Parnasa

[Jude]

I heard that it's a segula for parnasa to say the parshas ha'man today, Tuesday, Parshas Beshalach, from shlishi to shivii, shnayim mikra v'echad targum. This is said in the name of R' Menachem Mendel Hordoker.

and 'shlissel challah' is made for the Shabbos AFTER Pesach. It's a key baked into the Challah. I don't know why it's done that particular week but it's a segula for prosperity.

Sources anyone?

How about using this thread to quote sichos etc. about parnasa.

[Jude]

from our Segula thread:

a segula for parnassa for the entire year is for everyone to buy a new knife on erev Rosh HaShana and sharpen it

a segula for wealth is to say the bentching out loud and with joy (and someone told me that the Rebbe told him that you need to read every word inside)

a segulah for parnassah is learning the maimer of mayim rabim (by the Rebbe)

aser bishvil sh'tisasher - tithe in order to become wealthy

buying Maftir Yona, Chasan ha'Torah and Chasan Bereishis

[abiselseichel]

The rebbe Rashab said that saying "l'dovid mizmor" on the night of rosh hashono with alot of kavono, and making a big se'udo on motzoei yom kippr are both segulos for having harchovo b'gashmius

[RebYid]

I have heard that getting a job has helped for some people, though I'm not sure how practical it is.

[lambda]

RebYid, that is ridiculous! What is the shaychus between getting a job and parnasa?

[RebYid]

See Derech Mitzvosecha, Tegalachas Metzoira for more details. IIRC, the TT even gives a cheshbon of how much to invest for the self employed.

[Jude]

What's the source - Gemara's financial advice:
put 1/3 into real estate
1/3 into business
1/3 - ready cash

[EtzChaim613]

What about pursuing the means to an adequate parnasa? It seems to be the most viable solution to pursuing parnasa. I don't want to argue whether the different segulas will actually help. . . but, it is silly to believe that if you don't pursue the means to an adequate parnasa that it will magically appear.

The Gemora's advice is certainly great financial advice. However, to be able to start a business, generate cash savings, and buy real estate you must have a skill or a product that is in demand. So you still have to pursue the means to the end.

[Yankel Nosson]

All a segula can do is open a channel, yah? You have to make the vessel.


"G-d will bless you in whatever you do." (Devarim 15:18)

Man needs but to make a receptacle for his livelihood and to endeavor with all his power that the receptacle be pure of any impurity or dross of cheating others and the like. This means that whatever he does conforms to Torah laws. Thus he becomes a 'vessel' worthy of G-d's blessing, in two ways: His livelihood will be ample and his earnings will be directed to desirable ends (not to doctors bills, etc.).

Hayom Yom Sivan 27

[chassidus]

I would say that the greatest "segulah" for parnasah is bitochon (trust) in Hashem.

The Rebbe Maharash explains:
The posuk "...[G-d] will never give destitution to a Tzadik" (Tehillim 55:23) refers to all Jews ("your nation is all Tzadikim"). Therefore, every Jew should rightfully be rich. The only reason this is not always the case is because one's trust in G-d is not as it should be. As it says in the beginning of the verse "Cast you burden upon G-d and He will sustain you..." Meaning that a person must trust and rely on G-d and then He will sustain him.

On the other hand when a person does not fully trust in G-d, thinking instead that his livelihood is a result of his prudent business dealings and his acting shrewdly to sustain himself--which is not the truth. Through these improper thoughts he cuts off the flow of his livelihood. On the other hand, would he trust in G-d, blessed be He, making his Torah study primary and his occupation only casual, he would be much more successful, fulfilling the verse "Cast you burden on G-d and He will sustain you."

Therefore, it is advisable for every Jew to trust in G-d, blessed be He, that He will send him help from holiness regarding his livelihood and he should be honest in his business dealings. Also, he should do business with merchandise that is easy to sell and not enter into much merchandising, for much business activity stands against trust in G-d; for does the hand of G-d fall short to provide that there is a difference between doing much business or little?
(Toras Shmuel 5626 p. 168)

I have also heard that the verse "Cast you burden on G-d and He will sustain you" means that if you properly trust in G-d He will also provide the vessel (you will only have to take it once it comes up, but you won't have to look for it or think about it). This is indicated in the words "and He will sustain you" which in Hebrew is: "vehu yi'chalkolechah." The word yi'challkolechah is a doubling of the word "kli" meaning vessel. So the literal meaning of the word is that G-d will make a vessel for you.

This is better than any segulah, because it is guaranteed. (By the way, this guarantee applies to all matters--physical and spiritual alike. If you have proper trust in G-d it is guaranteed that everything will be good in a revealed way.)

Not that we should rely on miracles--let the vessel do its job, just don't worry about it. Realize that the vessel is not important, its but a mere formality sparing G-d from blowing His cover (He's humble you know).

In contrast, giving any sort of importance to the vessel, even if this stems from G-d's "requirement" that we make a vessel, is wrong. The idea that this is the way G-d set the world up and so we should respect the system is the first step down the path of idol worship (G-d forbid)--just read Rambam's explanation in the beginning of hilchos aku"m. We can fall into the same mistake--they tried to find the best way of tapping into the weather (sun or moon), the Egyptions tried to tap into the Nile river, and we try to tap into the stock market. Believing that if you were smart enough you would be GUARANTEED to make money in any field is plain and simple idol worship, no different than the Eyptians who had the Nile figured out. They worshiped it as the source of their economy.

After all, the inclination for idol worship was switched with money worship. The only difference is that then people realized that there is a higher spiritual reality, only they didn't realize it was completely under G-d's control, and now this too has been forgotten. Now the Yetzer Harah is blind, but he's still the same guy.

The opposite of this is studying G-d's unity in Chassidus. This strengthens a person's emunah and bitochon (faith and trust) in G-d and brings all good things with it.

[BrookAve]

Reb Yid: You need a job that lets you hang with the guys til 10 am at the coffee place. Then you do a little stock trading, some laps in the pool and a nice lunch with the guys. Pick up the kids at carpool time and let them do their work. Take your wife out to dinner and return home to help them with homework should they need it. Go out to a shiur and farbreng. Repeat.

[Yankel Nosson]

the Egyptions tried to tap into the Nile river, and we try to tap into the stock market
If you pause to think about it for a moment, there is no greater case of worshipping "ma'aseh yadecha" than the stock market!

People gaze at numbers from all these different types of analysis of "what the market will do," eagerly seeking to know "what the market will do" in the hopes of being able to make money because they foresaw "what the market will do."

What's the market, of course? It's just the sum of all the decisions of all the people--ma'aseh yadechem! (Not to mention the Yad Hashem running things b'helem, of course.)

