Crown Heights’ Summer Getaway

By iLearn

It’s through a small door on the corner of Crown and Albany. Up the stairs and down the hall there’s a friendly group of women, an interesting teacher, and some healthy refreshments… You’ll love it!

I peeked inside and overheard this:
Any day that we don’t suppress, that everything we wanted during the day—we gave into, is a day that we gave expression to our Human soul. We did not give expression to the part of us that is our goal in life—our G-dly soul.
At least once a day we have to deny ourselves something. I want to eat something—I’ll wait two minutes. It doesn’t have to be abstinence, it can just be delaying gratification.

“Doesn’t Chassidus teach that we have to use the Gashmius and elevate it?” asked one iLearn student.

“Yes. But that’s step two, not step one. As long as we are enslaved to the physicality we cannot use it for G-dly purposes. Chassidus teaches us “how to eat”. But we cant skip to step two. First we have to deny ourselves—Iskafya. Then we when we come back to the Gashmius and elevate, Ishapcha, which is the ultimate.”

Even by the slightest subjugation of the sitra achra here below, the glory of G‑d and His holiness is greatly elevated on high.

From this holiness, a sublime holiness issues forth upon man below, to assist him with a great and powerful aid in his service of G‑d.

This is great for anyone that feels they can use a boost in their Avodas Hashem; and who doesn’t? If you feel you can use Hashem’s help in becoming more spiritual— Iskafya is great!

(Heard in Rabbi Silberberg’s Tanya Class. Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 am.)

I stayed on for another class and heard this…
According to the Rambam there are a few things we do to prepare for Rosh Hashana in Elul:
1. Add in Tzedaka
2. Add in Good Deeds
3. Add in Mitzvos
4. And get up at night to Daven.
Why does the Rambam single out Tzedaka from all the Mitzvos and put it first?
This demonstrates our feeling that ultimately, even with the additional good deeds we do, we need Hashem to do “Tzedaka” with us, and go with us Lifnim Meshuras Hadin, more than we actually deserve. No matter how good I was this year, for Hashem to judge me favorably, I need His kindness. So I am going to go beyond myself and I ask Hashem to do the same thing.
The Rebbe then goes deeper, and gives perspective on the relationship we want to build with Hashem at this time….
(Heard in Mrs. Yusevitz Sichos Class. Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 am)

Want more?

Take a look at next week’s calendar below.

Find out more and watch superb classes online from anywhere, anytime: iLearnCH.com. Questions and comments: iLearnCH.com. Stay tuned for the Elul Session Calendar…