2021-01-04 – LH2 – OC2 – Birkhas HaMazon 3 – Para. 11-13 – “Oil and Ketores Bring Joy to the Heart”; The Importance of Hisbodedus; Chanukah and the Offerings of the Leaders of the 12 Shevatim

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Speaker: Rabbi Nasan Maimon. This halakha is based on Likutey Moharan 34.
00:00 – Review of the concept of “sifsei Kohen” and the shame that can break a person’s heart. Sheviras HaKeylim – “shattering of the vessels” at the time of creation. Ahavas Nefulos vs. Ahava d’kedusha/kohen ish hachessed.
03:51 – PARAGRAPH 11. The true tzaddik is called kohen. The miracle of oil celebrated on Chanukah took place through the kohen gadol because he was an aspect of the leading tzaddik of the generation.
06:19 – The seal on the oil in the Beis HaMikdash corresponds to shmiras habris.
12:28 – When a Jewish soul receives light from the tzaddik of the generation, it brings healing to his broken heart. This is the deeper meaning of the Chanukah lights.
18:15 – Why the ark and the luchos are on the Ehven Shesiya (Foundation Stone).
26:16 – The word “ketores” means to join together because this offering repairs the shattered heart. “Oil and ketores (incense) bring joy to the heart.”
17:53 – Lev Simcha (joyful heart) is b’gematria Shekhina (the Divine Presence).
28:48 – QUESTION and response about how the midos function. The task of the kohen gadol is to elevate the fallen nekudos, which erases the sins of Klal Yisrael.
32:59 – QUESTION about sheviras hakeylim – the shattering of the vessels. RESPONSE: reference to Likutey Moharan 33.
34:06 – QUESTION about how to tap into this process of healing the broken heart during the rest of the year.
33:00 – Ketores of Yom Kippur.
40:26 – The special, private prayer said during repetition of the Amidah on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
42:09 – PARAGRAPH 12. The Torah readings during Chanukah: the offerings of the nesiyim (princes/leaders) of the 12 shevatim (tribes).
51:39 – QUESTION: Can a person speak to the tzaddik even if he’s not at the gravesite? RESPONSE: Reference to the tefilah composed for visiting the gravesite of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai.
54:40 – PARAGRAPH 13. Chanukah is from the root word meaning “initiation, renewal, education”.
58:33 – QUESTION: Does the tzaddik also have an aspect of the three points presented in this halakha?