[Yankel Nosson]

There's also the idea that each of us is like a salesman on the road...as long as we are "bringing home deals," the home office will pay our expense account. They are not troubled by fancy hotel rates and expensive meals if the salesman manges to make a lot of big deals. But if the salesman isn't making the deals, the home office begins to take a closer look at his expense account, and starts to ask "Why can't he stay at the cheap motel? He needs such a fancy car? etc"

All our parnassa is to support us b'gashmiyus so that we can generate the "deals" for the "home office" b'ruchniyus. If we take a long lunch hour to shmooze, that's a different case than if we take a long lunch hour so we can daven mincha....

[Yankel Nosson]

Which reminds me of a general question I have...maybe it should be a thread of its own (I'm sure Jude will make such a suggestion if appropriate ;))

The issue is when an employee is maybe a little "loose" with his time for the sake of spreading Yiddishkeit. For example, I started learning a little bit with a colleague on our morning "coffee break". We would go to a free room, and learn for ten minutes or so. Sometimes we would go on a bit longer...he started putting on tefillin (subsequently he left the company and stopped putting them on:()...and I rationalized to myself "well, it's for the l'shem mitzvah." But, is it? Is it keeping your parnassa in proper perspective, not letting yourself get drawn too far down by the mayim rabbim, or is it gneiva from the employer?

Remember, this is not the case of a chedvani who closes his shop for 15 minutes to learn--we were getting paychecks.

[hishtatchus]

Good Mashal!

[RebYid]

I think it's "gneiva from the employer". I ONCE had an employee like that!

[hishtatchus]

Reminds me of a story (but doesn't remind me of names and places)...

There was a man who owned a grocery store. Hashem helped him, and he was very successful.

When he passed away, his son took over the business. Unfortunately, the good fortune of the store took a sharp turn for the worse. Customers stopped coming, business was decreasing, and the young man would sit sadly in the empty store that had once been so profitable.

On his wife's advice, he went to the Rebbe and poured out his tale of woe. "How come my father made so much money in our shop while I must struggle to make ends meet? Why did customers stop coming when I took over the running of the store?"

The Rebbe stroked his beard thoughtfully, and asked the young man how he ran the store.

"I do just what my father did! I sit behind the counter and wait for customers! Whenever someone walks in, I try to find them the goods they are looking for at a price they can afford."

"But what do you do while you are waiting?"

"No- nothing," stuttered the man.

"Well, there's your answer," the Rebbe smiled. "Your father would sit behind the counter with a Gemara, or a Tehillim, and learn when business was slow. The Satan did not like this one bit, so he made sure to keep your father VERY busy with customers. With you, you sit and waste time... the Satan has no problem to just leave you be!"

[Yankel Nosson]

Good Mashal!
I heard it from Rabbi Akiva Tatz (Ohr Somayach), and I think it might have been the Chofetz Chaim originally.

I think it's "gneiva from the employer". I ONCE had an employee like that! :paranoid: ... :surprise: ... :nervous:

[Jude]

it depends if you're getting paid by the hour or getting paid to get the job done, and it's up to you to budget your time
we have many stories in the biographies of our gedolim which show how scrupulous they were when it came to other people's money like installing a separate phone line for personal calls.

[Jude]

from "Letters from the Rebbe" vol. 3, p. 81:

"I received your letter in which you ask what occupation to choose. Generally speaking, one should choose a line in which one has either knowledge or connections or both. If there is any doubt, it has been said in such a case that "help comes with a multitude of advice," i.e. from talking things over with as many qualified people as possible. The important thing is that the choice made and the actual effort put into its materialization, should come together with the fullest trust in G-d, whose benevolent providence extends to everyone, and this will ensure the success of it."

[Yankel Nosson]

Torah MiTzion by Rabbi Ben Zion Sobel - Parshas Beshalach

"A friend of mine, Steven Bloch, from Australia, once told me the following story.

"His father was a prominent member of the Melbourne community, and was one of the founders of the prominent Lakewood Kolel there. As part of his reward, Hashem instilled in his son, Steven, a desire to learn in the Kolel himself. But his father was not able to appreciate his son’s desire since he wanted him in business at his side. The Kolel, he felt, had been established for other people’s children. A great dispute erupted between them, but Steven was stubborn and insisted on learning there for awhile, even without his father’s consent, before he became an accountant.

"Several years later, Mr. Bloch passed away. During the shiv’ah, he came to Steven in a dream and said, 'I am very happy that you disobeyed me when I tried to discourage you from learning in the Kolel, because now, I am benefiting from it. I am sharing in the reward you will receive for the abundance of Torah you learned there!'"

[masbir]

Rebyid,

What do you do with emplyees who write on Chabadtalk :)

[RebYid]

Hopefully the employees I have, have a higher IQ than to do that :)

[masbir]

Imitating the Boss :)

[RebYid]

The boss doesn't need the high IQ.

[Jude]

the last mishna in Seder Nashim, in meseches Kidushin, lists many guidelines about what sort of work people should and shouldn't do. R' Meir says, "a person should always teach his son a clean and easy occupation, and should pray to the One who possesses wealth and possessions, i.e. Hashem, for there is no profession without its poor and wealthy, for poverty doesn't come from the profession nor does wealth come from the profession, rather it's all according to one's merit.

what is meant by "it's all according to one's merit?" the Tiferes Yisrael goes on at length about this. Anybody learn it? Can summarize it? There's a lot there about mazal ... Also Tosfos Yom Tov ...

The June issue of the Jewish Observer had an interesting article entitled "Can We Learn from Yoisef's Wisdom?" in which the author promoted the idea of a savings plan for newly married and young couples, particularly Kollel couples, so that they'll be able to marry off their children twenty or so years down the road. He describes how by regularly investing very small amounts in the stock market, one can amass a nice sum of money in the future.

Some of the letters to the editor which were printed in later issues were most unhappy with his approach. One person wrote that this is not the approach one should have when learning in Kollel when one can barely make ends meet, never mind put away anything for the future, and if Kollel couples thought his way, they would leave Kollel. Where's the bitachon, mesirus nefesh etc.

What do you think?
What about for those on shlichus (a situation similar to those in Kollel, as far as earnings are concerned)?

[Jude]

Ibn Ezra - parshas Yisro - 20:14 on the words "lo sachmod" (you shall not covet)

Many people wonder about this mitzva. How could man not covet a beautiful thing in his heart, anything that is attractive?

I'll give you a mashal: Know, that a sensible villager who sees the princess who is beautiful will not covet her in his heart, to lie with her, because he knows that's it's impossible. And this villager will not think like a lunatic who desires wings to fly to the heavens.

And it just won't happen, just like a man won't desire to sleep with his mother even if she's beautiful, because he was accustomed from his youth that she is forbidden to him.

