could use grape juice instead of wine. The priest liked the idea but said he would need to check it out with the Bishop.The Bishop then asked the Cardinal until eventually the question came before the Vatican.

Sure enough the Vatican decided to follow the psak halacha (the legal ruling) of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein.

All people have sparks of Hashem's Holiness in them. Rav Berland said recently, it is our mission to awaken and ignite those sparks of Holiness wherever it's possible to do so.  This, says Rav Berland, is the correct way of bringing the Messiah and world peace.

In this case, we see clearly how well the Torah can work for everybody.

Wishing You Blessings Always,

Dr. Zev Ballen