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by Reb Nati at Mystical Paths
This is a question to all of us, but this is posed by Reb Meir Elkabas
Question: A person who has already sinned and blemished himself in life ? in what merit does he have to repent and start serving Hashem? If now he is in the hands of the evil side how can he possibly get out?
The holy Arizal answers that the soul of the greatest Tzaddik enters and attaches himself to the soul of this low and far Jew and helps him come out of his darkness (this is what is termed in kabbalistic literature as an "Ibur Nefesh"). This is one of the reasons why Rebbe Nachman stresses the necessity of attaching oneself to the true Tzaddik of the generation. He explains that before a true and great Tzaddik comes down to the world it is possible to approach and serve Hashem without any external merit or help. However, once a true Tzaddik come into the world it is "IMPOSSIBLE" to come close to Hashem without the help of and attachment to this true Tzaddik.
This is because Hashem created the world in a way that free will must exist at every level in life. Thus, once an unbelievable enlightening and unique Tzaddik does come into the world ? an equal amount of darkness and concealment must also come into the world, making it impossible to overcome this darkness without the help of this Tzaddik who can counter this darkness.
When the Jews were in Egypt, Hashem Himself could have taken the Jews out of Egypt. Instead he chose to designate Moshe Rabeinu (Moses our teacher) as the savior and redeemer of the Jews. Why? The Talmud, Midrash and Zohar all teach that the whole world was only created for the Tzaddik. At the beginning of creation Hashem foresaw that there would sprout forth individuals who would succeed in totally breaking the physical barriers separating them from Hashem and spirituality. For them the whole creation was created. If so, what chance does the average Jew who doesn't "make it" have to come close to Hashem? For this reason Hashem sent Moshe to save and lead the Jews out of Egypt. Through their faith in Moshe ? the "Faithful Shepherd" ? they could they safely make the dangerous and difficult journey to complete spirituality ? The Holy Land.
May we all have the merit to find, search and attach ourselves to the True Tzaddik of this generation.
Reb Nachman Chazan was Reb Noson's closest disciple and the leading Breslover chassid after Reb Noson passed away. He was once asked if he would talk about a miracle which Rebbe Nachman had performed. Reb Nachman Chazan's expression became very intense and he exclaimed with great fervor, "A miracle?! You want me to tell you one of the Rebbe's miracles? I! I am Rebbe Nachman's miracle!"
Reb Nachman Chazan felt his service to God to be insignificant and worthless. He felt too distanced from G-d to be of any consequence. Yet, G-d had seen fit to draw him close to Reb Noson, who fed him many dosages of Rebbe Nachman's "medicines." He eventually rose to a great spiritual position, and so he exclaimed, "I am Rebbe Nachman's miracle.
by Reb Gutman Locks at Mystical Paths
This afternoon at the Kotel a very fine looking elderly Chassid walked past the tefillin stand. He looked like a Rebbe. There were two younger Chassidim accompanying him. He had a very sweet Jewish face, quick to smile, with a fine grey beard, the kind of rabbi you would immediately take to.
It was packed at the stand and we could have used some help. I was busy wrapping tefillin on someone when he walked by. I looked up and called over to him, "Did you put on tefillin today?"
He was very surprised that I would ask. In fact, he was taken aback and his face and voice showed it. "Do you really think that I would not have put on tefillin today?"
"On how many people?" I asked.
"Oh, that's what you mean." He smiled and walked by. He didn't jump on my invitation to come help (not that I thought he would), but he did get the message.
Guys, it's not enough to put tefillin on your own arm. We have to be concerned with the other guy's arm too.
(Photo from DrLaz.Com of Tefillin being put on Hollywood comedian and actor Howie Mandel by Dr. David Lazerson, Ph.D, who is a renowned public educator and race relations expert, and a Lubavitcher Chossid.)
by Reb Nati at Mystical Paths Today, the 'Tzeva Adom' (missile alert - red color) alarms went off! There was for a few tense moments panic and stress. What was this? It was simon, a sign that we need to wake up and do t'shuva. With emunah we can combat this stress, with Emunah! Look up for our redemption draws near. This was a loving reminder to us here in the holy city to turn to Hashem!
(Spelling correction applied.) 
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