Wednesday, February 28, 2007
The logistics of Simcha...
Note: 1) Currently blogging from away as I'm doing some Purim Shlichus. So until next week, the derher may not exactly be daily. 2) It is now easier to comment as no registration is required.
Well, it's Adar and that means we're supposed to be happy. "Simcha Poretz Geder" is one of those lines that we always use. But sometimes the phrases most often said are the ones least understood. What exactly are the logistics behind Simcha breaking all barriers?
The following is based on something I recently learned:
You know the story. The parents of an older unmarried girl from Newark came to the Rebbe asking for a Berachah for a shidduch for their daughter. The Rebbe told them to close their store on Shabbos and then she would find her match. They responded that they want things to work the other way: When she finds her match, they would close their store on Shabbos. The discussion ended in a stalemate.
Years passed and she remained unmarried. Then the Newark riots occured. There store was hit hard. At their advanced age, they decided against reopening the damaged store. And thus, the store was "closed" on Shabbos. A short time later she was engaged. Apparently, things had to follow a certain order...
Now, what does this have to do with Simcha? Well, people always say that if they get A, B, and C they will be happy. As soon as their needs are met, they can live a cheerful upbeat life. That sounds good and makes sense. But often, Hashem wants it the other way around. Be happy and then you can get A, B, and C. The Simcha itself is the vehicle and key to get what you need. In short, Be happy and you'll reasons to be happy!
Now moving slightly deeper: Chassidus speaks about many differant Kochos of a person. These Kochos don't come out on their own. There must be something that arouses them to surface. There is a key that unlocks them - a trigger that releases them. Chassidus calls these the "gates" to the Kochos. There are Sharei Chachma...Sharei Bina....etc The deeper the Koach, the harder it is to access, and the more hidden the gate.
But then there is our deepest Koach. Ta'nug. Ta'nug means much more than its usual translation of "pleasure." It's something that is hard to pinpoint behind its deep within our subconscious. It's a certain feeling of peacefullness. Tranquility. Satisfaction. And Chassidus says this Koach has no gate of entry. There are no regular keys to unleash it.
So how to we access something that has not gate? Well, if the door doesn't open, it has to be broken.
It is Simcha that breaks down the barriers and allows us to access "Ta'nug."
Simcha Poretz Geder.
Well, it's Adar and that means we're supposed to be happy. "Simcha Poretz Geder" is one of those lines that we always use. But sometimes the phrases most often said are the ones least understood. What exactly are the logistics behind Simcha breaking all barriers?
The following is based on something I recently learned:
You know the story. The parents of an older unmarried girl from Newark came to the Rebbe asking for a Berachah for a shidduch for their daughter. The Rebbe told them to close their store on Shabbos and then she would find her match. They responded that they want things to work the other way: When she finds her match, they would close their store on Shabbos. The discussion ended in a stalemate.
Years passed and she remained unmarried. Then the Newark riots occured. There store was hit hard. At their advanced age, they decided against reopening the damaged store. And thus, the store was "closed" on Shabbos. A short time later she was engaged. Apparently, things had to follow a certain order...
Now, what does this have to do with Simcha? Well, people always say that if they get A, B, and C they will be happy. As soon as their needs are met, they can live a cheerful upbeat life. That sounds good and makes sense. But often, Hashem wants it the other way around. Be happy and then you can get A, B, and C. The Simcha itself is the vehicle and key to get what you need. In short, Be happy and you'll reasons to be happy!
Now moving slightly deeper: Chassidus speaks about many differant Kochos of a person. These Kochos don't come out on their own. There must be something that arouses them to surface. There is a key that unlocks them - a trigger that releases them. Chassidus calls these the "gates" to the Kochos. There are Sharei Chachma...Sharei Bina....etc The deeper the Koach, the harder it is to access, and the more hidden the gate.
But then there is our deepest Koach. Ta'nug. Ta'nug means much more than its usual translation of "pleasure." It's something that is hard to pinpoint behind its deep within our subconscious. It's a certain feeling of peacefullness. Tranquility. Satisfaction. And Chassidus says this Koach has no gate of entry. There are no regular keys to unleash it.
So how to we access something that has not gate? Well, if the door doesn't open, it has to be broken.
It is Simcha that breaks down the barriers and allows us to access "Ta'nug."
Simcha Poretz Geder.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Transcending Golus....while still in Golus...
You probably know the story...
