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The Hearts Laser Beam

November 12, 2018
Orit Esther Riter

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BS’D

Singing or humming holy music or niggunim during hitbodedut is an excellent way of opening our hearts. Such music may awaken hidden feelings or forgotten memories and may inspire a connection to Hashem. Alternatively, we can choose a certain passuk or verse from Chazal and repeatedly recite it with intense concentration. The holy words act as a laser beam, piercing our heart with emotion. For instance, repeating “Ribbono Shel Olam” or “Avinu Malkenu” over and over again may enhance our emotional bond with our Creator.

Feel and heal exercise of the day:

Put on a niggun, any niggun, hug yourself and gently sway back and forth while closing your eyes. Feel your heart elevate and soul sour beyond the room -> feel the closeness of Hashem in your life.

Torah Therapy

December 20, 2016
Orit Esther Riter

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BS’D

Hitbodedut is a well-known practice from the times of Avraham Avinu ztk’l. Hitbodedut is derived from the root word boded (alone) and differs from that of the siddur. It is certainly not intended to replace the structured prayer given to us by Anshei Knesset HaGedola (Sages of Yisrael), but to complement it.

Isn’t it just a Breslover Chassidic custom? Although hitbodedut has taken a more ‘popular’ stand through the Chassidic movement our forefathers have always practiced it. We give voice to our innermost desires, emotional turmoil, spiritual yearning, materialistic needs, teshuva, and of course express our gratitude for the endless gifts – those we notice and the infinite gifts that go unnoticed.

Hitbodedut is a spontaneous form of tefilla since it is not read from a pre-written text. The central theme of this tefilla is to bridge the distance between us and Hashem, particularly due to the busy rat race of life. Amazingly our emuna will strengthen, clarity of thought will enter our mind and inner serenity will start to set in.

In a nutshell hitbodedut is Torah therapy. It is a healing session with the One who knows us best.

Your Time

December 19, 2016
Orit Esther Riter

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BS’D

Hitbodedut = private secluded one-on-one ‘talk’ with HaKadosh Baruch Hu – here we let go of our doubts, fear and confusion. It is a time to sing, dance, cry, laugh or even remain silent through quiet contemplation.

Ideally one should practice hitbodedut during the evening times when the world has slowed down its pace. At night, businesses are closed and the materialistic pull on life is loosened. Men can find their connection to the Borei Olam through walking the fields and surrounded by nature. Women can reach lofty heights by just sitting on their porch, yard or in their home.

At first, it may not come easy to just open up a conversation with Hashem. It is a good idea to warm up by offering words of heartfelt thanks to Hashem for all of the gifts that He has given you individually and to the nation of Israel collectively.

Feel free to go into detail over some of the things and events that you are particularly grateful for like the washing machine that works, water that comes from the faucet, car, roof over your head, food, check that didn’t bounce, eyes that can see, people that make you smile, zechut to do mitzvot and teshuva, etc. As we step out of the humdrum routine of life and settle our mind we begin to notice the endless list of reasons we need to be thankful for yet may have not noticed before. After voicing our appreciation the ‘buried’ issues will surface and your heart will stir with yearning and closeness to Hashem.

Not Due to Our Might

December 14, 2016
Orit Esther Riter

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BS’D

Hitbodedut is not reserved only for tzaddikim and Rabbeim.  It is for the run-of-the-mill me and you.

Solitary tefilla, hitbodedut, was common practice for our Patriarchs who roamed the fields and desert and recited passukim of tehillim, praise and teshuva before Hashem. The time used for hitbodedut was and still is seen as private time with the Borei Olam: just you and Hashem.

A main purpose for some is to heal their broken hearts.  For others, it is to break their hearts; greatly enough it serves both drives.  When life rips the joy out of us, we become brokenhearted. Our spiritual hishtadlut at this point is to run into Hashem’s waiting embrace and take refuge.  This occurs instantly as we pour out our feelings to our Creator who loves us and wants us to recognize His love.  He sits, as it were, and waits for us to meet Him during hitbodedut.  There we are safe and not judged; only comforted.

