DEDICATED TO
MY FATHER SHLOMO
ZAVEL BEN YAAKOV ZL
MY WIFE ROCHEL
AND TO MY CHILDREN SHLOMO
NACHMAN, Yaakov Yosef and gedaliyah
aharon tzvi
MAY IT BRING FORTH
THE LIGHT OF YOUR NESHAMOS.
INTRODUCTION FROM THE SHECHINAH
Additional Chapters
Part One
Alone
At Night
.
Evil
Thoughts
Slander
Is
There Peace
.
Huge
Stone
.
Children
Respecting
and Trusting Taddikim
..
Happiness
You
Forgot Me
Improving
Your Memory
.
Final
Redemption
Eretz
Yisrael (the Shechina's Home)
..
Holiness
in Speech
..
Eating
With the Shechina
..
Livelihood
Yomim
Tovim, a Great TIme
..
Spirituality
of Music
Don't
Travel Without Me
..
Tzitzis
..
Sweetening
Judgment
..
Simplicity
..
Laziness
..
Holiness
of Tefillin
.
Chessed
.
Bringing
a Final Peace
.
Shidduchim
...
Benefits
of Halacha
Anger
Channels
of Blessing
Hospitality
.
Worries
of the Heart
Women
and the Shechina
The
Material World
.
Connection
to Shabbos
..
Channeling
Illness
.
Emptiness
Can
I really Know You
..
Do
You Surround Me
.
Your
Presence Upon Me
.
My
Thoughts
.
Modesty
Part Two
Our
Sages Teachings on the Shechina
.
Part Three
Introduction
to Tikkun Chatzos
..
Part Four
Wonders
of the Night, Yikkun Chatzos Teachings
Part Five
Stories
About Those Who Arose During the Night
..
Part Six
Tikkun
Rochel and Tikkun Leah In Ashirut Script (With English
Traslation)
.
Should your heart
be open and your mind clear, this sefer has but one objective for you: to
reunite you with Hashem and the Shechinah in ways that will enrich your life,
both in your religious worship and your day-to-day activities.
As in
the beginning with all reunions, there is much learning to do about one
another, and a deeper understanding is needed to reunite harmoniously. We must begin
by humbling ourselves to receive the light of this book, and what the Shechinah
has to offer us. There is so much we have to learn about the Shechinah - in
fact, we do not realize what truly amazing things await us!
The
Hebrew word Shechinah can be
translated to mean Divine Presence. When Hashem created the world, He also
created the concept of the Shechinah, a constricted light that emanated from Him.
This was in order that man could attach himself to Hashem. When Adam sinned in
Gan Eden, Hashem sent the Shechinah to accompany him into exile, to protect and
help him return to the proper ways.
We can
think of the relationship between Hashem and the Shechinah as similar to that
of the sun to the moon. Hashem is like the sun. The sun is too bright and
powerful for the human eye to look at unaided, especially the closer you get to
it. With the use of certain filters, scientists can look directly at the sun,
as these filters cause the light of the sun to be dimmed. The same principle of
filters can be applied to knowledge of the light of Hashem. The cleaner and
purer the heart, the more directly one can look into Hashems light. Hashem
also provides us with spiritual sunglasses, to give us shade, allowing us to
get closer to His light. By trying our best to perform the 613 commandments
properly, we can gain a measure of shade for our spiritual eyes.
The
Shechinah is often compared to the moon. It is the feminine aspect of Hashem -
the accessible version of Hashems light, available to all. One can look
directly at the moon and easily see its light. We can see the moon both day and
night, but most easily at night, when the world is in darkness. Shechinah, the moon, may disappear behind the
clouds of life, but we know that she is there, waiting for us. She is also
regarded as mother to Benay Yisrael (the Jewish people). When we hurt, so does
She. The Shechinah bears alone much of the pain of the galus (exile) for us, as
the full burden would be too much. She is like a mother, grieving over the
pains of Her children. She yearns to comfort us, but, unaware of Her presence
and Her real importance, we very much ignore Her - not understanding how to
connect to Her and the Shechinah's real importance. This sefer serves to help
us build a relationship between man and the Shechinah; to reunite us with our
mother.
One
thing we must realize is that the Shechinah is for us. She was sent into
exile by Hashem to be with Her children, to benefit us with Her greatness and
light. We were born to receive that light from Her, which is very much the
purpose of our existence. Hashems will in creating us was that he might shine
upon us His light, to share with us the greatness of His existence. (One can
only imagine how much more light is reserved for the righteous ones as they
enjoy the reward of the Garden of Eden.) The Shechinah is our connection to Him
- it is the constricted light of Hashem.
