An attempt towards a meaningful, grounded look into the universe of Likutei Moharan with a group of growth-oriented people; Also available at: http://www.jewishheritagefoundation.org/audio_shiurim.html Please feel free to reach out from cyber space: mru
In this powerful opening to Torah 28, we confront a piercing question: Not just what Torah are you learning—but from where?The shiur launches into a sweeping meditation on authentic Torah transmission and the distinction between lavush (outer garment) and essence—we learn that Torah only uplifts when drawn from its true source.The core warning? A Torah rooted externality without depth and attachment to the source can mislead both teacher and student. When Torah becomes a tool to flatter, entertain, or avoid discomfort, it loses its power to transform. And when we confuse charisma for kedusha, we risk following a voice disconnected from the makor ha'emes.Ultimately, the shiur invites us to ask: Are we aligned with the pipeline of truth, or just receiving echoes filtered through ego?
To draw the entire world to serve Hashem in unison, we must achieve true shalom. In this shiur, we explore how that harmony is only possible through Ha'aras Panim and Hadaras Panim—an inner radiance drawn from Torah, refined voice, and the spiritual power of Tikkun HaBris. When one purifies their kol (voice), even tefillah without words can pierce through concealment. From the depths of emotional expression to the harmony of collective shira, we uncover the chain from Yosef HaTzaddik's nisayon to the cosmic split of the sea—and how inner purity unleashes song, unity, and redemption.(notes unedited)Practical ApplicationsRefine Your Voice through TorahConsider how deeply your words reflect inner clarity. Invest in learning that purifies koach ha'dibur—even reviewing the 13 Middos in davening with intent can elevate your kol.Turn to Hashem Even Without WordsWhen you're overwhelmed or confused, don't wait for the perfect tefillah. Even a raw kol—a cry, a sigh, or an honest moment of emotional presence—can reach Hashem powerfully.Protect Your Kedushah to Protect Your ClarityThe shiur draws a powerful link between bris, hadras panim, and tefillah. Guarding personal kedushah isn't just moral—it protects your spiritual antenna to receive truth.Lean Into Oneness During ConflictTrue shalom is not avoiding opposition—it's integration toward a higher goal. Next time you face tension, ask: What greater ratson Hashem could unify these parts?Use Shabbos as a Spiritual CalibrationThe link between shira, tikun habris, and Shabbos suggests that preparing for and experiencing Shabbos consciously can be a weekly reset toward inner harmony.(notes unedited)
In this profound opening to Likutei Moharan Torah 27, we explore the sweeping vision of Rabbi Nachman: a world unified in service of Hashem. Drawing on the Athenian sages' question about the chick in the shell, this shiur reframes individual avodah as inherently cosmic. How does Shalom become the vessel for Giluy Shechinah? What is the deeper meaning of Ha'aras Panim, and how is it rooted in the Torah and the Tzura Adam?We delve into:The global mission of every Jew and how each neshamah is a microcosm of creation.Why true unity (Shalom) isn't just about avoiding conflict but about mutual bitul toward a higher goal.How Yaakov Avinu, Ha'aras Panim, and the Shemos of Hashem reveal divine structure in the world.The role of Torah as blueprint and how each of the 600,000 souls uniquely expresses one facet of that truth.What it means to bring the world to serve Hashem b'shem echad, not through conformity but harmony.-----Quotables: "You can't achieve shalom by being separate. True shalom (peace/completion/perfection) is when each soul fulfills its unique role within a single divine symphony.""Every Jew contains all the worlds within themselves—our personal refinement reshapes creation itself."
Where the Sparks Enter — The Tzadik's Mesirus Nefesh in Tefillah Main Ideas from Likutei Moharan 26This Torah begins with a cryptic Gemara: when a chick dies within its shell, through which point does its soul exit? Rav Nachman reframes this as a metaphor for the tzadik's avodah in tefillah. The tzadik must direct his greatest mesirus nefesh precisely to the areas where foreign thoughts (machshavos zaros) enter during prayer.These “foreign” elements are not distractions to escape, but rather sparks of holiness (nitzotzos) awaiting elevation. The avodah, then, is not about bridging distance from Hashem — chas v'shalom — but about recalibrating perspective and reconnecting each experience to its true source. The tzadik, operating from an elevated vantage point aligned with Hashem's ratzon, is uniquely able to reveal Elokus in the very places where it appears most concealed. This is a function of his alignment with the ultimate context: HaMakom. Additional Expansions and Key ThemesTefillah is not primarily about personal requests; its essence is aligning oneself — and the world — with Hashem's ratzon. Individual bakashos only carry meaning within that larger context.Even misdirected emotions (e.g., love, desire) are not disconnected from Hashem. They are divine energies misapplied. Teshuvah is a reorientation, not a reconnection.Perspective defines reality: everything in creation is rooted in Elokus. What changes is how we see it.The tzadik can descend into concealment without spiritual harm, enabling him to elevate the deepest sparks. His inner purity and orientation keep him above contamination.The shell = tefillah = pre-creation/revelation koach: Just as the chick emerges from the shell, creation unfolds from tefillah. The tzadik, deeply aligned with Hashem's will, activates and channels this pre-creation power on behalf of the world.
