Absorb the Goodness

Everything that occurs comes from Him, and He is only good.

But if you and your world are not open to receiving such good from beyond, it may manifest itself as apparent bad—much as heavy rains upon untilled soil bring floods in the place of abundant produce.

How do you soften the soil and open yourself to divine goodness?

By opening your heart and opening your eyes to see the love and the beauty that surrounds you
—and then the good will sprout forth from the very earth where it was concealed.

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From the wisdom of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory; words and condensation by Rabbi Tzvi Freeman. Subscribe and get your dose daily. To order Rabbi Freeman’s latest book, Wisdom to Heal the Earth, click here.

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By Tzvi Freeman

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Rebbe means teacher. Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson is seventh in a prestigious line of chassidic rebbes. Even after his passing, he is known worldwide as simply "The Rebbe"- a Rebbe for any person in the world. This book offers every person a taste of the Rebbe's wisdom, condensed from over 50 years of letters, public talks, private conversations, and written works. Presented in an accessible format.

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Eleanor Skibo Pennsylvania, USA July 31, 2018

Don’t harden your heart because of the hurt you’ve suffered from life in general or specifically from your parents, or maybe from your spouse or a best friend. Open the gates to your heart and allow love to come back in, then your heart will become soft and pliable again so Hashem can mold it to his likening. That’s his gift to all of us, our right to choose good or bad. Just because we made a mistake or allowed anger and hatred to enter our lives doesn’t mean we always have to live with all of those horrible attributes. Yes, there’s despair and hardship, but there’s also happiness and prosperity. We just have to learn to open our senses and observe all the beauty that surrounds each and everyone of us. Hashem gave us that beauty to outweigh all the ugliness, that really does lurk around the corners of our lives and enjoy each and everyday that we’re still alive. Reply

Francesca Switzerland March 12, 2019

in response to Eleanor Skibo:

one should anyhow be able and take a distance from the toxic context or circumstance, which may be possible or not (otherwise it becomes difficult to soften one's Heart, while being under attack); Blessings to everyone Reply

Brenda Toronto, Canada July 29, 2018

Focus Within Our hearts and eyes are closed to G_d's world.
We close our hearts to others, feel separated from the other. We suffer harm from this self-centred nature.
When we recognize this evil and beg together from the depth our hearts for G_d's Light to take us out of this prison, then we can open our hearts to others and unite our thoughts in love between us

- then we sense Him within us.
- then we see a new world within our mind's eye -

a beautiful world that is eternal, perfect and all vibrates in harmony with G_dliness. All is one heart and one mind.
In that inner state we dwell in one soul in which we sense the peace and joy of G_d's world. Reply

HappyMinyan Ma'ale Adumim March 5, 2013

To Lamont Myers Thanks for your thoughts. They provoked more thoughts for me. I like the idea that Hashem provides the possible outcomes--then we choose. Then, I got to reflecting on how, like a parent, He knows what choice His children will make and the outcome will be accorded us. Reply

lamont myers hallendale, florida March 2, 2013

Focus When we experience anything in our finite existence it is Hashem that supplies all the possible outcomes. We chose the path to engage in. With limited understanding comes limited abilities. It is not in our abilities to govern or mock something we had no hand in the creation of. Now regarding good and evil we are only spectating or participating. Having seen both outcomes of each and what is fostered from each I would put my life in the hands of Hashem and side with those that do also . Again limited understanding limited abilities vs infinite knowledge infinite abilities. Go with what you know, then ask yourself is there something greater ? Consider the counting of the omer. I thank you chabad, and the rabbi's who have enabled me to see the light in the darkness, love you all. Reply

valerie OHIO March 1, 2013

focus had to re-read this many times. how difficult it is to accept that everything that occurs comes from G-d -- and G-d is only GOOD -- with so much "bad" happening in the world.
for me, the simpler the better, though. personally, even when the absolute worst was happening, i just knew G-d had a plan, and for some unknown reason, always prayed and trusted Him. nothing else made any sense. Reply

HappyMinyan Ma'ale Adumim March 1, 2013

I believe..... ...that Hashem allows us to mess up. He could intervene (Purim, etc. ) but it is for the good that we are permitted to exert free will and screw up. We harm each other. At some point, if we do t'shuva, the harm becomes remorse, recompense, light. Tough love, I guess. Reply

Rabbi Tzvi Freeman November 8, 2010

RE: 114 FOCUS I empathize with your outrage, and your accusations of over-simplification. Nevertheless, if you want to take this route--that G-d is not responsible for everything in the world--then you are going to have to ask yourself, "Who is?" or "What is?"

And then you will be left with a conviction that there is some other force in the universe other than G-d. Which is precisely the belief that we reject every morning and every night when we recite "Hear O Israel, G-d is our G-d, G-d is One."

The problem of evil in G-d's world is not an easy one. Certainly not easy enough to escape with a simple, "G-d was not there at the time." Many of our articles here deal with this. Perhaps try The Lunar Files. Reply

suzi orlando, fl November 6, 2010

114 FOCUS I am sorry to say I do not agree. As much as I admire and feel connected with this site, this little saying is disturbing. I responded before to another saying and have not received any awaited communication from you.
This seems too "non Jewish," too simplistic, and too EASY. In other words, when things go badly, just blame ourselves? We are not ready to accept good, therefore it manifests as bad? This is self-defeating.
Was the Holocaust HIS doing? Were all those people not willing to accept good? I cannot believe this. I equally cannot accept that G-d did this. What are you saying? Please respond. I, as well as anyone else with sincere, heart felt, and burning, questions, do deserve a response. I do look forward to your answers, suggestions, or explanations.
Thank you. Reply

Mariam Bahawalpur, Pakistan November 6, 2010

Joy Thanks. Reply

Mr. Leon Anderson Jr. November 5, 2010

Asking a Rabbi This is very clear but raises a question:
Where ought the prayers of others for us or us for others begin? If we know that others are praying for us, how, if we are able, ought we to approach them, especially if their prayer has proven in the past to have an effect? Is there the caveat of, "Be careful what you ask for?". Reply

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