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In today's Hayom Yom (courtesy of Kehot Publication Society) on the Chayenu app:
A resident of Mezibuz had a quarrel with another. Once, while in the Baal Shem Tov's shul, he shouted that he would tear the other fellow to pieces like a fish.
The Baal Shem Tov told his pupils to hold one another's hand, and to stand near him with their eyes closed. Then he placed his holy hands on the shoulders of the two disciples next to him. Suddenly the disciples began shouting in great terror: They had seen that fellow actually dismembering his disputant.
This incident shows clearly that every potential has an effect - either in physical form or on a spiritual plane that can be perceived only with higher and more refined senses.
In today's Hayom Yom (courtesy of Kehot Publication Society) on the Chayenu app:
When R. Moshe, son of the Alter Rebbe, was between eight and eleven years old, he was studying the passage in Gittin 67a lauding the virtues of the sages. There R. Shimon bar Yochai said, "Learn my midot." R. Moshe was in doubt about the meaning of that last word, since there is Rashi's interpretation, "my teachings," and the simple meaning, "traits of character."
At that moment the Alter Rebbe came in and said, in the chant he habitually used: "The Torah given us is all fine character-traits. Even the punishments there, are in truth acts of kindness and goodness. The two interpretations are one, and interdependent. There can be no fine character-traits without Torah; there can be no Torah without fine character."
In today's Daily Tanya (courtesy of Kehot Publication Society) on the Chayenu app:
The quality of mercy is a “beautiful” attribute to have. It allows you to give with discipline. Your kindness will be on display, while you temper it with the perfect amount of constraint.
In today's HaYom Yom (courtesy of Kehot Publication Society) on the Chayenu app:
My grandfather said in reference to Hitbon'nut, the profoundly concentrated contemplation on a subject extremely difficult to comprehend: If the subject is of deep personal concern, the person will come to understand and comprehend it very well. The proof of this is in the Torah, in laws involving women, etc., and the ingenious arguments that they may put forth on their own behalf.
These arguments are discussed by Tanaim, Amoraim and Gaonim, all exceptionally brilliant minds, and the Torah is the Torah of Truth. Yet this woman is far removed, intellectually, from being able to devise such (ingenious, brilliant) claims. But the truth is that when a subject is of deep concern to a person, even those of weak intellect will come up with profound concepts.
In today's HaYom Yom (courtesy of Kehot Publication Society) on the Chayenu app:
The Mitteler Rebbe quoted the Alter Rebbe: "Ahavat Yisrael (love of one's fellow Jew) must possess one to the very core of the soul itself."
In today's HaYom Yom (courtesy of Kehot Publication Society) on the Chayenu app:
The Alter Rebbe repeated what the Mezritcher Maggid said quoting the Baal Shem Tov: "Love your fellow like yourself" is an interpretation of and commentary on "Love Hashem your G-d." He who loves his fellow-Jew loves G-d, because the Jew has within himself a "part of G-d Above." Therefore, when one loves the Jew - i.e. his inner essence - one loves G-d.
In today's Hayom Yom (courtesy of Kehot Publication Society) on the Chayenu app:
In Torah-study, the person is devoted to the subject that he wishes to understand and comes to understand. In davening, the devotion is directed to what surpasses understanding. In learning Torah, the Jew feels like a pupil with his master; in davening - like a child with his father.
THE TEMPLE OF EZEQUIEL CHAPTER 40. By Sonia Hidalgo Zurita. I have deciphered Ezekiel's prophecy about the future temple and put each verse on plans and images. I think it's about time we get busy understanding what Ezekiel's temple is like.
From today's Daily Tanya (courtesy of Kehot Publication Society) on the Chayenu app
In today's Hayom Yom (courtesy of Kehot Publication Society) on the Chayenu app:
FROM A LETTER OF THE REBBE (R' Yosef Yitzchak):
During the forthcoming two Days of Liberation, 12 & 13 Tammuz, Chassidim are to farbreng, for material and spiritual good and blessing, as instituted by our first father, the Alter Rebbe (may the memory of this holy tzadik be a blessing for life in the Hereafter; his soul rests in the hidden exalted heights; may his merit protect us). During this farbrengen, Chassidim are to talk to one another in a spirit of brotherhood about strengthening fixed times for Torah study. I send them my blessing that G-d favor them in body and spirit.
In today's HaYom Yom (courtesy of Kehot Publication Society) on the Chayenu app:
One of the Alter Rebbe's great and very close chassidim had yechidus, in the course of which the Rebbe inquired after his situation. The chassid complained bitterly that his financial situation had utterly deteriorated. The Rebbe responded: You are needed to illuminate your environment with Torah and avoda of the heart - (davening). Livelihood and what you need - that, G-d must provide for you. You do what you must, and G-d will do what He must.
In today's HaYom Yom (courtesy of Kehot Publication Society) on the Chayenu app:
The Tzemach Tzedek once told his son, my grandfather, an incident in his experience, and concluded: For helping someone in his livelihood, even to earn just 70 kopeks (a small, low-value Russian coin) on a calf, all the gates to the Heavenly Chambers are open for him.
Years later my grandfather told this to my father and added: One should really know the route to the Heavenly Chambers, but actually it is not crucial. You only need the main thing - to help another wholeheartedly, with sensitivity, to take pleasure in doing a kindness to another.
In today's Daily Tanya (courtesy of Kehot Publication Society) on the Chayenu app:
Time and space (i.e. universe) are justified (i.e. propelled into existence) by Malchus-Adnus (Sovereignty) as previously explained. But as Malchus exists within its own Source (Havayah), and united with it – its Source being ‘pure’ G-dliness (beyond time and space), it loses its separateness. Hence existence at this level is Yichuda Ila’a, ‘Higher-Level Unity’ with G-d.
Do not let the facade of creation confuse you. Remember at all times that the world is really an expression of the infinite G-d. It might look otherwise, but it is all His oneness.
In today's Hayom Yom (courtesy of Kehot Publication Society) on the Chayenu app:
The physical universe is a mixture. It is a meeting-place where G-d meets together (as it were) with man, the select of all creatures; yet it is also "Ginat Egoz" – "a garden of nuts" – the word "Egoz" having the numerical equivalent of "Cheit" – "sin." G-d gives man the capacity to choose freely, that man may choose for himself a path in life.
In today's Hayom Yom (courtesy of Kehot Publication Society) on the Chayenu app:
The ascent of the soul occurs three times daily, during the three times of Davening. This is particularly true of the souls of Tzadikim, who "go from strength to strength."
It is certain that at all times and in every sacred place they may be, they offer invocation and prayer on behalf of those who are bound to them and to their instructions, and who observe their instructions. They offer prayer in particular for their disciples and disciples' disciples, that G-d be their aid, materially and spiritually.
In today's Hayom Yom (courtesy of Kehot Publication Society) on the Chayenu app:
At a Farbrengen during the days of Sefira (at some time in the years 5651-5653, 1891-1893) someone said to my father, "The Alter Rebbe's chassidim were always keeping count." My father took a great liking to the saying, and he commented: "That idea characterizes man's Avoda.
The hours must be 'counted hours,' then the days will be 'counted days.' When a day passes one should know what he has accomplished and what remains yet to be done... In general, one should always see to it that tomorrow should be much better than today."