Unedited Summary: Navigating the Spiritual Ladder: Insights from Likutei MoharanThe Power of Perspective: Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up ApproachesTop-Down Approach (Truth-Driven):Spiritual growth begins with a higher, unified perspective. A higher perspective sees unity in seemingly conflicting systems (like the body's organs), understanding them as one coherent design.Bottom-Up Approach (Desire-Driven):When you're grounded in physicality or emotional desires, it's hard to see the unity. The goal is to elevate your perspective to reveal the interconnectedness of all things.Breaking Through Illusions (Klipah) on the Spiritual AscentKlipah: Obstacles on the Path:At every level of spiritual growth, we encounter klipah—barriers that seem to separate us from the truth. These barriers provide the stage for spiritual challenge, growth and, ultimately, elevation.The Orange Peel Metaphor:Klipah is like the peel of an orange: it protects the fruit but doesn't stand alone. At higher levels, we recognize that klipah serves its purpose, but once removed, it withers away.As we grow, we must confront and subdue these klipah, recognizing that everything in the physical world ultimately leads us to a unified truth.Unity in Diversity: Revealing Divine HarmonyDivine Attributes as Colors:Chesed (kindness) and Gevurah (strength) may appear as opposites, but from a higher perspective, they complement each other to create beauty (Tiferes).Spiritual growth is about seeing the whole picture—how different elements, when integrated, create a beautiful and unified system.Tzedakah: The Key to Spiritual AlignmentThe Role of Tzedakah:Giving tzedakah connects you to others and to Divine purpose. It transforms your resources from personal possessions to vessels for Divine will.Through tzedakah, we acknowledge that our material wealth is not for our benefit alone but a means to connect and uplift the world.The Cosmic Impact of Individual GrowthInterconnectedness of All:Each person's growth impacts the entire spiritual ecosystem. As you rise, you elevate those around you, creating a ripple effect that leads to greater unity in the world.Practical Guidance for Overcoming Spiritual ChallengesRecognizing Spiritual Growth Through Challenges:New difficulties are often signs that you've advanced to a higher spiritual level. What seems like a setback or resistance can actually be a sign of closer proximity to the Divine.Embrace these challenges as opportunities to break through illusions and connect with deeper truths.The Role of Simcha in Spiritual GrowthSimcha as a Driver:True happiness comes from doing what you should be doing, aligned with your higher purpose. As you grow spiritually, you'll experience more Simcha, which propels you closer to unity with Hashem.Simcha is not external; it comes from within when you align with your true self and purpose.Breaking Through the Illusions of the Yetzer HaraThe Yetzer Hara's New Name: Koach HaMedameh:The Yetzer Hara, which manifests as illusions and fantasies, is described as the “power of imagination” (Koach HaMedameh). As we rise spiritually, we encounter new levels of the Yetzer Hara.In times of spiritual revelation, these illusions become stronger, presenting new challenges that must be...
Would love to hear from you. See notes below; please don't rely on them as they were generated to accompany shiur and not edited, but feel free to let me know if they are helpful. Understanding Unity Within Creation: Notes from Likutei MoharanTwo Approaches to Understanding CreationTop-Down Approach: The source (or seed) contains all potential, with everything emanating from it in a structured, orderly way. From this perspective, creation unfolds with perfect unity.Bottom-Up Approach: Starts from our experience of fragmented reality where things may appear disconnected or contradictory. The spiritual work is to align these fragments back with their original source to reveal their deeper unity.Spiritual Growth as RealignmentAs we ascend through different spiritual levels, we refine ourselves and reconnect with the panimiyus (internal essence) of each level.The Process of Alignment: We must realign ourselves with the inner purpose at each stage of growth, sensitizing ourselves to the deeper truth present at every level of reality.Money and Tzedakah in Divine ServiceMamon as a Vessel (Kli): Money can either serve as a tool for Hashem's purpose or become empty and meaningless when disconnected from its source.Purpose of Tzedakah: Charity aligns our physical resources with spiritual purpose. When used properly, money becomes a means to express divine unity in the world.Spiritual Rectification: The act of giving redirects resources to fulfill divine will. Money used for tzedakah becomes infused with purpose, rectifying both the giver's soul and participating in the greater tikkun of creation.Navigating Contradictions in Spiritual LifeApparent Contradictions: At each level of spiritual and personal development, we encounter challenges and apparent contradictions. This happens in all contexts—educational, business, and personal.Growth Process: As we develop spiritually, we begin to see how seemingly contradictory elements fit together in a unified whole, serving a greater purpose.Yichud (Unity) as Higher PerspectiveTranscending Contradictions: Spiritual growth allows us to access higher levels of unity where we can see the entire system as interconnected.This higher vantage point reveals how each piece works toward the ultimate goal of divine revelation in the world.Tzedakah as Expression of UnityThrough tzedakah, we actively participate in creating unity between the Creator and creation.When we give, we align ourselves with divine purpose, ensuring our resources reveal Hashem's light in the world.
