Breslov Repair Kit – YomKippur Refresheswritten by Chaya Rivka ZwolinskiSeptember 12, 2021

Got Life?When you’re a child, the minutes seem like hours and the hourslike days.

Then, you grow up. And time flies.

Despite the fleetingness of time, if you’re like most people,at some point in your life you’ve “killed time.” Perhapsyou’ve even killed a whole day. Or days. “Killed ’em dead.”

What is a dead day? It’s a day without good deeds and mitzvos.And what’s an alive day, a day brimming with vitality? It’s aday packed with good deeds and mitzvos.

Got Goodness?Good deeds include acts of kindness as well as acts of duty.Good deeds are driven by the heart.

Mitzvos (the commandments of the Torah) are explicit gooddeeds—actions God has given us to do which help us connect toHim. When we choose to do mitzvos we reaffirm our awareness ofGod. We remind ourselves who we are and where we’re headed.

Good deeds and mitzvos usually overlap. For example, visitinga sick person is both a good deed and a mitzvah.

Giving a minimum of ten percent of our income to charity is amitzvah and a good deed. If we give it not only because Godtells us to, which is very important, but also because we havefeelings of concern for another’s suffering, prompted by thekindness of our hearts, it is even better.

Apologizing to anyone you may have hurt is a good deed and asignificant mitzvah, too. In fact, during this time periodleading up to Yom Kippur, we seek out people we think we mayhave hurt and ask for their forgiveness. And we also forgiveothers who may have hurt us inadvertently—or even on purpose.Forgiving another is a very powerful personal rectification.

Mitzvos and good deeds like the ones above, bring life.

Got Blockages?But a day without mitzvos or good deeds is a wasted day, a daywithout oomph. It’s a day not fortified by the revitalizing,positive energy flow which comes from God.

Worse still is a day where we actively choose to run away fromgood deeds and mitzvos, seeking activities so empty we mighteven choose to “shut down” the highest parts of our minds andhearts in order to engage in them. Then, not only do we wastethe gift of a day –24 precious hours of life!—we createblockages which prevent any potential positive energy flow

from reaching and sustaining us.

In a special prayer* often said during this period of timebefore Yom Kippur, Reb Nosson, Rebbe Nachman of Breslov’sleading student, brings this concept home. He has a name forthe days in which one “lives” without God-consciousness in theform of mitzvos and good deeds. He calls these “dead days.” Heexplains that person engaging in negative acts “robs the life”from these days. He writes:

Because I committed a multitude of sins throughout my life,the corpses of dead days lie littered across my past. (LikuteyTefillos 103)

Get Revived!Amazingly, the prayers, weeping, and most important, thefasting we do on Yom Kippur, have the ability to revive thepast days and even erase the wasted potential.

Yom Kippur has the power to actually bring the dead days backto life!

Not only is the past brought back to life with spirit andsparkle, but Rebbe Nachman of Breslov tells us that “joy isformed.”

By fasting and spending the day in heartfelt prayer, to thebest of our individual ability, we weaken the negative powerof the blemished days of our past. We instead take thatadverse energy and use it for good. By using the energy forthe mitzvos of serving God through fasting and prayer on YomKippur, we literally turn the past around, infusing it withgoodness, bringing it back to life.

[Then,] the actual structure of joy—[which is] the vitalityand core of all the mitzvos—is constructed. (LM 179:2)

This is reflected in the powerful emotions, including greatjoy we feel as Yom Kippur draws to a close. No, it’s not

because in a few minutes we’ll be able to quench our thirstand relieve our hunger. It’s because our teshuvah is complete.It’s because we’ve spent the day pouring out our hearts andsinging to God—like the angels. We’ve also spent the daysubjugating our fleshly desires (for food, drink, andrelaxation) to something higher, our desire for purity andcloseness to our Source.

We’ve returned to our true selves and God. We’ve done our partto bring ourselves back to life. We merit joy.

* The Fiftieth Gate, Volume 4, Prayer 103

For more posts about achieving joy, see BreslovWoman.org

Time to Forgivewritten by Chaya Rivka ZwolinskiSeptember 12, 2021

The Ten Days of Teshuvah from Rosh Hashana to Yom Kippur are atime of forgiveness. Chaya Rivka Zwolinski explains.

Elul Time of Favorwritten by Chaya Rivka ZwolinskiSeptember 12, 2021

The month of Elul is a special time, when we can come closerto Hashem. Rebbe Nachman teaches that it is an “Eis Ratzon” aspecial time of favor. Chaya Rivka Zwolinski explains.

You Make The World Betterwritten by Chaya Rivka ZwolinskiSeptember 12, 2021

You make the world a better place. Chaya Rivka Zwolinskiexplains.

To hear a BRI Women Breslov audio mini-lesson daily, click onthis WhatsApp Invitation and join the group.

