JOY (5) Story

(Was not used.)

Every one of us can reach the spiritual power of joy.

There is a story of a chassid who once traveled to one of the Chabad Rebbes. He related to the Rebbe that his deceased teacher had appeared to him in a dream with a frightening message; that it has been decreed in Heaven that one of this chassid's children would pass away that year.

The Rebbe heard his words, sighed, and remained silent. Not a very positive reaction.

As it was shortly before the holiday of Sukkot, this chassid remained with his Rebbe till after the holiday.

When it was time for him to return home, he once again approached the Rebbe for a blessing.

This time, however, the Rebbe happily assured him that his family would be well.

And the Rebbe wanted to know what special deed this chassid had done.

The chassid recounted how during the Hakafot, when all the people were dancing with the Torah, he was standing on the side crying. Then, when he remembered that, after all, it was Simchat Torah! He washed his face and joined the dancing, ignoring his sad situation.

"You should know," the Rebbe said, "this is what caused the change in your situation."

The joy that this chassid produced, caused the decree against his child to be nullified.

Ah! The power of Joy.

YES!!!!

PM, senior ministers determined to continue with ground offensive despite international efforts to promote ceasefire. Military sources say IDF seeks to step up pressure on Hamas, send more units into Gaza

While Israel protects civilians with its military, Hamas protects its military with civilians.

JOY (4)

A person should sit down and think what it means that G-d commanded us to do a mitzva, never mind what the mitzva is, but just the fact that HE, G-d,, our Creator commanded US, His creation to do something for HIM.
The distance between G-d and us are the furthest points that one can imagine. Seemingly no connection at all.
And what did He do? He lowered Himself from His high lofty level and came down to US, human beings, and asked us to do certain things for him, Mitzvos.
The fact alone, that He lowered Himself to ask us to do something for him, that itself brings a connection between us and is reason enough for us to be b'simcha. To be joyful.
Imagine if the president of the United States would ask us to do something for him, it would create a closeness between us and we would be so happy. We would then, obviously perform the favor with love and great joy.

When we are b'simcha then our performance is much better too. The commandments that were asked of us are then easier to do. Our service to Hashem would then be different too. Like carrying a heavy sac of diamonds up a hill and not a sac of rocks.

(We are always wrestling with our evil inclination. The way to overcome him is to be in a good cheerful mood, to fight with a song, as is done when one goes to war.)

When Moshiach comes our Simcha will then be complete, for how happy we are now, we are still lacking one thing - the arrival of Moshiach.

Lessons....

Better to be the receiver of hurtful words than the dispenser.

Pray that you are not His messenger to hurt others.

Save the drowning man, even if you will get wet.

Wiser to hear the truth than to run with your own negative assumptions.

Don't kick your brother when he's down!

In praise of harsh response

Many Western leaders and columnists have embraced the obtuse notion that terrorism cannot be beaten by force and must be appeased or addressed by other means.
Yet nothing can be further from the truth.

JOY (3)

(The Baal shem tov said, that joy leads one to the greatest heights, it is a foundation for all Mitzvot.)

A person will always be happy if he realizes and is aware that everything is Hashgocho Protis, meaning, that everything that happens comes as a direct result of G-d's Will. Everything that happens to us, even difficulties and undesirable events, are controlled by Hashem. And we must trust that there is a good reason for everything in our life.

When we are sad or depressed, our energy is drained, we are weak and it is possible that the evil inclination will overpower us.(chsv)
Experiences that appear negative, undesirable, are really disguised good and it is only a test for us.

G-d is testing us to see how committed we are to the Torah and Mitzvos.
Chassidus gives a deeper explanation for the purpose of these tests and challenges.
It explains that the word, "test" - Nisayon, comes from the word "l'nasos", which means - "to test", and it also means "to raise high".
The tests and challenges we face are intended to enable us to reach a higher spiritual level.