Be"H will try and follow with written abstract; if you are enjoying these please share and drop 5 stars to help 'spread the Torah of R Nachman
As we try and spread the Light of Likutei Moharan, please take a moment if you are growing and loving these to drop 5 starts and forward to someone who would appreciate! Tizku l'Mitzvos!
23.7 Tzivisa Tzedek 7 of 7 (Appendix)
We will continue on our journey through LM; As a follow up on Torah 73 I am posting a few thoughts on Teshuva. If you like this new format (in addition to learning through the text) please let me know; re this piece in particular or generally. mrubin214@gmail.comIf you are inspired, please share the wealth!(also drop 5 stars so podcast spreads)
Bonus Elul Tinyana: 73 - Tehillim Mesugal L'teshuva For Kollel Toras Chaim: Link to be posted If you enjoy please share...
Para 5 "v'shoresh hashpa'os" (middle second maamar of saba dbein atunah) through "Zos HaTorah hi Lashon Rabbeinu)
023.4 Tzivisa Tzedek 4 ofPara 5 through (almost ad kan lashon rabbeinu)
23:1 In this Torah , we embark on an exploration of the remarkable dialogues between the Wise Men of Athens (Sabei dbei Atuna) and Rabbi Yehoshua ben Chanania. This intellectual confrontation is portrayed through a series of exchanges that may appear simple or even absurd on the surface. However, the commentaries reveal these discussions as a profound debate between Science and Religion, delving into the core tenets of our faith.Our first shiur provides a general introduction as well as a specific look into Torah 23, beginning with our examination of concepts such as Emunah (faith), Emes (truth), Chaim (life), Simcha (joy), and connection to Hashem. In contrast, we will also discuss themes of Avodah Zarah (idolatry), death, lethargy, and detachment from Hashem, which manifest as placing one's faith in alternative 'sources'.We will further start to explore the topic of taavas mamon (desire for wealth), particularly within this context.Some of the Terms we begin to encounter: Panim (d'kedusha), Anpin Nehorin (shining face); Emes, Chaim, Simcha, Emuna; Panim d'sitra achra, Avoda Zara, Missa, Atzvus, adn Taavas Mamon.
Amazing shiur continuing on our journey of the cycle of avodah represented by "naaseh v'nishmah"; Discussion of perceived setbacks in avodah and challenges on the path to growth - yeridah l'tzorech aliyah begins approx min marker 40 if you have not been following and would like a taste. Please share if you have been growing and I would love to hear from you!MRubin214@gmail.com; drop a note and put likutei moharan in the subject.
Please drop me a note; would love to hear from you if you are growing. mrubin214@gmail.com
Summary below: I will soon be posting these only to the new Byam Darkecha podcast (spotify link below; will also be on itunes, etc.); we will also start going through some of the other B'Yam Darkecha in advance of Yom Tov, and time permitting, Avodas Hashem, etc. - please follow there: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CDDxneVuFM0VjQ0dlUpql?si=4b9da04040b94556----The core of Teshuva is recognizing Yichud HashemThe root of transgression is a deficiency in EmunahTeshuva is a recognition of Yichud HashemOne who lives with a recognition of Yichud Hashem lives with HIsbatlusSummary: the Avodah of Elul is to recognize Yichud Hasehm and enter into Avodah from a place of bitul
Summary in comments section of Part 1 posted right before. Please let me know if we should continue to try and put these up around yom tov; (perhaps set up a separate podcast as a. home for these; or leave these here for a little burst of extra hisorerus)MRubin214@gmail.com
Sefer B'Yam Darkecha; Join us as we address some of the following questions:What is the essence of Teshuva? Don't we have to be perfect?How can we do teshuva, understanding that perfection is a losing battle? How can we get excited about mediocrity? How is Elul different that any other time of year when we have an obligation to do the right thing? How can I do teshuva knowing that I have create a huge "mess" that I have yet to clean up?How to I think approach actionable steps?Please reach out to let me know if you are enjoying these pieces. I will try to post LM pieces as well, and thought these would be l'toeles and posted them here. Would love to hear from you. MRubin214@gmail.com
Synopsis coming: Excellent! (shiur stands on its own)
Bonus: B'Yam Darkecha: Bein Hametzarim Part 2: Appreciating and Understanding the Avodah of Aveilus
Profound piece from sefer B'Yam Darkecha on Bein HaMetzarim; page 133
Torah 21.2 coming soon and will be Fire!!!Thank you @ R' Nachman Fried who enlightened my eyes that this sefira is associated with Rabbeinu; Posting some thoughts on this podcast for something a little different; the sefer i am learning from is sefer u'sefartem lachemLove to hear from you 718 926 3792: just introduce yourself so i don't lose the text (and note i am sometimes slow to respond)
21.1 Atika Tamir u'Sasim 1 of Synopsis coming soon
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