Days of War
2007: To my beloved Jewish nation: We are living in difficult times. Our nation is presently at war. Some of our precious sons were taken into...
To my beloved Jewish nation:
We are living in difficult times. Our nation is presently at war.
Some of our precious sons were taken into captivity. In both the north and the south, cities and towns are being attacked. We are experiencing destruction, death, fear and an incredible amount of pain.
The leaders of our generation have requested that we do whatever we can to strengthen ourselves spiritually. They have instructed us to look carefully at ourselves, both at how we behave and at our very deepest thoughts and emotions, to see where we have gone wrong and what we can do to improve ourselves. Through working on ourselves and making real commitments and changes, may we be privileged to remove the Almighty's anger from His people, and may we be privileged to live in security and tranquility once again.
We are not just fighting a physical war; we are also fighting a spiritual war, and a spiritual war is never easy! I am asking each and every one of you to overcome the spiritual obstacles that are preventing you from making changes, for the sake of the entire Jewish people and for the sake of our nation's peace and security! No matter where we are physically and spiritually, we must look within ourselves to see where we need to improve, and then take on ourselves whatever is needed to make those changes, for the sake of the entire Jewish nation.
In addition, we must stand united! Let's stop all the arguments and petty fighting! Let's stop making fun of other, and of speaking badly about our fellow Jews. When the Jews worshiped idols but remained united, "They went to war and won." But when there is no unity, may Hashem save us! It's also important to do whatever we can to stop arguments, but we must remember to do it with empathy and love! May we be privileged to see the final redemption quickly, in the blink of an eyelid!
We should each recite Rebbe Nachman's Tikkun Klali. These ten chapters of Tehillim are known to have tremendous power and can rectify the damage caused misusing our sexual urges. It is worthy to carry the Tikkun Klali with us at all times, and it is a great mitzvah to distribute it to our fellow Jews.
It is also a great segula to own Rebbe Nachman's Likutei Moharan, even if one does not manage to learn from it, as Rebbe Nachman said, "Owning my books will protect your homes."
During this difficult time, it is our duty to recite Tehillim and literally pierce the heavens with our prayers. Each person should talk to Hashem in his own language, beseeching the Almighty to come to our aid and to save us. We should each take on ourselves pray for ten minutes each day to be saved from all our troubles, and especially from the tremendous difficulties we are presently facing.
If the entire Jewish nation were to keep just one Shabbat, we would be saved from all of our troubles.
Each and every one of us has a part in the present war and should help in whatever way is possible.
May it be His will that the final redemption come speedily, and in our days, and may we only hear good news from the entire Jewish nation.
Rabbi Shalom Arush
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