Aula do Rabino Shalom Arush (Tradução em Português): Tazria/Metsorá 5780

B”H

Agradeço a D'us que nesta semana mereci, merecemos, ter uma lição todos os dias. Todos os dias tivemos uma lição, Baruch Hashem (graças a D'us). Muitos de meus alunos sabem muito bem que, durante décadas, tive o mérito de percorrer de cidade em cidade, de vila em vila, de lugar em lugar, dar lições e a L'afitz (espalhar ensinamentos chassídicos), Baruch Hashem, olhar para quanto merecemos. E agora, Yishtabach Shemoh (que Seu nome seja louvado), Hashem fechou tudo. Então Ele preparou esses instrumentos, com os quais podemos nos conectar, Yishtabach Shemoh. Eu realmente sinto todos vocês e quero transmitir a você uma mensagem todos os dias, fortalecê-los todos os dias, ouvir lições diárias ao vivo, ligando para a linha Emunah: 026444250; disque “9” e receba uma chamada automática imediatamente antes de uma transmissão ao vivo ou disque “4” para ouvir as gravações anteriores. Para que eu possa falar com vocês todos os dias, porque vocês são muito importantes para mim.

Não contamos piadas há muito tempo e precisamos começar a retornar a elas, para reabastecer o estoque. Enquanto isso, contaremos uma piada antiga. Alguém que amava muito o mar disse ao seu amigo que, por amar tanto o mar, nomeou seus filhos com nomes que são referências ao mar. Um ele chamou de "Gal" (onda); o outro “Hofit” (costeiro); o terceiro "Yam" (mar); e outro chamado " Jacó". Então, um amigo dele perguntou-lhe: "Como Jacó está relacionado com o mar?" Ele respondeu: "Bem, ele é o salva-vidas". 😊

Muito bem, verdade seja dita, Hashem trouxe esse vírus e fechou o mundo. A partir desse ponto, comecei, com a bondade de Hashem (Bendito seja Ele), a atrair para o povo judeu a "Lei de Agradecimento". Na verdade, não demorou muito, porque assim que começamos toda essa onda veio e paramos. E eu orei muito a respeito da “Lei de Agradecimento”, para que todos merecessem conhecê-la ... porque as pessoas precisam de grandes salvações ... o tempo todo. Mesmo agora, acabei de receber uma carta de um judeu me dizendo que, no último Shabat, ele sentiu que estava realmente sendo sufocado a ponto de não poder engolir nada - ele nem conseguia comer. Então ele foi para um canto, executou a Lei de Agradecimento, lentamente, de acordo com sua capacidade, e tudo passou!

As pessoas continuam me dizendo: "Eu fiz a Lei de Agradecimento e funcionou". Portanto, precisamos fortalecer todos. Para que possamos aprender a Lei de Agradecimento, precisamos fazer algumas observações introdutórias, porque quero que tudo seja compreensível para todos.

Então, comecemos com as palavras do Rabino Nathan, Rabino Nathan de Breslov. Este discurso é no que eu me baseei, e com base nisso, três livros de gratidão foram escritos até agora: "Sha'arei Torá (Portões da Gratidão)", "Amarti Tordah veNoshanti (Eu Disse “obrigado" e fui salvo), e "Nifla'ot HaTodah” (As Maravilhas do Agradecimento), todos baseados neste discurso.

Vou ler para você o que o Rabino Nathan escreveu, literalmente palavra por palavra: "Porque, na verdade, se tudo ..." A que tudo isso se refere? O povo de Israel, todos - "... deveriam ouvir a voz justa dos verdadeiros Tzadikim, seguir esse caminho, sempre acreditar em Hashem (Bendito seja Ele) que tudo é para o bem ..." O que Israel precisa fazer? Ouvir a voz dos justos, que nos ensinam a acreditar que tudo é para o bem. ” Todos vocês devem saber que essa é a essência da Emunah! Dizer "eu acredito em Hashem" é bom. No entanto, se uma pessoa está triste, quebrada, deprimida e desanimada, é uma contradição, uma verdadeira contradição a essa afirmação. É como se alguém dissesse que estava satisfeito com a fome, mas não comia há duas semanas.

Portanto, Emunah é acreditar que tudo é para o bem. Como eu disse na aula na semana passada, essa Emunah completa é ser feliz com a sorte. Também hoje, alguém também me fortaleceu. Ele me disse o que estava passando, que era difícil para ele e que ele tem problemas com a paz conjugal. Então eu disse a ele que, antes de tudo, a primeira coisa é aceitar tudo com Emunah, com amor, e só então é possível começar a resolver o seu problema. Ele então me diz: "Não, eu não sou capaz disso". Então eu disse a ele: "Vá orar por meia hora dizendo:" Mestre do mundo, Pai Celestial, me dê Emunah completa para acreditar que tudo é para o melhor! Tenha misericórdia! " A conexão com o Criador, o Santo Bendito seja Ele, o Rei, com o Pai Celestial, começa acreditando que Ele te ama com amor infinito, amor completo, e Ele faz tudo para o seu benefício!

Eu sempre tenho que lembrar as pessoas - é verdade, você não consegue entender o que há de bom nisso, mas precisa acreditar. É por isso que afirmamos: “[Ter] Complete Emunah ... Emunah!” Porque com seu intelecto, um ser humano não é capaz de acreditar no que é bom ?! Uma pessoa que não tem cônjuge - isso é bom? O que você quer dizer?! Uma pessoa que está doente - isso é bom? - e assim por diante ... [portanto] esse é o caminho. É por isso que sempre menciono esse ponto - não entendo, mas acredito que é para o bem! É assim que as coisas são.

No entanto, para uma pessoa receber essa Emunah, são necessárias muitas orações, porque é Gan Eden neste mundo ("Céu na Terra"), para aceitar com Emunah que tudo é para o bem e ser feliz com o sua porção - isso é Gan Eden, simples assim! Sem explicações e sem mais nada, você simplesmente se sentirá como o Céu na Terra!

E este é o portão através do qual você entrará em contato com Deus, este é o portal através do qual você pode se aproximar de Deus, este é o começo! Você quer começar a acreditar em Hashem? Ore por isso!

E então eu disse a ele que por meia hora ele perguntaria a Hashem: " Pai Celestial me dá Emunah completa para ser feliz com minha porção!" Cada pessoa em relação ao seu problema: se estiver doente, deve estar feliz com o seu destino - esta doença. Se ele não tem cônjuge, deve estar feliz com o fato de não ter um cônjuge. Cada pessoa tem que ser feliz com a sua porção, com o que está acontecendo com ele, essa é a chave.