Thus should ever wise person know that a beautiful woman or money are not things he'll find because of his brains, but only as Hashem has apportioned it out. It says in Koheles [to the man who didn't toil] he will be given his portion.

And Chazal say that children, life (health), and livelihood are not dependent on merit, but on mazal, and because of this, a wise person won't desire or covet.

His friend's wife is forbidden to him by Hashem and this is more exalted in his eyes than the princess for the villager. Therefore he'll be happy with his lot and not think about coveting and desiring something that is not his, because he knows that Hashem doesn't want to give it to him. He won't be able to take it forcibly or with his ideas and plans.

Therefore, he should trust in his Creator that He will sustain him and do what is good in His eyes.

[Jude]

R’ Boruch Sholom Cohen of New Haven tells how R’ Dovid Deitsch became rich:

It was at the 19 Kislev farbrengen in 5718. During the farbrengen the Rebbe made a special appeal for Kfar Chabad Beis, what the Rebbe called, “shikun chadash b’Kfar Chabad.” The Rebbe asked that everybody donate according to his means and more than his means.

The Rebbe added: Since this appeal (on 19 Kislev) is an exception to the rule, therefore this appeal will have another exception and that is: at every appeal I take what is given to me, whether I am satisfied with the amount or whether I think more should have been given. But this time, if I see that more should be given, I’ll tell each person how much to add!

The Rebbe promised: When it comes to tzedaka it says, “test Me with this,” and especially tzedaka of Eretz Yisrael which precedes all other tzedakos, and especially since this is connected with 19 Kislev the Yom Ha’Geula of the Alter Rebbe, Hashem will certainly repay each person a number of times over, at least four times more than the amount given! (as it says, “four portions will be yours”) and you’ll see it with your own eyes!

After the sicha, everybody present gave the Rebbe a card on which they wrote how much money they would be giving the Rebbe. The Rebbe told many Chassidim to give double, or triple, quadruple etc.

To one Chassid the Rebbe said: He needs hatzlacha so he should give so many times more (and the Rebbe specified the amount he ought to give). To another Chassid the Rebbe said: He needs parnassa so he should give so many times more. To one Chassid (whom the Rebbe doubled and tripled the sum) the Rebbe said: I don’t know where he’ll get this amount but it says, “the silver is Mine and the gold is Mine.” To another Chassid the Rebbe said: We’ll demand the sum from the Alter Rebbe!

The Rebbe looked extremely happy during these announcements, and he started a number of nigunim between announcements.

When it was Dovid Deitsch’s turn, and he had committed to a sum that was beyond his capabilities (as the Rebbe had said to do), the Rebbe told him to quadruple the amount. It was an enormous amount for those days, and R’ Dovid had no way of obtaining it, but being a Chassid he accepted the Rebbe’s order with utter bittul.

After the appeal, the Rebbe said the payments should begin the next morning, Friday, 20 Kislev (erev Shabbos parshas Vayeishev) until Shabbos begins so that it will still be connected with 19 Kislev. And the Rebbe announced a few times: Today is 19 Kislev which is an “eis ratzon” (an auspicious time).

After the farbrengen, R’ Dovid returned home to Connecticut but he had no idea what he was going to do. Where would he get such a large amount of money? He finally decided to try getting a bank loan.

The next morning he went to the bank and asked for an urgent loan. He was thrilled when it was given immediately. He went back to New York and managed to hand in the full amount of money before Shabbos, though he didn’t know how he would repay the loan.

A short time later, he heard about a huge warehouse of rolls of plastic (his line) that had sustained a fire and all the rolls had been burned. The owners of the warehouse wanted to get rid of the burnt plastic and they offered to sell it to him at a ridiculously low price.

After getting the Rebbe’s approval, he bought the warehouse with its contents, sight unseen. He didn’t know what he would do with the burnt plastic.

When he went to check the merchandise, he discovered that the most expensive rolls of plastic weren’t burnt at all. He immediately hired workers to remove the outer burnt layers of plastic off of each roll. They cut each roll on both sides and saved nearly all the rolls of plastic which he sold.

The money he earned from the sale of the rolls was more than four times the amount he had given to the Rebbe, and this is how he became very wealthy, all thanks to fulfilling the Rebbe’s hora’a with utter bittul. From that point on, R’ Dovid was able to give the Rebbe large amounts of money.

[rebayzl]

1) it's BS KAHAN (not Cohen).
2) I wonder how Bill Gates got rich.

[Jude]

uh, wasn't it something to do with computers? :ponder:

[hishtatchus]

No, it was his dropping out of college :cool:

[BrookAve]

When I was in high school, a friend of mine worked after school with his father doing HVAC. After graduating high school with terrible grades he continued working with his father. He was bullied as many said that he wouldn't make it. Today he has a successful business because his father taught him. He may not know geometry, but he will know if the air conditioning unit is installed on the correct angle! Not going to college was for HIM a brocha. Ka-Ching!

[chassidus]

I have a friend that just started working as a real estate broker. All he needed was a two week course. The money and time he's saving by not going to colledge could make more of a difference than a degree, especially if he invests it.

I know others that graduated colledge with master degrees, but then went on to work in an unrelated field. Their degree did nothing for them, but cost alot of money and time.

[Chassidic1]

B"H

Chassidus's post seems (to me) to explain the logic behind the practice I was going to suggest as a Segulah for Parnasah, viz., RAMBAM'S yud Gimmel Ikarim. [namely since one thereby expresses a firm belief in the fact that everything comes from G-D, which I assume motivates trust in Him]

[Jude]

from a sicha 15 Av, 5743 (printed in Beautiful Within, p. 42)

... during the last few generations, the difficulty of exile, etc. has given rise to a "new custom" that Jewish daughters go out before their wedding to work and earn money! Such a thing never occurred during those years when matters were in their proper order, at which time Jewish daughters conducted themselves in a manner of "kol kevuda bas melech pnima."

All types of "reasons" are presented to explain the benefits accrued by this new "custom," among them - that when she will earn money, then her husband will be able to study in Kollel after their marriage ... And other similar reasons are given. But what is forgotten is that if the Jewish daughter were to conduct herself in a manner of "kol kevuda bas melech pnima," then this would assist the Torah study of her choson and husband.

It is not worthwhile speaking about this at length since this "custom" has spread to all segments of the Jewish population, including those who conduct themselves in a manner of "mehadrin min ha'mehadrin," so that speaking about negating this practice comes under the heading of "a decree the community will not be able to accept."

[Jude]

no reaction?!

isn't this sicha astonishing?
what does the Rebbe expect girls to do - get married right out of school? continue attending school? sem gimmel, sem dalet, sem ...

perhaps teaching is all right, bec. as a devoted B.R. teacher wrote in another thread, she doesn't get paid anyway!

