Sunday, August 29, 2010

Give Me Your Hebrew Name for Davening by Kivrei Tzadikim in Ukraine before Rosh Hashana

As many of you know, I am going to Uman for the first time for Rosh Hashana this year. I'm leaving on Sunday and will IY"H be traveling to five kivrei tzadikim on the way to Uman to daven.

If you would like me to daven for you and/or your family at the kevarim and in Uman by the tziyon of Rebbe Nachman, please leave a comment or e-mail me and I will daven for you IY"H, BL"N. Please also let me know what particular inyanim you need so I can daven for you regarding those things specifically.

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Please donate to my son's cheder by going to minivanraffle.org to buy a raffle ticket. The drawing for a new minivan, car, or $20,000 cash will be IY"H Chanukah time. $100 for 1 ticket. $360 for 5. Where the form says "Referred by," please write "Dixie Yid." Tizku l'mitzvos!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Help R' Chaim Kramer get last 2 Vols of Likutei Moharan in English Published!

FINISH THE WORK STARTED OVER 200 YEARS AGO! Dear Chaver (Friend) of Breslov Research Institute,

After many years of hard work and tremendous help from the One Above, we are nearing completion of the multi-volume Likutey Moharan in English project. This is a milestone in Breslov history. The series features full Hebrew-English text on facing pages, a running commentary based on traditional Breslov sources and profound, highly accessible notes drawing from the Written Torah, Gemara, Zohar, Midrash and kabbalistic works.

As you may know, Breslov Research Institute recently published Volume 13 of this series. There are only two more volumes that remain to be done. The zekhus (merit) of joining us is in completing this mitzvah is open to everyone and anyone who believes in bringing this unprecedented project to fruition.

Our Sages observe, "im ein kemach, ein Torah . . . Without money, there is no Torah" (Pirkey Avot 3:17). Breslover Chassidim point out that the Hebrew word kemach (literally, flour) has the same gematria (numerical value) as the name “Nachman.” This means is that if we give some of our "flour" for Rebbe Nachman’s holy books, we’ll surely succeed in connecting to Torah—and in helping others to do so, as well, for Rebbe Nachman’s works are keys to each area and level of Torah. The Breslov Research Institute is in earnest need of your partnership. Our Sages teach that one who helps complete a mitzvah is accredited the entire mitzvah. Your contribution, great or small, gives you a genuine claim to this rare mitzvah. For a generous contribution of $180 you can sponsor a page of Likutey Moharan with an opportunity to dedicate that page in honor or in memory of the person of your choice. Upon completion of the project, you will receive a complimentary copy sent directly to your home. So please join us for the final leg of this project and be sure to share this opportunity with your friends. Please take a few minutes to watch this video, in which Rabbi Kramer gives more details about this amazing project. To contribute online, please visit https://www.breslov.org/LM/sponsorapage.html

If you are unable to contribute the entire amount right now, Breslov Research will gladly accept ten payments of $18 a month. A list of lessons available for dedication is also available, please click here. Additionally you may mail your contribution to: Breslov Research Institute POB 5370 Jerusalem, Israel
Tel.: 972.2.582.4641 Fax: 972.2.582.5542 North America: POB 587 Monsey, NY 10952-0587
Tel.: 732.534.7263/ 1-800-33BRESLOV Fax: 732.608.8461

All contributions are fully tax deductible in the USA, Canada, UK and Israel.
Thanks for being a part of this monumental mitzvah!

All the best to you and yours,
Breslov Research Institute

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Please donate to my son's cheder by going to minivanraffle.org to buy a raffle ticket. The drawing for a new minivan, car, or $20,000 cash will be IY"H Chanukah time. $100 for 1 ticket. $360 for 5. Where the form says "Referred by," please write "Dixie Yid." Tizku l'mitzvos!

Monday, August 16, 2010

Hashem is With us in Gaza - Video

Link courtesy of Dixie Dad. Click here to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox or here to subscribe in Google Reader.

Please donate to my son's cheder by going to minivanraffle.org to buy a raffle ticket. The drawing for a new minivan, car, or $20,000 cash will be IY"H Chanukah time. $100 for 1 ticket. $360 for 5. Where the form says "Referred by," please write "Dixie Yid." Tizku l'mitzvos!

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Hashem - Not to be Periodically Tabled!

Picture created by the ever-talented Mrs. Yid. Click here to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox or here to subscribe in Google Reader.

Please donate to my son's cheder by going to minivanraffle.org to buy a raffle ticket. The drawing for a new minivan, car, or $20,000 cash will be IY"H Chanukah time. $100 for 1 ticket. $360 for 5. Where the form says "Referred by," please write "Dixie Yid." Tizku l'mitzvos!

