Your Soul Is an Instrument

​

BS’D

The final perek of Tehillim is not just a chapter — it is a crescendo. An orchestra of instruments rising together in one unified cry: Hallelukah. Shofar, harp, drum, flute — each sound distinct, yet all harmonizing for one purpose: to glorify Hashem.

Dovid HaMelech teaches us that praise is not uniform. Each person experiences Hashem’s greatness differently. Each heart articulates gratitude in its own language. His words of Tehillim are keys — opening our individual hearts so we can express our own song.

Hashem is the Conductor. We are the instruments.

One soul may sound like a shofar — bold and awakening. Another like a harp — gentle and steady. An orchestra is only complete when every note plays at its appointed time. If one instrument is silent, the harmony weakens.

No one can replace your avodah. I cannot sing your song. You cannot play mine.

We are a Klal — one soul expressed through many voices.

“With the entire soul, praise Hashem.”
That is true unity.

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Some time ago, watching how Israeli forces were repeatedly handcuffed by external, and, worse still, self-imposed restraints even while fighting endlessly against vicious enemies, I came upon the closing verses of the prophet Habakuk. He was appalled at the vision he saw of the destined return of the exiles of Israel to our land, only to face the armies of Gog and Magog against us.

"I heard and my bowels quaked, my lips quivered at the sound. Rot entered into my bone, I trembled where I stood. Am I to come to my place of rest for a day of sorrow? To go up only for a people to come to attack us?
"For the fig tree does not flower and there is no yield on the vine. The olive crop has failed and the fields produced no grain. Sheep have vanished from the fold and no cattle are in the pen.
"Yet I shall rejoice in HaShem, I shall exult in the G-d of my salvation" (Habakuk 3:16-18 translated according to Metzudat David).

As to the somewhat obscure image of the fig tree not being in flower and the failure of the other crops, the commentator "Metzudat David" writes:
"Israel, who are compared to the fig tree, will not as yet have acquired the might and determination to stand in war against them." (Metzudat David on Habakuk 3:17)

Yet today, as we watch the unfolding historic war against Iran and her proxies in Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen and across the world, I believe that we may now indeed begin to rejoice with trepidation as we witness the rise of the nation of Israel with greater might and greater determination than ever before. For the first time in decades, the Israel Defense Forces are fighting our enemies not merely to contain an ongoing threat but to deliver them a crushing defeat.

Since the outbreak of the current war with Iran on Shabbat Zachor (Feb 28), Israelis throughout the country have been subjected to incessant barrages of Iranian and Hezbollah missile attacks, some of which have been deadly. Schools are closed, and businesses and public services are all working on emergency footing. At any hour of day or night alarms and warning sirens suddenly start, forcing old and young, parents with little children and everyone else to have to rush as quickly as possible to protected spaces and shelters.

In the prophetic perspective, it is noteworthy that in this war directed against us by Persia, a key player in the War of Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38:5), the advice to today’s average citizen who is not on active service is precisely as prophesied:
"Go my people, come into your chambers and close your doors behind you, wait for just a moment until the indignation shall pass." (Isaiah 26 20)

Today, every Israeli Home Front alert blaring on everyone’s phone together with the wailing sirens are a prompt to fulfill that prophecy. As the commentator Rashi writes on the verse in Isaiah: "The chambers are the synagogues and study houses." (This past week throughout Israel many have used the communal shelters for prayer services and Torah study, for the reading of Megillat Esther and the Purim celebrations in spite of everything.) Rashi adds: "Think about your deeds in the chambers of your hearts." We may all surely benefit from doing this!

Explaining the same verse in Isaiah, Rabbi David Kimche ("RaDaK") writes:
"This verse was said of the War of Gog and Magog, which will be a time of trouble for Israel for a short time, and ‘going into the chambers’ is a metaphor for taking refuge in good deeds and complete Teshuvah, repentance. For the wrath shall be but for a moment and shall pass, and the good people will be saved."

Edom and Persia
In the Talmud (Yoma 10a) we find a difference of opinion as to whether at the end of days Edom shall fall at the hands of Persia, or Persia at the hands of Edom. The latter is the accepted opinion.

In my view the current war will prove to be as historic as the defeat of Germany and Japan in the Second World War. For close to half a century the regime of the Iranian mullahs called unceasingly for the annihilation of Israel, and worked tirelessly to build the military might and proxy networks that were intended to do the job, just as Haman set up the tall tree on which he planned to hang Mordechai.