[RebMoshe]

Originally posted by Jude
no reaction?!

isn't this sicha astonishing?
what does the Rebbe expect girls to do - get married right out of school? continue attending school? sem gimmel, sem dalet, sem ...

perhaps teaching is all right, bec. as a devoted B.R. teacher wrote in another thread, she doesn't get paid anyway!

Why don't you ask?

[Jude]

I'm not a girl out of high school. Those who are, ought to ask.

[RebMoshe]

Originally posted by Jude
I'm not a girl out of high school. Those who are, ought to ask.

You don't have any children?

[rebayzl]

1) In the original sicha in the Hebrew transcript the Rebbe says that this is "due to the hardship of Golus". In other words he is lamenting the situation that our financial status is so low.

2) This was always the Rebbe's style.

[Jude]

Originally posted by rebayzl
1) In the original sicha in the Hebrew transcript the Rebbe says that this is "due to the hardship of Golus".

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jude
... during the last few generations, the difficulty of exile, etc. ...

In other words he is lamenting the situation that our financial status is so low.

the main (even only) point of this excerpt is how unfortunate it is that girls work

[HaLevi]

Does anyone have an idea whether it is suitable for a Jew to read and study various forms of secular success literature, i.e. The Science of Getting Rich, Think and Grow Rich, Secrets of the Millionaire Mind, etc...??

Shalom u'vracha

[MrFinkelstein]

This is one of the most unique Torah books in English I have ever read: http://www.shemayisrael.co.il/publicat/s...wealth.htm (http://www.shemayisrael.co.il/publicat/schwartz/wealth.htm)

Wealth - A Torah Approach - Question: Do we strive for wealth or not? After all, each one of us appreciates money. Question: Is there such a thing as a Torah formula to acquire wealth? With over 700 quotes from Talmud, Medrash and Zohar (with explanations from our Sages) this work sheds a new clarity on issues that affect us every day. 320 pages

It was written by a young Talmud Chacham in Israel and the book has approbations from Rav Nachman Bulman zal, and (if I remember correctly) Rav Chaim Pinchas Sheinberg shlit"a. I think it's a real masterpiece. It gives you an extremely well rounded view of the Torah's attitude towards wealth.

[Torah613]

Does this young TC have parnassah?

[JewishHiphop]

B"H

Sounds good. Rav Bulman a'h was one of my teachers in Ohr Samayach, Jerusalem.

[Yankel Nosson]

I would say that the greatest "segulah" for parnasah is bitochon (trust) in Hashem.
You would say...because takka the Rebbe says. :smile:

Pick up any volume of Igros Kodesh and look up the references to parnasa.

Pick up this kuntres (http://store.kehotonline.com/index.php?stocknumber=HRE-SIMCU&deptid=&parentid=&page=1&itemsperpage=10) for $4.76 at Kehos.

The following is a free translation (at no cost ;)) from from the Chanukah Maamar 5714:

The idea of bowing down to the sun and the stars and constellations has a spiritual manifestation. This refers to a person who is deeply immersed and exerts himself in the effort of earning a livelihood, to the extent that he invests the energy of his mind and his intellect in it. This is "bowing" in a spiritual sense. Just as bowing in a physical sense brings about the descent of the head physically, so too does one bring the head down spiritually via exerting his intellect and his thought, which is "bowing" spiritually, and this is an example of bowing to the sun, for the reason that [idolaters] bow to the sun is because they think that the beneficial influence is from the sun and the stars and the constellations. Thus, it is fitting to give them honor and to serve them. But since the truth is that the beneficial influence is from Hashem, may He be blessed, Who bestows it via the heavenly bodies, and they are only like an axe in the hand of the chopper, and thus it is not fitting to give them honor. However the nations of the world bow down to the sun because they think that the beneficial influence is from the sun and the stars and the constellations, and similarly one who is deeply immersed and exerts himself in the matters of earning a livelihood and invests his intellect in it, this is because he thinks that the benefit comes from what he does to earn a living, but in truth it is the Holy One that provides for the entire world with chesed ("hazan es ha'olam kulo b'tuvo b'chen b'chesed u'v'rachamim"). And the involvement in earning a living is [in truth] nothing but a mere vessel, so therefore there is no need to invest his intellect, etc., and if so, then deep exertion in one's business is a case of bowing down to the sun in a spiritual sense, because through this he descends very low in order to follow after his lusts and the pleasures of this world, etc.

The solution to this is to be in a state of "a broken and shattered heart", that through this he will make an accounting of his soul and his spiritual standing, and he will say to himself "who am I, one so distant and defiled with foreign desires which distance me from His blessed G-dliness", and why does he deserve more things that he wants? And if he would serve Hashem as he is commanded he would be able to think that he deserves it, but when he knows in his soul that he is not as he should be, how can he think that he deserves it?

The thing here is that in order for the person to be a vessel for Hashem's blessing, he needs to be an empty vessel, as the sages say: an empty vessel can hold something, a full vessel can't. Which means that even though in truth the souls of Israel in and of themselves are vessels for the blessings of Hashem, as the verse states "I will elevate the cup of salvations", as Knesses Yisroel is the source of the souls of Israel and is on the level of a vessel to receive the level of "salvations" which are the supernal chasadim, etc. Nontheless, labor is required to bring about in his soul that it should be an empty vessel, and even one who is "broken and shattered" in his essence, even he needs to bring about in himself that he should be an empty vessel. And this is the idea of doing away with the [not-holy] desire, meaning that everything that he needs for the health of his body in order that he will be able to serve Hashem is only food and drink and the rest of the needs of the body itself, but not the desire for those things that have no need for the well-being of the body. And so he needs to bring about in his soul that he shouldn't desire the things of this world, and then he will be on the level of an "empty vessel" which is able to receive Hashem's blessing.

And furthermore, he needs to strengthen himself in his emunah that G-d is the one who maintains and gives livelihood to every creature, and He is able to give him his livelihood even when he is not strenuously exerting himself in his business, after all Hashem is able to provide livelihood in a different manner [other then his business] as well. And even though he doesn't see, intellectually, how he will be able to earn a living in another way, nonetheless he needs to strengthen his emunah that this is indeed the truth, and the fact that he doesn't understand intellectually is no cause for any weakening in his emunah. And this strengthening in his emunah is the best advice against excessive exertion in business, which is [as was explained] a form of spiritually bowing to the sun.

[MrFinkelstein]

Does this young TC have parnassah?

He has some kind of parnassa but I don't know what it is. Never asked him.

Maybe he's not so young. He must be in his 40's judging from his picture on his website. But the book came out in 1997, so he was pretty young when he wrote it.

