PRAYER TOOLS: FROM NEFESH TO NESHAMA

The ability to transcend the desire of the Nefesh into the reality of the Neshama by way of the Ruach (clear articulation) is in fact the process that allows us to glimpse through God’s “mirror”. But more than that…

When, for instance, I go from “I want to cope well” to picturing myself at my best, I have aligned the mirrors as in “K’mayim HaPanim L’Panim”; it’s not two different mirrors, it becomes one.

As the Baal Shem Tov describes; the closer one gets to our reflection in the water, the less of a reflection it becomes, to the point where it becomes as one.

By training oneself to articulate and bridge the gap between Nefesh and Neshama, it is this unity that we seek to achieve.

By: Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, n''y

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Hoda'ah

“Were the existence of gratitude and recognition of the good lacking from existence, the human spirit would be left without sparkle or shine.” Rav Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook For the Perplexed of the Generation 4:9 I recently was honored to receive the following email: Dear Rabbi Weinberg; I am grateful that both my parents survived Covid in the ICU. I am grateful that my husband is home, although with oxygen, but no longer on a ventilator. I am grateful for the Jewish community, of which I am not connected, for food, drivers, shopping, and all sorts of help too much to list. Someone printed a page from Partners In Prayer and scribbled your email on the bottom. Can you teach me how to pray? Is there a way I can use prayer to express my gratitude? Can I pray without becoming religious? My husband and I and our children are willing to celebrate Hanukah this year. Is that okay? My ...

Skills

From The Introduction to Derech Chaim , his sefer on the laws of Tefillah: Our sages taught that, “A person should only take leave of his friend by sharing a word of Halacha, for it will be through it that he will remember him.” Many people read this to mean, that the friend will remember the departing friend through the Halacha that they shared, “remember him.” However, if someone is ready to leave, and quickly shares a Halacha, will the other friend remember him through the rushed words of Halacha? I believe that “Zachreihu,” should not be read as “Remember him,” the friend, but, “Remember it,” the one who leaves will remember to think of words of Halacha as he begins a journey, which can often be dangerous. The word of Halacha will protect him on his travels. I am now old and preparing for my final journey. I must evaluate my life and all my writings through the eyes of Halacha, so that I can ensure that my journey until this point has been according to the Torah’s teachings. ...

Morning Brachos

Morning Brachos "Here is the way I read the morning Brachos when I'm feeling helpless and scared to believe in myself." פוקח עיוורים . Hashem opens my eyes to see the ways we can go. But I feel naked and don't know how I can get there. מלביש ערומים . Hashem supplies me with Livushim to follow my path. But I feel STUCK. מתיר אסורים . Hashem helps me be freed from my old patterns, if I want to change. But I feel bent and broken, kvetching in my old habits and beliefs. זוקף כפופים . Hashem helps me stand straight and believe in myself. But the world seems unconquerable, unknown. רוקע הארץ על המים . Hashem prepares land for me that I can see and feel safe to begin the journey But I don't know where to start from המכין מצעדי גבר . Hashem prepares my steps for me. everything I need to succeed in my journey. I just need to discover and use them But I don't know where and what and ...

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