G-d chose to allow us to reach a higher spiritual level thru tests and challenges.
When we realize that there is G-dliness contained in these challenging experiences it helps us become aware that they are in essence hidden good.
When we realize and believe that everything is really good then that will cause us to be truly happy.

Wishing you all a very joyous day!

Rudeness

Why does it bother me so much?

Stam funny info.

Mendy is friends with sag actor Joey Sinko.

And Levi with Mimi Leder. Well not exactly friends but she came to Mid-City.

Tomorrow I will return home -

The lyrics, eh.
But the tune....
And the
chaki li she'echzor

מחר אני בבית

Talking about the War....

Bubby - "And why did He have to create them?"

Rutie (old one) - "The shomayim should fall on them!"

A.E. (big one) - "It's (the war) wasting a lot of my time."

An Open Letter to the World.

Dear world,
We go back a long way in the history of "world upset".
It appears, world, you are hard to please,
we continue to upset you....

We will do everything possible to remain alive in our own land.
If that bothers you dear world,
think how many times in the past you bothered us.

In any event, dear world, if you are bothered by us,
here is one Jew in Israel,
who,
could
not
care
less.


Meir Kahane

PARSHA / Vayigash

And they did not recognize him...

The sons of Yakov have all chosen to be shepherds, a quiet and peaceful occupation. Out in the fields, tending their flocks, they had little contact with the social life of the country and were undisturbed in their service of G-d. The brothers of Yosef felt it necessary to select an occupation that would help them lead their G-d fearing life. They did not wish to live in an environment that would place temptations in their chosen path. Yosef however, was in this respect superior to them, he was able to have the highest administrative position in the mightiest nation and yet still remain righteous.

The brothers could not recognize and could not comprehend how the ruler of Egypt could be the same G-d fearing Yosef, whom they had known, for such a way of life was above their level. In fact, also Yakov, Yosef's own father was a bit apprehensive and was worried when he heard that, "Yosef was still alive and was the ruler over the land of Egypt", he was scared that perhaps he had assimilated into the Egyptian culture, G-d forbid.
When his sons explained to him that although Yosef was ruler of Egypt but he still conducted himself as is befitting for a son of Yakov, was Yakov satisfied and able to experience true joy.

"When in doubt - ask out "

HeyTevet/ JOY (2)

The 5th of Tevet is celebrated as a day of rejoicing in the Chabad-Lubavitch community. On this date in 1986, U.S. Federal Court issued a decision in favor of the "Union of Chabad Chassidim") regarding the ownership of the priceless library of the 6th Rebbe of Chabad-Lubavitch, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn. The ruling was based on the idea that a Rebbe is not a private individual but a communal figure synonymous with the body of Chassidim. The Lubavitcher Rebbe urged that the occasion be marked with time devoted to study from Torah books. To make your own home a place where Torah is increased; so, too, increase prayer and also all mitzvos, starting with tzedakah -- good deeds.

*******

King David (Dovid Hamelech) in Tehillem (Psalms) advises us, "Serve G-d with joy, come before Him with jubilation."

G-d attaches a great deal of importance to joy, as it says in the Talmud "The Divine Presence rests only upon one who performs a mitzva in a joyous spirit." In fact, it is said about the famous Kabalist, Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, that he merited Divine inspiration and even got to meet Eliyohu Hanavi (Elijah the Prophet), because he infused his mitzvot with so much joy.

The Tzemach Tzedek (the third Chabad Rebbe) once advised someone who found it difficult to be happy, he told him: "Thought, speech and action are within one's control. A person must guard his thoughts and think only thoughts that bring joy. He should be cautious not to speak about sad or depressing matters. And he should behave as if he were very joyous, even if he doesn't feel especially happy. In the end, he will ultimately be joyous."

HEY TEVES

The Rebbe encourages men, women and children to purchase new holy books in honor of 5 Teves, and then distributes an extra dollar to be used towards the purchase of the books.

(click on it)