Since the
Shechinah is there for us, certainly we can feel Her light and be connected to
Her at every moment. We also must also take upon ourselves the responsibility
of elevating Her. For too long, she has been cast aside like a stranger.
Ignorant of Her presence, we neither cared for Her, nor appreciated Her. We have
not known our own mother, and we walk around all our lives like orphans, not
knowing of Her real existence. By performing the mitzvos, studying Torah, and
purifying ourselves, we become able to rekindle this important relationship.
Within
this sefer, we have gathered from our Sages some of the greatest and most
inspirational teachings about the Shechinah. We have also uncovered much of the
mystery about Her, as we shed light upon Her and open our eyes to a strength
otherwise unknown to us. Through the learning of Tikkun Shechinah, you will be
able to aid in the Tikkun Ohlom
(rectification of the world) and attain a greater level of self-perfection, learned
with the guidance of the Shechinah herself. This is truly a very original work
and an important one.
Yours Truly,
Rabbi Moshe Steinerman of Safed
DRAWING BY MY SISTER TRUMAH KUGLER
Our sages teach us that
the
0
My dearest children, it brings me great
pleasure to know that your heart is open to knowing me. For too long we have
been like strangers. Your Father sent Me away from Him so that I should be
together with you. Because of the many transgressions of the world, we too have
become separated from one another. I feel so alone, as not only have I gone
into exile away from our Father but now you, My children, have become like
orphans who have never known their mother.
I want you to know, that I have always
been here for you. Even in the darkest of places, even there you can learn to
know Me; How much more so in places full of light and holiness. The reason we
havent been so close as of yet, is due to a deficiency in Yiras Hashem, fear
of Heaven. Let this no longer be an obstacle separating all of us. My only
desire has been to take you in My arms and hold you, to show you holy lights
now unknown to you. I want to draw you closer to your Father, and end this
exile forever.
There is so much a Mother wants to
express to Her child. I have not been able to express and connect to you since
you were a little child, free of sin. This opportunity now, I value dearly,
knowing your ears can be opened to my voice.
May it be Hashems will that through the
wisdom and advice in this sefer, we can reunite with each other, and I with my
husband and you with your Father.
Yours Truly,
The Shechinah (Divine Presence)
Holy Shechinah, how may I comfort you?
All I want to know is that you are
making a conscious effort to change your ways for the better.
What faults should I work most closely to
overcome?
Pride. If you did not have so much
pride, then you wouldnt sin. When a person does a wrongful deed, it is because
they feel they deserve something more than what they have been given. A humble
person realizes how lucky they are to have been given the blessings they have;
one with pride ignores all good, and will never be happy.
I feel lost sometimes, why?
It becomes difficult for you to feel my
presence when you have become mired in worldly affairs. I am still there
though, by your side. You feel lost because you sense that I have left you
completely, but this is really the action of the Satan, feeding you full of
feelings of depression and low self-worth. I would never abandon my children
So when we sin, you are there?
I am there holding onto the little that
remains of your holy neshamah. No matter what you do, you can never reverse the
holiness of being a Jew. Even if you dig yourself into the lowest pit, I am
there to protect you if you seek me. There is always a spark of good in evil.
It just needs to be separated and pursued. When you are tempted by sin but you
choose the path of good, there is much blessing that will descend on you
through the upper worlds. Should you choose to continue on the path of evil,
not only do you hurt yourself, but you also cause damage all of these worlds.
When you sin, you drag me down with you, because I cannot leave my children.
You cant feel me because you are too preoccupied with the pleasure of sin.
Should you even take but a moment to stop and look around you, you would see me
there. Certainly, you would not continue your actions then.
If we make the mistake of committing a
negative commandment, what should we do to correct ourselves?
Vow never to perform this horrible
action again. Begin to feel remorse and confess right away to Hashem your
mistake. Make a list of how you can avoid making this mistake again in the
future. Then Smile.
I dont understand. We just committed an
act of treason yet we are to be happy?
The entire purpose of the Satan pushing
you into sin was in order to draw you further into depression. He has already
tripped you once; shall we let him continue to treat you like his slave? By
taking corrective action and then smiling, we show that have not given into the
feelings of despair and self hatred.
Still, how can I be happy when I have
just destroyed my neshamah, and brought harm upon all the worlds and myself?
The harm you have done to the upper
worlds must be rectified immediately. Do not wait. Pick yourself up and be
joyous in Hashem. Start dancing and surround yourself with positive
commandments! When an opponent feels he has won, he immediately begins to
rejoice. Should you quickly surmount yourself, you become completely free from
him. So distracted is he with the thought of victory that you can now climb to
the highest of worlds without further hindrance.