Então agora vamos voltar ao que R. Nathan disse, porque é muito importante que o discurso dele seja cravado no coração de cada um, e que realmente acreditem nele. "Porque realmente, se todos fossem ouvir os verdadeiros Tzadikim, e seguir caminho deles, de sempre acreditar em Hashem (abençoado seja Ele) que tudo é para o bem, e louvar e agradecer a Hashem sempre ..." Louvar, louvar, como no Aleinu Leshabeach, e agradecer - sempre agradecer a Hashem (abençoado seja Ele) "... bein b'tivo bein be'ako" - esta em aramaico quer dizer "seja em bons tempos ou em tempos difíceis," ou, em termos mais simples, "seja para o bem ou para o mal ".

Essa é a consequência direta [da completa Emunah]. Se você diz que acredita que tudo é para o bem, qual é a consequência? Agradecer por tudo! Dizer obrigado pelo bem, a cada momento, agradecer por cada respiração, por tudo. É óbvio que isso precisa ser feito. No entanto, você também deve agradecer, se acredita que tudo é para o bem, pelo que o mundo chama de "não bom". Você não tem cônjuge, “obrigado por não ter um cônjuge.” Você não tem filhos, “obrigado por não ter filhos.” Então o que aconteceria? R. Nathan escreve, ele traz o verso dos Salmos: "... como está escrito com Hashem, eu louvarei o assunto..." - Hashem é o nome da misericórdia - "... com Elokim eu louvarei o assunto ..." - Elokim sendo o nome de julgamento. O Rei Davi disse que se Hashem (bendito seja Ele) é misericordioso com ele, ele O louva. E mesmo quando Hashem (abençoado seja) age com firmeza, ele O louva. Estes são dois caminhos: o primeiro caminho é acreditar que tudo é para o bem. O segundo caminho é dizer obrigado por tudo, seja pelo bem ou pelo mal.

E agora há a promessa: "... com certeza todos os problemas e todos os exílios teriam sido completamente anulados e já haveria redenção completa!" Ouça bem! E foi isso que me deu a força - esse discurso - para procurar todas as formas possíveis de difundir o conceito de agradecer! Diz R. Nathan: "Com certeza (!) Todos os problemas teriam sido eliminados! ” E agora estamos falando sobre o presente, se o povo de Israel dissesse "obrigado", todos os problemas agora seriam eliminados! E todos os exílios terminariam completamente! E haveria redenção completa! Eu sei que vocês já ouviram isso muitas vezes, mas, de qualquer forma, todos precisam ser lembrados.

O Rabino Nachman de Breslov, escreve inequivocamente no Likutei Moharan de maneira direta: "Saiba que a essência do exílio se deve apenas à falta de fé". Rabbeinu escreve diretamente: qual é a razão do exílio? Falta de Emunah.

E agora que conversamos e expandimos um pouco o assunto que Emunah quer dizer acreditar que tudo é para o bem, se você não acredita que tudo é para o bem, saiba que lhe falta Emunah! Não se iluda dizendo que acredita, mas há algo que não é bom - não existe! Porque o Criador do mundo, Pai Celestial, faz apenas o bem.

Assim como todo pai normal e toda mãe normal, que só fazem bem aos filhos, também nosso Pai Celestial não é pior - Ele só faz bem aos filhos.

Durante todo o tempo em que escrevi os livros, quem já estudou um pouco deles sabe: “O Jardim de Emunah”, “Jardim da Gratidão”, “O Jardim dos Milagres” ou “Nifla'ot HaTodah” (Maravilhas do Agradecimento), quem lê sabe que eu continuei repetindo que se deve dizer meia hora de agradecimento diariamente. Por exemplo, uma pessoa que não tem um par precisa de meia hora para dizer: "Mestre do mundo, obrigado por não me dar um cônjuge. Isso me machuca? Obrigado Pai Celestial por me machucar nesta área. O Pai só faz o que é bom para o filho! O Pai faz apenas o que é melhor para mim! Obrigado por me machucar! É simples, porque acredito que o Pai só faz o bem por mim. É simples: meia hora de dizer obrigado.

E a partir disso, tive o privilégio de escrever o livro “O Jardim dos Milagres”, que é principalmente histórias sobre pessoas dizendo obrigado e sendo salvas. Quem conhece o livro, e quem não conhece, deve ler este livro e não deixá-lo!

Depois que o livro foi lançado, uma certa mulher que é nossa aluna, e a conhecemos de perto, sua irmã ficou doente com uma doença terminal (que isso não aconteç conosco ou com qualquer outra pessoa de Israel). E sua irmã disse: “O que dizer a ela? Para ela dizer agora meia hora [de agradecimento]? ” Ela disse a ela para dizer oito vezes Mizmor L'Todah (Hino de Agradecimento, Salmo 100), porque o Hino de Agradecimento é um hino em que agradecemos, Salmo 100, e o número oito representa o conceito de estar acima da natureza. Foi assim que ela pensou sobre isso; foi assim que Hashem colocou o pensamento em sua mente. E a irmã - o médico disse a ela que não há explicação: "Aqui estão as fotos antes e depois. Não tenho explicação, você teve um milagre aqui e é isso.”

Quando soube disso, que simplesmente recitando Mizmor L´Todah oito vezes, ela teve um milagre, eu disse: "Bem, vamos fazer uma" lei de agradecimento "e encurtar o processo. Em vez de meia hora dizendo "obrigado", as pessoas devem dizer apenas quinze minutos de agradecimento e depois dizer oito vezes Mizmor L´Todah, Salmo 100.

E desde que comecei a divulgar isso, não o chamei mais de "eu agradeci e fui salvo [o título hebraico de" Jardim dos Milagres "], mas de "A Lei do Agradecimento". Agradecemos e assim anulamos os problemas, essa é a lei! Lei! É assim que o Criador do Mundo conduz Seu mundo! É assim que o Pai Celestial conduz seu mundo: dizemos "obrigado" e eliminamos todos os problemas!

E comecei a receber, aqui tenho um livreto cheio de histórias que coletamos, literalmente histórias e mais histórias, de pessoas que disseram que seguiram a lei e eliminaram seus problemas. Coloquei tudo na frente dos meus olhos e disse: "Bem, vamos começar esta lei".

Meu filho me disse: "Escute, toda vez que passava pelo que estava acontecendo com esse vírus, ficava vendo com meus próprios olhos como a lei funcionava e como tudo acontecia com zelo: milagres e maravilhas". É assim que mais e mais pessoas estão sendo informadas sobre isso.

Então essa é a lei, diga quinze minutos de agradecimento pelos problemas que você tem, pela doença que tem ou por não ter meios de subsistência, todos e quaisquer problemas na vida. Vale a pena comprar todos os livros para que você tenha muitos exemplos.

