Breslov Therapy : HANGING THE 10 SONS OF HAMAN

Friday, February 19, 2021

HANGING THE 10 SONS OF HAMAN

The Megillah of Esther tells us about the intense and extreme hatred that Haman had towards Mordekhai, to the extent that it was considered a small feat to "do away" with Mordekhai alone. Rather, he felt it only proper and justly to annihilate the entire Jewish People along with Mordekhai.

The Zohar teaches that Haman - being the incarnate representation of evil in his time - gathered all available levels of impurity power to subdue and destroy Mordekhai and the Jewish Nation. They were culminated and reflected in his ten sons, who represented the 10 levels of impurity which correlate and mirror the 10 levels of holiness/sefirot etc.

Rabbi Mordekhai Moshe Sasson - a kabbalist from the early 19th century, in his book "Dvar Be'Ito, explains that in the names of the 10 sons of Haman are hinted to the attributes that they wanted to attack and destroy first from the Jewish Nation before their total destruction:

Parshandata - to separate (מפריש) the Jews from the Torah religion (דת)
Dalfon - to open the Jews to a doorway (דלת) to evil directions in life (פניות)
Aspata - to immerse the Jews in a lust to gather in (לאסוף) money
Porata - to immerse the Jews with illicit sexual desire and relations (בית-התורף)
Adalya - to elevate (דלה) the Jews with haughtiness and ulterior motives
Aridata - to distract the Jew's prayers with fears and phobias like a lion (אריה) would
Parmashta - - to undo (פורם) the stitches (שתי) connecting all Jews together
Arisay - to infuse the Jews with the venomous poison (ארס) of the [primordial] snake
Ariday - to subjugate and limit (רודה) the Jews
Vayzata - to embitter the Jews wish harsh judgments - like the bitterness of an olive (זית)

To go a step further we can see that the 10 sons of Haman were the antithesis of the 10 Sefirot and by extension the 10 types of Song used by King David to compose the book of Tehillim (see Pesachim 117a).

Song and melody - being the main bridge to connect the physical to the spiritual - are the main usage in the daily life of a Jew in his connection to Hashem. We pray daily, we study Torah daily, we recite blessings daily etc... All of these "sounds" are categorized under the 10 types of Song. For this reason, they are the source of our joy and happiness, which are the main keys for Jewish survival and continuity throughout the exiles we have gone through.

And if, Heaven forbid, the spiritual root to our prayers, Torah study and blessings would be blocked off, we would have no longer any way to reconnect ourselves to the realm of holiness, and automatically wither away in the meaningless physicality of this world.

With that said, we can see what type of melody and song were the target of each son of Haman:

Halleluy-ah (Praise) - corresponding to the Sefirah of Tiferet, it represents the "praise" of the splendor and beauty of Torah study and observance. This was the target of Parshandata (see above).
Mizmor (Hym resulting from a courageous feeling) - corresponding to the Sefirah of Gevurah, it represents the song of strength resulting from the ability to create necessary boundaries and restrictions (to "cut-off" - לזמר - evil influences) so that one can properly attune to the frequency of Hashem. This was the target of Dalfon.
Hoda'ah (Thanksgiving) - corresponding to the Sefirah of Hod, it represents the ability to "thank" Hashem for every tiny detail - especially that of financial sustenance - with much appreciation. This was the target of Aspata.
Tefillah (Prayer) - corresponding to the Sefirah of Malkhut, it represents "prayer" that is a result of total mastery and control over one's sexual lusts. For commensurate to how much a person sanctifies himself in this area is he able to experience the bliss of true connection in prayer. This was the target of Porata.
Niggun (Melody) - corresponding to the Sefirah of Chesed, it represents the expression of singing "melodies" to Hashem due to the humility a person feels when experiencing the unearned kindness of Hashem. This was the target of Adalya.
Nitzuach (a song of Victory) - corresponding to the Sefirah of Netzach, it represents "victoriously" succeeding in overcoming the distracting thoughts while davening, thus praying with a clear head. This was the target of Aridata.
Shir (Song) - corresponding to the Sefirah of Chokhmah, it represents the culminated "song" generated by many Jews attached together, despite their diverse differences. For it requires great wisdom (Chokhmah) to unify so much diversity. This was targeted by Parmashta.
Maskil (song of Instruction through choice) - corresponding to the Sefirah of Yesod, it represents a song resulting from making the right and proper choices and decisions in life, thus being saved from the poison of failure and futility. This was targeted by Arisay.
Berakhah (Blessing) - corresponding to the Sefirah of Binah, it is the reflection of blessings one give to Hashem over the blessed life and freedom that in endowed to a person to willfully serve Hashem. This was targeted by Ariday.
Ashrei (Fortunate) - corresponding to the highest Sefirah of Keter, it is the reflection of song due to feeling the good fortune of Hashem's benevolence and being spared from harsh judgment and decrees. This was targeted by Vayzata.

