Tuesday, January 20, 2009

How Can We Apply This Today?


In Sefer HaMiddos, Hamtokas Din 17, Rebbe Nachman of Breslov taught,

"When a person sees that he has been beset by harsh judgements, he should talk about his enemies and justify their actions."

How are we to apply this teaching today in light of the events in Eretz Yisroel?

7 Comments:

At January 20, 2009 at 8:10:00 AM EST, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Does it not mean "Jewish" enemies?

 
At January 20, 2009 at 10:48:00 AM EST, Blogger DixieYid (يهودي جنوبي) said...

Yes, I don't think we should apply this in the matzav in Eretz Yisroel. By Jews, I think we would say like Bruria and Rebbi Meir, "Yitamu *chata'im* min ha'aretz." "May sin be destroyed from the earth." But by Bnei Yishmael, I think it's safe to say "yitamu *chot'im* min ha'aretz." "May the sinners be destroye from the earth."

A close Rebbe of mine said last Shabbos that now it is time in Eretz Yisroel to crush Yishmael.

-Dixie Yid

 
At January 20, 2009 at 2:30:00 PM EST, Anonymous Anonymous said...

There is a lesson in Likutei Moharan Tinyana about this issue, too. (I think it is Torah 4, but don't have time to check.) It seemed to me the last time I studied it that the Rebbe was alluding to the need not to fall into a mentality of hatred and antagonism, which would take us away from the sense of connection to the achdus/divine oneness. If so, this eitzah would apply to all conflicts.

This doesn't mean we should not oppose evil as vigorously as possible -- but that we should should strive to remain in touch with Hashem and not relate to our enemies on their level.

 
At January 20, 2009 at 7:38:00 PM EST, Blogger Menashe said...

The bnei yishmaolim have slaughtered and oppressed yidden for centuries. The chiddush is now they can give the world some paltry excuses. It was the navi sheker who started that trend when yidden rejected his shtusim. Don't by the propaganda that it's a few extremists.

And still, our worst enemies, by far, are ourselves. Look at how the medina's own leaders harm the well- being and safety of its citizens. It is unbelievable!

I think the optimal thing is to daven for moshiach. Moshiach should come and ra will be banished from the earth. And then even the bnei yishmaelim will run for the privilege of getting water for a talmid chochom.

 
At January 20, 2009 at 7:46:00 PM EST, Blogger DixieYid (يهودي جنوبي) said...

Rabbi Sears,

Thank you for the ma'areh makom. IY"H, I will try to see that over Shabbos.

Menashe,

Amen!

 
At January 22, 2009 at 4:01:00 AM EST, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Very simple. The latest Gaza war would never have happened had we not disengaged from there. When Jews retreat and show weakness, they are attacked. We have stopped the missiles (if only temporarily) by a show of strength.
Only through strength will Jews have peace.

 
At January 22, 2009 at 9:39:00 PM EST, Anonymous Anonymous said...

G-d bless you all.
The Chofetz Chaim said that even zealous hate is a bad thing, for those who become accustomed to hating others for a good reason, soon begin hating others for no reason at all.
This is somewhat in the same and inspiring line RSears wrote.
According to the biased media, it appears everyone except Isr. has a right to defend itself.
The media says very hurtful and untrue things about the Hland, so do many among the 70 nations. VEry sadly, it does appear that there are some jews who have joined the gentile bandwagon in this area and have even critised and spoken badly of the holy sages. Recently a jew from UK compared his people to the nazis. Perhaps this is why the enemies have become stronger. RNachman wrote that if you cant find a reason to think favourably about your fellow jew invent a reason. Your life depends on it!

a humble view from a believing gentile. blessings.

 

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