Guest Posts
Hakitzu VeRanenu #23a: “Then, Our Mouths will Fill with Laughter”
Joy is perhaps one of the most sought-after necessities in our generation. It, too, finds its full revelation specifically in the light of the collective, national life-force. This is because simcha, joy, is synonymous with the Shechinah, the mystery of our collective “mother”, as the verse states, “The mother of the children shall rejoice.” (Tehillim…
Hakitzu VeRanenu #22: The Realization of the Individual and the Light of the National Collective
The movement in our generation to seek personal enlightenment and individual spiritual fulfillment is similarly not to be seen as a step backward from the collective spirit. It is, rather, the early drips emerging from this glorious level. Because when a person arrives at an exacting self-assessment of the very essence of his being, he…
Hakitzu VeRanenu #21: The General Experience of the Two Stages of Redemption (Part Two)
If we were to be living a nation-oriented life in a spiritual sense, with a perception of our unity and essential identity expressed in our service of Torah and mitzvos, the absence of the Beis HaMikdash, Korban Pesach, and Aliyah l’Regel would penetrate exceedingly, paining us sharply. We would feel like one who is lacking…
Developing the Kohen Gadol’s Vision
Athough returning home to the United States is exciting in many ways, I found that this experience can be frightening as well. The first few days back home flew by as I enjoyed the luxuries that home has to offer following a long, accomplished zman. It is so incredible to be able to reconnect with…
Hakitzu VeRanenu #21: The General Experience of the Two Stages of Redemption (Part One)
In light of all the above, we are currently standing upon the threshold of the second stage, the mystery of Zechirah, which marks the arrival of the spirit that will bring a completed consciousness to the nation dwelling in its Holy Land, enabling them to live a life of Shechinah – as a single body…
A Yeshiva Bochur’s Search for Meaning
“I’ve had enough!” I clenched my fists quickly, terrified of the repercussions of unleashing my pent-up anger. I swiftly made my way to the forest, my haven for moments like these. The outbursts didn’t occur infrequently anymore, and the serenity and fresh air of the Judean Hills always seemed to calm my nerves. That voice…
Hakitzu VeRanenu #20: The Danger of Blurring the Lines Between the Holy and the Mundane
There were great tzaddikim who already spoke about the realm of the holy and the realm of the mundane and their manifestation in body and soul. However, in order to comprehend their words in the proper way, it is crucial that we grow and become sanctified with Hashem’s holiness. Otherwise, it is possible to make…
Hakitzu VeRanenu #19: The Relationship between Body and Soul in the Nation and their Unification (Part Two)
This is the great power of the Toras HaSod which crowns Hashem in all of the worlds and demonstrates clearly that there is literally nothing but Him and that He fills and surrounds all worlds; “Your Sovereignty is the sovereignty of all the worlds (Tehillim 145:13), “The entire earth is filled with Your Glory.” (Yeshayahu…
Geulah
My eyes are openMy soul reawakens Everything holding me backHas transformed into a limitless launch The pain I held in for yearsMy silent, heavy, seemed-as-directionless tears Were rising all alongRaising the world in bitter-sea songשירה מריםMy name – my essence One tear closerOne moment forwardOne day closer Geulah “Redeem me!”I screamedI’ve been through enough swimming…
Hakitzu VeRanenu #19: The Relationship between Body and Soul in the Nation and their Unification (Part One)
The fact that Zechirah is the point of holiness which stands as the foundation of all stages of redemption – both the stage of Pekidah, the rectification of the “body”, as well as the stage of the revelation of Zechirah, the appearance of Neshama with a proliferation of consciousness – teaches us an important principle…