Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Happy Chanukah:)))))


This week I spoke about integration in our movement classes.  Our nervous system goes through three steps in the integration process; input, processing, output.

For any mitzvah, the input can be found in the learning we do to discover what it means to us.  Then we process what we learned about and the output takes place in the action and the feeling it evokes.

We light the candles.  This is the action.  What feelings are we left with when we sit with the candles?

It's an individualized journey.  I look at  Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel, zt'l, (above) and am struck by his diligence and desire for precision in the output, stirred by his love for Hashem.

Light.

May the lights of  Chanukah be integrated in every crevice of your world.


Monday, November 25, 2019

Winter Work

This Z'man (time period) let's focus on self care.  

This word is going to mean different things to each of us.  However, let's break it down into the three parts of our soul that we can access:

1. Nefesh: Our body and the actions we do with it.

2. Ruach: Our heart and the emotions we feel or ignore.

3. Neshama: Our mind and the thoughts we think or avoid.

Which one of these three would make you feel better if you paid attention to it?

Pick one small step to begin.




Monday, October 7, 2019

The cleanse we crave- Yom Kippur

As we tap our hearts, we release the layers covering it.
The layers fall away and what remains is 
our truest emotions and yearnings.
By nightfall our existence is pristine.
There are no barriers left for us to conceal from G-d.
He is once again vivid before us and within us.




Thursday, September 26, 2019

Wishing you a sweet new year....

If you're anything like me, you probably feel some anxiety when you think about Rosh Hashana through Yom Kippur.

It seems like there's so many things we should have in mind and daven for- that by the time I open my siddur, I'm just overwhelmed.  Honestly, often by the end, I'm not even sure I did it right.

Today I heard Rav Shmuel Braun speak about the shofar.  He said that when Mother Theresa was interviewed, she was asked, "What do you say to G-d when you pray?" She responded, "I don't say anything.  I just listen." So the reporter asked, "What does G-d say to you?"  She responded, "He also doesn't say anything, He just listens."

Rav Braun explains that when you are in deep love with someone, you just need to hear their heartbeat, you don't need to have words.  He adds that, the Mitler Rebbe said these ten days are when the 'luminary approaches the spark'- G-d approaches us and we are so close we can hear his breath. 

Wait- so I just have to listen?  How? 

In fact, the word to pray- l'hitpalel- is reflexive- it's an inner journey of listening.  Listening to our innermost self, the part that exists in a state of joy because it senses Hashem.  Prayer brings us back to that space of existence where we simply are and from that space we can hear His heartbeat in sync with ours.

This is the power of these ten days and the shofar.  We have to do LESS not more.  We have to simplify, not complicate.

With the blowing of the shofar- we hear Him and He hears us- we silently cry out our longing for Him and He sends His inner voice back to us.  Is there anything more calming or sweeter than this?






Sunday, September 15, 2019

Elul

The natural tendency is to treat matters of the spirit as luxury items—sort of an appendage to life.
Eating, sleeping, making money—these things are given priority and the time dedicated to them is sacrosanct.
But prayer, meditation and study fit in only when you feel like it, and are pushed aside on the slightest whim.
You’ve got to make your priorities faithful to your inner self. You’ve got to ask yourself if this is what your life is all about.
Set a schedule for exercising your soul as an athlete does for his body.
Treat those things as though they were your proprietary business. Because they are.




By Tzvi Freeman

Sunday, August 4, 2019

A letter about the nine days from:

בסד
The following is a translation from the strengthening letters to her friends, that was written with devotion and bravery by Hadassa Klein ע"ה
the letter's wordings was not changed and remain like it was intended, straight from the heart that the  שכינהis resting upon.

                                                 נלב"ע כ"ח תמוז תשע"ח
                                                   ת.נ.צ.ב.ה


ד אב תשעז 

               What Is Mourning?