For all those years Iran seemed fearsome and unstoppable, not least because they enjoyed massive covert backing from a succession of US presidents prior to Donald Trump. But as I write these lines, it is reported that Israeli and American forces have total air supremacy over Iran and are continuing with a merciless rampage of destruction against government, regime, army, missile, nuclear and other sites, key infrastructure and national resources. In the words of Donald Trump, "We demand unconditional surrender."

In desperation, the feral Iranian regime are currently striking any and every target within range including their Moslem neighbors and former allies, seemingly determined to set the entire region and the whole world ablaze. They can certainly still cause much pain, G-d forbid, including to Jews worldwide. Yet significantly, Iran’s strongest supposed allies, Russia and China, have offered little but condolences to the Mullahs over their plight, and her proxies are all significantly weakened.

We must still wait to see whether Edom (USA, Nato, UK, France, Germany, etc.) will indeed finally prevail over Paras in this war and at what cost in the short and long term. Yet according to current reports, it seems increasingly likely that within a matter of not more than a few weeks (by Pesach time?) the Iranian monster will be cut down, while Israel will have come through relatively unscathed and hopefully ready for the Final Redemption.

Edom and Paras at the End of Days
The Talmud Bavli Avodah Zarah 2b discusses G-d’s judgment of Edom, Paras and the other nations at the end of days. There the Tosafot comment that "Babylon was only compared to a lion when she ruled over the entire world, while now she is a lowly state"  [like Iraq after the 2003-2011 Iraq war] "…But Paras now too is prominent after Edom and will continue in this prominence until shortly before the coming of Mashiach. As to the statement in Sanhedrin 98b that Paras is destined to fall at the hand of Edom, that is, close to the coming of Mashiach" (Tosafot on Avodah Zarah 2b).

Note, however, that before Mashiach will actually arrive, "The wicked kingdom of Edom will spread across the entire world for nine months" (Tosafot there, Yoma 10a and Sanhedrin 98b).

The hoped-for imminent downfall of the latter-day fanatical Islamic regime of Iran is likely to impact Moslems and Islam generally, since Iran has been one of the primary promoters of chauvinistic Islamic expansion across Europe, America and elsewhere. Jihadi Moslems can be expected to intensify their terror and cyber attacks (which is a serious threat to Jews everywhere). But for the foreseeable future, the allegedly "moderate" Islamic states are likely to be less militant and more open to cooperation with Israel.

It is not implausible that among not a few in the Moslem world (many of whom actually have Jewish blood in their veins owing to the Moslem practice of capturing and enslaving Jewish women from whom they bred children), the downfall of the Islamic regime of the Mullahs at the hands of Israel will stir deep chords in the depths of their souls.

The "Nine Months of Travail"
So what about the "Nine Months Travail" of the prophesied Edomite expansion across the entire world following the fall of Paras?

Can we see a foretaste of this in Donald Trump’s overall strategy to weaken China, Russia and Europe, taking over Venezuelan oil, destroying Cuba, annexing Canada and Greenland etc.? He has made no secret of his determination to achieve total American military and economic supremacy over the entire globe with control over all its resources. His clearly stated goal is to make AMERICA, specifically America, great again, and everything else is secondary to this, including even little Israel, and is of value to him only if it serves that goal.

Trump has stated unequivocally that he will not allow Israel to annex Judea and Samaria despite their being the very heart of the Promised Land. This is because he is in no way prepared to countenance a true return to the Greater Israel (likely for fear of offending his wealthy Arab allies), which will inaugurate the return of all the exiles of Israel, including the Ten Tribes, leading to Israel’s supremacy forever.

You may or may not like Donald Trump, but undoubtedly he is mortal, and even if those pursuing his policies gain power in future elections, the political demographics of the USA are at this point quite unpredictable.

Today, some sectors are turning against the woke ideas that feminized the USA army, but the campuses are largely ideologically ruined for years to come through communist and Islamic infiltration. The cross-country disturbances in recent years in support of "Black Lives Matter", "Free Palestine", "Stop the War" and other left-wing causes shows that a sizable proportion of the present and future USA electorate might well choose as Great America’s leader a demon worse than Obama. Maybe then the real meaning of the "Nine Months of Travail" will be revealed.