Dixie Yid Word Array

Picture courtesy of Mrs. Yid! Click to enlarge. :-) Click here to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox or here to subscribe in Google Reader.

Please donate to my son's cheder by going to minivanraffle.org to buy a raffle ticket. The drawing for a new minivan, car, or $20,000 cash will be IY"H Chanukah time. $100 for 1 ticket. $360 for 5. Where the form says "Referred by," please write "Dixie Yid." Tizku l'mitzvos!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Shlom Carlebach - Berditchever Niggun

Click here to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox or here to subscribe in Google Reader.Please donate to my son's cheder by going to minivanraffle.org to buy a raffle ticket. The drawing for a new minivan, car, or $20,000 cash will be IY"H Chanukah time. $100 for 1 ticket. $360 for 5. Where the form says "Referred by," please write "Dixie Yid." Tizku l'mitzvos!

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Author of Moon's Lost Light Seeking Help For Someone in Need

I received the following letter from a Rebbetzin who is very learned and an innovative thinker. I featured a guest post based on her fascinating book, The Moon's Lost Light, a couple of years ago. She is looking to help someone who desperately needs if. If you can, please send a check to the address at the bottom of the letter. We should only know simchas. Kol tuv & gut chodesh.

Dear Friends,

My name is Devorah Heshelis, and I live in Yerushalayim. I'm a speaker and author.

About three years ago I read a flier about a woman in Bet Shemesh who died, leaving behind eight orphans. The flier, which was trying to raise money for the orphans said that the woman had been divorced and had no family to help her. In addition to trying to raise the children, she cleaned a school at night for income. She also received some help from tsdaka funds but it wasn't nearly enough. She begged the gabai tsdaka for help, saying that if they didn't raise the money for her, they would have to raise it for her orphans, but nothing helped. There simply wasn't enough money to go around. Then, one night it happened. She went out to clean and never came back. They found her dead body in a field.

The story shocked me to the core of my being. Over and over again I asked myself how our Jewish society could allow such a thing to happen. Yes, there is a recession. Yes, people give lots of tsdaka to many different worthy causes. But many people still have money for good food, cars, nice furniture, and even vacations. And even those who have less are still buying ice creams, pizzas, and an extra pair of shoes to match a new outfit. Why didn't people help? Why, why, why??? The story gave me no peace. I kept thinking about it, over and over, and over again.

A few days later a woman knocked on my door asking for help. She was divorced with eight children. Two are already adults, two live with their father, but four of them live with her. She got no support from the father. Although she received welfare, it didn't nearly cover the basics. The main problem was her rent which was $400 a month, a relatively small amount, but totally beyond her capacity to pay. I felt as if Hashem who had read my thoughts was saying to me, "Well, here's your chance to act differently. See what you can do about it."

I called former students, especially one who had gone to America and worked as a lawyer. For a couple of years I was able to help her. Then my sources dried up, each for their own reason. I went abroad to speak about my book and was able to raise some more money for her. She also began to receive some government help for rent payments, although still too little. She was even offered a rent free apartment from the government, but there was a condition that she pay 6000 shekels (about $1700) for security. She didn't have the money, and so lost the apartment. She has now been placed again on a waiting list for an apartment and her case should be reviewed in about three months, but she still has no money for the security payment. Furthermore, she now has nowhere to live. She has been evicted from her previous apartment and is staying for a few days with a friend, while the children were sent to their father - who doesn't want them! In order to rent another apartment she must give two months payment in advance, which means at least $900. She also must pay $1000 for what she owes her former landlord. Her landlord's lawyer sent her a letter stating that if she doesn't pay the sum immediately the case will be taken to court and she will have to pay the court expenses. Furthermore, each letter from the lawyer is billed to her, for an additional 100 shekels. (I read the lawyer's letter.)

I went with her to the Va'ad Harabonim Li'inyonei Tsdaka who said they would consider the case after Rosh HaShonoh. But what is she supposed to do until then? And even if they do help her it will be a maximum of 2000 shekels, (about $480). I am not blaming the va'ad hatsdaka. They get thousands of requests which they cannot cover. But how is this woman going to survive? She is out on the street and her children are in a different city with a father who can't care for them. And where will they go when school starts? How can we let this happen?

I am trying desperately to get help for her. Yes, everyone has expenses, times are hard, etc., but most of us have comfortable homes and all our basic needs. What will HASHEM say about us if we don't help?

I personally went from door to door raising money, but it isn't nearly enough. I gave my own money as well, but we have very little and I can't help her on my own. Please, please, help!