Ask A Breslover: Is There ASoul Correction For Cancer?written by Chaya Rivka ZwolinskiSeptember 12, 2021

Can you tell me if Rabbi Nachman ever said a soulcorrection for cancer?A: According to Jewish wisdom, there is always a spiritualcorrelative to a physical state of health or disease—however,a linear correlation isn’t always so apparent, and a causativeone isn’t always completely accurate.

Rebbe Nachman taught extensively about achieving spiritualawareness and soul-corrections. He may have addressed avariety of specific illnesses with his individual Chassidim,including cancer (which might not have been often identified

by name or correctly diagnosed in 18th century Ukraine.) TheRebbe understood perhaps more than anyone, that each person isan olam, an entire world, with his or her own “climate”,“ecology”, “geography” and so on. We know he gave specifictikkunim to individual followers, each custom-designed forthat person’s soul-correction. Perhaps he did give somespecific general corrections for cancer which could be used byanyone, but if he did, it isn’t mentioned in his sefarim.

To my understanding, cancer is the name given to a variety ofdiseases which may occur in various body parts or systems.Generally, it involves a prolific, abnormal growth of cellswhich can cause a tumor or otherwise damage a bodily system ororgan.

Are the material causes of this dreaded illness viral?Behavioral (dietary for example)? Bacterial? Environmental(industrial chemicals for example)? Genetic? Does the cause ofand the nature of cancer vary depending on where it is locatedin the body?

Medical research seems to say a variety of possible causesexists, maybe even a few at once. Perhaps the myriad materialfactors implicated exist to show us that the spiritual causes(and therefore, the spiritual correction), may stem from avariety of spiritual conditions as well.

Learning about the mind-body-soul connections, reflecting onone’s life, and perhaps most important, hitbodedut, areintegral to soul-correction, and correcting the soul alwayshas an impact on the body.

Learning: For an overview as well as a body part-specificunderstanding of the human body as a home for the soul, readAnatomy of the Soul (BRI). This best-selling book goes intogreat detail about the topics of spiritual and bodily health,the hidden meanings of our body’s design, and offers insightsinto spiritual obstructions that may lead to diminishedphysical functions or disease, G-d forbid. It is importantwhen studying this book to keep in mind that while the stateof our body reflects the state of our soul, armchairdiagnostics may cause unwarranted stress. It’s good to learnthis text with a trusted, empathetic study-partner, ifpossible.

If you are interested in exploring this topic further, pleasejoin me for The Healing Dance of Body and Soul, a free video

course for women using Anatomy of the Soul as the main text,as well as numerous Breslov sources. You can find it atBreslovCampus.org. You can participate in the live onlineclass (Monday nights at 8 pm) or watch the archives.

Reflection: Rebbe Nachman suggests that most people don’tspend enough time thinking about themselves, their spiritualgrowth, and their service of Hashem. Making time to do this,even a few minutes a day, can be the catalyst for far-reachingchange.

Hitbodedut: Talking to Hashem about both big and littleissues, including the spiritual and material issues one isdealing with in every area of life, is integral to BreslovChassidic practice. It can change the way you think, feel, andlive. (All prayer, not just hitbodedut, is important.)

Also, in addition to learning more about mind-body-soulwellness, reflecting on one’s life, and doing hitbodedut,there is another Chassidic practice followers of Rebbe Nachmando daily. This is saying Rebbe Nachman’s Tikkun Haklali (theuniversal remedy comprised of 10 specific psalms). TikkunHaklali helps to heal us at the root of the soul. Thebook Rebbe Nachman’s Tikkun (BRI) contains the text of the 10psalms, a variety of supplemental prayers, and extensivecommentary and explanatory text.

Rebbe Nachman teaches us that everything that happens to us inlife is a message to us from Hashem. He wants us to turn toHim to seek the answer. May you and each person turn to Hashemand seek answers to their questions in good health, B”H.

Sincerely,

Chaya Rivka Zwolinski

Tisha B’Av—Mourning theDestruction of the HolyTemplewritten by Chaya Rivka ZwolinskiSeptember 12, 2021

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hW0zee-nb6I

What are we grieving for when we grieve over the loss of theBet Hamikdash? Why do we mourn? Why do we care? The HolyTemple in Jerusalem was a place in which Hashem was very closeto us. The loss is personal to each one of us. Soon, Godwilling, the Mashiach will come, the third Bet Hamikdash willbe built, and we will return to Zion in joy. Chaya Rivka Z.explains.

Replace Hate With Lovewritten by Chaya Rivka ZwolinskiSeptember 12, 2021

Rebbe Nachman teaches us the importance of replacing hatredwith love. Chaya Rivka Zwolinski explains.

Parshat Matot-Masei –Wherever You Campwritten by Chaya Rivka ZwolinskiSeptember 12, 2021

In this week’s doubleTorah portion, Parshat Matot-Masei, welearn of the 42 stations in the desert wilderness where theJews encamped. Each stop offered the potential for spiritualgrowth and rectification. What do we do with the stops we makealong our own personal journeys? BRI Breslov/BRI Women’s ChayaRivka Zwolinski discusses.