Por exemplo, no livro “Jardim dos Milagres”, existem 190 histórias, de todos os tipos, de pessoas que disseram obrigado e foram salvas. E lá, como eu disse, escrevi para dizer meia hora de "obrigado" e agora diminuímos. Diga quinze minutos de agradecimento e oito vezes Mizmor L'Todah.

Portanto, esta é a lei do agradecimento, e é muito importante para mim que começemos agora, e cada um começará a usar essa lei e a ver com seus próprios olhos! Porque funciona 100%! Algumas pessoas já vieram e me disseram: "Senhor Rabino, a lei funciona 100%!"

Uma das histórias milagrosas que ouvi, de um aluno meu, tinha um tipo terrível de inclinação ao mal. E ele meditava (fazia hitbodedut) durante meia hora todos os dias, e nada o ajudava. Ele disse que isso apenas fez com que a inclinação do mal o vencesse ainda mais, uma luxúria terrível. Eu disse a ele: "Escute, faça a lei de agradecimento e você verá que isso passará." Ele me disse: "Mas qual é a conexão?" Eu disse a ele: “Antes de tudo, agradeça por fazer esse teste! É correto que você tenha angústia (Yissurim)? Ele me disse: “Tenho uma angústia terrível! Eu não quero pecar antes de Hashem! Eu não quero! Me dói! Mas eu não consigo! Eu não consigo superar minha luxúria! "Então eu disse a ele: “Se sim, isso te machuca, temos um princípio geral: para qualquer tipo de angústia - e você tem angústia - se tiver angústia, receba-a com amor! Faça a lei de agradecimento. Então ele se sentou e disse: "Obrigado, Santo Bendito seja, por este assunto, por como, em Sua sabedoria, foi decretado que eu tenho que lidar com essa luxúria, e que estou angustiado por não querer ir contra a sua vontade. Obrigado Santo Bendito seja pela angústia que eu tenho, obrigado ... "Por aqueles quinze minutos ele disse obrigado e disse as oito vezes Mizmor L'Todah. Ele então veio e me disse - funciona!

Claro que eu disse para ele continuar, porque quando ele estava rezando, não o ajudou, ele não teve sucesso! A luxúria simplesmente o venceu. Ele aceitou a aflição com amor, não a transgressão! Não! Com relação ao teste que você passa, você precisa encontrar uma maneira de administrar, de todas as maneiras possíveis para superar o desafio - faça algo, aceite qualquer resolução, ore sem parar ... No entanto, a angústia que você tem da luxúria e da loucura que vem junto, por isso se diz obrigado.

Porque uma pessoa que tem luxúria tem angústia - você tem uma inclinação maligna e isso é angústia. No momento em que ele aceitou a agonia com amor, ele orou depois e isso já ajudou.

Em outros casos, as pessoas que me perguntam a respeito de um pai doente ou de uma mãe doente, ou algo parecido, se devem agradecer? Em relação a isso, pergunto a eles: "Você tem angústia com isso, porque sua esposa está doente?" Então eles dizem: "Eu tenho uma grande angústia com isso". Então eu digo a eles que eles não estão agradecendo pela pessoa estar doente, mas agradecendo a angústia que eles têm por ter a esposa doente.

Você não pode dizer obrigado pela angústia de outra pessoa! Você diz obrigado por sua própria agonia! E se você não tem angústia, ore pela pessoa com simplicidade para que Hashem as salve.

O agradecimento é apenas pela sua própria agonia! E você aceita a agonia com amor e diz: "Mestre do mundo, é seu desejo que eu tenha essa agonia? Aceito a agonia com amor! Obrigado pela angústia!" E faça isso por quinze minutos; junto com oito vezes Mizmor L'Todah. Esse é o conceito.

Certa vez, conversei com uma mulher a respeito de sua filha que havia ido para um manicômio. Ela me disse realmente que não havia nada que ela não tivess feito! Foram às sepulturas dos Tzadikim, fizeram Pidyonot ("redenções") e nada ajudou. Ela estudou o livro "Jardim da Gratidão" e agradeceu meia hora todos os dias pela angústia que tem desde que sua filha ficou doente. Depois de três meses, a menina estava 100% recuperada!

Então, novamente, não diga obrigado pela angústia do outro, obrigado por ter a angústia em relação ao que está acontecendo com o outro. Uma pessoa, seu pai está longe do caminho da Torá, então não diga obrigado que ele esteja longe do caminho da Torá, diga obrigado pela angústia que eu tem de que seu pai esteja longe do caminho da Torá. Diga obrigado por sua agonia! Nunca diga obrigado pela agonia de outra pessoa, é estupidez! O outro está sofrendo! Orem por ele para que ele não sofra! De maneira alguma você deveria dizer obrigado pela angústia de outro! Diga obrigado pela angústia que você tem! E você aceita a agonia com amor.

Porque o que é a "Lei de Agradecimento?" Que você aceite sua agonia com amor! E é assim que está escrito na Gemara, que é a lei, é assim que o Criador do Mundo conduz o mundo, que no momento que alguém recebe a agonia com amor - a agonia é abolida. "Sama d'Yissurei Kibuli!" Você quer um medicamento para eliminar sua agonia? Receba-a com amor! Uma Gemara explícita!

Agora é muito importante para mim reintroduzir essa lei, colocá-la dentro do povo de Israel com todas as forças.

Por exemplo, eu contei sobre o momento em que realmente tossia muito [muito antes de Corona começar], e realmente fiz a lei, e tudo desapareceu, que Seu nome seja louvado.

Basta ligar para a linha da Hafatzah (distribuição) e contar as histórias: 0522240696. Você disse obrigado? Os problemas foram anulados? Conte! Você não precisa dizer seu nome, pode permanecer anônimo, mas é muito importante dizer, para fortalecer o povo de Israel.

Hoje, voltamos a reforçar a necessidade da "Lei de Agradecimento". Agradeço a Hashem que expliquei um pouco e Yallah (vamos lá!) Todos agora com a lei! A lei de agradecimento! E as pessoas encontrarão seus cônjuges, terão filhos, curas, libertações! A lei funciona! Que Seu nome seja louvado para sempre!