Powerful Shofar Blasts were heard from hilltops of Tzfas. Rejoicing began in the streets. Was it really true? Had Moshiach come? The rumors reach Mendel Hordoker. He opened the window and took a sniff. Nope... It still smelled like Galus.
Sure enough, it ended up being a false call. It wasn't Moshiach but a some loony...
When people usually hear the story, they say, "Wow! He was able to smell the difference between Galus and Geulah..." But based on a Sicha in Chelek 31, I think there is a more important Nekuda over here. The fact that he had the open the window to do so...
The Atzei Shitim were one of the staple materials used for the building of the Mishkan. Where did they come from? Rashi explains Yaakov foresaw the building of the Mishkan and planted these trees in Mitzraim years earlier. But isn't that a hassle? Was there no other way to get wood than to plant it hundreds of years earlier and shelp it out of Mitzraim?
The Rebbe's answer is incredible. Sure, they could have gotten wood elsewhere. Gypsies...Oasis's...Who knows? But Yaakov didnt just want them to have the wood in the Midbar for the Mishkan. He wanted them to see it growing in Mitzraim. While in Golus, while suffering, while doing backbreaking labor, he wanted these trees to be right in front of their eyes. For Geualah should be something visual - even while in Golus. Geulah need not begin when Moshiach comes. It can be staring at you in the face while still in Golus...
Today, the Rebbe says we also have Atzei Shitim, a "visual Geulah "here in Golus. "Tzadik Katazar Yifrach ki'Erez Balvanon Yisgeh..." It is the Tzadik or Rebbe that is a sign of Moshiach while the rest of us are still Golus.
For Golus is more than a geographical exile. It is a mentality. A perspective. A Pair of glasses. And most of us have this Golus perscription. But a Rebbe doesnt. He lives Geulah in Golus. And therefore doesnt have the symptons of Golus. He sees Elokus Begelui. He feels no intimidation from Goyim. He is never blinded by the falseness of Olam Hazeh.
And having a Rebbe in Golus gives us the power to transcend the limits of Golus...and live Moshiach while still in Golus...
And so, in order for Mendel Hordoker to sense that it was till Golus, he had to open to window. In his Daled Amos, it already smelled like Moshiach...
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Planting Green Beans...
Remember those days back in school (maybe nursery) when your class had a class plant? Usually, it was some sort of bean. Within a day or two, the class went wild as they saw that first green growth just above the dirt.
Why was it that it was always beans that were grown?
I saw the answer last night in a Maamer from 5717
There are two ways to go about trying to grow in life. There are two approaches to Avodas Hashem. On both routes you'll be davening and learning. The difference is only whether you'll be a bean or an fruit.
To explain:
So often, we do Avoda looking for results. We want inspiration. We expect Giluim. We want to be able to put our head against the wall and mark in our weekly level of growth.
So often, we learn looking for results. We want a Sicho to Chazer. We expect to come out of today's learning with a new file in the hard drive. We want to be fill out a paper at the end of the week with that week's new material.
The Rebbe explains that when if we are looking for results we will get results. And we'll get them fast. But the results will be quite limited. Maybe you'll have a Sicho to chazer...but that's all you'll have. Maybe you'll get a dosage of inspiration. But a dosage and no more...
And that's because we never let go of ourselves. We got in the way of growth. We put self-imposed limits on the potential for infinite growth.
It's sounds ironic.
It's only when you truly lose yourself that you truly find yourself. Growth will be discovered when it's not about growth. Real results will occur when you're not looking for results.
Looking for Giluim will give you minor Giluim. Accepting bittul will allow you to score Etzem.
Planting a bean means you plant something that has a Metzious. It is already a food. And it grows. Almost instantly. But the growth is a B'erech to where you started off.
Planting a (fruit) seed means you plant something that is worthless. The must even rot before it gets anywhere. It will take weeks or months before you see anything. But you'll end up with a huge tree...beautiful fruits...and a growth that is B'Ain Aruch.
There are times in life that we need instant results. We are allowed to plant beans. But just allow yourself the occasional oppurtunity to embrace bitul and plant a fruit tree...
Why was it that it was always beans that were grown?
I saw the answer last night in a Maamer from 5717
There are two ways to go about trying to grow in life. There are two approaches to Avodas Hashem. On both routes you'll be davening and learning. The difference is only whether you'll be a bean or an fruit.
To explain:
So often, we do Avoda looking for results. We want inspiration. We expect Giluim. We want to be able to put our head against the wall and mark in our weekly level of growth.
So often, we learn looking for results. We want a Sicho to Chazer. We expect to come out of today's learning with a new file in the hard drive. We want to be fill out a paper at the end of the week with that week's new material.
