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Breslov Teachings On Rosh
Hashana Translated by David Sears
Anyone who hears the sound of the Shofar
on Rosh Hashana from a man of
true piety will not succumb to "fallen fears," such
as fear of thunder,
for the entire year because the only purpose of these fallen
fears is
to awaken us to experience awe of the Infinite One.
***
With each blast of the Shofar on Rosh
Hashana, one receives a new
capacity for higher consciousness, each person according to
his or her
level. This higher consciousness shines forth from the constant
radiance
of the "Divine countenance."
***
The purpose of sounding the Shofar
is to awaken us from our spiritual
sleep. Each day like the form of the Shofar: we begin in a
state of
constriction and limitation. However, by our striving to serve
God in
every moment, the day widens until we attain "length
of days." We can
transcend time and division altogether, perceiving the Divine
Oneness
through every facet of Creation.
***
When Jews gather together around the
Tzaddik on Rosh Hashana, all harsh
judgments are sweetened, and God's mercy prevails. The light
of the
Tzaddik shine into all souls, and joy and delight flow into
the world.
***
During the Days of Awe it is good to
weep profusely like a child. Throw
aside all sophistication. Just cry like a child before God
,cry for the
diseases of the heart, for the anguish and confusion of the
soul. Then
you will be worthy of a beautiful Esrog on Sukkos: a pure
heart, free of
the slightest blemish.
***
There are three "heads":
the Tzaddik who is the "head" of the Jewish
people; the "head" or state of mind of each Jew;
and the "head" of the
year, which is Rosh Hashana. When all three come together,
everything
attains the purpose for which it was created: the knowledge
of God.
***
Our Sages teach that on Rosh Hashana,
three books are opened: one for the
Tzaddikim, one for the completely wicked, and one for those
in between.
Tzaddikim are inscribed immediately for good, the completely
wicked are
immediately inscribed for evil, and those in between are granted
time
until Yom Kippur to return to God (Rosh Hashana 16b).
***
Rebbe Nachman's leading disciple, Reb
Noson, adds: "Those who are
attached to the Tzaddikim also are inscribed immediately for
good,
together with the Tzaddikim." May we all be written and
sealed in the
"Book of the Tzaddikim" this year and every year,
amen.
©
2001 The Breslov Center
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