Agradeço a Hashem por ter o privilégio de continuar ensinando todas as lições, estou verdadeiramente feliz com vocês, e amo muito vocês, penso em vocês e oro por vocês, ainda hoje eu estava no túmulo sagrado de Samuel, o Profeta , e também orei um pouco pelo povo de Israel, o que tenho mérito de fazer, Baruch Hashem. Eu realmente disse assim a Hashem: "Mestre do mundo, por milhares de anos esperamos que todos te reconheçam, que todos te conheçam, todos te aceitem como rei, todos acreditem em você! Todo mundo, todo mundo! Por milhares de anos! Por milhares de anos, dissemos: “Yitgadal veYitkadash Shemeh Rabbah” (Que Seu nome se torne grande e santo [o começo de Kaddish]): “Devolva-nos, nosso Pai, à Sua Torá”, oramos por Teshuvá (arrependimento) de todas as formas, por milhares de anos! É hora de você fazer tudo agora! Nós oramos! Nós pedimos! Como escrevi em um comentário ao Sidur, “Lembre-se da bondade dos patriarcas”, o Santo Bendito seja: Ele não se lembra apenas do que nossos patriarcas fizeram, mas também se lembra do mérito de todos os que foram mortos pela santidade de Seu nome. Quantos foram mortos pela santidade de Seu nome, quantos milhões ... pogroms e o Holocausto, o que não aconteceu! E Hashem lembra o mérito de todos os tsadikim, e também o que eles prometeram, tudo ele lembra, todos os tsadikim desde nosso pai Abraão até hoje, ele se lembra deles. Ele também se lembra de tudo o que todo o povo de Israel fez, as orações, os agradecimentos e os agradecimentos, e as boas lágrimas, e todos os mandamentos que fizeram de bom grado, e a Torá que aprenderam com alegria, e a angústia que eles receberam com amor, tudo o que o povo de Israel fez de Abraão, nosso pai, até hoje, ele também se lembra. "... Portanto, existem tesouros! ...", eu disse ao Criador do mundo: "... existem tesouros!" De Teshuvá (arrependimento), e orações e lágrimas, há tudo!

Agora é hora de Você pegar tudo e colocar tudo para trabalhar! Oramos, agora Você deve fazer tudo! Os livros e panfletos devem vir, e as lições, tudo deve chegar a todo o povo de Israel em todo o mundo! Não desista de um único filho seu, de uma única filha sua, para que todos se arrependam! "E assim todos devem orar, pelo menos dez minutos por dia. E todos devem ver como se tornar um parceiro em Hafatzah (espalhando ensinamentos.) Ouvi ontem as palavras do tsadik Moharosh de Yavniel (que sua memória seja uma bênção). Ele disse que uma pessoa, mesmo depois de deixar este mundo, deveria dizer a Hashem que ele está pronto para reencarnar apenas para ter certeza de que faria Hafatza (distribuição dos ensinamentos)! Ele está pronto para voltar por até várias encarnações, o principal é ter certeza de que em toda encarnação ele distribuirá ensinamentos!

Quão importante é a questão de Hafatzah, que, mesmo que a idéia seja de se esforçar para não reencarnar, se ele tiver certeza de que distribuirá, estará pronto para reencarnar. Então, vemos como é importante, agora nesta encarnação - distribuem! Distribuem!

Rav Shalom Arush Shiur Translation: Tazria/Metzora 5780

B”H

I thank G-d that this week I merited, we merited, to have a lesson every day. Truly every day we had a lesson, Baruch Hashem (Thank G-d). Many of my students know well that for decades I had the merit to run from town to town, from village to village, from place to place, to give lessons and to L’afitz (spread forth Chassidic teachings), Baruch Hashem, look at how much we have merited. And now, Yishtabach Shemoh (May His Name be praised), Hashem has closed. So He prepared these devices, with which we can connect together, Yishtabach Shemoh. I truly feel you all, and I want to transmit to you a message every day, to strengthen you every day, to listen to daily live lessons, calling the Emunah line: 026444250; dial “9” and receive an automated call immediately before a live transmission, or dial “4” in order to listen to listen to past recordings. So that I can talk to you every day, because you are very important to me.

We haven't told jokes in a long time, and we need to start returning to them, in order to replenish inventory. Well, in the meantime, we'll tell some old joke. Someone who very much loved the sea, very much, told his friend that because he loved the sea so much, so he named his children with names that are references to the sea. One he called “Gal” (wave); the other “Hofit” (coastal); the third “Yam” (sea); and another called “Jacob.” So a friend of his asked him: “How is Jacob related to the sea?” He answered, “Well, he’s the lifeguard.” 😊

Very well, truth be told, Hashem brought upon this virus and shut down the world. From that point on, I have begun, with the kindness of Hashem (Blessed be He), to draw into the Jewish people the “Law of Thanks.” Truly, it had not been for long, because just as we started this whole wave came, and we stopped. And I have prayed so much regarding it, the “Law of Thanks,” that everyone should merit knowing it… because people need great salvations… all the time. Even now, I just received a letter from a Jew telling me that last Shabat he felt that he was really suffocating to the point that he couldn't swallow anything – he couldn't even eat. So he went to a corner, performed the Law of Thanks, slowly, according to his ability, and it all passed!

People keep telling me, “I did the Law of Thanks and it worked.” Therefore we need to strengthen everyone. In order for us to learn the Law of Thanks, we have to make some introductory remarks, because I want everything to be understandable to everyone.

So let us begin with the words of Rabbi Nathan, Rabbi Nathan of Breslov. This discourse is on what I based myself, and based on this, three books of gratitude have been written so far: "Sha’arei Torah (Gates of Gratitude)," "Amarti Tordah veNoshanti (I Said “Thank you” and Was Delivered," and "Nifla’ot HaTodah (The Wonders of Thanks)," all based on this discourse.

I will to read to you what Rabbi Nathan wrote, literally word for word: "Because in really if all..." What is all referring to? The people of Israel, everyone - "... were to hear the righteous voice of the true Tzadikim, to go according to this path, to always believe in Hashem (Blessed be He) that everything is for the good ..." What does Israel need? To hear the voice of the righteous, who teach us to believe that everything is for the good.” You should all know that is the essence of Emunah! Saying, "I believe in Hashem" is good. However, if a person is sad and broken and depressed and discouraged, it is a contradiction, a real contradiction to that statement. It’s as if one would say he was satisfied from hunger but had not eaten for two weeks.

Therefore, Emunah is to believe that everything is for the good. Like I said in class last week, that complete Emunah is to be happy with one’s lot. Also today, someone also strengthened me. He told me what he was going through, and that it was hard for him, and that he has problems with marital peace. So I told him that first of all, the first thing is to accept it all with Emunah, with love, and only then is it possible to begin to address your problem. He then tells me, “No, I am not capable of it.” So I said to him, “Go pray for half an hour saying, "Master of the world, Father in Heaven, give me complete Emunah to believe that all is for the best! Have mercy!" The connection with the Creator, the Holy One Blessed be He, the King, with Father in Heaven, begins with believing that He loves you with infinite love, complete love, and He does everything for your benefit!