As for now, in Israel and among Jewish people across the world, the events of the past years culminating in the present war have awakened increasing numbers who fully see that Israel is ultimately alone and can and must stand alone. With all the current American support, "We have none upon whom to depend except Our Father in Heaven, the Holy One blessed be He." The return to Torah and Emunah in all sectors is miraculous.

As Israel builds its military strength in future years, the work of the non-combatants is as it always has been: Study of G-d’s Torah to know what He wants of us, prayer to Him to fulfill His commands, the practice of kindness, charity and justice and good deeds…

The Hand of the Almighty
We saw in Megillat Esther that nowhere is the Name of G-d directly mentioned, yet the entire miraculous story developed only because from beginning to end He was orchestrating all the players. What He did was to raise the vilest Jew-hater ever to be Ahashverosh’s chief minister and He put into the fickle king’s heart to let him plan a one-day holocaust to annihilate all Jews across 127 provinces of the Persian empire. Yet G-d’s whole purpose was to shake the Jews out of their deep spiritual sleep and rouse them to repent and beg and beseech Him for their very lives.

It was precisely the Jew’s repentance that led G-d to disturb Ahashverosh’s night-time sleep and make him fear if he had any real friends, until the eyes of the reader of the court records "just happened" to fall upon the record of Mordechai’s having years earlier saved the king’s life. This turned everything around and directly led to Haman’s downfall.

Today we need to understand that G-d is showing this present unfolding historic war, this global tapestry, only to force us to realize that we are in His hands alone, and that it is to Him alone that we must direct our service. He planted Donald Trump where he planted him and cultivated him all the years. He planted Obama and his heavy-muscled backers and allowed them to filch billions to build Iran. He planted to Mullahs with their nuclear dreams to scare the Jews…

So now as we witness all this before our eyes, let us pray for complete victory and offer our thanks for all He has done and is doing for us. As Rabbi Nachman stated: "Once all the beginnings were from the Exodus from Egypt, but now everything begins from Purim." (Likutey Moharan II:74)

Let us not imagine that Purim is behind us, past and gone. In fact the actual Purim miracle in Shushan took place on Pesach itself! So let us hold onto the Purim faith and joy as we now prepare for Pesach, the Season of Our Redemption and our time of Song and Joy.

Shalom and blessings!

Avraham Ben Yaakov

Have you ever wondered why it's easier to dwell on worries than to embrace joy? The answer lies in FEAR—False Evidence Appearing Real. This inherited belief system convinces us that we're alone and solely responsible for navigating life's challenges.

But what if we chose love instead? By shifting our perspective from fear to love, we align ourselves with a higher truth: that we are supported and guided by the universe. This transformation isn't just about positive thinking; it's about embracing a reality where love leads the way.

As we lean into love, we shed the weight of worry and step into a life rich with purpose and connection. Remember, the journey from fear to love begins with a single, courageous step.

Never underestimate the power of a small deed done with a pure heart. Holiness is not hidden only in monumental moments or dramatic acts; it can be found everywhere – in the quiet, seemingly insignificant, choices we make throughout the day. A moment of patience, a word of kindness, a simple act of generosity. Intention elevates the moment, and when it comes from a place of sincerity, even the smallest action becomes something sacred. The tiniest spark still carries the same fire as the sun. In the end, it’s intention over intensity that shapes a life of meaning and purpose.

The same holds true when striving for personal growth and development. It doesn’t take grand gestures to create a lasting impact. The tallest trees were once the smallest seeds – patiently nurtured until they grew into something towering and strong. Progress is built through consistency – small steps create momentum, and momentum is what eventually makes big change possible.

The ocean is made of drops. Each drop seems insignificant on its own, yet together they form waves powerful enough to reshape the shore. So no matter how small your steps feel today, take them. When done with the proper intention, no effort is considered insignificant. Start small. Stay consistent. Be relentless.

Inspired by the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov, Reb Yisrael ben Eliezer (1698-1760)

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💡 Today’s Tanya Takeaway

Likutei Amarim, end of Chapter 36

22 Adar

‘A Glimpse of What Will Be’

⸻

🥜 In a Nutshell

At Matan Torah, something happened that will happen again.

For one moment, the veil lifted.

Hashem’s Presence was revealed so openly that the Jewish people did not just believe.