Sincerely,
D. Heshelis

P.S. Anyone wishing to verify this story can e-mail Dixie Yid, who will forward the message to me.
Tax deductible checks can be made out to Tsedaka V'chesed and mailed to Mrs. Manne, 1433 East 16th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11230. I will make sure it goes to help this family.

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Please donate to my son's cheder by going to minivanraffle.org to buy a raffle ticket. The drawing for a new minivan, car, or $20,000 cash will be IY"H Chanukah time. $100 for 1 ticket. $360 for 5. Where the form says "Referred by," please write "Dixie Yid." Tizku l'mitzvos!

Monday, August 9, 2010

Netanyahu Speaking About Shabbos

HT See you on Shabbos/Shabbat.com. Click here to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox or here to subscribe in Google Reader.

Please donate to my son's cheder by going to minivanraffle.org to buy a raffle ticket. The drawing for a new minivan, car, or $20,000 cash will be IY"H Chanukah time. $100 for 1 ticket. $360 for 5. Where the form says "Referred by," please write "Dixie Yid." Tizku l'mitzvos!

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Carlebach on Harmonica!

Great Harmonica playing by Sol Reich, who's daughter is in my daughter's class! Love this niggun...

HT Yideotube. Click here to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox or here to subscribe in Google Reader.

Please donate to my son's cheder by going to minivanraffle.org to buy a raffle ticket. The drawing for a new minivan, car, or $20,000 cash will be IY"H Chanukah time. $100 for 1 ticket. $360 for 5. Where the form says "Referred by," please write "Dixie Yid." Tizku l'mitzvos!

Monday, August 2, 2010

Great Video of the Lubavitcher Rebbe zl Singing R' Levik's Nigun With Real Hislahavus!


Picture courtesy of XYZ. Click here to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox or here to subscribe in Google Reader.

HT Yideotube. Please donate to my son's cheder by going to minivanraffle.org to buy a raffle ticket. The drawing for a new minivan, car, or $20,000 cash will be IY"H Chanukah time. $100 for 1 ticket. $360 for 5. Where the form says "Referred by," please write "Dixie Yid." Tizku l'mitzvos!

Attachment to Hashem and Attachment to Tzadikim: Two Sides of One Coin

I want to share how the Toldos Yaakov Yosef connects three out of four mitzovs in one pasuk in Parshas Eikev and how I think Rebbe Nachman connects the remaining mitzva. (The Toldos Yaakov Yosef is by Reb Yaakov Yosef of Polonya, one of the direct talmidim of the Baal Shem Tov.)

He quotes four amazing mitzvos in one short pasuk at the end of the fifth aliya (Devarim 10:20) of the parsha:

  • אֶת-יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ תִּירָא "The L-rd your G-d you shall fear,"
  • אֹתוֹ תַעֲבֹד "Him, you shall serve"
  • וּבוֹ תִדְבָּק "to Him you shall cling,"
  • וּבִשְׁמוֹ תִּשָּׁבֵעַ "And in His name you shall swear."

Just to summarize one kav, one theme, in this long piece from the Toldos, he brings different ma'amarei Chazel which show how each of those mitzvos is teaching us different ways to connect to Hashem through the talmidei chachamim and tzadikim of the generation.

On the mitzva of yiras Hashem, being in awe and fear of Hashem, he quotes the famous drasha from Rebbi Akiva in Bava Kama 51b: "את ה' אלהיך תירא לרבות תלמידי חכמים," that the word "את" in the pasuk comes to include the mitzva to have not only awe and fear of Hashem, but also awe and fear of the talmidei chachamim.

He also quotes a gemara relating to the third mitzva in the pasuk, the mitzva to attach oneself to Hashem. He quotes the Gemara in Kesubos 111b, which says that when one attaches himself to a talmid chacham, it is as if he is attaching himself to the Divine presence. ("וכי אפשר לדבוקי בשכינה והכתיב (דברים ד) כי ה' אלהיך אש אוכלה אלא כל המשיא בתו לתלמיד חכם והעושה פרקמטיא לתלמידי חכמים והמהנה תלמידי חכמים מנכסיו מעלה עליו הכתוב כאילו מדבק בשכינה."

He even connects this theme of connecting to Hashem through the tzadikim and the talmidei chachamim through the fourth mitzva in the pasuk, the mitzva to swear only in Hashem's name, and not to swear in any other god's name. He quotes the Rambam in Shorshei Hamitzvos (Mitzvas Asei 7) who says that if one swears in Moshe's name, and has in mind Moshe's Master, and the One who sent Moshe, then it is as if he swears in Hashem's name, but if he has in mind that Moshe is an essential power and he is swearing in Moshe's name directly, he transgresses the prohibition of shituf. ("נשבעת אומתנו בשם משה רבנו (מה נכבד שמו), כאילו אומר הנשבע "באלוקי משה", "במי ששלח את משה" .אבל כשאין הנשבע מכוון לכך ונשבע באחד הנבראים מתוך אמונה שיש לאותו הדבר אמתות בעצמו עד שישבע בו - הרי זה עבר ושיתף אחר עם שם שמים [ועל זה] בא בקבלה: 'כל המשתף שם שמים עם דבר אחר - נעקר מן העולם'.")