I always have to remind people – it’s true, you can't understand what's good about it, but you have to believe. That is why we have stated, “[Have] Complete Emunah… Emunah!” Because with his intellect, a human being is not capable of believing what is the good?! A person that has no spouse – that’s good?  What do you mean?! A person being sick – that’s good? – and so forth… [therefore] that's the path. That's why I always mention this point - I don't understand but I believe that it is for the good! That’s just the way it is.

However, for a person to receive such Emunah, many prayers are needed, because that’s Gan Eden in this world (“Heaven on Earth”), to accept with Emunah that everything is for the best and to be happy with one’s lot – that’s Gan Eden, as simple as that! Without explanations and without anything [else], you will simply feel like Heaven on Earth!

And this is the gate through which you will enter to God, this is the doorway through which you can approach God, this is the beginning! You want to start believing in Hashem? Pray for this!

And so I told him that for half an hour he would ask of Hashem: "Father in Heaven give me complete Emunah to be happy with my lot!" Each person regarding his issue: if he is sick, he should be happy with his lot – this sickness. If he has no spouse, he should be happy with his lot of not having a spouse. Each person has to be happy with his lot, with what is going on with him, that's the key.

I thank Hashem that I had the privilege last week to teach this lesson, to be happy with one’s lot, that this is called complete Emunah, because that is the key to this whole thing.

If we want to go into this matter of saying thank you truthfully, don't say thank you and cry: “Thank you ... thank you ...” like a complainer. Rather say thank you! And be happy with your lot! Really be with your lot! That's the key!

So now let's go back to what R. Nathan said, it's very important that the discourse that R. Natan said will engraved in each and everyone’s heart, and truly believe in it. "Because really, if everything were to hear the true Tzadikim, and go on this path, to always believe in Hashem (Blessed be He) that everything is for the best, to give praise and thanks to the Hashem always ..." To give! To give praise, to praise, as in the Aleinu Leshabeach, and thanks - to always thank Hashem (Blessed be He)"... bein b’tivo bein be’ako" – this is Aramaic for “whether in good times or in hard times,” or in simpler terms, "whether for the good or for the bad." And this is the direct consequence [of complete Emunah], if you say you believe everything is for the best, what is the consequence? To say thank you for everything! To say thank you for the good, for every moment, to say thank you for every breath and for everything. It’s obvious that it needs to be said. However, you also have to say thank, if you believe that everything is for the best, for what the world calls “not good.” You have no spouse, thank you for not having a spouse. You have no children, thank you for not having children. Then what would happen? R. Nathan writes, he brings the verse here in Psalms: "... as it is written with Hashem I will praise the matter..." - Hashem being the name of mercy - "... with Elokim I will praise the matter..." - Elokim being the name of judgement. King David said that if Hashem (Blessed be He) is merciful to him, he praises Him. And even when Hashem (Blessed be He) acts sternly, he praises Him. These are two paths: the first path is believing that everything is for the best. The second path is to say thank you for everything, whether for the good, or for the bad.

And now there is the promise: "... for sure all the troubles and all the exiles would have been completely nullified and there would already be complete redemption!” Listen well! And that's what gave me the the strength - this discourse - to go and look for all the possible ways to spread the concept of giving thanks! Says R. Nathan: "For sure (!) all the troubles would have been eliminated!” And we are now talking about the present, if the people of Israel were to say “thank you,” all the troubles now would be eliminated! And all the exiles completely finished! And there would be complete redemption! I know you've heard it many times, but in any event, everyone needs to be reminded.

Rabbi Nachman of Breslov writes unequivocally in Likutei Moharan in straightforward fashion: "Know that the essence of the exile is only due to lack of faith." Rabbeinu writes straight out: what is the reason for the exile? Lack of Emunah.

And now that we have talked and expanded a little bit on the subject that Emunah is to believe that everything is for the best, if you don't believe that everything is for the best, know that you lack Emunah! Don't fool yourself into saying that you believe but there is something that is not good - there is no such thing! Because the Creator of the world, Father in Heaven, does only good.

Just like every normal father and every normal mother, who do only good to their children, so too our Heavenly Father is no worse - He does only good to his children.

All the while I kept writing in the books, whoever has studied a little of them knows, whether “The Garden of Emunah,” “Garden of Gratitude,” “The Garden of Miracles,” or “Nifla’ot HaTodah” (Wonders of Thanks), whoever read knows that I kept repeating that one should say half an hour of thanks daily. For example, a person who does not have a pairing needs half an hour to say, "Master of the world, thank you for not giving me a spouse. Does it hurt me? Thank you Father in Heaven for hurting me in this area. Father only does what is good for his child! Father does only what is the best for me! Thank you for hurting me! It’s simple, because I believe Father does only good for me. It’s simple: half an hour of saying thank you.

And from this I was privileged to write the book, “The Garden of Miracles,” which is mostly stories about people saying thank you and being saved. Anyone who knows the book, and anyone who doesn't, should read this book and not leave it!

After the book came out, a certain woman who is our student, and we know her closely, her sister became ill with a terminal illness (it should not happen to us or anyone else of Israel). And her sister said, “What would she I tell her? To now say half an hour [of thanks]?” She told her to say eight times Mizmor L’Todah (Hymn of Thanks, Psalm 100) because the Hymn of Thanks is a hymn in which in it we thank, Psalm 100, and the number eight represents the concept of being above nature. That's how she thought about it; that's how Hashem placed the thought in her mind. And the sister - the doctor told her that there’s no explanation, “Here are the pictures before and after. I have no explanation, you had a miracle happen here and that's that.”

When I heard of this, that by simply reciting Mizmor L’Todah eight times, she had a miracle, I said: “Well, let's make a “law of thanks,” and shorten the process. Instead of half an hour of saying “thank you,” people should say only fifteen minutes of thanks, and then say eight times Mizmor L’Todah, Psalm 100.

And since I started publicizing this, I no longer called it "I said thank you and was saved [the Hebrew title of “Garden of Miracles"], I called it, "The Law of Thanks!" We say thank you and nullify the troubles, that's the law! Law! That's how the Creator of the World conducts His world! That is how Father in Heaven conducts his world: we say “thank you” and eliminate all troubles!

And I began to receive, here I have a booklet full of stories we have collected, literally stories upon stories, that people who have said they followed the law and eliminated their troubles. I put it all in front of my eyes, and said, “Well, let's start this law.”

My son told me, “Listen, every time I went through what was going on with this virus, I kept seeing with my own eyes how the law worked, and how everything happened with zeal: miracles and wonders.” That's how more and more people are being told about it.

