Hitting Rock Bottom

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Hitting Rock Bottom

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By Ben-Tzion Krasnianski

Rabbi Ben-Tzion Krasnianski is director of Chabad Lubavitch of the Upper East Side in Manhattan

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12 Comments

Anonymous October 21, 2014

hitting rock bottom I was very interested when Rabbi Krasnianski commented that losing one's temper is akin to idolatry. I have never thought about it like that before , but it makes sense.
The class has given one a way of being more conscious of whether one is 'feeding' the evil in this world or not . It also helps us to stop and think what energy we are feeding within ourselves, homes, community, and perhaps think more carefully how we should use our free will in making those choices.
Thank you for this valuable life lesson. Reply

Anonymous melbourne, VIC October 16, 2010

Thank you for writing Rabbi Dear Rabbi Ben Tzion,
Thank you belatedly for your response to my question on the Oneness of G-d vs powerlessness.
This is the first chance I've had to write to you.
What you write makes great sense.
Thanks for taking the time to reply. I love Chabad!!!! Reply

John Nocera October 14, 2010

Understanding evil Rabbi, You are helping a whole lot of Christians like me, get a much better grasp of G-d's Word. Thank you for helping all of us grow deeper through your informative and sometimes funny lectures. What a joy you bring to this humble gentile. Reply

Ben Tzion Krasnianski New York, NY June 22, 2010

response to a listener from LA Dear friend,

There's always a higher perspective, as the verse in 'Eichah' states that no evil emanates from above. The Talmud states that Satan's intent is for the sake of heaven!

The Zohar uses the analogy of a king who hires a prostitute to test his son the prince. The prostitute who is eminently qualified and does her job faithfully is secretly praying in her heart of hearts that the prince won't fall for her! There's a deeper dynamic at play beyond the surface and obvious reality.

Imagine an aborigine walking into a hospital seeing 10 men and women dressed in white tying down this poor helpless person whom they then proceed to cut open. From his point of view, he would yell bloody murder! Were he to see the bigger picture, he would realize that the exact opposite is true.

Yet since by Divine providence G-d created us human, and on the human level pain is pain, there's a lesson in that too. G-d wants us to fight evil and to pray to end all pain. Reply

Anonymous June 21, 2010

more on evil Rabbi- Can you please comment on my question above regarding destructive forces with apparent 'evil' intent- for example, persecutors throughout history like Nazis, Haman, Hamas, PLO, Inquisition, etc. I realize you don't know G-d's mind- but how do you contend with the destruction when these forces are unleashed at us, the Jewish people? Reply

Ben Tzion Krasnianski New York, NY June 20, 2010

Response to a listener from Melbourne Dear friend,

It's actually our failure and setbacks that allow us to reveal a much
deeper level of the unity of G-d. It's only because of our ability to fail and to wreak havoc that when we do willingly choose to do the right thing, that choice is so precious and meaningful.

That is why the one who has failed miserably and then chooses on his own to return -- the 'Baal Teshuvah' -- is considered greater than the 'Tzaddik,' the righteous one.

Only G-d has the ability to choose, and He has given us the ultimate gift, free will, the ability to emulate him by deliberately and consciously choosing to do the right thing. Choice is personal and touches our very core and essence. It's person to person, where our essence touches the essence of G-d.

It's only by transforming failure to a world of opportunity that we
reveal how deep and profound is G-d's unity. How even in a world where there's freedom of choice, we willingly choose to do the right thing because we recognize the absolute truth and the reality of the unity of G-d that permeates every aspect of our existence.

With best wishes, Reply

Kayo Tokyo, Japan June 13, 2010

Thank G-d After listening to this class, my life became so easier and I feel much happier.
When I face difficulties or things that I used to lose my temper about, I tell myself, "Satan is saying 'do not fall for me, do not fall for me'" and I smile and overcome the challenge.
Thank you so so much. It really became easier. Reply

Anonymous melbourne, Australia June 10, 2010

Echad Dear Rabbi,
It's a great and inspiring lesson you've shared with us. Thank you!
One thing that confuses me though, is the notion that every creation is doing G-d's will, including the 'evil 'forces', except for Man. It seems man can go against, or be outside of G-d's will, by your message. But if this is so, does that not express duality: G-d and man, and thereby deny the unique ONENESS of G-d? ECHAD.
There are areas of my life that are imperfect. Some things I feel powerless over. Is that powerlessness within my will to overcome, or is it part of G-d's will that these areas are not perfected. Thus my confusion.
G-d is Echad. All my failings must be within that Oneness. Is that not so?
I would love to hear your wisdom on the matter.
Thank you very much, and Shalom. Reply

Anonymous LA June 8, 2010

negativity/soul disconnect Does this mean that we are creating Hamas? And Hamas is doing their rightful job? Reply

Kayo Tokyo, Japan June 6, 2010

Wow I may be able to solve my worst nightmare - battles with Satan - with your this class. Reply

Menachem Posner for Chabad.org December 7, 2009

To Preston: Here is a link to a short article that explains this common Jewish practice. Reply

Preston D. Wagner Beaumont, Texas/USA December 6, 2009

Question: practice(s). Watched Rabbi Krasnianski today upon Jewish TV @ Chabad.org's website. Why does he/some? rock 'to and fro' / back & forth when speaking upon TV or praying [at the Wall]? Reply

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