[MrFinkelstein]

This is one of the most unique Torah books in English I have ever read: http://www.shemayisrael.co.il/publicat/s...wealth.htm (http://www.shemayisrael.co.il/publicat/schwartz/wealth.htm)

Wealth - A Torah Approach - Question: Do we strive for wealth or not? After all, each one of us appreciates money. Question: Is there such a thing as a Torah formula to acquire wealth? With over 700 quotes from Talmud, Medrash and Zohar (with explanations from our Sages) this work sheds a new clarity on issues that affect us every day. 320 pages

It was written by a young Talmud Chacham in Israel and the book has approbations from Rav Nachman Bulman zal, and (if I remember correctly) Rav Chaim Pinchas Sheinberg shlit"a. I think it's a real masterpiece. It gives you an extremely well rounded view of the Torah's attitude towards wealth.

You can also download it as an e-book for $2.95.

[Yankel Nosson]

See the Rebbe's handwritten note on the back cover of the book My Encounter with the Rebbe, Vol 1:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/sitbv3/reader?ie=UTF8&p=S088&asin=0971339007

[MrFinkelstein]

See the Rebbe's handwritten note on the back cover of the book My Encounter with the Rebbe, Vol 1:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/sitbv3/reader?ie=UTF8&p=S088&asin=0971339007

Is that the author with the Rebbe in that picture? I notice he doesn't have a beard. How could the Rebbe spend so much time with a clean shaven Yid?:rolleyes: [before I get attacked I am not advocating shaving or even trimming]

[chossidnistar]

B"H

Sounds good. Rav Bulman a'h was one of my teachers in Ohr Samayach, Jerusalem.
wow!
Ohr Samayah
Lubavitch
Breslov

so much learning!

[chossidnistar]

The Rebbe also said that if you want to be succesfull, make the Eibeshter your partner
Who can lose with htis partner!

[Torah613]

Is that the author with the Rebbe in that picture? I notice he doesn't have a beard. How could the Rebbe spend so much time with a clean shaven Yid?:rolleyes: [before I get attacked I am not advocating shaving or even trimming]The same way the Rebbe dealt with other yidden without beards, many who even had a close, special relationship with the Rebbe...

[Aaronke]

Did you ever see a picture of R. Shlomo Riskin, chief Rabbi of Efrat (near Bays Lechem EY)? The guy ain't got no beard! And I don't know of anyone who had a stronger connection to the Rebbe than him!
(I didn't appreciate his political views about Gush Katif though...:mad:)

[Torah613]

No one stronger than him? Explain, please (besides the fact that he went into yechidus etc).

[Torah613]

And R' Hollander, and many many others.

[MrFinkelstein]

I was joking in the spirit of the story about the Satmar Rav and R' Irving Bunim (http://www.feldheim.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=search&query=Irving%20M.%20Bunim and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irving_Bunim).

A Satmar chosid saw Reb Yoel speaking for a long time to R' Bunim. When they finished speaking, this chosid goes up to his Rebbe and asks him why was it proper for him to speak for so long and to give so much public cavod to a Yid without a beard. Reb Yoel said to him: "In 120 years when he is standing before the heavenly court they will ask him, 'Reb Yid, where's your bard?' In 120 years when you are standing before the heavenly court they will ask you, 'Reb Bard, where's your Yid?' "

[MrFinkelstein]

And R' Hollander, and many many others.

R' Hollander of Brighton Beach?

[Aaronke]

No one stronger than him? Explain, please (besides the fact that he went into yechidus etc).

Some words the Rebbe said to him in that yechidus like - "I never stop thinking about you..." things which I don't know too many people whom the Rebbe spoke like that to.

[Yankel Nosson]

Some words the Rebbe said to him in that yechidus like - "I never stop thinking about you..." things which I don't know too many people whom the Rebbe spoke like that to.
The meaning of such a statement is quite vague. One can think many things...vda"l.

[MrFinkelstein]

And R' Hollander, and many many others.

http://www.russianjewry.org/about/media/jp_oldest.php

And it tells a little about his relationship with the Rebbe.

[MrFinkelstein]

The following is a free translation (at no cost ;)) from from the Chanukah Maamar 5714:

Thanks for the translation! Isn't working hard, diligently and conscientiously a Jewish value? In the Torah, Yaakov Avinu testifies how hard he worked for Lavan. What's the difference between working hard in a kosher way and working hard while "bowing to the sun and moon"? A surgeon has to immerse his intellect in his work. Herman Branover immerses his intellect deeply in his work as a hydro-magnetic engineer and professor.

[Yankel Nosson]

Thanks for the translation! Isn't working hard, diligently and conscientiously a Jewish value? In the Torah, Yaakov Avinu testifies how hard he worked for Lavan. What's the difference between working hard in a kosher way and working hard while "bowing to the sun and moon"? A surgeon has to immerse his intellect in his work. Herman Branover immerses his intellect deeply in his work as a hydro-magnetic engineer and professor.

See this interesting link: The Ladder Up, Secret Steps To Jewish Happiness (http://www.sichosinenglish.org/books/the-ladder-up/12.htm)


We begin with a saying from the Talmud familiar to all Chabad children; If a person says, "I strived and failed" - don't believe him. "I didn't strive and succeeded" - don't believe him. "I strived and succeeded" - believe him.[73]

The Rebbe has explained - and the whole of this section is based on that explanation the concept of parnossah (financial sustenance). Jewish parnossah appears at first glance to contradict this section of Talmud. We will see however that this is of course not so.

The wording of the Torah in relation to work and Shabbos is that "in six days your work shall be done and the seventh day will be for you a holy day, a Shabbos on which to withdraw from mundane pursuits."[74] An important distinction needs to be understood; a Jew's parnossah and a non-Jew's parnossah is entirely different and this section is restricted to Jewish parnossah.

The wording does not say, "you will work." It says, "your work shall be done" in a passive sense.[75] The Hebrew word, "your work shall be done", is a passive word. Can we therefore say that all we have to do is to exist, and we will have parnossah? Clearly this cannot be true because the world is so designed that everything in nature requires the participation of man. The first statements in Torah make clear that the world is created, and we are put on the world to complete the work of creation. There are various worlds, as we shall see elsewhere but in this, the physical world, the lowest of all possible worlds, there is a partnership between Hashem and mankind. Clearly, therefore, one cannot simply sit believing what will be will be and what won't be won't be. We know this is wrong because Torah directs our intervention into that partnership. As far as work is concerned although the word is passive, involvement is required - passive involvement. Six days a week, the work has to be done but the perspective of a Jew is that that work is passive, that he is as it were grudgingly doing it.

Now the Torah also says:

"Strive with hands in order to be able to eat, and you will be happy and it will be good for you."[76]

The simple meaning of this is the directive not to be a beggar. Man should work for himself and be independent and not be a burden on the community.