So that's the law, say fifteen minutes of thanks for the troubles you have, the sickness you have, or that you have no livelihood, any and all problems in life. It’s worth it for you all to buy the books, so that you will have many examples.

For example, in the book, “Garden of Miracles,” there are 190 stories, of all kinds, of people who said thank you and were saved. And there, like I said, I wrote to say a half hour of “thank you,” and now we've shortened it. Say fifteen minutes thanks and eight times Mizmor L’Todah.

So this is, this is the law of gratitude, and it is very important to me, that we start now, and each one will begin to use this law, and see with your own eyes! Because it works 100 percent! Some people have already come and said to me “Honorable Rabbi, the law works 100 percent!”

One of the miraculous stories I heard, from a student of mine, he had a very terrible kind of evil inclination. And he meditated (did hitbodedut) about it for half an hour every day, and nothing helped him. He said that it only made the evil inclination overcome him more, the terrible lust. I said to him: “Listen, do the law of thanks and you will see that it will pass.” He said to me, “But what is the connection?” I said to him, “First of all, say thank you that you have such a test! Is it correct that you have anguish (Yissurim) from it?”  He said to me, “I have terrible anguish from it! I don’t want to sin before Hashem! I don’t want to! It pains me! But I can't! I can’t overcome my lust!” So I said to him, “If so, does it hurt you? We have a general principle: for any kind of anguish - and you have anguish - if you have anguish, receive it with love! Do the law of thanks.” So he sat down and said, "Thank you, Holy One Blessed Be He, regarding this matter, regarding how in Your wisdom it was decreed that I have to manage with this lust, and that I am anguished from it because I do not want to go against Your will. Thank you Holy One Blessed Be He for the anguish that I have, thank you..." For those fifteen minutes he said thank you, and said the eight times Mizmor L’Todah. He then came and told me - it works!

Of course, I told him to continue, because when he was just praying it didn't help him, he didn’t succeed! Lust just overcame him. He accepted the affliction with love, not the transgression! No! Regarding the test that you go through, you have to find a way to manage, in whatever ways you can to overcome the challenge - do something, accept whatever resolution, pray endlessly… However, the anguish you have from the lust, and the madness that goes with it, for that say thank you.

Because a person who has lust has anguish - you have an evil inclination and that is anguish. The moment that he accepted the agony with love, he then prayed afterwards and it already helped.

In other instances, the people who come and ask me regarding a father that is sick, or a mother who is sick, are they supposed to say thank you? So I ask them: “Do you have anguish from this, that your wife is ill?” So they say, “I have great anguish from it.” So I tell them that they’re not saying thank you for the person being sick, you're saying thank you for the anguish they have for having their wife being sick.

You can't say thank you for someone else's anguish! You say thank you for your own agony! And if you have no anguish from it, you should pray for the person with simplicity that Hashem should save them.

The thanks is just for your own agony! And you accept the agony with love, and you say, "Master of the world, is it your wish that I have this agony? I accept the agony with love! Thank you for the anguish!,” And do so for fifteen minutes; along with eight times Mizmor L’Todah. That's the concept.

I once spoke with a woman regarding her daughter that had gone to an insane asylum. She told me really that there was nothing that she didn't do! Went to the graves of the Tzadikim, did Pidyonot (“redemptions”), and nothing helped. She studied the book, "Garden of Gratitude," and said thanks half an hour every day about the anguish she has since her daughter became ill. After three months, the girl was 100 percent recovered!

So again, don't say thank you for the anguish of the other, say thank you for having the anguish regarding what's going on with the other. One person, his father is far from the path of the Torah, so do not say thank you that he is far from the path of Torah, say thank you for the anguish that I have that my father is far from the path of Torah. Say thank you for your agony! Never say thank you for another's agony, it's stupidity! The other is suffering! Pray for him that he should not suffer! In no way should you say thank you for the anguish of another! Say thank you for the anguish that you have! And you accept the agony with love.

Because what is the “Law of Thanks?” That you accept your agony with love! And that is how it is written in the Gemara, that it is the law, that is how the Creator of the World conducts the world, that as soon as one receives the agony with love - the agony is abolished. “Sama D’Yissurei Kibuli!” Do you want a drug to eliminate your agony? Receive them with love! An explicit Gemara!

Now it is very important for me to reintroduce this law, to place it within the people of Israel with every strength.

For example, I have told of the time when I was really coughing a lot [well before Corona began], and really did the law, and everything disappeared, may His name be praised.

Just call the Hafatzah (distribution) line, and tell the stories: 0522240696. Did you say thank you? Did the troubles become nullified? Tell it! You don't have to say your name, you can remain anonymous, but it's very important to tell, to strengthen the people of Israel.

So today we went back to reinforcing the need for the “Law of Thanks.” I thank Hashem that I explained it a little bit, and Yallah (Come on!) everyone now with the law! The Law of Thanks! And people will find their spouses, they will have children, healing, deliverances! The law works! May His name be praised forever!

I thank God that I am privileged to continue to teach you all lessons, I am truly happy with you, and love you very much, and I think of you and pray for you, even today I was in the holy grave of Samuel the Prophet, and I also prayed for the people of Israel a little bit, whatever I merit to do, Baruch Hashem. I truly said to Hashem: "Master of the world, we for thousands of years have hope that everyone recognize You, that everyone know You, everyone accept You as king, everyone believe in You! Everyone, everyone! For thousands of years! We have, for thousands of years, said, “Yitgadal veYitkadash Shemeh Rabbah” (May His name be made great and holy [the beginning of Kaddish]), “Return us, our Father to Your Torah,” we pray for Teshuvah (repentance) in all kinds of ways, for thousands of years! It is time for You to do everything now! We have prayed! We have asked! As I have written in a commentary to the Siddur, “Remember the kindness of the fathers,” the Holy One Blessed be He does not just remember what our fathers did, rather He also remember the merit of all those killed for the sanctity of His name. How many were killed for the sanctity of His name, how many millions… pogroms and the Holocaust, what did not happen! And Hashem remembers the merit of all the Tzadikim, and also what they promised, all that he remembers, all the Tzadikim from our father Abraham to this day he remembers them. He also remembers everything that each and every one of the people of Israel did, the prayers, the thank you’s and the thanks giving, and the good tears, and all the commandments they did gladly, and the Torah they learned joyfully, and the anguish they received with love, everything that the people of Israel did from Abraham our father to this day, he also remembers.  "... Therefore there are treasures! ...", I told the Creator of the world, “... there are treasures!” Of Teshuvah (repentance), and prayers, and tears, there is everything!