Together with their father Haman, these 10 sons formed a very formidable force to first destroy the morale and hope of the Jewish Nation and then to destroy them physically. It is no wonder that the Sages said that this was such a dangerous and desperate time for the Jewish Nation unmatched by any other time in history.

However, what Haman overlooked was that he underestimated the true power of Mordekhai the Tzaddik. Mordekhai - unlike the other Jews of his time - was totally undaunted by the fear and futility generated by Haman's decree nor to the evil influence of his 10 sons.

Mordekhai's success lay in that he believed so strongly in the inner power of the Jewish soul to reach out and connect to Hashem's lovingkindness no matter what the scenario. And more than this, he convinced his fellow Jews to follow suit and constantly hope and pray to Hashem for help.

This is hinted to in his name which is made up of two words - Marey Dakhya - which is the Aramaic translation for Free (i.e. unadulterated) Myrrh. The word for Myrrh can also be read as Marut - mastery. Thus he was the Master of Freedom - he could avoid the interference and hindrance of fallen fear and phobias drawing him away from his devotion to Hashem. His greatest success lay in Esther - his ultimate student! - who displayed the most noblest levels of Fear of Heaven and courage for the sake of Hashem's Name and honor.

Thus, the miracle of Purim took place as a result of Hashem listening and accepting the prayers of Mordekhai and those who heeded him. As it turned out, the tables were turned and Haman and his 10 sons were hanged while the Jews enjoyed true freedom and joy, which finally reached full expression in the 10 types of Song sung and played by the Levites when the Second Temple was finally restored and rebuilt.

May Hashem have pity on us, and receive our Purim mitzvot and joy, and remember us in our exile to finally bring forth the 10 types of Song at their fullest extent, thus bringing us true alignment so that we can receive the Third and final Holy Temple with true joy and happiness, Amen.

(for more details on the concept of the 10 type of Song, please listen to the following playlist: LIKUTEY MOHARAN LESSONS 205 AND II 92)

A SPECIAL PURIM MITZVAH AND OPPORTUNITY!!

TO FULFILL THE PURIM MITZVAH OF MATANOT LA'EVYONIM WITH NEEDY FAMILIES IN JERUSALEM ON PURIM DAY, FRIDAY, FEB. 26, PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK AND SEND YOUR FUNDS NO LATER THAN THURSDAY, FEB. 25. AND MAY YOU BE BLESSED TO HAVE A JOYOUS PURIM FESTIVAL!

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A Brief Outline of Breslov Therapy

By Meir Elkabas

for a brief audio outline please listen to: Breslov Therapy - A Brief Outline

When a person doesn't feel well he goes to a doctor who diagnoses his condition and prescribes a treatment. If the condition is a serious one then he made need to go to a specialist. So too Rebbe Nachman offers a diagnosis to every person at every age and in every situation in life, offering advice - treatment - as to what can be done. Rebbe Nachman is the all around specialist.

In Breslov Therapy, the following material is used:

1- Likutey Eitzot (Advice)

2- The Kitzur (Abridged) Likutey Moharan

3- Likutey Moharan

4- Likutey Tefilot (The Fiftieth Gate)

5- Likutey Halachot.

The very first step is to do what is called hitbodedut - secluded meditation. In hitbodedut one should attempt to pinpoint what one feels to be the root attribute in preventing one's personal development in life.