Mourning is the time given to us by our Sages to commune with our sadness, to sink in it, talk, to unload, to disengage from the world, to live with the grief and to digest the absent.
Ask anyone who sat Shiva on a loved one, and followed the customs of mourning, and he'll tell you the kindness that was done to us by the Sages, giving us the Shivamonth, and with parents the year.
The legitimate opportunity to sit and simply feel the pain, to delve into it, not to move on, just sit and talk. To talk about the deceased, to cling to the beautiful memories and to comprehended slowly that now it's over.
It's over, now there is a different reality, a very difficult one.
And with the unloading of the hard emotions to be given, somehow, the opportunity to recharge our strength and to continue with life despite the tremendous lose.
Such are the days of the three weeks.
The three weeks is a period of mourning, simple mourning. Once a year we are permitted to connect to our inner depression, to commune with our hardship that is consuming our minds, to take a deep breath, and to say, wow, how difficult.
And all the hardship is derived from  the Exile.
We were taught, and rightfully so, to live in happiness, to give ourselves the strength to be happy with what we have, to be grateful for the smallest of things, and this is wonderful.
But now, in mourning, it's different.
Now is the time that it's permitted to complain, to say that yes, there is a possibility of boundless bliss, blessing and abundance, no hardship, happiness and more happiness, good news, life of serenity and calm, contentment and truth, and much more.
But, what?
Fairly, we got used to this way of life, the slavery to hardship, to constant bad news, lack of ability to cope, the anxiety, insanity, the inability to accept difficult existence, the daily rush to satisfy ourselves and to give us strength.
We became accustomed to wallow in the mud, and also to enjoy it, perhaps with a bucket and a shovel to build a mud castle. And maybe to try and to slip into it and in an attempt to somehow enjoy it from the slipping perspective, but in reality it is mud, and there is a beautiful world outside.
And we are wallowing in the mud.
Once a year our Sages tell us, stop, think about the sorrow, go into the pain and the hardship. There is something really terrible here, and you're in the mud, you're in Exile.
I remember last year in the nine days, which was a very hard period for me in my illness, and I was dealing with many very difficult things. I was sitting by the Seuda Shlishit's table at my host's house in the U.S.A., where I get my treatments, and I say to them :"wow, finally it's Tisha B'av, at long last I'm allowed to be sad. If all the time I'm working on myself to be happy, now Ican relax from this hard job".
Tisha B'av came last year on Motzai Shabbos and already by Seuda Shlishit it was sunset, but not the end of Shabbos, and Iwanted to let myself be washed in a wave of sadness for all the previous generations, and my host asks me, please, DasiShabbos is not over yet, now be happy still. I smiled with all my strength, in the honor of Shabbos, but really I wanted to cry and not be consoled.
Two year ago, in the beginning stages of my illness in the nine days, I didn't understand what was so hard for me all these years, so hard not to take a shower in the nine days and all the other laws of mourning that were such a nuisances. really, I thought to myself, I don't even feel myself from all the craziness and fear.
But this year, I'll tell you secretly, that I got used to my illness, and not that I'm not normal, I know very well that I live in a very hard existence, but I got accustomed.
In the beginning my illness was horrible and terrifying, and rightfully so, I was used to the sane life more or less of before illness.
The fall into such terrible reality depressed me and depleted all my physical and emotional strengths, and I was bitter. Like a bird that her wings were cut off and she can't even flutter.
But today, two and half years later, B'H, I don't suffer any less than in the beginning, and it didn't get any easier, but what?
I got accustomed!!!!!!
Simply, I got used to living with the ongoing suffering and to find myself some enjoyment, used to the fact that I'm hardly functioning, and my house is a public domain with the help and recourses, used to the tight grasp of fear of death, used to the hard separation from the kids.
Yes, I simply got accustomed to, accustomed to everything.
In the beginning, our Forefathers didn't know how to be consoled. Our tongue  is glued to our palate, they said. They sat and cried when they remember Zion and begged with all their might: return us!!!
And today we simply got accustomed, accustomed to the long Exile, to the tragedies, hardship, anxiety, wars, illness and poverty and more and more.
Once in a while, when it's too much we cry, Aba!!! and that's it.
But, friends, this is Exile.
Habit is God's kindness, but now we are in mourning.
Let's commune with our hardship deep inside us, let the bitterness and the general pain of the whole nation, and the private pain of every single one of us wash over us, because now is the time.
This is the time of mourning.
Later the consolation will come, and we'll get stronger, hopefuland will receive energy. 
But, in order to receive strength we need to unload today, and to cry,
For a terrible, horrible destruction. 



