Elul

"It was only a joke!" These are the famous last words of the malicious individuals who laugh and joke at the expense of others. Hashem reads a person's heart and knows exactly what his or her intent was. While exploring Rebbe Nachman's famous tale, "The Humble King," we learn an important lesson about Elul and self-evaluation as we prepare for Rosh Hashanah.

This exciting story is a translation and adaptation of an old Chassidic parable, first told by Rebbe Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev some 250 years ago. Last year, the Melitzer Rebbe shlit'a retold in the original Yiddish at his Shabbat table. Hidden within the parable are the secrets of the shofar, Elul, and Rosh Hashanah.

Nations and the media accuse us of disproportionate responses. Hashem runs the world measure for measure. Could it be that we unjustly accuse Him of the same? Here is an important message for the upcoming month of Elul.

Forgiveness brings up some sticky questions: "How can I forgive someone who’s done me wrong when part of me doesn’t want to forgive?" When you don't forgive, the wound of whatever damage someone did to you festers, and turns into negativity that ruins your day, or even your life. Don't go there, for your own benefit...

Star Wars is nothing compared to the battles that a soul must endure. If people had completely spiritual eyes, they couldn't live long. They'd faint in fright. The atmosphere is full of toxic enemy and lethal forces, both physical and spiritual. The "Protective Force" is our only safeguard.

Life is like a ferris wheel. Don't boast when you're on top of the world, because you'll soon go down. But, don't be upset when you hit rock bottom, for you'll soon go up. Rebbe Nachman shows us the awesome secrets embedded in the ability to serve Hashem during good times and the opposite.

How will the name of Amalek be finally obliterated? Israel has a secret weapon that has unfathomable power. It's the letter Aleph.

A "Gett" in Hebrew is a writ of divorce. That's exactly what we're about to give to all of our regrets in life. They are nothing but iron shackles that hold us down and prevent us from moving forward and climbing higher. Today's lesson is a preparation for the happiest New Year you ever had.

Why do we have so many difficulties in life? Is this how a loving Father in Heaven should treat His children? Why COVID 19, financial difficulties and all the grief? In answering these questions, we learn two important principles of spirituality: first, the distancing principle; the second, the end-of-year cleanup. Both are the tribulations we all suffer from, but with a closer look, they're a manifestation of the Creator's absolute love for each of us, as we learn in today's lesson.

Here is a dream deal for you, underwritten by the Baal Haturim, the Chid'a, the Chofetz Chaim and all the sages of the Gemara. I challenge anyone to try and beat this deal, that guarantees the best blessings at a tremendously discounted price. This is no gimmick, but the "real deal." 

Maybe you think that something is impossible - teshuva and emuna say that it is not. Maybe you think that you can't pick up a large-sized rock, but teshuva and emuna say that you can move mountains.

Who doesn't want more love in their lives? Now is the time to get it.