Upcoming Likutey Moharan Siyum

Received via e-mail from Breslov.org:

Dvar Torah for Completing the Study of Likutey Moharan

Based on Chayei Moharan ("Tzaddik") ##346, 347, 349, 352

This Shabbat Breslovers around the world will be celebrating the siyum (completion) of the 10th cycle of Amud HaYomi (a page a day) of Likutey Moharan, Rebbe Nachman's magnum opus. Here are excerpts of some comments Rebbe Nachman made about the importance of studying Likutey Moharan.

#346: Likutey Moharan is the beginning of the Redemption. Now that it has been printed I want people to study it so much that they know it by heart, because it is filled with excellent advice and inspiration for serving God...If possible, one should have two routines for studying it. One should be somewhat fast-paced, so as to become conversant in it; the other, more in-depth.

#347: It's a great mitzvah to study it a lot. Because even the straightforward interpretation of Likutey Moharan contains profound wisdom, one can develop a great mind...One who studies Rebbe Nachman's works regularly will become a genuinely kosher Jew....

#349: One who studies Likutey Moharan can become a complete baal teshuvah, "master of return." He said that there will be people who base their Torah study and prayers on its lessons. If one learns Likutey Moharan with a spirit of openness and honesty rather than of indictment, it will split open his heart's obstinacy...Everyone should buy a copy. One who can't afford it, should sell the pillow from under his head to buy it.

#352: If not for Satan's ability to distract and blind people, Likutey Moharan would already have made tremendous inroads in mankind.

I'll wager that since you get e-mail you don't need to sell any bedding to buy a copy of Likutey Moharan, and that when you learn it, it will be with the right attitude, to generate more Redemption-thinking within the world and yourself. But I know that finding the time for a daily (weekly!) session and sticking with it is soooo difficult. We all get distracted and blinded by our own (and others') pre- and anti-Redemption way of thinking. That's why we have to constantly remind ourselves – and one another – of the importance and goodness of personal and global redemption, and the power of studying Likutey Moharan to make them happen. And as with everything else sacred, we have to follow Rebbe Nachman's advice and pray to God that our desire be true enough and strong enough to be allowed the privilege. Amen.