They saw.

They saw what is usually only heard.

The revelation was so intense that their souls left their bodies.

And Hashem revived them with the dew of Torah.

This teaches us something essential:

The Torah does not only reveal Hashem.

It also gives us the strength to receive His light.

After Sinai, the sin caused the world

to fall back into concealment.

But in the future, that light will return.

And this time, the world will be ready.

⸻

Keep reading for a deeper dive into today’s Tanya…

⸻

1️⃣ Sinai Was a Glimpse of the Future

The Giving of the Torah was not only a historical event.

It was a window into what the world is meant to become.

The Torah says:

“You were shown to know that Hashem is G-d; there is nothing else besides Him.”

They were not only taught this.

They were shown.

They experienced it directly.

⸻

2️⃣ They Saw What Is Usually Only Heard

The Torah says:

“All the people saw the sounds.”

Chazal explain

that they saw

what is normally only heard.

They heard Hashem’s voice

coming from every direction.

East.

West.

Above.

Below.

There was no place

empty of His voice.

Because at Sinai,

Hashem’s will was revealed openly

through the Aseret HaDibrot.

And since the Ten Commandments

include the whole Torah,

Hashem’s inner will

was shining openly.

⸻

3️⃣ Too Much Light

The revelation was so powerful

that the people could not contain it.

With each command,

their souls left their bodies.

This was not failure.

When Hashem’s light

is revealed without concealment,

a person becomes nullified.

The body cannot naturally hold

such intense revelation.

So Hashem revived them with the dew that will one day revive the dead.

⸻

4️⃣ The Torah Gives Strength

The Alter Rebbe explains that this dew is the dew of Torah.

The Torah is called oz, meaning strength.

Why?

Because the Torah does not only reveal Hashem.

It gives us the strength to receive His light without falling apart.

That is why Torah matters so much.

It prepares us for the future revelation.

⸻

5️⃣ Why Don’t We Experience That Now?

After Matan Torah, the sin caused the people and the world to become coarse again.

The body became heavier.

The world became denser.

The revelation that had been open became hidden again.

But it did not disappear.

It is waiting.

⸻

6️⃣ The Light Will Reach the Whole World

In the days of Mashiach, that light will return.

The body and the world will become refined.

Then they will be able to receive Hashem’s light openly.

And this revelation will not affect only the Jewish people.

The nations will also see.

As the verses say:

“Nations will walk by your light.”

And:

“The glory of Hashem will be revealed, and all flesh will see.”

⸻

A Simple Reset for Today

When you learn Torah today, remember:

You are not only learning ideas.

You are receiving strength.

Strength to hold more light.

Strength to prepare for the revelation

that is coming.

⸻

The Message

At Sinai, the future broke through for a moment.

The veil lifted.

The people saw clearly that there is nothing besides Him.

But they could not yet hold that light.

So Hashem gave us the Torah

to make us strong enough

to receive it.

The more Torah fills our lives,

the more ready we become

for the world that is coming.

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We often imagine that our spiritual destination is some future moment when we will finally have everything figured out – when the struggle will be over and the work will be done. But in truth, the journey itself is the destination. Every effort to improve, every time you hold yourself back, every time you try again after failing – those moments are not steps toward purpose; they are the purpose.

Holiness is not reserved for those who never stumble. Hashem treasures the process of growth – the quiet inner battles that no one else sees, the determination to keep going when it would be easier to give up, the humility of admitting that you are still a work in progress – these are the personal triumphs that shape the soul.

Our struggle is not evidence that something is wrong; it is evidence that something profound is unfolding. The constant combat is what makes our efforts precious – it’s the resistance, the inner pull in the opposite direction, that gives weight to every small victory. Our imperfections don’t diminish the act – it elevates it. It transforms a simple step forward into something deeply meaningful. The inner battle is not only necessary; it’s sacred.

Your imperfections are not flaws in Hashem’s design – they are part of the very story He chose for you. The places where you feel most deficient are often the places where your soul is being shaped most carefully. Progress isn't about perfection; it's about persistence. Don’t wait until you feel flawless to feel close to Hashem, and don’t wait until you feel complete to believe you are on the right path. The road itself – no matter how winding – is holy. Each step, each effort, each moment of trying is treasured and cherished by Hashem.

Inspired by the teachings of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov (1772-1810)