 Thank you Reitza sarah for sending our way!


Saturday, August 3, 2019

nine days- final question and answer

(We actually answered question three in question two's post last week.  This week we are up to the final question)

What do I bring to the table that no one else can- How am I a messenger for Hashem in an individual/ singular way?

Someone told me that she was raised in a house that had tons of love but no rules.  She said that she never felt safe.  Hashem in His infinite wisdom- gave us a set of rules- to support us and give us a feeling of safety so that we could use His Torah as our bedrock foundation and from that safe space- express our individuality.

Step 1. Learn the rules
Step 2. Follow the rules
Step 3. Your individuality will sprout from that bedrock foundation.  Guaranteed.

IY'H all of the klal with each individual expression will meet at the third bayis- now!



Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Answering Question number 2

Our second question was:

"How do I know what Hashem wants from me?- specifically me..."

Well...you know the thing that you seem to be working on forever....and maybe it's constantly on your mind...it could be the biggest botheration about yourself? THAT'S WHAT HE WANTS FROM YOU- (face it- be vulnerable with it- cry to Him and beg for Him to help you with it or show you what the next step would be for you to take).

And you know the thing that everyone thanks you for or compliments you on -....HE WANTS YOU TO KEEP DOING THAT IN WHATEVER WAY YOU CAN.









Tuesday, July 9, 2019

Dealing with Question Number 1


We asked how can we find G-d in our lives... stop what you are doing right now and feel the wonder of life, the mobility in your limbs, the depth of your breath, and notice the infinite gifts you are gifted with daily.  Then, say thank You. 


"In the nineteenth century, many scientists had no use for G‑d. Instead, they worshipped a tight chain of cause and effect that left no room for miracles, providence or prophecy.
But then the scientist looked into the atom, and the wonder of the universe opened before him. The iron chain of cause and effect was loosened, and Determinism deposed from its throne.
Today, once again there is room for G‑d in the minds of human beings."

By Tzvi Freeman 

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Summer Work...Leading Into ELUL


Sometimes we have to go back to the basics when life seems out of control.  At least, that's what I have to do in those moments.

I heard a shiur by Rabbi Sonnenshein called Connecting to Hashem about the work of Shavuous, but I think he's teaching the basics that will help us now - help us slice through the murky thoughts and hone in on practical possibilities.

Here are some questions to ask ourselves before Elul and just notice if any answers pop into your head (could be your intuition-bina:):
1.  How can I notice Hashem in my life?
2. How do I find out what He wants from me?
3. What is a midah (emotion) that keeps coming up for me that I can work on?
4. My life is meaningful because... another way to phrase this is: How am I a shaliach (messenger) for Hashem? 

I hope to tackle these one at a time in the coming weeks.

Stay Tuned...
Aviva

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Lag Ba'omer!

lag ba'omer hod sheb'hod (repost)


Lag Ba'omer Segulos by Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi:

1. Tehillim 67 (7 times) - It's a psalm of Hod and gratitude

2. It's a day of joy and happiness (always falls out on the same day as Purim)- you cannot be sad today!

3. Ask for children "who will be exactly like Rabbi Shimon"

4. Ask for a home.

5.  Chida: Light 17 candles (gematria tov/good) - from Lag Ba'omer to Shavuous there are 17 days and we ask Hashem for good days, days during which we earn receiving the Torah."

6. Rabbi Yehonasan Eybeschutz : Lag Ba'omer is when you should repent from the biggest transgression of your life, and Rabbi Shimon will intercede on your behalf in heaven.


From Rav Schwartz: see Bilvavi.net:


There is a minhag on this day to light bonfires. We don’t just light small fires like for Shabbos and Yom Tov. We light big fires – bonfires, which are called lehavah.