One will find attributes and characteristics in oneself grouped in two categories: 1-cause/root attributes. 2- effect/resulting attributes. For example, one may suffer from haughtiness and anger. Haughtiness could be the "cause" for the "resulting" anger.

Thus haughtiness is a root attribute that requires priority attention.

Once you have located what you feel to be the "root" cause to other negative attributes, take a look at the book Advice/Likutey Eitzot in the chapter which closest relates to your root. Eg. for haughtiness take a look at the chapter Pride and Humility

After looking up the whole chapter, see which paragraph most relates to what you are going through. Then look up the corresponding lesson in The Kitzur (abridged) Likutey Moharan. Eg. paragraph 21 reads: Humility protects against sexual temptation. Pride arouses it (130). The number (130) refers to lesson 130.

It happens sometimes that you relate to several paragraphs in a single chapter, and you just don't know which one to choose. If this happens take a look at the corresponding lessons in the Kitzur Likutey Moharan and see if your variety of choice still stands or not. If you still cannot choose between several lessons, then take a look at the corresponding prayers on the lessons in the Likutey Tefilot – Fiftieth Gate.

Once you have found what you feel to be the "right" lesson. Start reviewing the actual lesson in the Likutey Moharan over and over again along with the corresponding prayer in Likutey Tefilot.

Get so associated and adjusted to the lesson until you practically know it by heart. As you continue to review, the lesson begins to literally turn "alive" illuminating your life: You can use your life experiences to perceive the lesson, and also use the lesson to perceive your life. All the while continually saying the corresponding prayer along with your own additions.

Learning the lesson in Likutey Moharan activates the actual remedies, guidelines and advices in your life. The more you review the lesson (seeking deeper insight) the more refined and acute is the remedy. Praying to attain the lesson's themes directs this "remedy" to where the spiritual wound is located.

This can be compared to having the right medication, but if you don't apply it to the actual wound, it won't help that much. So too, Rebbe Nachman's deep, profound words actually create a spiritual remedy, but if you don't daven to HaShem to direct the spiritual doses in the right area, you won't get that far. Judaism is based mainly on articulation – in torah and prayer.

Thus far, we have 2 stages in Breslov Therapy: The diagnosis and treatment. The diagnosis is finding the right lesson that relates to you and the treatment in itself has 2 parts: learning the lesson to activate the remedy and davening about it through the Likutey Tefilot on the lesson joined with your own personal hitbodedut.

However, like in any surgery/treatment if there is no pain-killer the treatment hurts, especially in this case where the Rebbe's teachings are going straight to the core of all physical/spiritual maladies. For this, one requires an anesthesiologist. Rebbe Nachman's advice is to always carry along with you two lessons and constantly go with them – lesson 282 and 195.

By going over the lesson and accompanying prayer the treatment is in process. The next stage is the recovery process. This is the Likutey Halachot.

Likutey Halakhot shows you how to implement and apply the lesson's themes, ideals and practical ramifications in day to day life, and how these items are found hidden and underlying various subjects in the Torah.

At the back of every standard edition of Likutey Moharan, you have an index showing the various discourses in Likutey Halachot that are based on a particular lesson in Likutey Moharan (for more details see "The Methodology of Likutey Halachot" at the appendix to the book "Through Fire and Water")

In Summary:

1) The diagnosis is learning the right lesson in Likutey Moharan that relates exactly to what you presently need, offering you advice as to what to go about doing.

2) The actual surgery/therapy/treatment is in itself 2 stages - a) learning the holy words of the lesson have the power to activate the remedy while b) davening about the lesson using the Likutey Tefilot, Tehillim and especially your own hitbodedut "directs" the remedy to the appropriate place.

3) The recovery stage using the Likutey Halachot which guides you how to implement the lessons ramifications in your life on a broader scale to cover just about every area in life.Although note: since the process is painful you will need constant dosages of lesson 282 (Azamra) and 195. Also, these 3 stages may be done simultaneously.