Yet some people are packed with pride and need their hitbodedut to break their hearts and melt their egos.  Upon contemplating the awesomeness of Hashem and His ability to change personal and world-wide events in the blink of an eye, they experience their smallness.  Not just tininess but vulnerability to the uncertainty of life.   For them, this is the place where their ego gets tempered and disciplined.

Hitbodedut can never go wrong.  Whatever we need to let go of or add into our lives will come during our private hour with Hashem. What a gift!

Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to the refuah shleimah of Naomi Miriam bas Roysa Shpetl. May Hashem send her a complete healing b’riut hanfesh v’b’riut haguf among all of Klal Yisrael who are in need of refuot, yeshuot v’nechamot, Amen.

What Greatness!

December 13, 2016
Orit Esther Riter

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BS’D

Reb Noson ztk’l, the foremost disciple of Reb Nachman ztk’l describes the greatness of hitbodedut: “Try to picture the high priest as he entered the holy of holies at the one time of year that was permitted, Yom Kippur. In describing his appearance, the high priest looked like “one who sits in solitude to pray before Hashem.” “Imagine,” said Reb Noson, “the high priest entering the holy of holies is likened to the person who sits and pours out his heart before Hashem”. Through hitbodedut we can as it were, enter the holy of Holies each and every day!

In particular, during those times when we are in pain and feel alienated we should return to the warmth of HaKadosh Baruch Hu. When our heart is most bitter and confused we are in the position to be closest to Hashem. “Karov Hashem l’nishbari lev… (Hashem is near those with broken hearts…)” writes Dovid HaMelech in tehillim (34:19).  It is precisely when our spirits are crushed and filled with sorrow that we receive comfort and insight as a response to our crying out for our specific needs.

This is the consoling path of hitbodedut and teshuva.  It is simple to enter this pathway; go to a place where you will be undisturbed, talk in your own language and in your own words, and just pour your heart out one on one – just you and Borei Olam.  This is the path of the tzaddikim.  This is our path to teshuva.

This world is filled with illusions; the most ‘real’ to us is the idea that Hashem is far from us. Hitbodedut breaks this false impression. Hashem is here and wants us to come back.  The Ba’al Shem Tov HaKadosh teaches hitbodedut causes us to wipe away the illusions and see the hidden truth of life; how close Hashem really is!

 

Personal Prayer in Practice ~ Part III

May 18, 2016
Orit Esther Riter
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BS’D

In the midst of a trial or nisayon, some of us may struggle to see the good in our lives. What does Rebbe Nachman advise in such cases?

First, during hitbodedut we have to work hard to search high and low for Hashem’s kindness to us, to actively focus on the times when His gracious hand is clearly revealed. But Rebbe Nachman also advises that we should utter words of thanks even if our hearts are not moved. Eventually our words lo lishma will melt the high walls and secured fortress surrounding our hearts. Even in the absence of intense emotion, hitbodedut can still successfully peel away the klipot (shells) covering the heart and transforms our hearts into a vessel that captures Hashem’s light.

Singing or humming holy music or niggunim during hitbodedut is an excellent way of opening our hearts. Such music may awaken hidden feelings or forgotten memories and may inspire a connection to Hashem. Alternatively, we can choose a certain passuk or verse from Chazal and repeatedly recite it with intense concentration. The holy words act as a laser beam, piercing our heart with emotion. For instance, repeating “Ribbono Shel Olam or “Avinu Malkenu” a thousand times may enhance our emotional bond with our Creator.

Even sitting in pure silence during hitbodedut has the power to inject great light into our soul. Despite the absence of words, there remains a strong desire to communicate with Hashem. This type of silence is a spiritual silence, originating from intense feelings that cannot be expressed via words. Though not auditory, we are still connecting with Hashem on a deep, spiritual level. This type of silence goes beyond words and is described in Tehillim, “Lecha Dumia Tehillah (Silence is praise to You…) (see (65:2)”.