The deeper level is that one is required to work with one's hands not one's head or one's heart. A Jew's head is his seichel, his intellect, and his heart is his middos, his emotion. These must be reserved for Torah and mitzvos. Only then can he be truly happy. One must strive with the hands, and then he will eat and then he will be happy and it will be good for him. When will he be happy and it be good for him? Only when working with the hands, not with the head, not with the heart.

...continued...

[MrFinkelstein]

It seems to be saying that all Jews should be manual laborers, not doctors, engineers, computer programmers,etc...

[Yankel Nosson]

It seems to be saying that all Jews should be manual laborers, not doctors, engineers, computer programmers,etc...
Actually all Jews should be learning Torah, doing mivtzoyim, running Chabad Houses. If not, put in a few hours a day selling things on eBay.

BTW, computer programming is easy...you can listen to shiurim while you do it (unless you're a "guru", which isn't exactly a proper Yiddishe kinui :rolleyes:)

The implications of the Rebbe's shita is that the only Jews who should be doctors, engineers, etc. are those who received their education and training before becoming frum.

[Yankel Nosson]

I enjoyed reading this one. :smile:

Shabbos Parshas Beshallach
15th Day Of Shevat, 5746

There are those who are truly enthused and motivated at the time of the farbrengen, but when they go out into the world the enthusiasm dissipates until the next farbrengen when once again they are stimulated.

In fact, there are those who rationalize that to have parnasah (sustenance) they must accept the power of worldliness and acquiesce to the timetable of the marketplace; when to put aside their business and deal with Torah study, a Chassidishe farbrengen, or reaching out to spread Yiddishkeit.

When they are shown the rule of Halachah which decries this approach, they answer, that nevertheless, this is the way to deal with the material world: "When you enter a town follow its customs!" (Bereishis Rabbah 48:14) You cannot expect them to leave everything and be involved in "Ufaratzta," they are troubled and confused by their parnasah problems!

A parable may be presented here: A man decides to count the flies that are hovering above his head with the hope that by doing so he will be rid of his torture. Not only will it not help, but it will also increase his suffering, better to spend the time reciting Tehillim!

In our case the proper and wise advice is for them to ignore the problem; their worries is their problem. Stop worrying about the problems of earning a living. Clear your mind for the main goal of spreading Torah and Yiddishkeit, especially in the time of the golus. Enthusiasm is not lacking, resolutions and motivation is plentiful at the time of the farbrengen, the problem is to carry the good feelings into action during the week; and with zealousness, because time is of the essence -- being that our time is limited.

The Previous Rebbe once explained that in this era, at the "heels of Moshiach," zealousness is very important, because, allegorically, we are climbing a steep cliff, and in order not to fall back we must keep moving up. Walking up a slight incline one can afford to stop for a rest, but climbing a cliff there is nowhere to stand -- he must keep going. On the other hand when one climbs an incline the going is easy but it takes a long time to reach the summit -- when you scale the cliff each step lifts you higher and very soon you reach the top, directly.

In our generation our Divine service must be condensed into the short period of time that we have left, to scale the peaks.

May G-d grant that this discussion and encouragement will come to fruition and everyone will increase his and her activities in spreading Torah, Yiddishkeit and the wellsprings of Chassidus zealously and broadly. The more you do and the quicker you do it, the more meritorious.

And may all our actions bring the true and complete redemption closer through our righteous Moshiach. Then we will witness the elimination of Amalek and the revelation of Moshiach's Torah, may it all be soon, true and real.

http://www.sichosinenglish.org/books/sichos-in-english/30/02.htm

[FlyingAxe]

The implications of the Rebbe's shita is that the only Jews who should be doctors, engineers, etc. are those who received their education and training before becoming frum.But even then there are still choices. Does one become a head of a lab, having the most success in his field that he can (but also having to compromise on Torah learning time), or does one become a lab rat, not distinguished or too successful in the field in any way, but being able to devote more time to Torah. Or, if you're a lawyer, do you strive to become the best lawyer you can, or do you settle for being a mediocre lawyer but the best Jew you can? The obvious answer seems to be the second choice, but I don't know if it is the right answer (more success in one's field doesn't only mean recognition, which is useless, but also more kavod to Torah, more parnasah which can be used for tzedakah, etc.).

[FlyingAxe]

It seems to be saying that all Jews should be manual laborersOr have a simple trade/business which doesn't require too much intellectual devotion.

[Yankel Nosson]

But even then there are still choices. Does one become a head of a lab, having the most success in his field that he can (but also having to compromise on Torah learning time), or does one become a lab rat, not distinguished or too successful in the field in any way, but being able to devote more time to Torah. Or, if you're a lawyer, do you strive to become the best lawyer you can, or do you settle for being a mediocre lawyer but the best Jew you can? The obvious answer seems to be the second choice, but I don't know if it is the right answer (more success in one's field doesn't only mean recognition, which is useless, but also more kavod to Torah, more parnasah which can be used for tzedakah, etc.).
The Rebbe would respond that if you want more parnassah for tzedakah you can obtain it by increasing in Torah and mitzvos (giving more tzedakah m'lechatchila; increasing learning; hafatzas hamaayonos, etc. see Igros Kodesh). But attempting to increase income by working harder, etc., is to fall right into the trap of alma d'shikra, etc., as outlined previously.

[MrFinkelstein]

Actually all Jews should be learning Torah, doing mivtzoyim, running Chabad Houses. If not, put in a few hours a day selling things on eBay.

What about being an artist, a painter or musician for a living? They put their kishkas into their work. Is this kind of work only for non-FFBs? But what if an FFB is just born with a talent for art or music and this is how they want to make a living?

BTW, computer programming is easy...you can listen to shiurim while you do it (unless you're a "guru", which isn't exactly a proper Yiddishe kinui :rolleyes:)

YN, you must have a dual-core processor. My processor can only concentrate on one thing at a time.


The implications of the Rebbe's shita is that the only Jews who should be doctors, engineers, etc. are those who received their education and training before becoming frum.

Like the Rambam?

[Yankel Nosson]

What about being an artist, a painter or musician for a living? They put their kishkas into their work. Is this kind of work only for non-FFBs? But what if an FFB is just born with a talent for art or music and this is how they want to make a living?
For those who can't (or lack proper motivation to) succeed, there are alternatives. Making a living playing chasenes or selling portraits of the Rebbe is no worse than what they teach at a vocational Yeshiva, but it's all b'dieved. (However, yotzei min haklal, I seem to recall reading somewhere that Eli Lipsker (http://www.chabadniggunim.com/about.html)'s parents were aghast that their son wanted to study music, but the Rebbe said he should do it. Perhaps there are other stories like that...)