The lesson in Likutey Moharan should be reviewed over and over again until you literally know it almost by heart. While reviewing questions will and should pop up. You may reach a point where the lesson might become a bit dry. At this point you should go a step deeper and begin to delve into the main commentaries on Likutey Moharan.

There are 4 main commentaries on the Likutey Moharan: 1) Parparaot LeChochmah 2) BeIbey HaNachal 3) Mey HaNachal 4) Biur HaLikutim.

As you learn the lesson with these commentaries, you will notice that they ask most of the questions that you yourself had (it makes you feel good that you are at least on the right track!!!).

Furthermore they will arouse your attention to newer and deeper perceptions into the lesson which will only enhance your feeling and excitement to connect with the "soul" of the lesson.

This is especially true with the fourth commentary, the Biur HaLikutim. Biur HaLikutim is a very, very deep commentary on the Likutey Moharan, which requires you to be totally absorbed into the lesson in order to actually understand what he is saying. The author developed 18 rules to learning the Likutey Moharan which he culled from the writings of Reb Noson.

With all this simultaneous input from the Likutey Moharan, Likutey Tefilot, Likutey Halachot, etc. you will amazingly see how your whole life will presently revolve around the lesson. You will be able to connect everything in life as hints to the lesson, from your daily prayer services to your spouse's latest arguments.

For most people entering the Likutey Moharan with its accompanying commentaries is too deep to begin with. Therefore it is highly suggested and recommended to use the BRI's translation and commentary to the Likutey Moharan.

The commentary collects all the commentaries as they relate to understanding the simple flow of the lesson, along with accompanying background info to all the verses, Talmudic, Midrashic, Zoharic and Kabbalistic quotes that Rebbe Nachman refers to.

The feeling and experience of how Rebbe Nachman "dresses-up" his perception in a Biblical verse or quote from Chazal is truly inspiring. It could literally ignite you with fiery words in your personal hitbodedut. In essence this is the "shpitz" of Breslov Therapy - to renew and enflame yourself with powerful and deep words of prayer to Hashem in order to effect positive changes in life.

People generally ask: Does Breslov Therapy really work? Is it proven and tested?From personal experience of almost 20 years it has helped tremendously!!! However, there are practical hints that you can use to see if you're headed in the right direction:

1) if things do not change in life - have patience and keep on going until you do see some change.

2) If things start to get worse, this may also be a good sign, as Rebbe Nachman states, that at the beginning of a healing process, the sick person normally gets worse but then gets better.

3) If things get just worse and worse and worse - then you could assume that you are in the wrong direction, and take another lesson to work on.

Another point to take note of - if you do see positive changes in life with a specific lesson, continue until the moment you don't see or feel any noticeable changes. Know then that you have received the main points of the lesson. Look into another characteristic that you would like to work on.

When getting adjusted to the Likutey Tefilot and Likutey Halachot on the accompanying lesson you will notice that they relate to you more than anything else in life. From this you can see Reb Noson's greatness, in that he continues to be your best and most understanding friend in life.

If after all is said and done, Breslov Therapy still doesn't work, then possibly the problem is more profound. I.e. if a person goes to a "doctor" to receive treatment, and then argues with the doctor about his treatment, the patient won't get too far. One must trust and put his faith in the "doctor" that he is giving the best treatment possible.

So too, for Breslov Therapy to work one must have faith and trust that Rebbe Nachman knows his stuff and offers us the best diagnosis possible to help our situations. A suggestion to build this faith would be to learn the following books: 1) Rabbi Nachman's Wisdom 2) Tzaddik - A Portrait of Rabbi Nachman.

Another important item which can help is to actually visit the gravesite of Rebbe Nachman in Uman, Ukraine, and simply ask him to open one's heart and soul to the healing effects of his teachings. Judaism is based on the belief that tzaddikim never die and their spirit can still be found hovering over the grave.

For more info please contact Meir Elkabas:

WhatsApp:

1-732-800-1863

breslovtherapy@gmail.com

Breslov Therapy

RESOURSES FOR ACTIVATING AND INTERNALIZING LIKUTEY MOHARAN LESSON 24

Friday, February 19, 2021

HANGING THE 10 SONS OF HAMAN

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