We are learning about unity/ hamtaka.

Our soldiers show us how to serve Hashem with joy as one unit:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=4IkwXf18FcQ

Chapter 7 of Da Es Atzmecha- Tomorrow at 12 NY time, IY'H

( to sign up to daven for a soldier, contact: shmiraproject.com)

Chapter 7: 

The Way toward Inner Unity with all Creations:

Our goal:

Hamtakah: unity: first with the Jewish people, then with all people, then with all creation

Absolute unity can only exist when a person sees himself as a soul- the power of uniting comes through exposing neshama in a person.

First, subjugate and separate from the evil within (thoughts, speech, or action) then unite-

How? 

Through giving. 

Ask yourself : “Is this thought, feeling, or act for the sake of giving?” (pg 130)

If you are looking to take, you are associating with the root of separation in the world versus looking to give and associating with the root of unity.

“If his perspective is to give (in actions, thoughts, and feelings) able to unite with the positive aspect of everything in his environment...so must analyze intention in all acts”

Unity is a return to our original state= no need to create unity it comes from getting rid of our desire to take ( the root of destruction).

In this world we have to take sometimes (ie, salary) but if his attitude is I am making money to give to family- that's giving.

Homework: Daily self accounting on were my acts really for taking or for giving? (the soul wants to give- contemplate that you exist in order to give)

______________________________

The following was forwarded by Rav Yitzchak Zilberstein ​Shlita ​the head Rabbi of the council in Ramat Elchanan in B’nai Brak.

There are five mitzvos d’Or​y​sa that we can perform upon hearing the siren blast in Israel:

1) Implant in our heart​s​ Ein Od Milvado – It is all from Hashem Yisborach. Every rocket has an address – trust in Hashem. Rabbeinu Yonah ztk’l writes in his sefer Shaare Teshuvah that when ​we experience distress or sorrow – ​we should implant trust in ​our hear ​​t​s​ that yeshuat Hashem can come at any moment, as is ​also written time and time again throughout perkei Tehillim.

2) At the moment the siren sounds recite perkei Tehillim and pray that it does not harm any Jew. By doing so we are mekayem the mitzvah d’Orysa: when a person experiences troubles we should pray to HKBH that He save us ​ from our sorrows​.

3) During these moments we should experience heerhurei teshuvah, thoughts of teshuvah, as taught by the Rambam when a person find himself in times of trouble, and more so when the ​entire ​Jewish nation is experiencing collective sorrow we should plead with Hashem​ and do teshuvah.

It is a special time to recite the​ verse ​, “Atah ​Tzaddik ​al kol habah ahlay ki Emes Asseesa v’Ani hershatee ( ​You are just in all that happens, as ​Your ways are Emess but I am the one who s​trayed).​”​ This is a segulah to nullify all harsh judgments.

4) After the rocket has been fired ​and/​or fallen onto open fields and B”H no one has been harmed​,​ there is another positive mitzvah: “To praise Hillulim and Tishbachot (songs of praise and appreciation) to Hashem Yisborach”. Rav Zilberstein Shlita added that the pasuk in Tehillim ​(35:18​)​ is especially appropriate “Odcha b’kahal rav, b’ahm atzoom a’Hallelecha ( ​I will publicly acknowledge You in a great congregation, I will praise You in a mighty throng)”

The gematria​a​ of this pasuk is 5774.

5) Open your doors to those in need of shield and shelter from the rockets. If a person finds herself in the streets during a rocket siren and is looking for cover inside a building structure, open your doors to another Jew ​(verify this first) ​who is in danger. ​If you can, i​nvite other families who reside in the South to stay with you in quieter neighborhoods. ​ With that you are fulfilling the positive mitzvah of “Lo sa’amod ol dam re’iecha (​You shall not stand idly by the blood of thy neighbor )” and also the mitzvah of hachnasas orchim.

We are now completing Sefer Tehillim daily together. DAVEN!!!

