Emuna Beams

Rebbe Nachman teaches us how to train our minds to remain positive in any circumstance. A suffering soul is a thirsty soul. Focusing on the physical world heightens tribulations and suffering. On the other hand, a person who focuses on life's ultimate purpose experiences much less pain, if none at all.

King David foresees the seemingly endless exile, where it appears as though there is no longer Divine mercy. Then he remembers the melodies that he would always play at midnight and his soul finds meaning.

Fleeing from the horrific Hamas Nukba-force assault on the Nova festival in Re'im forest, 16 young people took refuge in the "Migunit" at the adjacent bus station. A "migunit" is a small above-ground concrete shelter that shields people from missile attacks. 16 young people crowded into this small space. Hamas terrorists logged grenades inside, but a young hero - Aner Shapira - picked them up and threw them back. He succeeded 7 times, but the 8th grenade killed him. You can see the concrete migunit full of shrapnel holes. The inside walls are covered with graffiti, messages loved ones to their holy martyrs.

The holy Idra is the semicircular cave where Rebbe Shimon bar Yochai would teach the secrets of the esoteric Torah to his disciples. In the northern Galilee not far from the Lebanese border, its surroundings bear witness to the current conflict with Hezbolla.

In one of Rebbe Nachman most uplifting teachings, he explains that suffering comes from Hashem, like everything else in life. Therefore, when a person experiences difficulties in life, he or she should focus on the ultimate purpose. Since the ultimate purpose is Hashem's will and intention, it's all good. So, by focusing on Hashem, one's suffering becomes much lighter. Indeed, he or she will feel joy as a result of the abundant good that comes from connecting with Hashem. That's the ultimate good.

Since the dawn of history, even the great tzaddikim had near breakdowns of emuna. Moses couldn't understand why the evil had great lives while the righteous were suffering. King David had difficulty in grasping why the wicked succeed when the upright have so many setbacks. So many good people limp along while the crooks ride in Cadillacs…

Instead of all the news that brings you down, listen to this 84-second message that will lift you up. In short, don't look at anyone else and concentrate on performing your own special mission in life.

Seeing the grassroots spiritual arousal of our soldiers on the Gaza border is heartwarming. Their morale is phenomenally high. What's more, there's unity down here, and emuna too. They are my people and my country. I bless them all day long. Regards from the Gaza border.

Rebbe Nachman describes an exquisite field full of exotic and indescribably beautiful plants and trees. There is a Master Gardener who tends to this field, giving each plant and tree what it needs. When they bear fruit, his eyesight is far-reaching. But, if they don't bear fruit, his eyes become dim. The secrets of prayer...

Sometimes, a person looks around and simply cannot find a single friend, ally or anyone else to depend on. Yet, that's really a blessing in disguise. Alone, with no friend or allie and on the verge of certain death, King David had no one to turn to but the Almighty, his Rock and Redeemer.

Imagine that a stranger knocks on your front door. You look through the peephole to see who it is, and before you know – without your permission – he walks right through the door as if it were thin air. Right away you understand that this is no human. It's an angel. He identifies himself: the head debt-collection angel from the Heavenly bank and he looks serious. Here's how to avoid situations like this... 

Imagine that a stranger knocks on your front door. You look through the peephole to see who it is, and before you know – without your permission – he walks right through the door as if it were thin air. Right away you understand that this is no human. It's an angel. He identifies himself: the head debt-collection angel from the Heavenly bank and he looks serious. Here's how to avoid situations like this...