The Rebbe explains that when if we are looking for results we will get results. And we'll get them fast. But the results will be quite limited. Maybe you'll have a Sicho to chazer...but that's all you'll have. Maybe you'll get a dosage of inspiration. But a dosage and no more...
And that's because we never let go of ourselves. We got in the way of growth. We put self-imposed limits on the potential for infinite growth.
It's sounds ironic.
It's only when you truly lose yourself that you truly find yourself. Growth will be discovered when it's not about growth. Real results will occur when you're not looking for results.
Looking for Giluim will give you minor Giluim. Accepting bittul will allow you to score Etzem.
Planting a bean means you plant something that has a Metzious. It is already a food. And it grows. Almost instantly. But the growth is a B'erech to where you started off.
Planting a (fruit) seed means you plant something that is worthless. The must even rot before it gets anywhere. It will take weeks or months before you see anything. But you'll end up with a huge tree...beautiful fruits...and a growth that is B'Ain Aruch.
There are times in life that we need instant results. We are allowed to plant beans. But just allow yourself the occasional oppurtunity to embrace bitul and plant a fruit tree...
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Living Moshiach...
Ever year I try learning through the 'final' sichos of 5752. Bo...22 Shevat... Mishpatim...Teruma...Vayakhel-Pekudai.
I can't help but think the following:
Back then, it was only a matter of when. Each day of 1991-1992 was lived with excitement. Hinei Hinei Moshiach Bo...
Now, it's 15 years later. We still can learn the same Sichos. But do we still wake up in the morning expecting today to be the day? It it still with the same certainty and imminence as back then?
Here is a story I loved the moment I heard it first...
There was a Shliach in Canada who (like many Shluchim) would travel almost weekly to Crown Heights in 1991-1992. After returning from NY, he was stopped by his new neighbor who just moved into the area. His neighbor was totally Fry but had a soft spot for Lubavitch as he spent one summer in CGI Detroit. The conversation between them then started off as follows.
"Where are you coming from"
"Crown Heights. I spent this Shabbos with the Rebbe."
"Well, what was the highlight of the weekend?"
"The Farbrengin with the Rebbe"
"What did the Rebbe speak about"
"The Rebbe said that Moshiach is about to come any day..."
At this point the neighbor became very serious, almost frantic
"Any Day? Did he specify any sort of time frame?
"No. The Rebbe just said he is about to come."
"Oh My gosh. That means he could come today. Well, I just bought this house and dont have any Mezuzos. Basically, Moshiach could come today, and will find me in a house without Mezuzos. That would be horrible! I'm not going to allow this to happen!
The Shliach then told him he could have Mezuzos sent to him within the next week. The neighbor refused. Next week was 7 days too late. Overnight them. I dont care the cost. I just want them ASAP.
And that it is exactly what happened.
The Neighbor receieved his Mezuzos. But it was the Shliach who really gained from this experience. It took his Fry neighbor for him to really understand the meaning of "living Moshiach..."
I can't help but think the following:
Back then, it was only a matter of when. Each day of 1991-1992 was lived with excitement. Hinei Hinei Moshiach Bo...
Now, it's 15 years later. We still can learn the same Sichos. But do we still wake up in the morning expecting today to be the day? It it still with the same certainty and imminence as back then?
Here is a story I loved the moment I heard it first...
There was a Shliach in Canada who (like many Shluchim) would travel almost weekly to Crown Heights in 1991-1992. After returning from NY, he was stopped by his new neighbor who just moved into the area. His neighbor was totally Fry but had a soft spot for Lubavitch as he spent one summer in CGI Detroit. The conversation between them then started off as follows.
"Where are you coming from"
"Crown Heights. I spent this Shabbos with the Rebbe."
"Well, what was the highlight of the weekend?"
"The Farbrengin with the Rebbe"
"What did the Rebbe speak about"
"The Rebbe said that Moshiach is about to come any day..."
At this point the neighbor became very serious, almost frantic
"Any Day? Did he specify any sort of time frame?
"No. The Rebbe just said he is about to come."
"Oh My gosh. That means he could come today. Well, I just bought this house and dont have any Mezuzos. Basically, Moshiach could come today, and will find me in a house without Mezuzos. That would be horrible! I'm not going to allow this to happen!
The Shliach then told him he could have Mezuzos sent to him within the next week. The neighbor refused. Next week was 7 days too late. Overnight them. I dont care the cost. I just want them ASAP.
