A true master of life
never leaves this world
—he transcends it,
but he is still within it.
He is still there to assist
those who are bonded with him
with blessing and advice,
just as before, and even more so.
Even those who did not know him
in his corporeal lifetime
can still forge with him an essential bond.
The only difference is in us:
Now we must work harder to connect.
There is but one Self, we call G-d . He is the one you go to in prayer, and all your needs. The problem most have is that they ask Him for help to get what they want/need. Not that that is bad, really, but for success, you need to let go of yourself as the doer, and step back and watch the one who sees and does. Reply
GM,🌻 The late Baron Rabbi Jonathan Sachs (bless his memory) talks about how to develop dynamic Jewish leadership. His consensus came after spending time with the late Lubavitcher Rebbe the Honorable Rabbi Schneerson (bless his righteous memory) who has a multitude of followers. Rabbi Sacks said, "A Good leader creates followers. A Great leader creates leaders." Rabbi Sacks stated that's what the Rebbe did for him, "The challenge is to not find yourself in a situation, but to put yourself in the situation wherever you find yourself." As I've listened to many of the Rebbe's discourses, that was the mastery of the Rebbe, the preceeding leaderships, the sages, and post leaderships, and it all comes from HaShem. It's not too difficult. The Rebbe and Sages showed you how to use the uniqueness of your calling to connect to HaShem who is within you to transform lives that is without you by the Light and Power of GD - via the "Mastery" of the Rebbe's teachings - Torah. 🕊💜 Reply
I think The Rebbe is the Nasi of our time, and he has the exact same role that Moishe rabbeinu has in his era. But in the Rebbe's era most of that external G-d ly lights and sparks have been internalised and we are at the end times of this exile where the final goal of this stage of creation will be fulfilled and we will see ba izras H' the third temple which is the highest manifestation of that internalizad light so I'm very afraid to utter this but I beleive The Rebbe is the greatest of all nasis of all eras. Reply
Is this similar to, The Rebbi raising the souls as he ascends and his soul gathers the raising of other souls and neshema in a domino effect up and down? Reply
Thanks to all the Rebbe's Chabad emissary families who have given us the match to ignite candles ! Reply
Connection
I do not think this connection is like when King Saul requested the raising of Samuels spirit.
It more like a spiritual connection by flooding thee teaching of the Torah, walking in the footsteps of previous prophets.
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I'm confused
"Now we must work harder to connect."
If he created ALL and infinity, we are ALL connected already.....with or without our "help"
If the animal soul does not care one way or another, than it was He that wanted it this way for a purpose being it's His creation. So build the Temple already!
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This is great! Thank you so much for posting it! And thanks for all your clarifying comments, Rabbi Freeman! Reply
Connecting Thank you again Rabbi Freeman for your reply. I am very grateful. As per the "lowest" stay with the flesh. But, concerning the Tzadikim, why would such a higher soul stay with the flesh? I thought it would be in Eden, where our Heavenly Father Spirit flows. I remember reading when Shaul went to the woman sorcerer to inquire for Shmuel the Prophet. He was very disturbed because they disturbed him from his rest. Besides, it was not proper according to the teachings of Torah to do such an act. I am kind of confused with this teaching. I would appreciate it greatly if you could elaborate on the subject. Thank you so much for your kindness. Reply
I think perhaps the *beginning* of an answer would be to look deeper into the meaning behind "spiritual worlds" and "soul".
It seems to me that some of your difficulty lies in misunderstanding these fundamental concepts...
For a start, you might consider that a spiritual realm is not one which is in any way geographically further away than our world--i.e. far up in the heavens... That would simply make it an extension of the physicsl world...
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Re: is it okay to ask a Tzadik
There are five layers if the soul. The lowest, life-giving layer is called Nefesh. It stays with the body after death.
In some tzadikim, higher layers remain as well. I guess the rest is material for a full article, as you write.
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Is it ok to ask a Tzadik Thank you Rabbi Freeman for giving a reply to my comment. I read the article, and do understand the way most people feel. I would not pray on the grave of a dead person. I only pray to Hashem, blessed be He. Place all my troubles into His Precious Hands. And wait. I have a question: Does the soul of a person stays with the body on the grave? Even after it has been decomposed? I thought they went to a place of rest until Moshiach comes, so that all the dead will be resurrected. No? It would be a good topic to write to help me understand. Is there one? Thank you again. I am grateful of all the Rabbis at Chabad. And spend a lot of time in your website. Many Blessings to you Rabbi Freeman. Reply
Back to Anonymous in USA Please see my article on this topic on this site entitled, "Is it okay to ask a deceased tzaddik to pray on my behalf?" Reply
Coonecting Dear Rabbi Freeman, please forgive my intrusion. What I understand for "connecting" with someone who has passed from this life is by either, speaking to them through prayers or necromancy. While the person is alive, it is another story. Then, I can connect to that person by seeking his/her counsel personally as a teacher. On the other hand. How does one "connect" with the spiritual beings? Please forgive me if I have hurt your feelings. I just do not understand the term. I am really sorry. If you elaborate more on the subject, maybe I would able to understand it better. I am not so smart. Again, please accept my apologies. Actually I admire your insight so much, that I expressed my sentiments about wishing you were my teacher in another comment. I truly appreciate you very much. I am also very jealous of Hashem. Growing up an idolater, to later find out the truth of our G-d, is the most hurtful experience for so many years wasted. Hope you would understand. Thank you and many blessings. Reply
Re: Connecting from Anonymous in USA (wish you could have given more of a handle) Did anyone write anything here about praying—G-d forbid!—to a tzadik? How does "connecting" mean praying? Yes, I do connect with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. They are my fathers. But I pray to the one G-d. Reply
Question Isn't it easier to connect to a tzaddik after he passes because his soul is not encumbered by his body? Reply
Yes...correct, read Alter Rebbe's Tania, there is a whole chapter dedicated to answer your question Reply
Spirituality is all about Connection
Within my essence exists all the sparks of all the souls. The Zohar speaks only about how we reignite those connections between us. When we read the thoughts of the Rebbe and sages we form that connection with their minds - their thoughts -their energy - their spark- their soul.
Through this internal connection we build the spiritual vessel to contain the Upper Light. Here we discover the True reality - a higher dimension of Life. We need to refocus our attention to see the Life in the connection between Us and not in me.
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Within it
We are always connecting everyday with our G-d and our Spirituality within our hearts sharing our knowledge of his +( him), wisdom of light.
Thank you
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Connecting Do you pray to Moses, Abraham, Isaack, and all the prophets? They were the greatest Tzadiks ever. Why did G-d buried Moses himself? Doesn't Kabalah teaches that all the souls of the righteous go back to its source? G-d Almighty? He, G-d, blessed be His Name, said that He created all things. Including the souls of humans. Why then seek for help from other souls, when G-d Almighty is the main source of Power and Might? When praying to the dead, what is the conclusion that would come to the mind? Spiritual helpers, besides G-d. That is my conclusion. Sorry Reply
HIgher souls What does this daily dose mean? Reply
The physical presence of the Rebbe was a unique experience , and therefore easy to imitate because he was there teaching his Schlichim who fllowed his guidance. The Rebbe left us a legacy that is non-pareil but his physical absence can make somebody forget and not connect. Therefore, it seems difficult to continue, but we must summon our will and edcuate about Jewish values, behavior and Mitzvot -as the Rebbe himself did. Each of us can be a Sheliach to another person by teaching what we know about Judaism, and Jewish enduring history. If all of us reach one person we surely, would make the Rebbe proud even in his abseonce.