Shechinah, how can I be a successful person?
First you must decide what success is.
It cannot always be viewed clearly in the eyes of the beholder. Many people
automatically assume themselves to be unsuccessful. Success can mean many
things, and be weighed in various ways.
Well, how do I tell how successful I am? I honestly feel like I
have not accomplished that which I should.
How are you to know exactly what Hashem
has wanted from you? Maybe all He wanted was to know that you were trying the
best you could. Real success is not how much one actually has accomplished, but
how much they change through effort and trying. Hashem has seen all your hard
work, your trials, and all your effort. You are successful, in that you have done your best.
I do not feel like I have done the best I could. Ive wasted so
much time and emotional strength; only to come up short in my own goals and
expectations.
Yes but nonetheless, you did try, and
inside you had the sincere desire to do what you were commanded by Hashem to
do. This counts for a lot in Hashems eyes. The sacrifices Hashem desires are
a broken spirit; a heart broken and humbled, O Hashem, You will not
despise.(Psalms 51:19)
How can I advance to the next level, one where not only am I
trying the best I can but I am also accomplishing that which I set out to do?
Simply stay close to Me. If I am with
you, then all that you do will be accompanied by the blessing of success.
Things which were only a dream to you will slowly come forth, in a manner even
greater then that which you had first envisioned. When attached to me, you are
available to bathe in the channel of blessing with me that comes down from
Keter, the highest Sefirah in which the whole world is sustained.
Why is it that I see Tzaddikim with holy thoughts such as
building Yeshivos, cheders, mikvahs and other organizations, but their ideas
never materialize? To my eyes, they suffer for years attempting to do the will
of their Master and raise you back up to your source, but they do it to no
avail.
My child, what you dont see is that
through their struggles, they have accomplished so much more then they would
have if their plan was successful from the inception.
How can that be, especially when had their plan worked, many,
perhaps hundreds, of Jews would have been helped, and many of them would have
had their lives saved? To be honest with
you, I too, have plans in my heart but I feel as if Hashem will not allow me
success. I am not speaking of trivial matters, but very important projects,
those which the world is starving for and cannot wait even one more day
without. There are poor I that must be fed - Jewish youth and others in the
world who live in a time of spiritual famine. Im prepared to be self-sacrifice
in their stead, but Hashem is not allowing me to help them in the ways that I
know.
Cry on this, my child. I see your heart
bleeds to give to another. But know that it is your broken heart that sustains
me this very moment. By doing so, you also give life to all those you wish to
help. Therefore, your efforts and plans have not gone unanswered. It is
sometimes the traveling and preparations for battle that win the war more then
the actual battles themselves. You have
already done more then you realize. Happy are you, for setting out on such a
journey.
My children, do you know how special
Kabbalas Shabbos is?
Surely, I love praying the Kabbalas Shabbos prayers. I feel
deeply moved by the tefillos and many times it sets the tone for my entire
week. How does this event affect you?
Kabbalas Shabbos is a very special event,
in many ways similar to a family reunion. Kabbalas Shabbos is for bringing a
sense of unity amongst family and friends. It is a time of spiritual elevation
for both mankind and the worlds above. It is an opportune time to elevate Me as
I draw closer to you and your Father in heaven. The Shabbos has within it the
hidden light of the world to come and its purity quenches the spiritual thirst
of all. How you welcome the holy bride of Shabbos, bringing in the Kabbalas
Shabbos with joy, draws me closer to the completeness I yearn for.
What meditations can I use to enhance my Kabbalas Shabbos
experience?
During the first six prayers, you are
elevating the six days of the week and binding them to the Shabbos. This is
Myself escorting the Shabbos Queen and she following Me down the aisle to the
chupah. All around us are the holy Rabbis and their Chassidim, followers
basking in our light. Those who have sacrificed themselves in preparing for the
Shabbos, they are following close behind the kallah, Shabbos Queen. Her dress
filled with pearls and sparkling diamonds. She wears ornaments in which you
have placed upon her with your Shabbos preparations. Should you not have
prepared your home and self, it is difficult to see her and the beautiful
clothing she wears.
Should I have prepared for Shabbos with all my heart, tell me
what I can see.
Her light is shinning. You cannot see her
face as it is covered in a Vail. The holy Tzaddikim are taking turns dancing
before us as we walk. They are shinning with joy. Groups of Rabbis with their
followers are holding hands and rocking back and forth as we pass by. Even the
most simplest of Jews dance before us, wishing to bring joy to their creator.