This shows us that we need to have a big “fire”, a lehavah, in our hearts for Hashem. If a person has this inner fire, he is connected to Lag Ba’Omer. If a person is just lighting physical bonfires but his soul is cold inside, he has nothing to do with Lag Ba’Omer.

“The house of Yaakov will be a fire, and the house of Yosef will be a big flame.” This is the inner layer of a Jew’s soul, the burning desire for Hashem. At first there is a small fire, and then it becomes a huge flame, a lehavah. When a person’s inner fire for Hashem gets big, it is then that he can integrate with Hashem.

In other words, bonfires on this day are not just superficial actions we do. It really reminds us of our innermost point of the soul, which is a great fiery desire for Hashem......

The yahrtzeit of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai falls out within “seven days of Pesach Sheini” (just like there are seven days of the first Pesach, so is there a concept that there are seven days of the second Pesach), and it reveals a heavenly light: that Hashem is found even amidst our state of impurity. When a person is aware that Hashem is found even in the lowest place where he has fallen, he doesn’t need his “hands” to lift himself up.


If a person thinks that Hashem is Heaven while he is only on earth, and that he must ascend to Heaven – he needs his “hands” to lift himself upwards. But when a person is clear that Hashem is found in any place, even when he has fallen low, he arrives at a point of clarity in which he sees how Hashem is there at any place, time or situation. No impurity will be able to get him to have any doubts.

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Exactly what we just learned for the past 40 days....

No Limits

By Tzvi Freeman

The people never got used to Egypt. They never felt they belonged there. 
They never said, “They are the masters and we are the slaves and that’s the way it is.”
So when Moses came and told them that they were going to leave, they believed him.
Everyone has their Egypt. You’ve got to know who you are and what are your limitations. But heaven forbid to make peace with them. 
The soul within you knows no limits.

Wishing you a spectacular uplifting Pesach- aviva


last year: repost: Chag Kasher v'Sameach!

sent from Tzipora Harris- what to have in mind when eating at the seder...



  1. Matza-  Matza is just flour and water. Nothing else mixed in. It represents your soul which wants nothing other than to do the right thing and live out G-d’s incredible plan for your life. When you eat the matza, you can have this in mind:
More than anything, I yearn to live as a soul, I want to do what’s right, I want to make the greatest contribution I possibly can, live the vision You have for me, G-d and draw close to You! and I know I don’t need to know how- You have infinite ways to get me there! I’m just YEARNING TO BE SOUL DRIVEN in my life from this point on!

2. Maror- (bitter herbs)-  Maror is a reminder that even though it’s easy to get pulled by your lower drives, like beating yourself up, losing your temper, letting feelings of anxiety or despair about your circumstances overtake you; or that ice cream at 12am, you end up feeling horrible afterwards. Letting yourself be driven by lower forces is bitter. When you eat the maror, you can have this in mind:

I recognize that in some ways I let my lower self run my life at times in the past and I see that living as a lower self is BITTER. I don’t want it. Please help me rise above it, again and again. I don’t know exactly how- I trust You will guide me.

3.        Korech- (sandwich)-  The Matza-Maror-Matza sandwich focuses you on the goal of channeling your lower drives (maror) to help fulfill G-d’s amazing vision for your soul (matza) and thereby drawing closer to Him, which is our ultimate purpose in this world.

Help me remember that in Your eyes I am always beloved, possessing infinite worth, I am Your exalted and precious child and You are with me forever. Every aspect of my life is exactly what I need to fulfil my unique mission. That will help me see my lower self voices and my struggles for what they really are- the perfect training and development program wired into my life by the Ultimate Coach. Help me see the blessing in my struggles. And use them as stepping stone to elevation. I don’t know how, I just know You, G-d, can help me.

