Breslev Tsfat

online tzaddik: rav ephraim kenig on the power of vision

Click here to read about the power of the eye for good and bad. Chanukah is a time for working on our negative character traits. When we see that someone else has a really great car, or new furniture, etc., instead of thinking, "He doesn't deserve that!" we can think the opposite: "If only I had the power to help him buy something even nicer..." The truth is, it is none of our business what is happening to the next person and his possessions. The Power of Vision was translated from a Hebrew talk given in Tsfat by Rav Ephraim Kenig and was first published in TZADDIK Magazine, Chanukah 5760 / 1999.

online tzaddik: the evil eye

Click here to read about what your grandmother never told you about the evil eye... The evil eye, also known in Hebrew as the Ayin HaRa, is usually seen as a mysterious external force, lurking around, waiting to pounce on innocent victims. Some of us are familiar with phrases such as bli ayin hara or k'nayna hara, which are said in an attempt to ward off the influence of the evil eye. However, there is another dimension to the story of the evil eye, which can dramatically transform our relationship to others and the world in general. The Evil Eye was originally published in TZADDIK Magazine, Chanukah 5760 / 1999.

online tzaddik: bringing down the chanukah light

Click here to read about the spiritual light of Chanukah and how it contrasts with the Greek ideology that holds external physical beauty and form to be the highest value. Bringing Down the Light was originally published in TZADDIK Magazine, Chanukah 5761 / 2000. The light of Chanukah has the power to penetrate into the depths of Creation. Every Chanukah, we draw down this light by simply lighting the Chanukah menorah, everyone in his own home and place, no matter who, what, or where he may be.

who is rebbe nachman of breslev?

It is impossible to adequately define the person or his impact, since there is no singular definition among those who are influenced by him. Although he lived in the Ukraine 200 years ago, what he taught and practiced continues to affect an ever-widening spectrum of people. He gave much advice on how to live; he spoke unceasingly about how to come closer to God, which he insisted is the only true goal in life. He claimed to have paved a spiritual pathway back to God that is accessible to anyone who desires it, while somehow accommodating the widest variety of people. Scorning sophistication, he expounded at length about simplicity and faith, the only qualities by which it is possible to survive the complexity of today's world. And he spoke about so much more...

Paradoxically, Rebbe Nachman sought to unify mankind, while maintaining its diversity. His message speaks to both Jews and non-Jews, yet describes in practical as well as mystical detail the unique mission of a Jew in the world. Unity and tikkun olam, repair of the world, flow as an undercurrent to his teachings. Redemption is not only about redeeming mankind from all suffering, but also about restoring the entire creation to the purpose for which it was created.

online tzaddik: reb gedaliah on the limits of the mind

Click here for a Chanukah-related article by Reb Gedaliah Aharon Kenig, zt"l, who spoke on a live radio broadcast during his trip to the USA in 1979 to promote the rebuilding of Tsfat and Rebbe Nachman's teachings. Limits of the Mind was translated from Hebrew and originally published in TZADDIK Magazine, Chanukah 5760 / 1999. Reb Gedaliah delivered a discourse on the dangers to the mind caused by the wrong type of philosophical inquiry. Pictured here in the studios of WBAI Radio in New York City, is Reb Gedaliah, seated on the right, and Rav Yaakov Klein, executive director of Nachal Novea Mekor Chochma.

online tzaddik: a prayer for chanukah

Click here for a special short prayer about Chanukah excerpted from Reb Noson's Likutey Tefilos. A Prayer for Chanukah was originally published in TZADDIK Magazine, Chanukah 5761 / 2000. No success comes without Divine assistance. Even having the merit to light the Chanukah menorah properly and on time is something to pray about.

online tzaddik: holy vessels

Click here for the next article in our Chanukah series for this year. Holy Vessels was originally printed in TZADDIK Magazine, Chanukah 5769 / 1999. Read about how Chanukah is directly connected to purifying our mind and can be used as an opportunity to expand our Daas, the awareness of direct Divine involvement in every detail of our lives. Also read about Rebbe Nachman's special seven-branched menorah that we can use as a tool to attain the highest spiritual levels possible for a human being.

online tzaddik: the chanukah connection

Click here for the next article in this year's Chanukah series. The Chanukah Connection was originally printed in TZADDIK Magazine, Chanukah 5760 / 1999. Read about the spiritual dimension of the pure and impure vessels of Chanukah and what motivated the Kohanim, the Priests of the Jewish Temple, to light the menorah immediately eliciting the miracle of Chanukah.

online tzaddik: practical guide to chanukah

Click here for the first in a series of articles on Chanukah. A Practical Guide to Chanukah was originally printed in TZADDIK Magazine, Chanukah 5761 / 2000. Prepare yourself early this year and enter the eight days of Chanukah with yishuv hadaat, a settled mind, the mark of a true Breslever chassid.

rav ephraim kenig: audio post shalom aleichem

Click here to hear our first audio podcast from Rav Ephraim Kenig, as he sings Shalom Aleichem, the traditional song heard every Friday evening at the Shabbos table. This will be the first in a series of zemiros for Shabbos from Rav Ephraim. His melodies and order of songs are what he heard growing up in the home of his father, Reb Gedaliah Aharon Kenig, zt"l, as well as traditions passed down from within Breslev.