Positivity Changes Everything
Rabbi YY Jacobson
The scientific approach... and, as in all fields of science, it does not matter whether one does or does not understand the scientific findings. Indeed, in most exact sciences, the facts and actual phenomena are first ascertained, and then a scientific explanation is sought.
The one and only factor which has preserved our Jewish people throughout the ages, under all kinds of circumstances, has been the fulfillment of the mitzvos in day-to-day life... and they have been observed in the same way throughout the ages, without change. [In short from last week}
A further proof that this is the “secret” of Jewish survival, if further proof is necessary, is the fact that there have always been deviationists; the Torah itself relates that immediately after the Torah was given at Sinai, there were the Golden Calf worshippers, and similarly throughout the period of the Shoftim, Nevi’im and Kings, as well as in the post-Biblical period of the Second Beis Hamikdash, and later. These deviationists attempted to steer another course, away from traditional Judaism, but they could never take root within the Jewish people. Either these deviationists eventually realized their mistake and returned to the fold of observance of Torah and mitzvos, or they were completely assimilated among the nations of the world, without having anything further to do with the Jewish people, least of all with Jewish survival...
==== Part of Rebbe’s letter. Chabad.org/therebbe/letters - The key to Jewish survival
Yud Beis Tammuz: Yom Holedes of the Rebbe RaYYatz 5,640\1880 – 6th Chabad Rebbe, father-in-law of the Rebbe.
Yud Beis Tammuz, 5687\1927, the day that the Rebbe RaYYatz was informed that he is free to go home from exile in Kostroma, which was located 400 miles from Leningrad, where he lived. The next day, on Yud Gimel Tammuz, he was actually freed. Chabad does not say tachanun on these two days.
UFARATZTA
I heard the following from Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, Chief Rabbi of Tzfat who heard first hand what happened to an Israeli soldier Zachary Baumel, and what his family experienced.
Zachary was reported missing in combat during the first Lebanese war. His family, who were desperate to find out about Zachary's welfare, were unhappy with the Prime Minister and the political response. Their impression was that the government of Israel was more concerned with scoring popular political points then the fate of Zachary. At a family get together two years ago, a family member suggested that perhaps they were being to critical of the government and maybe quite possibly the government would be helpful if the opportunity presented itself. A decision was made to exhibit more positivity in place of criticism. In the interim, Russia owed Israel a favor for tipping them off about a bomb threat that Israel happened to identify.
Preparing for a meeting he would have with Putin, Bibi had many topics he could choose to present at the meeting and the 35 year old issue of the missing soldier, Zachary Baumel was not one of them. Regardless of his initial plans, (as Bibi later told the Baumel family) there was a compelling and persistent voice in his head, saying, "Remember Zachary, remember Zachary...." Eventually, when the opportunity arose, Bibi raised the issue of Zachary Baumel to Putin.
Incredibly, Putin was very accommodating. He told Bibi, "This one is on me, what else can I help you with?" Apparently, when Putin says "this is on me" he really means it. He sent his footmen into Syria, which was at that time ISIS controlled territory. They searched and successfully retrieved the remains of the Israeli soldier Zachary Baumel, returning them to his family in Israel where they could bury him and be consoled. Sadly, in 2009 Yonah Baumel, Zachary’s father passed away, without ever discovering the fate of his son.
At the funeral, Zachary's sister said a few words which was an illusion to this eye opening story. She stressed the message that the power of positivity they experienced in that family meeting created a spiritual influence that led Bibi not to forget them. They thanked Bibi for all he does, and for not forgetting them.
This is one story of a family who used the power of positivity to change the course of important life events for themselves. Imagine what the world can look like if we would imbue it with large charges of positivity; imagine how life would be if it were one wonderful operation of ayin tova. This year of תשעט we have to truly live our lives in the deepest of places, forgive our pain, and forgive any hurt that we may have had and were holding on to, or that was eating ourselves physically or emotionally, and permanently. Let go of it. Our goal should be to see positively and see ירושלים בטוב.
It's always easier to see the negative and what people are doing wrong. But if we have an Ayin Tova, then we can unite, each one of us, and all Jews, and rebuild; show Hashem that we are serious about rebuilding Yerushalayim. We are need to unite the leaders of the Jewish people to get out the message. Our primary opponent is our own mouth. We must not tear people apart, we must build them up. Imagine how you felt on Rosh Hoshana , how you said this year would be the year would be different. What we have to do this year and nest until we are finally home is to connect more than we ever have. When every Jew looks at one another as other Jews, regardless of their background, personal level of observance, or any other exterior factor that has previously
JEWISH SURVIVAL continued
impacted the way that we view other Jews and how other Jews view us – we will succeed. We need to break the pattern that we’ve become accustomed to: Ayin Hara, and develop a sense of Ayin Tov – choosing to see what we have in common with our brothers and sisters around us instead of what is different. This year has special koach! Whatever issue you are experiencing so much pain and sorrow, you need to simply and directly deal with it because the strength and power of this year the year of ayin tova is yours! We need to believe in it as much as the year believes in you and is presently here for you! May we learn to let go our pain, learn to be more simple and go back to the true home every soon.
This has been written with help by Yisroel Yehonasan Shapiro is zechus of his and klal yisroel to go home to their true soulmate. Also in merit of his maternal grandmother’s namesake Rivka bas Moshe Schoenberg Grossman