Regardless of the method we choose, each hitbodedut session serves to knock down another brick from the wall around our hearts, until eventually we can access our true internal neshama and connect fully with Hashem.

Personal Prayer in Practice ~ Part II

May 17, 2016
Orit Esther Riter
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BS’D

One remarkable effect of hitbodedut is the ability to deeply connect to Hashem in a close and personal way. This process illuminates our soul. Through emotional discourse – words of praise, appreciation, desire, will, lament, and honest reflection – we are able to bond with our Creator on the deepest level.

Our souls’ true desires are often covered over by the desires of our guf, body. Hitbodedut enables us to shed the layers of the guf and some of the genuine desires of the soul begin to surface. For instance, we may begin to feel and access our desire to be righteous and not transgress, to be happy, to live with zest and strength, to increase our emuna, see good in all things and in everyone, a strengthening of self-worth and honor. Above all, this process enables us to truly feel Hashem’s constant and intimate presence.

One highly beneficial part of hitbodedut is to utter words of gratitude. This demonstrates our contentment and our firm emuna that Hashem does everything for the best and that He listens to our tefillot. Expressing appreciation also motivates us to continue to pray with anticipation that the ultimate good will be revealed. We all have friends, relatives and others who support and assist us; B’H we are not alone in this world. Thanking Hashem for our loved ones keeps our blessings coming.

If we are stuck for something to thank Hashem for, Chazal suggest that we visit a hospital or a cemetery. By comparing ourselves to others in the community who are less fortunate than us, we automatically feel appreciation for what Hashem has blessed us. This process of contrasting ourselves with others may minimize the need for Hashem to send us intense challenges in order to encourage us to appreciate the beauty of an ordinary day.

Personal Prayer in Practice

May 16, 2016
Orit Esther Riter
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BS’D

The process of pouring our heartfelt thoughts and feelings to Hashem often enables us to feel cherished and uplifted. Rebbe Nachman explains that hitbodedut is meant to be a deep, intimate talk with Hashem in order to reach heart-felt issues that need to be addressed. Chiseling through the fortress surrounding our hearts requires a significant period of regular time to open up and acknowledge our feelings and emotions. He therefore advises us to do one hour of hitbodedut a day in order to reach this deep, penimi place, this deep place within.

In terms of location, Rebbe Nachman suggests that the most effective hitbodedut is achieved in a private space or in the fields. The fields offer open space and views of nature , which may enhance our connection with Hashem. Though we should also bring Hashem into our everyday lives and speak with Him during all activities, whether driving, folding the laundry and/or washing the dishes, this is not Rebbe Nachman’s hitbodedut per se’. Rather, Rebbe Nachman is referring to talking to Hashem, ‘face to face’ while not engaging in any other activity other than perhaps taking a drink which doesn’t disturb our mode of focus.

Ideally we should set aside a private spiritual ‘corner’ in which we regularly pray, learn and do hitbodedut. We may associate this holy setting with spirituality and this association may enhance our spiritual connections. However, such a separate space is not crucial and we can carry out hitbodedut even while traveling as a passenger and pretending to read a book or while walking in public, while sitting in a public space or in bed under the covers (being careful not to fall asleep!).

Regardless of where we carry out the process, the main thing is to be alone, without being disturbed. The crucial element of this practice is to open ourselves up honestly and connect with Hashem’s presence.

Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to the refuah of Binyamin Yitzchak Yosef Leib ben Faiga, a young father who is in serious condition in need of a lung transplant. May Hashem shower him with a complete healing among all of Klal Yisrael who are sick and suffering, b’karov, b’rachamim, Amen.

 

Personal Prayer ~ Part III

May 11, 2016
Orit Esther Riter
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BS’D

The Higher Heavenly court asks each of us an interesting question: “Did you appoint regular times for learning Torah?” One lesson we can extract from this question is the importance of regular, consistent practice as opposed to sporadic, albeit heartfelt prayers. Although it is a beneficial and admirable to ‘run’ to Hashem and talk over our deepest emotions and concerns the long-term benefits of hitbodedut is achieved best via everyday ‘ordinary’ talk.