Love Hashem with All YourHeart, Soul & Mightwritten by Chaya Rivka ZwolinskiSeptember 12, 2021

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCCV7m1LDyg

The foundational Jewish prayer-declaration, the Shema,proclaims that we should love God with all our heart, soul andmight. What do these three categories of love and servicemean? Chaya Rivka Zwolinski explains.

Ask A Breslover: Getting TheBest Advice (Hitbodedut)written by Chaya Rivka ZwolinskiSeptember 12, 2021

Dear Breslover,I’ve been through lots of pain the past two years. I am forcedto deal with a crazy family situation, I am facing bankruptcyand I live with a chronic illness which is made worse by allthe stress.

I asked someone for spiritual advice he told me that mysuffering was an atonement for my sins.

I asked someone else for spiritual advice and he told me tothank Hashem for all the good things in my life. He told me todo this during hitbodedut for at least an hour a day. Icouldn’t stand to do it for more than a few minutes, it felttotally fake, like I was lying to Hashem.

Someone else told me that if I thanked Hashem for my problemsthey would go away because I wouldn’t need them anymore.

I feel like the people giving me advice don’t understand whatI’m going through.

H.M.

Dear H.M.,The variety of Rebbe Nachman’s teachings is vast. Sometimesteachings are more relevant, sometimes less. What advice isgood for you depends on who you are as a unique individual.

Not all Rebbe Nachman’s advice can be assimilated by everyoneat all times. Sometimes, advice or feedback that is right forone person, may not be right for another. And sometimes whenwe are suffering what we need is simply a loving hug andsomeone to listen.

The Rebbe tells us our understanding and knowledge changesthroughout our lives. He explains that when we come closer toHashem and return to him, we do this on our present level ofunderstanding. When that level of understanding changes, wemay have to repeat some of this teshuvah because now we havegreater clarity and insight and the teshuvah we did beforeneeds to be refined.*

That being said, sometimes we do have to humble ourselves andaccept the advice we’re given, even if it does hurt a bit.

How do you know whether the advice you’re receiving is rightfor you, right now, with what you are going through?

It’s difficult to make a general rule about this, but might Isuggest to you that if the advice you’re hearing is so painfulor difficult to follow that you find it devastating, mind-numbing or pointless, take a step back.

It’s true that it’s a Jewish ideal to thank Hashem foreverything that happens in our lives. This means thankingHashem for things even if we don’t understand why they arehappening, and even if they aren’t what we desire. We candevelop our faith and learn to trust that Hashem only doesgood for us, even if it’s difficult. Right now, that mightseem a future goal, something to work towards, and that’s

okay.

Hashem knows you and He knows what is really in your heart. Heonly wants you to do what you are able to do—He only wants youto take one small step. That step may very well be hitbodedut.

Except this time, hitbodedut can be without preconceived ideasof what the correct way to talk to Hashem is. It should beformula-free. This isn’t my advice, it is actually the adviceof Rebbe Nachman!

Rebbe Nachmant tells us that we should talk to Hashem as if heis our teacher and our best friend. Sure, there are more“advanced” formulas for how to talk to Hashem. But at itsessence, hitbodedut is really about your relationship withHashem.

What I suggest is that you just tell Hashem how you arefeeling. All of it. The heartache, the sadness, and even theanger. The real stuff. Get it out. Tell Him how you feel aboutyour relationship with Him right now.

When you’ve reached the point where you feel yourself openingup, talking from a place of truth, perhaps more than you’veever talked truth before, you’ll know it. You’ll feel it. Andthis is the point from which your salvation will spring.

When you have worked through some of the pain, if you don’tautomatically feel grateful, you might consider asking Hashemto help you feel the gratitude. Ask Him to help open yourheart so you can learn to see the good. Ask Him to help youtrust that there is a hidden meaning behind what you are goingthrough. You could even ask Hashem to reveal to you themeaning in a way that you can understand.

This may or may not occur the first time you begin to talk toHashem. You may need to begin by just asking Hashem to helpyou speak to Him. Maybe for only a few minutes. But: If youtalk to Hashem from the place where you’re at, from a place

of authenticity, you will eventually get there. The only goalis developing your relationship with Hashem and getting intouch with your true self, your good point deep inside.

Yes, some people respond really well to the “fake it until youmake it” strategy of getting to a space of equanimity andgratitude, but in my experience, not everyone is able to dothis at first. And that’s okay.

Whatever you decide to do, start from a place of truth. Don’tbeat yourself up and more important: Don’t give up.

May you be blessed with salvation in the zechut of RebbeNachman ben Faiga who teaches us hitbodedut.

Chaya Rivka

BRI Women

*Advice (Likutey Eitzot), Published by Breslov ResearchInstitute