We see a common denominator then in three of the four mitzvos in this pasuk. The mitzvos of clinging to Hashem, swearing in Hashem's name, and the mitzva to fear Hashem are all fulfilled through various types of attachment to tzadikim and talmidei chachamim. It should go without saying that this does not imply some sort of vicarious closeness with Hashem such that our connection with tzadikim would somehow absolve us of the need to connect to Hashem ourselves. Rather, in Chassidus in general, attachment to tzadikim means attaching ourselves to them and listening and observing their teachings so that we can grow close to Hashem with their help.

But how does the second mitzva in the pasuk fit in? How does "אֹתוֹ תַעֲבֹד," which implies the avodah of tefilla (Sifrei, quoted by Rambam), davening, connect with the other three parts of the pasuk, which relate to various ways of connecting to the tzadikim and talmidei chachamim?

I thought that we can see the connection between attachment to tzadikim and tefilah in what Rebbe Nachman says in Likutei Moharan I:2. He says that before a person davens, he should specifically have in mind to connect himself to all of the true Tzadikim. He discussed the lead-up to the building of the Mishkan, and pointed out that everyone brought different gifts to Moshe for the building of the Mishkan (Shmos 39:33) but that only Moshe knew how to put all of the pieces together to build the Mishkan (Zohar Pikudei 238b). Similarly, every Jew has different strengths and may daven for a wide variety of things. But the tzadikim have the ability to put all of the Jewish people's tefilos together into into their proper places as one "koma sheleima," one perfect structure within which the Divine Presence can rest in this world.

With this teaching from Rebbe Nachman, which shows the importance of connecting to Tzadikim so that our tefilos will accomplish their potential, we can now understand what the mitzva of "אֹתוֹ תַעֲבֹד," serving/davening to Hashem, is doing in the context of the other three mitzvos in this pasuk, which cover the concepts of fear of, attachment to, and swearing by Hashem and the Tzadikim. All four share the fact that they all teach the importance of connecting to Hashem by attaching ourselves to the Tzadikim, who can teach and assist us in reaching our full potential.

May we merit to connect to the Master of the world and to His Tzadikim!

Picture courtesy of A Simple Jew. Click here to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox or here to subscribe in Google Reader.

Please donate to my son's cheder by going to minivanraffle.org to buy a raffle ticket. The drawing for a new minivan, car, or $20,000 cash will be IY"H Chanukah time. $100 for 1 ticket. $360 for 5. Where the form says "Referred by," please write "Dixie Yid." Tizku l'mitzvos!

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Marathon Run for Chai Lifeline in Memory of Rebbetzin

I've been hearing alot about Chai Lifeline recently! One donation I made recently was to this runner (pictured above), Dana Ginsberg. She's raising money for Chai Lifeline, a camp and service organization for kids with cancer and their families. She's doing this by running in their Miami Marathon in January.
She's doing it in memory of a Rebbetzin of hers, Rebb. Zlata Geisinksky obm, Shlucha of Chabad of Bethesda-Chevy Chase in Maryland. So click on the links below to get more information and to donate. Good cause! (Also check out the official Times Square Camp Simcha video below)

Dana Ginsberg's Chai Lifeline Marathon Runner's page

CLICK HERE to sponsor her race.

CLICK HERE to see an article on Dana's efforts at COL Live.

Picture courtesy of COL Live. Click here to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox or here to subscribe in Google Reader.

Please donate to my son's cheder by going to minivanraffle.org to buy a raffle ticket. The drawing for a new minivan, car, or $20,000 cash will be IY"H Chanukah time. $100 for 1 ticket. $360 for 5. Where the form says "Referred by," please write "Dixie Yid." Tizku l'mitzvos!

Breslov Lecha Dodi Acapella - Sounds good!



HT Tikun! by Shmuel. Click here to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox or here to subscribe in Google Reader.

Please donate to my son's cheder by going to minivanraffle.org to buy a raffle ticket. The drawing for a new minivan, car, or $20,000 cash will be IY"H Chanukah time. $100 for 1 ticket. $360 for 5. Where the form says "Referred by," please write "Dixie Yid." Tizku l'mitzvos!