Now it's time for You to take it all, and put it all to work! We prayed, now You should do it all! The books and pamphlets should come, and the lessons, everything should come to all the people of Israel all over the world! Do not give up on a single son of yours, a single daughter of yours, so that everyone will repent!" And in this way everyone should pray, at least ten minutes each day. And everyone should see how to become a partner in Hafatzah (spreading forth teachings). I heard yesterday words from the tzadik the Moharosh from Yavniel (may his memory be for blessing). He said, that a person even after he has left this world, should tell Hashem that he is ready to reincarnate only to be assured that he would L’hafitz (spread forth)! He is ready to return even a number of incarnations, the main thing is to be assured that in every incarnation he will spread forth!

How important is the matter of Hafatzah, that even if though the idea is to strive not to be reincarnated, if he is assured that he will spread forth,  then he is ready to reincarnate. So we see how important it is, so now in this incarnation – go spread! Spread!

In Service: Holiness, Sexuality, and the Torah Portion of Kedoshim

This week's Torah portion, as its name indicates, is about holiness. It is full of mitzvot that are essential for a person to be an upstanding ethical citizen, such as keeping the Sabbath, respecting one's parents, leaving part of one's harvest for the poor, not placing a stumbling block in front of the blind, and many others. All of these mitzvot, listed in rapid succession, present us with a general picture of what is expected of us, not only in terms of following the specific commandments, but also going beyond the letter of the law, and fulfilling, as we say in America, the "spirit of the law" as well. 

Yet, despite the varied themes and wide range of mitzvot included in this Torah portion, Rashi's comment on its opening lines suggest a much narrower scope regarding what holiness is all about:

1. And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,		א. וַיְדַבֵּר יְהוָֹה אֶל משֶׁה לֵּאמֹר:
2. Speak to the entire congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them, You shall be holy, for I, the Lord, your God, am holy.		ב. דַּבֵּר אֶל כָּל עֲדַת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאָמַרְתָּ אֲלֵהֶם קְדשִׁים תִּהְיוּ כִּי קָדוֹשׁ אֲנִי יְהוָֹה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם:

RASHI: You shall be holy: Separate yourselves from sexual immorality and from sin, for wherever one finds a barrier against sexual immorality, one finds holiness, [for example:], “[They (the kohanim) shall not take in marriage] a woman who is a prostitute or one who was profaned…I, the Lord, Who sanctifies you [am holy]” (Lev. 21:7-8); and, “he shall not profane his offspring…I am the Lord, Who sanctifies him” (Lev. 21:15); and, “They shall be holy…[They shall not take in marriage] a woman who is a prostitute or one who was profaned” (Lev. 21:6-7). - [Vayikra Rabbah 24:4-6; and see also Sefer Hazikkaron]

The end of last week's portion, Acharei, dealt almost exclusively with sexual sins. However, Kedoshim only discusses sexual sins until much much later, almost as a side note. We see that Rashi himself makes no reference to the previous portion, perhaps due to the very fact that the Torah does not to include these few verses as part of Acharei, but rather as the beginning of an entirely new parashah. (Incidentally, on non-leap years, the two portions are usually read together)

What is Rashi's reason for focusing in on the role of holiness vis-a-vis sexual sins? He is certainly not denying that all the other mitzvot mentioned lead a person to holiness. Rashi seems to be stating the following: "While it is true that all the other deeds depicted below lead to holiness, do not think that you can truly achieve it without separating yourself from sexual immorality and from sin."

Unfortunately, society today has completely distorted the role of sexuality. It is true that the Torah certainly does not see sexual relations as a sin, much less as the "original sin." Sex, within the proper parameters of a marriage, is a mitzvah, the very first mitzvah mentioned in the Torah ("be fruitful and multiply"). Yet, outside the context of marriage, sex is clearly prohibited, mainly because it lacks holiness. Because of various factors, ranging from Freud to marketing, society has greatly cheapened the concept of sexual relations in general, and the female body in particular, greatly cheapening ourselves in the process.

Again, the Torah does not advocate Victorian puritanism, burkas, or anything of the sort, yet we must understand that if we desire to have true holiness in our lives, we have to be in control of our sexual urges, and not the other way around, having them dictate our actions. This certainly applies to married couples, too, and applies not just to sex itself, but to everything we see, touch, hear, and (consciously) think about. (Perhaps that is why Rashi mentions "sexual immorality" and "sin" as two separate concepts. The Ramban explains that one can be a Naval b'Reshut haTorah - a disgusting person, acting in ways that are technically permitted by the Torah).

It might sound a little radical, but as soon as we are in control of our animal side, our soul is free to soar. It is incredibly liberating, and allows for a much stronger and heartfelt connection to G-d. The beauty of Judaism is that it advocates that once our spiritual side is in control and the Torah's precepts are followed, then pleasure is not a sin at all - it is holy, and is itself a praise of the Almighty. Rabbi Chanan Morrison writes the following in the name of Rav Kook:

What is a brachah? When we recite a blessing, we are expressing our awareness of God as the ultimate source for this pleasure. But there is an enjoyment greater than the sensory pleasure that comes from eating food. Eating entitles us to recite a blessing and thus connect with our Creator. We experience an inner joy when we realize that every form of physical pleasure was created with the opportunity to refine the spirit and uplift the soul. (http://ravkooktorah.org/KDOSHIM59.htm)

Above, Rabbi Morrison writes about eating, but, as mentioned in Rashi's comments above, it all comes back to sexuality. This concept is reflected in the writings of many other great sages, such as Rebbe Nachman of Breslov and Rebbe Shlomo of Radomsk, on the topic of Shmirat Brit Kodesh ("guarding the holy covenant").  

In Service: After Mourning and the Torah Portion of Acharei Mot

B"H

In this week's Torah portion, we switch from speaking about Tzara'at and return briefly to the subject of the death of Aharon's two eldest sons. The Torah portion then describes the service of Aharon, the High Priest, on Yom Kippur, and later discusses other laws purity.

As mentioned previously, Tzara'at and death have a lot in common. Both represent transitions, and the Metzorah himself is considered like someone who is "dead." We also spoke about how a mother who has just given birth is also in the midst of a great transition, and perhaps that is why her condition is discussed along with Tzara'at and she becomes impure for an extended amount of time. Another person in the midst of a transition is a mourner.