Lecha Dodi has already begun and the singing is most beautiful. Those who know
how begin to mediate on the elevation process, Yechudim of the Shechinah and the
Holy One blessed be He. The wish of every Jew is to be a part of this moment
and to assist in my elevation. Even the simplest Jew praying these prayers is a
part of this momentous raising of Myself and those in the lower heavenly worlds
are raised as well.
I am touched and I and the princess begin
to circle the Keter and Throne of Glory seven times while under the chupah. The
Chasan has waited all week for us and after each pass, I am raised up one more
Sefirah, spiritual level. The sheva brachos then commence while you continue to
sing lecha dodi. This is then followed by the reading of the kesubah, another
words bo-e-v-shalom. All turn around and reflect upon the meaning of their
lives while I am now elevated and bask in wholeness. There is celebration in
all the worlds and now you generously escort us to the yichud room singing the
final lecha dodi. The Garden of Eden opens its doors and the greatest among the
Tzaddikim, beginning with the avos gather around us, singing and dancing. All
of Gan-Eden leans over trying to get a glimpse of us and they are clapping,
singing, dancing with great joy
Good Shabbos.
Shechinah, I have heard about the idea of Torah lishmah but, to
be honest, I dont quite understand it.
Well, what is your understanding of it?
I have heard from my chavrusas, study partners and friends that
learning lishmah means learning about the Torah in the right way. It is
studying the Torah only in Hebrew, and learning the best of the meforshim,
commentaries. Mainly, lishmah means studying the Gemarah, and Halacha
meticulously. Is this a correct understanding?
My child, your friends, may they be
blessed, are misinformed. They do not understand what learning lishmah means.
The idea of lishmah is an entirely simple one. Any Jew can learn Torah lishmah,
even those with the simplest of backgrounds. It would not make sense for Hashem
to make such an important concept complicated and inaccessible. The concept of
Torah Lishmah can be likened to the concept of faith - people philosophize
about it and try to make it very complicated. Faith, like lishmah, is very
simple.
Please tell me more.
Hashem doesnt care how great of a
scholar you are nearly as much as he cares about the intentions you have in
your heart while learning.
What should my intentions be while learning about the Torah?
Simply to fulfill the mitzvah of
studying Torah.
Are there other things I should have in my mind while studying?
Well, that is the main thing: to learn how to perform the mitzvah. But one
must not be also studying in order to gain popularity and respect. You should
have very pure intentions: to fulfill
the mitzvah itself, nothing more. If you would like, it is beneficial to have
in your mind the desire to bring happiness to Hashem by doing His will. Keep in
mind that you are learning Torah lishmah in order to draw down shefa, blessing
into the world. You may also bear in mind that you are learning in order to
draw my presence upon you. When you have these thoughts in your mind, happy
will you be. Your learning is pleasing to both Hashem and the entire world. But
do not continue to be misinformed. Real lishmah is for all Jews in the world.
It is learning lishmah that truly gives pleasure to our Creator and to our very
own neshamos.
Shechinah,
why is it that Hashem decided to extend Himself down to us ?
The entire purpose of your creation was
that Hashem could share the light of His greatness with other creatures. Since
His full presence is to high and elevated for us to bear, He created Me, The
Shechinah, to spread his light upon you in a more concealed way; one that
wouldnt be too strong and destructive for a mere human being to handle.
Can
your light also be too strong for us?
You will feel only the amount of light
and holiness that you, as a vessel, are able to handle. Certainly I could
overwhelm you with my light, but I take great care not to. You are given just
the right amount.
How
do I help increase the amount of light I can receive from you?
Most important is the fear of Hashem.
Shlomo Hamelech said, fear of Hashem is the beginning of wisdom. (Proverbs 1:7) Just by pondering
this a few moments, you will feel my presence. Should you think about it
constantly, Happy are you! How good is your portion! You will feel my light in
your every limb. I will never leave your side.
What
else will help me to feel your light?
You should yearn for my light to touch
you. Pray to Hashem that my light is increased upon you. Cry out from the
depths of your heart for your mother to hold you. Dont forget me during the
night, when I too, am lonely.
Can
I one day see a true vision of you?
It is possible. I will be dressed in
black, a woman in mourning for the loss of her children and like a widow
separated from her husband. It will be very difficult for you to bear seeing me
this way, so you will have to work many years in preparation.
How
much light is upon me at this moment?
Having separated your thoughts from the
worldly, I am now right beside you. So close that if you closed your eyes this
very moment, you would feel me holding you. I want never to let go of you, my
child. Sin not, and I will remain with you everlasting. I will lift you up and
carry you in my arms, like a newborn child all your days.