The Power of a Dream/Vayigash

In this weeks parsha, Vayigash, Jacob is referred to by name seven times, four as Jacob and three as Israel. A man after my own heart, I can relate to this type of identity crisis. As we will see the reason for the two names is that Jacob related to G*d in two different ways. When he is relating to G*D in the world out in the open, it is Jacob, when it is between them in private in dreams it is Israel. And so it sometimes is with our relationship to G*d.

Life is about relationships, between G*D and man, between man and man, between man and wife, between Jew and Jew, between Jew and Non-Jew, ect. On the surface it seems so complicated. But when we break it down to basics it is really pretty simple. It all comes back to love your neighbor as yourself. I didn't say it would be easy beloved. If we replace the word neighbor with brother, afterall we are all of the same Father, it brings a new perspective to the table. When we say this statement out loud it reinforces the idea in our heart. It opens a channel for this love to be made manifest in the world and in our life. When I put it into the perspective that we are standing before the Throne of Heaven, before our Maker, how do we want to be received? Do we want Him to see us as that wild child, or as that responsible adult. I am both, both sides of me love Him with all my heart, but one is selfish and one is selfless. It is that responsible, selfless soul that best serves the world.

 Abraham asked G*D how we would offer the sacrifices when the Temple lay in ruins? G*D replied that if we prayed the offering prayers it would be as if we made the sacrifices ourselves. The sages instituted a fast on the 10th of Tevet to give us pause to think about what we as individuals and as a nation are doing that is not allowing the Temple to be rebuilt. Our sages teach that every generation that does not cause the Temple to be rebuilt is like the generation that caused it's destruction. Baseless hatred seems so foreign to us, but is it really? Can we just for once look at each other as a gift, a gift of a soul, an amazing ball of potential that is just waiting to be realized put in our life not only  to help us reach our potential, but to help them reach theirs. We are all in this together beloved, B'H', I would not want to have to navigate this world alone.

The "Ana BeKoach (Ana BeCoach or Ana B'Koach) prayer was written in the first century by the great kabalist, Rabbi Nechunia ben Hakanah. It is said daily at least 3 times, often more, if it's Shabbat or Yontif.
The Kabbalists reveal that this sequence of Hebrew letters encompasses the actual power of creation. The Ana B'Koach prayer is built from 42 letters and is also known as the 42 Letter Name of G*d. Whenever we make a connection with the 42 Letter Name, we are tapping into the primordial force of creation."
The 42 Letter Name of G*d is an ancient word of Power. This Name of G*d is divided into seven lines.
Each line can be seen as a DNA sequence that represent seven different types of energy. Each line, or sequence, contains six words in the Hebrew that provide Divine Energy for helping us to solve the problems of life. The Kabblists teach that when praying the prayer in Hebrew that each line should be divided into phrases of two words each. The prayer is read after the Temple service and is a fitting plea that G*d save Israel from exile.

Ana B'Koach
1.We beg you! With the strength of the greatness of Your right arm, untie the bundled sins. 2.Accept the prayer of Your people, strengthen us, purify us, O Awesome One. 3.Please, O Strong One, those that know Your Oneness, guard them like the pupil of an eye. 4.Bless them, purify them, show them mercy. May Your righteousness always recompense them. 5.Powerful One, Holy One, with the abundance of Your goodness guide Your congregation. 6.Unique One, Exalted One, turn to Your people, those who proclaim Your holiness. 7.O Knower of Mysteries. Blessed is the Name of Your glorious kingdom forever and ever, Amen.

Line 1: This is the most powerful line of the prayer, created to be concentrated upon in time of extreme stress or danger; the DNA sequence of power to provide sustenance in a time of dire need. We ask G*d to untie the bundled sins, the accumulated sins of Israel that are bound together and act as barrier that prevents our prayers from ascending to the Throne of Heaven.
Line 2: Grants the user the power to move events and control negative forces.
Line 3: Empowers one with the ability to make the right decision, with the proper balance and compassion.
Line 4: Grants the endurance necessary to follow through and prove victorious.
Line 5: Provides the energy of deep insight, creates a form of clairvoyance that allows the user to see into the future.
Line 6: Gives the ability to find peace and inner strength.
Line 7: Grants the power of renewal which allows one to start over again

You can search u tube for a version of Ana B'Koach that you like, I listen to it before I head out the door in the morning and it's the last thing I listen to before I retire.Here is my favorite
http://youtu.be/1EdL_TLbHsg
Below is a great teaching on the parsha, enjoy
Good Shabbos, Elisheva

Parshat Vayigash: Hidden Tzaddikim
Based on a Naaleh.com shiur on Chassidut by Rabbi Hershel Reichman

The gemara says that Yosef's name is spelled with an extra hey in Tehillim. This hey, which is one letter of the four letter name of Hashem, was given to Yosef because he sanctified Hashem's name in private. In contrast, Yehuda's name contains all four letters of Hashem's name because he sanctified Hashem's name in public.

The Shem Mishmuel explains that this Gemara makes a profound statement about the character of Yosef and Yehuda. Yosef was the epitome of "hatzne'a lechet," he walked modestly with Hashem. He was a hidden tzaddik. Chazal say that he would groom himself because he wanted his outside appearance to deceive people into thinking he was not righteous. He was so private that his own family did not know who he truly was. He was an exceptional tzaddik, who stood firm in his faith and remained loyal to the Torah throughout the long years of suffering in Egypt. Yehuda's righteousness, however, was well known. He confessed in public to the sin he had committed with Tamar. Both tzaddikim had special roles to play in the destiny of Klal Yisrael.

Yosef would not be deceived by the outside blandishments of Egypt. Even though he spent many years among the finest pleasures that Egypt had to offer, he did not join their way of life. He searched for the essence.

This is an important model for us. The culture around us has such incredible attraction. It is so tempting for us to submit to the bad and rationalize it as good. The power of Yosef gives us the strength to withstand this difficult trial.

Yehuda was the leader of the Jewish nation. When he rose, the nation rose with him. The Jews need someone who can lead them along a clear path. This is the revealed tzaddik.

The Shem Mishmuel cites a saying of the Zohar, "The Jewish people have fallen never to rise again." This refers to our present exile. How will the Jewish people return? The Rambam says the revival of the Jewish people will come through their repentance. This repentance will be a movement led by the descendants of Yosef and Yehuda, respectively.

In the future there will be a Mashiach ben Yosef and a Mashiach ben David. Mashiach ben Yosef will come first. Mashiach Ben David, from the family of Yehuda, will come later and bring us into the final Messianic era. Mashiach ben Yosef will follow the model of Yosef, who brought down spiritual energy mi'lemala l'mata, from above down into the physical world. He will connect heaven with earth. This will be the first stage, because the Jewish people will be so worn out from exile that they will not have the strength to repent on their own. They will need that extra inspiration to give them new life. After this rebirth, Mashiach ben David will come. He will be a part of the people, someone who will live with the Jewish nation and show them how to live a spiritual life once again.

Yosef taught us how to survive through difficult times. He taught us to believe in the power of a dream. Yosef maintained his emuna and simchat hachaim because he knew Hashem had a mission for him. He saw his dreams come true. We too must have dreams and believe in them. We should not be deceived by the seeming dangers of the outside world. Hashem is with us and will protect us come what may. Let us try to emulate the model of Yosef by keeping our dreams alive as we navigate the challenges of life~