1. And the Lord spoke to Moses after the death of Aaron's two sons, when they drew near before the Lord, and they died.		א. וַיְדַבֵּר יְהוָֹה אֶל משֶׁה אַחֲרֵי מוֹת שְׁנֵי בְּנֵי אַהֲרֹן בְּקָרְבָתָם לִפְנֵי יְהוָֹה וַיָּמֻתוּ:
And the Lord spoke to Moses after the death of Aaron’s two sons:What does this teach us [when it specifies “after the death of Aaron’s two sons”]? Rabbi Eleazar ben Azariah illustrated [the answer] with a parable of a patient, whom a physician came to visit. [The physician] said to him, “Do not eat cold foods, and do not lie down in a cold, damp place.” Then, another [physician] visited him, and advised him, “Do not eat cold foods or lie down in a cold, damp place, so that you will not die the way so-and-so died.” This one warned that patient more effectively than the former. Therefore, Scripture says, “after the death of Aaron’s two sons” [i.e., God effectively said to Aaron, “Do not enter the Holy in a prohibited manner, so that you will not die as your sons died”]- [Torath Kohanim 16:3]		וידבר ה' אל משה אחרי מות שני בני אהרן וגו': מה תלמוד לומר, היה רבי אלעזר בן עזריה מושלו משל לחולה שנכנס אצלו רופא. אמר לו אל תאכל צונן ואל תשכב בטחב. בא אחר ואמר לו אל תאכל צונן ואל תשכב בטחב שלא תמות כדרך שמת פלוני. זה זרזו יותר מן הראשון, לכך נאמר אחרי מות שני בני אהרן:

At first glance, Rashi's comment seems primarily about the effective of Hashem's choice of words. However, comparing Aharon to a patient perhaps also has a much deeper meaning. Aharon was like a patient, someone still carrying fresh wounds of the trauma of losing his two sons. He could not even grieve properly because he was serving in the Temple and could not display acts of mourning. He was a recovering patient, and did not need a reminder of his sons' passing in order to follow G-d's commandments. What Aharon needed, first and foremost, was encouragement, moral support to fight depression and death. He needed meaning and purpose, and was therefore further told of his obligations as high priest.

Mourners are always at a risk of clinging too much to the dead and forgetting to keep living. After the set time for mourning, they must get up and get back to work. They must be told "not to eat cold foods" (continue to have thoughts of death and mourning) or "lie down in a cold damp place" (a cemetery). They must stand now, and need warmth and light. Once they are out of the transition period of mourning, they must consider themselves "purified,"  and realize that their Divine service, in the face of tragedy, is important and holy like that of the high priest himself.

Note: The statement quoted by Rashi is by Rabbi Eliezer Ben Azariah, one of the protagonists of the Passover Haggadah. He is the foremost example of how being assigned an important task can propel a person to new heights, to the point that they are physically transformed. In the Haggadah, Rabbi Eliezer states, "I am like someone aged 70." Even though he was in fact a teenager at the time, when he was appointed as Nassi he grew white hair and a white beard!

In Service: Life's Challenges and the Torah Portion of Metzorah

B"H

This week's Torah portion continues to focus on the ritual impurity known as Tzara'at, and how someone who becomes purified from it is brought back into the community. It also discusses other impurities, as well as how not only a person, but also one's clothes and one's house can become contaminated.

A question arises as to whether the impurity of Tzara'at is a curse or a blessing. Our sages teach us that only someone that is at an elevated spiritual level is even worthy of contracting this condition. This is the reason why today Tzara'at is not found. (As a side note, I think it is worth mentioning the Rebbe's question on this ponit. How could it be that Tzara'at only impacts people that are extremely elevated, if it is well known that the primary cause of Tzara'at is Lashon Harah, usually translated as slander? The answer is that the Lashon Harah mentioned here is not abusive speech such as slander, but rather an abuse of the faculty of speech, meaningless talk (See Rambam as to the two kinds of Lashon Harah)).

Back to the above question, is Tzara'at a curse or a blessing? In the middle of the Torah portion, there is a verse with a comment from Rashi that is particularly revealing, and which perhaps contains our answer:

34. When you come to the land of Canaan, which I am giving you as a possession, and I place a lesion of tzara'ath upon a house in the land of your possession,		לד. כִּי תָבֹאוּ אֶל אֶרֶץ כְּנַעַן אֲשֶׁר אֲנִי נֹתֵן לָכֶם לַאֲחֻזָּה וְנָתַתִּי נֶגַע צָרַעַת בְּבֵית אֶרֶץ אֲחֻזַּתְכֶם:
and I place a lesion of tzara’ath: Heb. וְנָתַתִּי, lit. and I will give. This is [good] news for them that lesions of tzara’ath will come upon them, (Torath Kohanim 14:75), because the Amorites had hidden away treasures of gold inside the walls of their houses during the entire forty years that the Israelites were in the desert, and through the lesion, he will demolish the house (see verses 43-45) and find them. — [Vayikra Rabbah 17:6]

How can placing Tzara'at on a house be called "giving?" In fact, this begs a much bigger question. If we know that G-d runs the world, and that everything he does is the ultimate good, why is there pain and suffering? The answer is G-d wants us to grow. When challenges come our way, G-d wants us to dig deep within us, demolish our walls and self-imposed restrictions, and find the treasures that are inside.

Again, this is one of the fundamental teachings of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, expressed so beautifully in the book, Garden of Emuna, by Rabbi Shalom Arush. We have so many deep hidden treasures within us, and there are always so many more ways to grow and become better people. Sometimes we just need a little pushing. We can fill ourselves with more and more meaning, until we get to the point where there is no place for meaningless speech in our vocabulary - where every second counts - because it does. There are even levels above that, where words that may be considered meaningful today, could even be deemed "meaningless." Every day we learn more about G-d and can serve Him on a higher level. In fact, we need to do Teshuvah for not serving Him on such a level in the first place.

The above is also captured in the story called "The King's Son Made of Precious Stones," also from  Rebbe Nachman, who as mentioned last week, was born on the Torah portion of Tazria and had his Brit-Milah on the Metzorah. (The story can be found here, pp. 83-88). Here are a few quotes from it, which serve as a kind of summary:

"[The Tzaddik] told [the King and the Queen] they would have a son who would be made completely of precious stones, and he would possess all of the qualities of all of the precious stones." 

"The tzaddik then went home. The queen gave birth to a son, and the king rejoiced very greatly. The son that was born was not made of precious stones..." 

"The prince became very leprous [Metzorah] He had leprosy [Tzara'at] on his nose, on his face and all over his body. The king engaged in doctors and sorcerers, but to no avail." 

"The tzadik then came and said that the prince would be healed. And he was healed, and the leprosy dried up, and all of his skin pealed off, and he was made completely of precious stones and possessed all the qualities of all the precious stones (as the tzaddik had said)."

It is said that in this story Rebbe Nachman is making a reference to himself. It also appears to be a reference to Mashiach himself, who, as also mentioned last week, is called a Metzorah. May the Tzara'at of all of this world be peeled off, so that the true treasures within each one of us can finally be revealed. May it be soon, may it be now.