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Working With the Body


Based on letters and talks of the Rebbe, Rabbi M. M. Schneerson

It used to be that the soul fought with the body, until one conquered the other with force. Then the Baal Shem Tov came and taught a new path: The body, too, could come to appreciate those things the soul desires.

In the place of self-torture and fasting, the Baal Shem Tov showed his students the way of meditation and joy. Every need of the body, he taught, could provide a channel to carry the soul.
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Based on letters and talks of the Rebbe, Rabbi M. M. Schneerson   More articles...  |   RSS Listing of Newest Articles by this Author

From the wisdom of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory; words and condensation by Rabbi Tzvi Freeman. To order Rabbi Freeman’s book, Bringing Heaven Down to Earth, click here.

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Reader Comments
Latest Comments:
Posted: Aug 7, 2011
Re: Fast
If, by that time, the moshiach has not come and rebuilt the Temple, we're still going to have to fast on Tisha B'Av. But on days of the year when we are not obligated to fast, we can accomplish the same by putting the body's energy into good things, steering it away from doing, saying or thinking the wrong things, or unnecessary things.
Posted By Rabbi Tzvi Freeman

Posted: Aug 5, 2011
The body is in need of love
I know that every cell in my body is infused with a spark of Hashem and I thank them daily for generations of service to Hashem for keeping the temple (the body intact). Recently, someone told me: "Why do you thank the servants?" -- meaning the cells. Is it wrong to thank Hashem's small but intelligent servants.
Posted By Tuviah, NYC, NY

Posted: Aug 5, 2011
Fast
As we approach Tisha B'Av I have the feeling this article is about the subject of fasting. But I can not figure out at all. Just know I am supposed to bring my body under subjection somehow but no idea what it means in relating to the soul. May HaShem help me.
Posted By Anonymous, Forest Hills, NY/USA

Posted: Feb 21, 2011
Working With the Body comment by Please tell me wh
" Please tell me what the baal shem tov taught about how "The body, too, could come to appreciate those things the soul desires." ? The answer is : positive. thinking..
Posted By Irina Brenner, Berlin, Germany

Posted: Sep 29, 2009
More on this...
...at Me & My Body--a dialogue.
Posted By Rabbi Tzvi Freeman

Posted: Sep 29, 2009
Please tell me what the baal shem tov taught about how "The body, too, could come to appreciate those things the soul desires." ?
Posted By Anonymous, oklahoma city, ok

Posted: July 15, 2009
soft stick?
Could you please explain what this comment has to do with carrying sticks, and what is a soft stick? thanks
Posted By Eugenia Fedoseyeva, san francisco, ca

Posted: July 15, 2009
baal shem tov on self-torture and fasting
in today's daily dose, it is stated that the baal shem tov taught "In the place of self-torture and fasting, the Baal Shem Tov showed his students the way of meditation and joy." how does this address minor and major fast days, or was the baal shem tov referring to unnecessary or self-imposed fasting?
Posted By toni resnick, philadelphia, pa



 


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