YN, you must have a dual-core processor. My processor can only concentrate on one thing at a time.
Oiros d'Tohu b'keilim d'Tikkun :tongue:


Like the Rambam?
Haven't we been here before? The Rebbe is the leader of the 7th generation and speaks to the 7th generation. 'Nuff sed. :tired:

[MrFinkelstein]

but it's all b'dieved.

How can we tell a kid or a young adult that his life is b'dieved if he is unable to become a shaliach of a Chabad House or someone working in a frum institution? This would mean that most Jews' lives are b'dieved. I understand there's an ikkar and a tuffel and that a person should put the ikkar of his mind and heart into torah and mitzvos and not into his business. But on the other hand, why can't we serve Hashem by working hard on the job and trying to perform well in order to make a kiddush Hashem in the workplace and to do chessed to people? Why can't we elevate any job to the level of avodas Hashem? There's tons of laws in choshen mishpat that apply at ever moment on the job whatever job you have. If this is our kavvanah when we're working this doesn't seem b'dieved to me. It seems like a big l'chatchila. I wasn't meant to be a shaliach. I wasn't meant to be a teacher in a yeshiva or a rav or a teffilin maker. So I work with computers because that's what I can do to make a living and while I do it I don't have in mind that it's b'dieved. I try to make it into a le'chatchila by connecting the laws of the Torah to everything I do here. For example, like spending tons of time on CT on my boss's dime.:rolleyes:

[Yankel Nosson]

How can we tell a kid or a young adult that his life is b'dieved if he is unable to become a shaliach of a Chabad House or someone working in a frum institution? This would mean that most Jews' lives are b'dieved. I understand there's an ikkar and a tuffel and that a person should put the ikkar of his mind and heart into torah and mitzvos and not into his business. But on the other hand, why can't we serve Hashem by working hard on the job and trying to perform well in order to make a kiddush Hashem in the workplace and to do chessed to people? Why can't we elevate any job to the level of avodas Hashem? There's tons of laws in choshen mishpat that apply at ever moment on the job whatever job you have. If this is our kavvanah when we're working this doesn't seem b'dieved to me. It seems like a big l'chatchila. I wasn't meant to be a shaliach. I wasn't meant to be a teacher in a yeshiva or a rav or a teffilin maker. So I work with computers because that's what I can do to make a living and while I do it I don't have in mind that it's b'dieved. I try to make it into a le'chatchila by connecting the laws of the Torah to everything I do here. For example, like spending tons of time on CT on my boss's dime.:rolleyes:
Obviously those who are not frum from birth are dealt with differently. The Rebbe usually told BTs (according to the stories I've read) to finish the education they had started and elevate their profession as you suggest, otherwise they would be throwing away the years they had already invested in their education rather than elevating those years.

But the Rebbe wants their children educated al taharas hakodesh. See the threads, read the letters, etc etc.

And stop kvetching because I don't mean you!

(and as for your boss's dime...:ponder:)

[MrFinkelstein]

Did the Rebbe ever speak about project COPE? Are you familiar with it? It's a frum org that trains frum adults (chassidim too) in computers so they can earn a parnassa. They named it COPE for a reason. These people had trouble earning parnassa. So they needed to be trained in a profession.

We are obligated to prepare our children to earn a parnassa. How should we do this?

I do worry if I am "stealing" from my company by being on the internet at work. I get my work done. My boss only seems to care about getting the projects finished. So if I have extra time, can I use it to go on the internet?

[Yankel Nosson]

Did the Rebbe ever speak about project COPE? Are you familiar with it? It's a frum org that trains frum adults (chassidim too) in computers so they can earn a parnassa. They named it COPE for a reason. These people had trouble earning parnassa. So they needed to be trained in a profession.

We are obligated to prepare our children to earn a parnassa. How should we do this?

I do worry if I am "stealing" from my company by being on the internet at work. I get my work done. My boss only seems to care about getting the projects finished. So if I have extra time, can I use it to go on the internet?
It seems that you do not grasp the Rebbe's statements whatsoever. Please go back and re-read my posts.

[JewishHiphop]

wow!
Ohr Samayah
Lubavitch
Breslov

so much learning!B"H

Don't worry chossidnistar, good things come to those who wait. ;)

[JewishHiphop]

Thanks for the translation! Isn't working hard, diligently and conscientiously a Jewish value? In the Torah, Yaakov Avinu testifies how hard he worked for Lavan. What's the difference between working hard in a kosher way and working hard while "bowing to the sun and moon"? A surgeon has to immerse his intellect in his work. Herman Branover immerses his intellect deeply in his work as a hydro-magnetic engineer and professor.B"H

It probably depends on your intention. Are you trying to serve Hashem, or serve the ego? When we work hard to serve Hashem it is good, when we work hard to serve ourselves, or the yetzer hara, than this is somewhat problamatic imho.

May Hashem help us to curve our enthusiasm, so that our hard work will bear eternal fruits that we can benefit from in the world to come, amen.

[Torah613]

Actually all Jews should be learning Torah, doing mivtzoyim, running Chabad Houses. If not, put in a few hours a day selling things on eBay.150/100 years ago, before there were Chabad houses and mivtzoim, how did Jews - or even Lubavitcher Chassidim - make a living?

[Yankel Nosson]

150/100 years ago, before there were Chabad houses and mivtzoim, how did Jews - or even Lubavitcher Chassidim - make a living?
You mean before the stock market? As stated earlier, the Rebbe's horaos are for our generation, not pre-industrial Russia.

Maybe you've become an advocate for the horse-drawn farming life? (Jewish Farm (http://www.chabadtalk.com/forum/showthread.php3?t=3030&highlight=Jewish+farm)) ;)

[chossidnistar]

You mean before the stock market? As stated earlier, the Rebbe's horaos are for our generation, not pre-industrial Russia.

Maybe you've become an advocate for the horse-drawn farming life? (Jewish Farm (http://www.chabadtalk.com/forum/showthread.php3?t=3030&highlight=Jewish+farm)) ;)
therie is not kosher farm anymore

[Torah613]

YN - so all this is a chiddush of the Rebbe?

[MrFinkelstein]

It seems that you do not grasp the Rebbe's statements whatsoever. Please go back and re-read my posts.

I re-read everything and I understand the shita now. I don't think the Rebbe would ever tell someone whose parnassa isn't Torah (because they weren't cut out for it) that they're b'dieved.

[Yankel Nosson]

YN - so all this is a chiddush of the Rebbe?
Calm down and focus T613 :tired:

[Bittul]

I re-read everything and I understand the shita now. I don't think the Rebbe would ever tell someone whose parnassa isn't Torah (because they weren't cut out for it) that they're b'dieved.
You are absolutely correct. The Rebbe emphasized Bechol Derochecho Doehu. Vheagiso Bo Yomam Volaila in the literal sense was emphasized for BOchurim, Talmidei Hatmimim.