The Inside Story on Passover

By Tzvi Freeman
In each one of us there is an Egypt and a Pharaoh and a Moses and Freedom in a Promised Land. And every point in time is an opportunity for another Exodus.
Egypt is a place that chains you to who you are, constraining you from growth and change. And Pharaoh is that voice inside that mocks your gambit to escape, saying, “How could you attempt being today something you were not yesterday? Aren’t you good enough just as you are? Don’t you know who you are?”
Moses is the liberator, the infinite force deep within, an impetuous and all-powerful drive to break out from any bondage, to always transcend, to connect with that which has no bounds.
But Freedom and the Promised Land are not static elements that lie in wait. They are your own achievements which you may create at any moment, in any thing that you do, simply by breaking free from whoever you were the day before.
Last Passover you may not have yet begun to light a candle. Or some other mitzvah still waits for you to fulfill its full potential. This year, defy Pharaoh and light up your world. With unbounded light.


By Tzvi Freeman 

Monday, March 18, 2019

PURIM


This Purim let's see beyond the mask...
In ourselves
In others
In the challenges that are in our lives by
seeing our Creator behind each mask.
Let's connect to Him,the Infinite, to experience the vast, untainted, world inside each of us.

Truly, can anything be more joyous than this?


Freilichen Purim, 
Aviva Rus

Sunday, March 3, 2019

Join us in this 40 day journey to clarity and unity, IyH

DAY 6⃣of4⃣0⃣DAY JOURNEY / BECOMING ONE. AVIVA ABERMAN: http://www.redemptionproject.io/aberman    Discovering and uncover who you really are-on this unique journey into your inner world. This class is based on the seforim *Da Es Atmecha-Getting to Know Yourself and Bilvavi Mishkan Evne-A Sanctuary in Your Heart, written by Rabbi Itamar Schwartz. * Join women worldwide journey.        Click to join & spread the word! https://chat.whatsapp.com/E2ZPrDLmqKhF2UeGJiWDid    Online: http://www.redemptionproject.io/40-day-journey/



Wednesday, February 13, 2019

knowing who we are...


The greater a realist you are, the greater your joy


Step one: choosing to fight the fight.

Step two: Believing that when we take the step to fight, Hashem will lift us up the rest of the way.

Step three: Understanding the whole reason the challenge came was to create this dynamic.

Rabbi Tzvi Freeman/ Chabad.org :

“I lift my eyes to the mountains, from whence will come my help?” (Psalms 121:1)
People believe that only fools are optimists. But the opposite is true.
Precisely because we understand how desperate the situation really is, how helpless we are and how impossible the challenge, that itself tells us how great a G‑d we have—a G‑d who can lift us high beyond the natural order and transform the most ominous darkness to brilliant good.
The greater a realist you are, the greater your joy."



Why do we need all these emotions anyway!!!???

"As water, face to face, so the heart of a man to his fellow."(Proverbs 27:19)
Does G‑d then laugh? Does the Infinite Light cry over failure and rejoice in success? Does He that brings time and space into existence truly love with the passion of a frail human being or feel remorse as a creature trapped within the tunnel of time?
But G‑d desired the human soul with all its struggles. And the proof: We are here. 
And when G‑d conceived this being, He looked down from His lofty realm beyond love and laughter, passion and remorse, and He said, "Shall she then be alone in his place and I in mine? Is this oneness?"
So He arranged a meeting place. He determined that the boundless emotions that are the fabric of the human soul would glimmer as well within the purity of the Infinite Light. 
So that in love and laughter and compassion and awe and beauty, This human creature and G‑d could find one another, and neither would be alone.
Maamar B’Sha’ah She’alah 5725.


By Tzvi Freeman 

Monday, January 28, 2019

Mazal Tov!!

Today- we finished our sefer, Reaching Your Essence.

We have delved into to the five layers of our soul and put in the effort to experience each layer.

49 classes later- we have achieved insights, clarity, and results-  each with Hashem's help.

Thank you Shira for being the chief of administrations.

I've been hearing rumblings that the geulah is approaching quickly.  In fact, I think each of you showing up week after week to grow your relationship with your inner world, with others, and with Hashem is a major factor in bringing the geulah.

Can't wait to greet moshiach with you- IYH today!