And that it is exactly what happened.
The Neighbor receieved his Mezuzos. But it was the Shliach who really gained from this experience. It took his Fry neighbor for him to really understand the meaning of "living Moshiach..."
Monday, February 19, 2007
Limudei Chol...and Tanya
Has anyone else every struggled with the meaning of the end of Perek Ches of Tanya...
It explains that "Chachmos Umos Haolam" is far worse a Tumah than Devarim Betalim, etc. Other things contaminate only a person's Midos while this affects a person's Chabad.
I mean I could understand how learning about evolution or Greek Mythology might contaminate you. But what can be wrong with a innocent Limudei Chol? How can Science, History, and Psychology contaminate you that badly? (Let's leave learning how to read, write, and do basic math out of this discussion...)
Feel free to argue with the following:
Observe the differences between children that have learned Limudei Chol versus those that haven't. Putting all other factors aside, you can't help but notice the following: There is a certain beautiful Peshitus to a Cheder Child. No, I'm not refering to there being naive. I'm not talking about there not knowing who JFK was or how many states are in the USA. I'm talking about something much deeper.
Without Limudei Chol Elokus is BePshitus. Learning encounters no obstacles. Chassidshe ideas doesnt battle modern thought. Life can be lived on just one track.
A simple example: Mivtzoim. A bochur who never learned Limudei Chol can offer his 'Schora' without any apologetics or defensive statements. There is little embarrassment. There is no self-consciousness. There is purity.
Walking into an office of esteemed law firm is not scary at all. Asking a CEO to put on Tefilin comes as easy asking the Shoe-Shine boy do it. The 'velt' is not intimidating because the 'velt' has never been digested by him. Elokus bePshitus. Olamos Be'Hischadhus.
Limudei Chol brings about a differant pair of glasses. A prescription in which things must make sense. Parnasa=education. truth=logic science=fact The world becomes normal. We become crazy.
Sure, I'll still walk into the lawyers office on Mivtzoim. Only now I'm thinking to myself "this guy thinks I'm nuts..." Sure, I'll still celebrate Rosh Chodesh Kislev. Only now, I think to myself, "Does this Yom Tov really make a difference to us in 3 Tammuz times? Sure, I'll still learn Rambam. But I'll wonder how this fits with what I learned in science about spontenous generation.
Chassidshe feelings can still be there. But they'll have to be imposed on top of Veltshe Hanachos.
The pair of glasses...the prescription...the Chabad Sh'Binefesh has been tainted...
It explains that "Chachmos Umos Haolam" is far worse a Tumah than Devarim Betalim, etc. Other things contaminate only a person's Midos while this affects a person's Chabad.
I mean I could understand how learning about evolution or Greek Mythology might contaminate you. But what can be wrong with a innocent Limudei Chol? How can Science, History, and Psychology contaminate you that badly? (Let's leave learning how to read, write, and do basic math out of this discussion...)
Feel free to argue with the following:
Observe the differences between children that have learned Limudei Chol versus those that haven't. Putting all other factors aside, you can't help but notice the following: There is a certain beautiful Peshitus to a Cheder Child. No, I'm not refering to there being naive. I'm not talking about there not knowing who JFK was or how many states are in the USA. I'm talking about something much deeper.
Without Limudei Chol Elokus is BePshitus. Learning encounters no obstacles. Chassidshe ideas doesnt battle modern thought. Life can be lived on just one track.
A simple example: Mivtzoim. A bochur who never learned Limudei Chol can offer his 'Schora' without any apologetics or defensive statements. There is little embarrassment. There is no self-consciousness. There is purity.
Walking into an office of esteemed law firm is not scary at all. Asking a CEO to put on Tefilin comes as easy asking the Shoe-Shine boy do it. The 'velt' is not intimidating because the 'velt' has never been digested by him. Elokus bePshitus. Olamos Be'Hischadhus.
Limudei Chol brings about a differant pair of glasses. A prescription in which things must make sense. Parnasa=education. truth=logic science=fact The world becomes normal. We become crazy.
Sure, I'll still walk into the lawyers office on Mivtzoim. Only now I'm thinking to myself "this guy thinks I'm nuts..." Sure, I'll still celebrate Rosh Chodesh Kislev. Only now, I think to myself, "Does this Yom Tov really make a difference to us in 3 Tammuz times? Sure, I'll still learn Rambam. But I'll wonder how this fits with what I learned in science about spontenous generation.
Chassidshe feelings can still be there. But they'll have to be imposed on top of Veltshe Hanachos.