[HaLevi]

Did people forget the original question...is it appropriate for a Yid to read those types of books; Science of Getting Rich, Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill, etc....??

[chossidnistar]

Did people forget the original question...is it appropriate for a Yid to read those types of books; Science of Getting Rich, Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill, etc....??
kind of bittul Torah.

[Yankel Nosson]

4 LETTERS OF THE REBBE ON PARNASA


B"H 5 Adar Rishon, 5714
Brooklyn.

Shalom u-vracha!

[...] Regarding his question that he saw a change in the situation of
his business and consequently he is looking for the reason for this,
and he came up with some ideas that maybe it is connected with [...]

Now, the healthy intellect says that when there is a revealed reason
for something, there is no basis to go looking for hidden reasons as
well […] and the decree of the sages is known, that "melach mammon
chaser" ("there is no way to preserve wealth other than
generosity"—Kesuvos 66b), which means that the "segulah" (secret) for
parnasa is tzedaka. Since much time has passed since a separation of
ma'aser, and a little more than that, was received in the name
of the business for tzedaka, and this delay has extended for several
months, and the manner of the Holy One, blessed be He is that of
kindness and mercy, thus he gave them hints to remind them of their
obligations, and the merit that they have that they haven't fulfilled
the generosity of their pure heart in actuality until now, and this is
a sufficient explanation for the change in the business and
consequently there is no reason for him to look for other things
besides fulfilling their commitments completely, and the main thing is
the good will, and when they will make a complete commitment to
conduct themselves this way in the future as well, and it is revealed
from the Heavens the manner of this commitment, and the manner of
this commitment will be also with joy and not from fear of punishment,
G-d forbid, I guarantee that he will see an improvement in his
business. Hashem should merit him and his brothers that they should
commit to this as soon as possible and with joy, for joy breaks all
boundaries to bestow upon them blessing and success.

With blessing.

(Igros Kodesh 8, letter #2457)



B"H 15 Sivan, 5715
Brooklyn.

Shalom u-vracha!

[…] Regarding what he writes that he is unable to take on more work on
behalf of Chabad due to his financial situation, I have already
written to several people from the Chabad community that the work in
Kfar Chabad is not the doing of a favor for our holy Nosi, but rather
mainly they are doing a favor for themselves, and not only in matters
relating to the world to come but also in matters of this world and in
health and parnasa. And consequently if they are found in a situation
where health or parnasa are not as they should be, G-d forbid, then
one of the segulas (secrets) to improve them is an increase in their
involvement on behalf of Chabad, and not to say that they will take
the medicine for the situation only after their nefesh habahamis
recognizes the benefit. This is along the lines of the saying of the
sages "melach mammon chasser", and may it be Hashem's will that he
will take to heart the words above in order to fulfill them, and he
will be influenced sufficiently so as to also influence his colleagues
in this.

With blessing for good news in all of the above and for parnasa.

(Igros Kodesh 11, letter #3557)



B"H, 20 Shevat, 5718
Brooklyn.

Shalom u-vracha!

[…] Regarding what he writes about the giving of maaser to
tzedaka , the question is a little astonishing, after he looked in the
Shulchan Orech and specifically amongst Chassidim, and on the contrary
if it is as he says that they are not managing on their salaries up
until now, then there is room for advice following the guidance of the
sages "melach mammon chasser" and not the opposite, G-d forbid.
[i.e., if there are financial difficulties then increase giving of
tzedaka and not, G-d forbid, to decrease].

(Igros Kodesh 16, letter #6064)



B"H 21 Sivan, 5718
Brooklyn.

Shalom u-vracha!

In response to his letter in which he writes that in his opinion he
isn't succeeding at his business and, as he states in his letter, this
means he lacks mazal.

Now, it is known the saying of the sages, that there is no mazal for
Israel, because the Holy One, blessed be He, Creator of the world and
the One who guides it He controls every single Jew in all that he and
his family need.

From this it is understood that it is incumbent on him to increase in
the matters of Torah and mitzvos and his family should do the same,
that through this he will increase the blessings of Hashem in all
matters generally and in the matters of parnasa particularly.

As specifically relates to matters of parnasa, it is known the advice
of the sages "melach mammon chasser", which means that it is incumbent
on him to increase abundantly his tzedaka, and to distribute the
tzedaka numerous times [i.e., not just one grand donation] and to do
so at the special time for this which is every day before davening in
the morning.

It would be proper to check his tefillin and also the mezuzos in his
home that they are all kosher according to halacha.

With blessing for good news.

(Igros Kodesh 17, letter #6324)

[Yankel Nosson]

4 letters of the rebbe on parnasa (http://www.chabadtalk.com/forum/showpost.php3?p=142735&postcount=87)

[chossidnistar]

do not forget to buy the new knife and sharpen it

[HaLevi]

I started this discussion some time ago, and obviousely it did not have so much reactions. So let's go further.

As Jews, we obviousely need to have emunah and bitachon on a daily basis to always Da Lifnei mi atah omed. Obviousely fundumentaly we know that by a Yid, parnassah comes directly from the Eibeshter. And furthermore, as chassidim of the Rebbe, through his brachot, we are blessed with hatzlacha. We also understand that we need to build keli for spiritual and phisical success...that is davenning, torah, mitsvot, etc.

However, at a deeper level, the Alter Rebbe writes in Tanya (Chap.8) i think that we should not study chochmas goyim and their sciences - unless for the sake of parnassah !

Ok, so again, us as Jews, chassidim, and many of us as balabatim who would like and are striving for greater levels of financial success for the sake of Torah and Mitzvos (i.e. proper Jewish ed, tzedaka, etc.) learn and accept ideas written Wallace Wattles, Napoleon Hill, Brian Tracy, and others???

bracha ve'hatlacha

[chossidnistar]

Halevi
More than 2 years asking the same question?:smile:
did you read them?

these guys want you to read their books 10 times, to master them,,with all these repetitions, and auto suggestions to influence the subconscious mind , power of the mind ,etc, ,etc. it is a goyshe phylosophy focused in Yeshus and desire of money as an end

you can make much better with our unzere tools, instead of read these books 10 times, and then have them as Bilbles, as they suggest for you to have hatzlocho, you can learn all the teachings on bitochon 10 times, to master them repeat them, and have them as suggestions for your subconscious mind,and keep them learning every day
you are going to have more success and be connected to Hashem in a complete different level

[HaLevi]

chossidnistar, thank you for your response.

I actually read them, and not until your response, it really clicked.

We yids are struggling so much for parnassah, and the truth is that we as we do have the desire for wealth etc, but as the Alter Rebbe says, the Yid turns material into spiritual.

Your answer was the only one that actually made an impression.

Thank you

ps. imagine, if I have been asking this for 2 years, you can imagine the situation.