The Missing Piece

Regardless of one’s affiliation, color, background or standard of living, there is one thing which people universally long for in their lives, and that is true happiness.  If we compare life to a puzzle, we can say that only when the puzzle is complete and the pieces fit perfectly have we reached the status of “Happy”.  With so many parts needed to finish the puzzle, we are constantly in search of them; good health, income, sustenance, finding one’s soul mate, peace in the home, lack of stress, children, knowledge and truth, to name a few. The problem is, in today’s world, most people are missing many significant components of the puzzle.
 
I, too, was in search of that seemingly elusive goal. The more I tried to be happy, the more distant it became. We tried every trick in the book. My husband and I opened our own business (twice) in the hopes of making a good living. After more than 10 years of marriage we became religiously observant and switched our children to more intensive Jewish schools. This spiritual growth culminated in our move to Holy Land of Israel a few years later. On the exterior it appeared that we were doing everything right and for all intents and purposes, we were. Hashem was in our lives, we were keeping Shabbat and trying to observe the mitzvot. Why then wasn’t it working? Something was sorely missing… a very important piece of the puzzle.
 
Then, a few years ago, when I was first introduced to Rav Shalom Arush’s life-changing book, The Garden of Emuna I was drawn to the whole philosophy he was presenting. His way of thinking ‘spoke to me’ and I found myself seeking out the Breslev website. The many postings and articles as well as a variety of CDs I ordered were salve for my soul. It was as if I had been reborn as my life took a drastic change for the better.  Our marriage, which was already in the throes of death, was resuscitated and brought back to life with the fresh air of emuna*.  Where others may have declared our union as ‘brain dead’ with a recommendation to ‘pull the plug’ and end our suffering, the teachings of Rebbe Nachman z’tl provided us with a lifesaving miracle. Our children, whose distress had been evident by their non-progress in school and many emotional struggles, soon began to blossom with a newfound inner strength. Just as plants develop and sprout to expose their full potential through healthy, nourishing care, our offspring were finally able to flourish under the Healing Light which now radiated into our home. (G-d forbid that any scars remain on their precious neshamas due to our selfish behavior)
 
Throughout this process, we were regularly pressured by well-intentioned people who referred to our new direction as an obsession with some kind of cult. According to the definition (Encarta Dictionary), the word ‘cult’ refers to “beliefs regarded by others as misguided, unorthodox, extremist, or false”. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Due to the influence of Rabbi Brody and Rav Arush, our home had become noticeably calmer and was no longer completely dysfunctional. We were still following the laws of our forefathers. It took some explaining to convince them that Breslevers learn from the very same Torah given to our Holy Ancestors. The Baal Shem Tov was the great-grandfather of Rebbe Nachman of Breslev, z’tl. The foundation of the teachings of Rebbe Nachman is collected within a book which was written down by Rabbi Natan (Sternhartz), the Rebbe’s closest student, called Likutey Moharan. All of these lessons are based on the Talmud, Midrash and Kabbalah, the same sources referred to by all of our Righteous Tzadikkim.
 
I had also read the book, “Through Fire and Water”, the story of Rabbi Natan’s amazing determination to spread the wisdom he so sincerely believed imperative to the survival of Judaism. His fortitude and self-sacrifice was phenomenal. As I discovered his continuous and often horrific trials and tribulations, I grew to greatly admire him and the knowledge he was disseminating with a deeper insight. On some level, I could relate to him and his commitment to his beliefs, though his courage is unparalleled.
 
There are three distinct guidelines that stand out in my mind that are unique to Rebbe Nachman and Breslev Chassidut. These ideologies are not exclusive to this group, yet because they stress these areas, it sets them apart from the rest; hitbodedut (personal prayer), emuna and happiness. The three are interrelated and overlap as a spiritual incubator to restore the health of any underdeveloped or wounded soul. When one practices daily hitbodedut, self evaluation and repentance all bound together with genuine emuna, the acceptance that EVERYTHING comes from G-d and that it is ALL for the best, one cannot help but be overcome with a feeling of contentment. This sensation of profound, internal satisfaction is the puzzle piece so desperately missing in the world.
 
Another principle I truly value is the outlook that all of mankind are G-d’s children and each one of us has a role to play. We are all equal in the eyes of Hashem and therefore we are obliged to treat every person with the same impartiality. The Almighty wants every one of us to obey His Commandments, whether it is the 613 mitzvot or the 7 Noahide laws. We are all required to adhere to these decrees if we expect to obtain an entry pass to the World to Come. Considering this World is temporary and the next is eternal, it is something definitely worth taking into account. 
 
While Hashem desires that we follow His Directives and live our lives according to His Will, He also instructs us to be happy! This duty becomes an almost effortless task when one follows the path of Rebbe Nachman of Breslev. Rebbe Nachman underscored our obligation to live life with joy and happiness and is quoted as saying “It is a great mitzvah to be happy.” 
 
When building a puzzle we should bear in mind that it can be reshuffled and reconnected anytime we choose to ensure we get it right. Thankfully, with emuna, all the puzzle pieces miraculously fall into their proper places at the right time. Once we have the merit of discovering that perfect-fitting, final piece, we dare not let it go. For that prized part will enable us to complete the puzzle and not only will it imbue us with sublime happiness, it will be beautiful enough to frame for posterity!
 
 
*emuna – the firm belief in a single, supreme, omniscient, benevolent, spiritual, supernatural and all-powerful Creator of the universe, who we refer to as G-d (from the ‘Garden of Emuna’)