G‑d did not give you light that you may hold it up in the middle of the day.
When you are given light it is in order to accomplish something, to do something difficult and novel.
Go take your light into the dark places and transform them that they may also shine!
Amen. Wherever I go I bring the light. I have to shine in order for thise in darkness get a glimmer of it. That they become a shining light. Many are in darkness and in bitterness. It is my responsibility to bring light. The light that G-d has given to me.
Be blessed.
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G d’s light is his light because he said, ‘let there be light’ and there was light. However, when we accept his gift of light then it becomes personal. It’s ours to light up our hearts and minds or allow it to shine from within us out into the world. Our journey will take us into the darkest of places where we would’ve never thought of going, but our light will lead the way. Or we may be walking alone during some of the darkest times of our lives trying to shine our light even in the darkest corners of our minds and hearts. Or we may be walking down one of the darkest paths in the world, but our light will disperse some of the deepest darkness. G d has given all of us different jobs to perform and each of us will perform those jobs in our own unique way. And no not one will ever resemble the same way our brothers or sisters of this world are performing their jobs because we’re all unique creations of our Creator, G d. Reply
Light Work
The function of the Light is to transform your ego-centred attitude to altruistic concern. Then the holy system can be created.
The function of those in whom a spark of this Light has been awakened is to pass this positive Light to all.
This is the last generation, when the sparks have been gathered to perform their function. Those are responsible for allowing humanity to enter a new era in a pleasant way.
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I like your saying,” transform your ego-centered attitude to altruistic concern.” We’re seeing too little of this in our nation today. As an ethics professor, I have never seen as much greed and respect for people with money over people with positive moral codes. Reply
Our sages who perceived the truth from a higher level of wisdom inform that the ego force is our essential character. This force expressed itself using the serpent metaphor for the original 'sin'. The purpose is for all humanity to eventually realize that self-benefit is the fundamental destroyer against each other and nature.
This time is what the sages call the 'Last Generation'. A spark of Light, G_d's quality is awakening in humanity to correct the egoistic attitude.
Those in whom it has awakened are responsible to awaken this good force within others.
In 2026 we stand at the turning point to move in this new direction. The ego is over-ripe. Greed, hatred and conflict is overwhelming humanity. We feel the chaotic turbulence that is shifting humanity towards unity in attitude towards altruistic intention.
I wish for an enlightened new year for humanity to discern the difference between good & evil as we ascend the Tree Knowledge of Good and Evil to reflect G_d's image.
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Understanding how G-d works in my life Thank you for these teachings. I recently went through some struggle of falling short with my walk in life. And I thought hard about it and was troubled for a short moment and I kind of had peace about it. That maybe G-d allows some things to happen in our lives to expose or light up what is still in darkness in our hearts even if we think we have nothing more to expose or even confess in repentance. Thereby making everything that happens in our lives valid and purposeful to put to light and shine in every corner of what makes us a child of G-d. And rise from glory to glory. Kabod! Reply
light wow. powerful and awesome! Reply
The Light From Within
The eye is the light of the body. If your body is full of light then you will do what is right and good. However If that light has been put out then you body does what is evil for it can not contain the truth.
Torah and the rest of the Tanok is pure light that can enlighten the eyes of you body to know what is good and what is evil. It helps to provide a way to keep onces soul in check.
there is always much to learn and study to enlighten your eyes to the light of G-D's truth and the way you must find for yourself that it may guide you life and lifestyle.
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Are you spying on me and writing for me?
Rabbi, I was trying to find a way to say this to a friend without sounding trite or glib. I don't think he belongs in prison at all. (Fortunately, his time is almost up.) I send him your writing quite often and he has shared it with Jewish friends. To think that a lady Gentile on the Outside is influencing Jews in prison via a gentleman Gentile who is on the inside (who I've never met yet! is incredible. It's like we are mirrors of what you shine. I will send him this and he will say, "Do you tell this guy about me? I needed to hear this!"
It's not trite coming from you. You are a wise man writing and just I pass this on. (Can you write a treatise on the imporance of cleaning garages for my husband? LOL)
Thank you for following G-d's call for you. You probably feel like you don't do enough, wise people feel that way, and I am a fool because I feel really special for thinking that I am doing a lot by passing this on.
Your ripple effect astounds me because I know a little of it
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My Light Do you really believe that the light is personal - that it is 'my' light and 'your' light? Isn't it really the light of our Creator that moves through us, like our children come through us as opposed to 'from' us? In that case, our ability to respond remains the same, just drops the possessive idea of mine and yours. Reply
Light and Darkness!
I have always taken deep interest in revealing light. The battle between light and darkness increases our strength to accomplish difficult and novel things.
Lovely piece of wisdom! Many thanks to Rabbi Freeman!
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WOW honestly dude, all the emails you send out are incredible, with this one being one of the best. I LOVE YOU! Reply
Functional Light What a beautiful thought on this Shabbat eve which is also the eve of my Bat Mitzvah at age 63. Shabbat Shalom. Reply
The point of this fragment of the Rebbe. is that the life given to us is very short! We can't stay idle with the gifts and abilities we have been showered with by H' . Those abilities are light, and we would be selfish not to share them ASAP.- just by by being lazy. Sharing brings a community together, and that is also the point : so that everyone then participates searching for more light with THEIR own abilities. We are models for others. Then in tandem , we have then a bigger, shinier light light that can truly illuminate the world and make it better. GO for it !
Why do you think we need you to tell us in more words than needed, what the Rebbe means? We can all read as you do. We can all incorporate tte positivity, which is what the Rebbe, the Rebbes, back to the Baal Shem Tov, all of righteous memory, and Chabad, is about. Your comment reflects negativity in talking about "selfishness" that is not necessary. Everyone's journey, mission, is their own, in their own way, at their speed, without a need for that kind of "guilt".
Jf" beg your pardon. Discussing means " sharing one's own thoughts and try to make sense of what the Rebbe said to any one of us. So, like a good student, I reflect, and then I write. Sorry it is not making anyone feel guilty at all! it is called promoting ideas and ideals. Correct: "each on on their own pace! " As a teacher of Judaism and Jewish History, I don't work with guilt we have enough without my own prompting! JUST making people think-. since there is no way that my writing pushes somebody to do what they do not want. Finally, it is your choice to skip what I wrote. My main satisfaction is: that what I think i is being published most of the time, It makes me happy. If you don't like it just roll down to the next person, and in this way there is shalom bayit.