This learning should be L'zecher Neshamos Yaakov Naftali ben Avraham  ZT"L Eyal ben Uriel ZT"L Gilad Michael ben Ofir ZT"L TODAY'S LESSON: The Power of Unity and Friendship   It is interesting that the verse “love your neighbor as yourself” end in the words “I am the Lord”.  This begs the question: why do we need to know that at this juncture? What is its relevance? There is a beautiful story about 2 friends that brings out the point. Two young men grew up as close friends in the Roman Empire. One lived in Rome and one in Syria. Once, when the fellow from Rome was visiting Syria, he was accused of being a spy. He was brought to the Syrian Emperor, who sentenced him to death. Moments before his execution, he was asked if he had any last requests. "I'm an innocent man, but if I'm going to die, at least let me go back to Rome, settle my affairs, and say goodbye to my family. Then I'll come back and you'll execute me." The Emperor laughed. "What are you crazy? Who's going to guarantee that you are going to come back?" “I have a friend here,” he replied, “who'll stand in for me. If I don't come back, you can kill him instead." The Empower was stunned. "This I've got to see. Bring in your friend!" Sure enough, his friend agreed to be his guarantor. "I'll give you 60 days” said the emperor, “If you're not back by the dawn of the 60th day, your friend is dead." So, he raced back to his family to say goodbye and put his affairs in order, and then started back with plenty of time to spare. Unfortunately, there was no wind at sea, the sailboat was delayed, and by the time the Jew arrived in Syria, dawn of the 60th day was breaking. The jailors took out the friend for execution. Finally, by 9:00 a.m., as they were just about to get started, the guy from Rome came running in. "Wait! Stop! I'm back. Don't kill him. I'm the spy!" The executioner let the fellow from Syria go and was about to take the Jew from Rome in his place. "Wait a minute," the guarantor argued. "You can't kill him. His time limit was up. I'm the guarantor. Kill me.” The two friends were equally adamant. "Kill me instead." The executioner didn't know what to do. Finally, they took the case to the Emperor. He listened to the friends arguing back and forth, "Kill me, I'm the guarantor!" "No, I'm the spy, kill me!" In wonder and amazement, the Emperor turned to the two of them and said, "I'll let you both go, but on one condition: Make me a third friend!" That's friendship in Judaism, and that's what true unity brings us. And that's why the verse that says, "Love your neighbor," also says "I am the L-rd." Unity and friendship among G-d's children is so precious that G-d says, "If you love each other, I want to be a third friend." When we are united as a People, we have the power of G-d behind us. Miracles will happen. King Ahab was the greatest conqueror the Jews ever had, even though he spread idol worship through the land. Why? Because there was unity amongst the people. On the other hand, King David and King Saul, very righteous leaders, lost their battles because there was no achdus, unity. Infighting and strife amongst the Jewish people is our most insidious and debilitating enemy. If we're united, the Almighty is with us. If we're divided, we're on our own. Today, think how you can “be there” for your friends, family and People. What one act can you do to bring about more unity, even if it’s by standing up for, forgiving, or apologizing to one person?

Tehillim needed

please email me if you would like to join, once again, in our efforts to complete tehillim daily for our country and family....

The shiur by the Rav from this past Sunday. plus a shiur for men!!!

http://bilvavi.net/english/rosh-chodesh-avodah-004-tamuz-seeing-good

Starting this coming Sunday,(motzi shabbos in the US)  Rabbi Schwartz will be starting a monthly MEN’S PHONE CHABURAH.  This chaburah is free and the access numbers are attached and also on the homepage G-ddirecttorah.com.  The chaburah will be at 11:00pm EST motzi shabbos; 6:00 am IST.  Please let your husbands know!  Anyone living outside of the US or Israel who would like the access code for their country can email Devorah Yaffa Singer. Contact me for her email address.

BILVAVI MEN’S CHABURAH with Q&A Session

Live Call in Numbers

From U.S.: +1 424-203-8405

Participant Access Code   280927

• Host access code:   (For Rav Schwartz and Rav Cohen only)   561855

From Israel:  076-599-0060

Participant Access Code 280927

Free Conference Playback

From U.S.:   1-209-255-1099

(Same access code as above)

From Israel:  076-599-0069

(Same access code as above)

Dear Chaburah Sisters,

The end of days is the time when the ultimate battle is fought.

It is a battle of emunah. (listen to shiurim by Rav Tatz on this topic)

We are engaged in this battle right now.  Each in our own way.

Thank you for joining me in completing Sefer Tehillim daily, for our boys.

Our unity is bringing the geulah ever closer.

As we know, our tefilos are never in vain, even if the answer is no.

The answer no is the opportunity to look within and find what message Hashem is giving only you.

It is part of your personal journey with Hashem.

One thing I am certain of is that our oneness and love for one another should stay strong.  Forget about past grievances.  Right now.  You have the chance to bring kiddush Hashem into the world.

Rather than letting a "no" dishearten you, use it to tap into your emunah even deeper.

Hashem, we believe all You do is for the good and is absolutely good.  We strengthen ourselves together and believe in You even stronger.

We will not let go of our love for You.  It is more powerful than any "no".  It has existed from the moment our father Avraham chose you.  And it will continue.

Forever,

Aviva Rus