The pair of glasses...the prescription...the Chabad Sh'Binefesh has been tainted...
The Evolution of Mishpatim
Chassidus was always somewhat revolutionary. What I find amazing is revolutionary ideas within Chassidus itself...
Here is a simple example from this week's Parsha:
(Ideas written below are my thoughts after learning the Sichos and Maamarim of Mishpatim)
Basic Understanding: The idea of Mishpatim is pretty straight foreward. There are certain Mitzvos that are totally comprehensible and we would probably have been kept even without the Torah being given. We understand it because it makes sense.
Mishpatim are normal. It's Chukim that are strange...
People would often say "If only we could keep Chukim as well as we keep Mishpatim."
It's all about Mishpatim.
Basic Chassidus Revolution: All Mitzvos are purely super-rational. All Mitzvos are Hashem's Chochma. All Mitzvos are way beyond anything we could ever begin to understand. In fact, our understanding Mishpatim is more surprising than our not understanding Chukim! Chukim aren't strange! It's Mishpatim that are weird! Somehow, Hashem somehow managed to disguise these Mitzvos within human comprehension.
Things turned 180 degrees. The new quote became "If only we could keep Mishpatim like we keep Chukim."
It's all about Chukim.
Dor Shevi Revolution:
It's time to go forward another 180 degrees. If you're thinking that we've travelled 360 degrees and are back to square one...you're sort of right...only with a catch...
Basically, Torah should not only be treated as something super-imposed and "way above us." Matan Torah meant its time for the Elyonim to come down here. We are to understand. We are to digest. Torah should be one with us.
It's all about Dira Betachtonim. Its all about Hashem being one with us. Therefore Hashem's Chachma should be one with our Chachma.
So the emphasis is back on Mishpatim - only this time around it's slightly differant. We're not understanding it because it makes sense..but rather because Hashem wants us to understand it!
"If only Chukim could be like Mishpatim." (everything should be internalized)
5752 Revolution: In 1992, the Rebbe took the last point one step further.
Yes, Mishpatim should be understood. Yes, they make sense. But why do they make sense? (After all, Sechel is a creation like anything else) They make sense because they are in Torah.
The Rebbe developed this point after mentioning the current events of the time. The U.N. announced it was time to cut down on weaponry and usher in an age of world peace. The Rebbe wondered why it took till 1992 to realize this! War is foolish. People are killed. Countries are destroyed! Money is wasted. Isn't the UN's decision only logical?
The Rebbe explained that only now is it logical. Now this idea makes sense. This is because Moshiach is about to come and Rabbanim have made this Psak Din. Once Moshiach is Paskened in Torah, Sechel will begin to think along these lines as well! Similarly, Mishpatim make sense only because they are in Torah!
Here is a simple example from this week's Parsha:
(Ideas written below are my thoughts after learning the Sichos and Maamarim of Mishpatim)
Basic Understanding: The idea of Mishpatim is pretty straight foreward. There are certain Mitzvos that are totally comprehensible and we would probably have been kept even without the Torah being given. We understand it because it makes sense.
Mishpatim are normal. It's Chukim that are strange...
People would often say "If only we could keep Chukim as well as we keep Mishpatim."
It's all about Mishpatim.
Basic Chassidus Revolution: All Mitzvos are purely super-rational. All Mitzvos are Hashem's Chochma. All Mitzvos are way beyond anything we could ever begin to understand. In fact, our understanding Mishpatim is more surprising than our not understanding Chukim! Chukim aren't strange! It's Mishpatim that are weird! Somehow, Hashem somehow managed to disguise these Mitzvos within human comprehension.
Things turned 180 degrees. The new quote became "If only we could keep Mishpatim like we keep Chukim."
It's all about Chukim.
Dor Shevi Revolution:
It's time to go forward another 180 degrees. If you're thinking that we've travelled 360 degrees and are back to square one...you're sort of right...only with a catch...
Basically, Torah should not only be treated as something super-imposed and "way above us." Matan Torah meant its time for the Elyonim to come down here. We are to understand. We are to digest. Torah should be one with us.
It's all about Dira Betachtonim. Its all about Hashem being one with us. Therefore Hashem's Chachma should be one with our Chachma.
So the emphasis is back on Mishpatim - only this time around it's slightly differant. We're not understanding it because it makes sense..but rather because Hashem wants us to understand it!