Every hitbodedut session is a personal encounter with our Creator. Practiced on a regular basis, hitbodedut forges a deep connection with Hashem that cannot be severed easily. It is called “a lofty level greater than all” Rebbe Nachman ztk’l teaches. Consistency, routine and repetition work best, even at times when it appears there is nothing special to discuss.

Many question Rebbe Nachman’s teaching of the importance of one hour of hitbodedut. Some are concerned about the unrealistic nature of setting aside a whole hour dedicated to Hashem every day. In actual fact, Rebbe Nachman writes, “… one hour or more…”! He teaches that we should ideally strive towards transforming our entire lives to one dynamic intimate conversation with Hashem.

Let’s begin with setting aside a consistent block of time to open our hearts and mouths to our Creator. Let’s choose an authentic length of time, no matter how short a time period, at the most convenient time of day Then, gradually, we can build up towards our “one hour per day” goal. And in order to succeed, we can pray to Hashem to help us set aside this time to achieve our goal.

Today is memorial day in Israel. It is special to take a moment to pray for the souls who have departed from this world and their families.  May Klal Yisrael merit the geula without pain and tragedy, Amen.

Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to the refuah shleimah of Ahava Emuna bat Chava Etta, a young bother battling stage 4 cancer with tremendous pain and difficulty.  May Hashem shower her family with strength and heal her, b’riut hanefesh v’b’riut haguf among all of Klal Yisrael who are sick and suffering b’karov, b’rachamim, Amen.

 

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Personal Prayer ~ Part II

May 10, 2016
Orit Esther Riter
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BS’D

The period between Pesach and Shavuot serves as a bridge between our freedom and the purpose of that freedom. It is a time to prepare spiritually for the revelation to come, our receiving the Torah.
Arguably, one of the most powerful ways of freeing oneself from constraints is the practice of hitbodedut.

Hitbodedut is simply defined as personal secluded one-on-one prayer between us and our Creator. According to psychological principles, the best road to a great relationship is communication. Hitbodedut is essentially communication, but a special form of communication used to forge a relationship with our Creator. Hitbodedut is an opportunity to talk over with Hashem our feelings of appreciation, our regrets, goals and our wishes.

However, speaking to Hashem is more challenging that one might think! Rebbe Nachman ztk’l teaches that due to the power and significance of hitbodedut we will face many obstacles to overcome in order to find the time to speak to Hashem in this way. The evil inclination understands the power of establishing a close-knit relationship with Hashem through hitbodedut. It will probably challenge us each time we attempt to seclude ourselves and open up our hearts. For instance, the yetzer hara may argue: “What do you need to talk about anyway? Don’t you feel awkward talking to the ‘air’?” Or he may just keep us so busy we do not feel we have the time to spare to undertake such a practice.

Yet, we can overcome these obstacles! We can fire up our ratzon (willpower) by reminding ourselves of the significance and effectiveness of hitbodedut. And when we show Hashem we are willing to do this avodah anyway, we will find that talking to Hashem in this way is uplifting. It reinforces through our actions and speech what our neshama, our soul always knows is true – that Hashem indeed is everywhere and with us always.

Hashem deliberately creates a lacking or absence in our lives to encourage us to turn to Him and connect with Him via processes such as hitbodedut. He creates this lack or need out of His kindness and mercy, knowing that the maximum pleasure we can obtain in this world is by connecting with Him. However, if we choose to connect with Him on a regular basis and not merely when we are lacking, He will not need to send us deprivation in order to impel us in His direction.

Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to the refuah shleimah of Eliyahu Moshe ben Devora and Chana bat Devora. Two children of one family: 28 year old fell from electric bicycle and has bleed in brain. His younger sister was involved in car accident a week after with painful back injuries. B’H may we hear good news soon for Klal Yisrael and no more pain and sorrow, Amen.

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