I'll let you in on a little surprise: Who says that yourself is the real you? Maybe the real you is not a subject, not an object, but a verb? Maybe the real you is to be found not in who you are but in those things you need to do?
39 Comments Posted
Thank you, Rabbi Freeman. This was succint, and to the point. But overall beautifully exposed. What can I say? You are a genius
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Once again Rabbi Tzvi Freeman takes us on a wonderful journey of understanding. Just when it is needed most... Thank You
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Another 'answer' from the heart of the Rebbe, as seen through the words of Rabbi Freeman. Thank you for doing your service in this way, Rabbi Freeman!
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Fresh work -- different than usual; much more captivating. I am sending it out to lots of people.
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If I had to chose a favorite part, it would be your last 3 sentences: "Do something that will bring some light into the world. There you are--your very essence. Not in the light, not in the something, but in the 'do'."
Thank you for this article.
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"I'm hearing a lot about what you need. Can we hear something about why you are needed?"
I have read these words I know not how many times, and understood it and applied it to what I was doing at the moment, in a given situation, but never as a way of life. "Man as a verb" - with these simple words I now understand what the Rebbe was saying - Thank you, Rabbi Freeman - Excellent
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I am completely at a loss for words, realizing that I have never really understand the Tanya at all! Rabbi Freeman, you say you didn't really get the question; I didn't even realize there was something to get!
Thank you so much for bringing to life the Sefer that, we are taught, we will take to greet Moshiach. Now I'm getting a little bit more of an idea why!
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Mentally sound people are invariably busy people.
If you want something done - plan what ever it is you want done, and plan it the night before you do it.
It also says " The easiest way for a wicked man to keep out of trouble is not to get into it".
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Ah, this is the kind of material I was referring to when I posted a comment recently on your seasonal/Chanuka photo-essay saying I far prefer your articles. This is a wonderful article and we need more! More articles that explain concepts in Chasidus, that put the disparate bits of information we know into context, the Rebbe's context. Thank you.
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Here's what really moves me about Tanya (some examples):
p. 151 discusses Iyyov (Job), that G-d "setteth and end to darkness" and what it really means to "live" by emunah (faith).
p.449 that negativity can/will be transformed into good...
and, my favorite: (p.449) Acts of tzedaka effects peace, and service of tzedaka, quietness and surety forever...
Who wouldn't want peace, quietness and surety forever? and to learn that it comes from tzedaka (i.e. not just giving money but giving of oneself) is wonderful.
The Tanya is such a holy book that contains the poetry of the soul capable of inspiring many Jews, like me, who were not raised observant and who are growing in torah/mitzvos.
I love and am grateful for the tanya because it' language and content reminds me of the transcendent lovingkindness of G-d. A needed and necessary reminder/inspiration in today's world.
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"Be righteous. Don't be wicked. Yet, even if the entire world tells you that you are righteous, think of yourself as though you were wicked." King David said his sins were constantly before him. You must guide yourself. The world may say you are righteous, but who is the world. Remember the story of the "Emperor's New Clothes". If you are righteous and think of yourself as wicked (maybe as simply as "imperfect") you will have compassion for others. Fame and power corrupt us when we lose perspective of others. I do not have to think of myself as a failure to understand this. I only have to know that I am on a path of righteousness and that I am not perfect.
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Another encouraging essay from Rabbi Freeman, keep them coming please!
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Fantastic, moving, I know why I am here.
"We see our failures every day--and even when we succeed, we still know inside that this is not the real thing.
The real thing is in some Garden of Eden where we lived before we were born, but definitely not here."
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don't you have to understnad yourself in order to know what you are meant to do and how?
and if you have anincredible knack for introspection isn't there a way to channel it to good use?
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There are times to review what you've done, what you talk about, what you think about--and then see what needs to improve. It's called taking inventory. Some people are great at taking inventory. But no storekeeper wants to take inventory every day. Once or twice a year is good enough.
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wow. twice a year - that's quite a goal.
thank you!
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In mussar they say to keep a journal every night on our progress in the middah (character trait) we are working on that month. How many times did we lie today? Or, how many times did we get angry? And what were the circumstances?
Isn't that taking inventory?