"If only Chukim could be like Mishpatim." (everything should be internalized)
5752 Revolution: In 1992, the Rebbe took the last point one step further.
Yes, Mishpatim should be understood. Yes, they make sense. But why do they make sense? (After all, Sechel is a creation like anything else) They make sense because they are in Torah.
The Rebbe developed this point after mentioning the current events of the time. The U.N. announced it was time to cut down on weaponry and usher in an age of world peace. The Rebbe wondered why it took till 1992 to realize this! War is foolish. People are killed. Countries are destroyed! Money is wasted. Isn't the UN's decision only logical?
The Rebbe explained that only now is it logical. Now this idea makes sense. This is because Moshiach is about to come and Rabbanim have made this Psak Din. Once Moshiach is Paskened in Torah, Sechel will begin to think along these lines as well! Similarly, Mishpatim make sense only because they are in Torah!
Joining the Blogosphere
I guess the last laugh is on me.
I had always been one to laugh at blogs. It just seemed like another sad sign of today's generation. A generation of "me." A generation who feels the need to express their individualim, making themselves heard by all.
But today I join the blogosphere. For myself. And possibly for the benefit of others.
For myself because as it gives me a way to digest the Chassidus that I learn. It allows me the chance to transform a Sicha, Maamer, or Perek Tanya from words on page into ideas that that I can live with. It gives me the ability to live not learn, internalize not chazer, digest not exude.
And possibly for others as well. For there must be others who sometimes feel that Chasidus does not speak to them. Is there anyone else out there that never quite related to the idea of Ahava Krishfei Aish? Am I the only one who has struggled to see the affect of the hundreds of hours I've spent learning about the world being Yesh M'Ain? Is there no one else who wondered why it is important to understand the difference between Penimious Atik and Chizonious Atik?
Somehow I doubt I'm the only one.
So as I begin my first post, the blog's objective is clear. I will not use this blog to express my opinions on today's "Youth at Risk,"and Politics. I am going to relucatantly hold back my views regarding our Chinnuch system. I will also spare you the details of my personal life. No daily "dear diary"...no shidduch talk...
Rather, this blog is an attempt to adapt the several hours of Chassidus that I learn daily into simple ideas that we can all relate to. It might be a Maamer. Maybe a Sicho. Possibly a Chassidshe Maaseh. But regardless of the source, the goal will be the same. Chassidus should be something we not only "her" but also "derher..."
I doubt that this blog will have a long life span. I will most likely not find the time to keep it up. And time will tell whether this blog will actually be visited by others. In the event that does happen, please leave your comments and views. Chassidus is meant to be discussed.
A quick personal request. If you think you know who the author of the blog is...well, you're probably wrong. And if you do happen to be right...then good for you! Just please do me a favor and keep it to yourself.
I had always been one to laugh at blogs. It just seemed like another sad sign of today's generation. A generation of "me." A generation who feels the need to express their individualim, making themselves heard by all.
But today I join the blogosphere. For myself. And possibly for the benefit of others.
For myself because as it gives me a way to digest the Chassidus that I learn. It allows me the chance to transform a Sicha, Maamer, or Perek Tanya from words on page into ideas that that I can live with. It gives me the ability to live not learn, internalize not chazer, digest not exude.
And possibly for others as well. For there must be others who sometimes feel that Chasidus does not speak to them. Is there anyone else out there that never quite related to the idea of Ahava Krishfei Aish? Am I the only one who has struggled to see the affect of the hundreds of hours I've spent learning about the world being Yesh M'Ain? Is there no one else who wondered why it is important to understand the difference between Penimious Atik and Chizonious Atik?
Somehow I doubt I'm the only one.
So as I begin my first post, the blog's objective is clear. I will not use this blog to express my opinions on today's "Youth at Risk,"and Politics. I am going to relucatantly hold back my views regarding our Chinnuch system. I will also spare you the details of my personal life. No daily "dear diary"...no shidduch talk...
Rather, this blog is an attempt to adapt the several hours of Chassidus that I learn daily into simple ideas that we can all relate to. It might be a Maamer. Maybe a Sicho. Possibly a Chassidshe Maaseh. But regardless of the source, the goal will be the same. Chassidus should be something we not only "her" but also "derher..."
I doubt that this blog will have a long life span. I will most likely not find the time to keep it up. And time will tell whether this blog will actually be visited by others. In the event that does happen, please leave your comments and views. Chassidus is meant to be discussed.
A quick personal request. If you think you know who the author of the blog is...well, you're probably wrong. And if you do happen to be right...then good for you! Just please do me a favor and keep it to yourself.
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