Are you saying mussar is wrong? Or am I comparing apples and oranges?
Maybe it's not taking inventory. He's not counting every kind of merchandise in the store, only one kind.
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There are people that are able to do that every night. For many of us, it can be very destructive. You have to know your limits.
It's a good idea to review the day each night. But just as you need to know your failures, you need to know not to be too hard on yourself.
Mussar is not the same path as chassidus. The Baal Shem Tov came to reveal a new light.
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Thank you for putting purpose in such a "buyable" package.
It is what I need to hear over and over again!
Reminds me of Ask not- what your country can do for you....
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Who is it that finds nightly reviews destructive, and why? How can I tell if I am one of these?
And, I have repeatedly read that we should NOT think of ourselves as a human DOING but, yes, as a human BEING. That certain people serve simply by being who they are. That it is uplifting simply to be in the same room with such a person. That the person's attitude is transformative. That the person does not wear himself out struggling to do the right thing and chasing his tail and being demolished by his failures. That such a person need not ever DO anything, because what s/he IS has become so powerful that it makes more of a difference than anything s/he might DO.
Please comment on the fact that such people exist and that it would be worthwhile to attain this level of BEING.
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I already asked and I need help.
I use all my strength each day just getting up and getting dressed and leaving the house to go to work. I leave work exhausted, hardly able to breathe or move, and arrive home hardly able to warm something for dinner, or to eat it. I don't watch TV. I don't read. I am not taking care of my body or of my home.
I can't DO anything. I am barely able to BE.
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Have you seen a doctor? And if you have seen a conventional doctor and he couldn't figure it out, have you seen a naturopath?
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I am not jewish, but I love everything that is !
G-d has called ALL jewish people to BE His people, how fortunate they are. Do you realize that He has given you all wisdom that travels the world. I often wondered why so many people speak against the "Jewish people"...simply because they know deep down inside that you are His people. And we the others can chose to hear G-ds wisdom comming form YOU ALL.
A little advise: DO SPEAK, the world needs to hear, even if they say NOT
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Interesting. Physicists asking what's the essence of the physical world are concluding that the smallest particals are movements. And 2 centuries ago your rabbi said that the essence of humans is also movement.
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Yet another great article by Tzvi with a very important message!!!
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I just stumbled upon your website and read this article. Although I am not of Jewish faith, I found your message to be quite universal .... spiritually meaningful. Thank-you. It, once again validates to me that we all have little bits of "The Truth" and not to worry so much about the messanger as the message. Thank-you,
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I've just remembered I've read sthg like this in Bhagavat Gita. Unfortunately, I can't "show" the direct place (and it makes my comment less precious and interesting), but there were such sentence: "My due (deed) is to continue to do something on this land"...
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Thank you Tzvi for your teachings. This article really hit a nerve.
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If one was to be righeous all the time, then is He or She not also PERFECT. I beleive that only G-d is PERFECT. The reason why we should see ourself as wicked if everyone else sees us as righteous is that one should not see Himself or Herself as an equal of G_d.
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Thank you Tzvi. This fits so well with the journey. Where was all this wisdom when I was a lad? More knowledge more wisdom more understanding! And spirit to enlighten
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Well said, Tzvi. Thank you.
Well said, Tzvi. Thank you!
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Thank you R. Freeman! I always felt the key to avoiding depression is to involve oneself in something. It sound like the existentialist manifesto, "Il faut s'engager", one must involve oneself to truly be alive.
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Hello Rabbi freeman,
I read the article in the Five Towns Jewish Times, and of course, I thought it would be on the site and I had to share it with friends. Incredibly insightful and inspirational; hits on so many of my dilemmas, and struggles and offers wonderful solutions. I own an English version of the Tanya and may have to revisit it, as I found it a bit esoteric. Rabbi Freeman, you are an amazing writer, and teacher, and I am thankful to have read this during a particularly hard time in my life, grappling with the issues you discuss.
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Wow! I have learnt Tanya but I always thought it was some spiritiul book that has no connection to my persenol life. It's amazing how you brought everything down to earth! Thank you!!
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Rabbi - that's a very inspiring article - I am just learning Kaballah and this like the action part of it.
Thanks for sharing.
Peace
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Great to read on our birthday.
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