By Levik Dubov
I loved the irony. It was intense, yet settling; theoretical yet practical. We were in a quiet town about 60 miles from Crown Heights, yet in a Yeshiva-like atmosphere. It was warm despite the 2 feet of snow piled outside!
These were my thoughts as we completed a remarkable 5-day experience with Rabbi Manis Friedman, the renowned scholar, author and counselor from Minnesota.
Sure, I’ve learned Tanya and Ma’amarim before, but never like this! We discovered questions behind the questions, and layers of understanding beneath the answers.
In these few short days I found myself astonished by how practical a change chassidus can bring to my life. Though Chassidus discusses life, purpose and reason, it is not just philosophy.
It isn’t psychology, yet it can analyze, evaluate and communicate to every fiber of our being. Chassidus is truth, and truth can be applied to everything.
I recall the first question Rabbi Friedman asked his anticipating audience…
“When was the last time you learned anything?”
It was a startling question, but he went on to explain how the key to fully understanding is first knowing. And how a question is only a good one after you know what it is you are asking about; once you know the source of what we believe to be true. Rabbi Friedman stressed that the key to learning is not only to ask, but to absorb. There should be no questions until you really hear – her un derher – the story.
Few words can describe the sense of clarity and opportunity we experienced. One friend expressed what we all felt when he remarked, “This is Chassidus 101. I wish I had heard this years ago!”
“The neshomo’s influence enables the mind to engage the body”
Many topics were covered- some planned, others spontaneous. Rabbi Friedman addressed Chassidus and how in order to appreciate Chasidus we must understand what Chassidus brought to Yiddishkeit that was missing before.
He gave us fresh perspective on matters like science and how even the most secular scientist must ask why an “only” existence would be prompted to change. He helped us rethink the Mumbai massacre by appreciating the unique and truly historic Kidush Hashem that it brought.
Rabbi Friedman answered questions like:
* Living Life on Purpose: What’s the difference between living and just trying not to die?
* Free Choice: Is there a difference between bechira and bechira chofshis? And can your bechira affect me?
* Happiness: How did Chassidim remain happy in spite of the unthinkable yissurim they experienced?
* Good: If nothing is bad, and everything is only good, then why can’t we always see it?
* Prayer: Are we allowed to ask G-d for less “good” than He has given us?
* Action: Why can’t we just be “spiritual”?
* Self-Control and Addiction: How do we become objective in a subjective world?
* Marriage: Forget the theoretical. How about the reality? What are the true marital roles of man and woman?
* Chinuch: How will we raise our children in a society where we are no longer their sole influence?
* Relationships: How do we learn to like the people we love?
* Personality, Talent, and Creativity: Does it even matter?
* Moshiach: What’s different now? Why would we assume that we are close to the eternal dream?
* E-Myth: What should be a Shaliach’s primary and only occupation?
* World Peace: What is the real difference between Goodliness and G-dliness?
As we were about to depart Rabbi Friedman turned to us and asked “Why doesn’t this happen more often?”
I think it should. It must. Rabbi Friedman is a genuine mashpia with a realistic understanding of not only today’s Chassidim – but also their potential.
It’s about time we learn how to be that change we wish to see in the world!
was awesome is not the word ,to learn a piece of tanya like you have never learnt before in yeshiva, with moiredik stories and down to earth application, shiurim on the basics of emuna, and toirah-mitzvos etc..no not in yeshiva , please someone bring rabbi friedman out to all yeshivas english speaking , and let the wellsprings be spread forth among our own boys (and girls too),btw it was awesome !!
it says mikabel es haemes mimi sheamra
– Rambam ( he got it from Aristotle )
I find it ironic that you concluded your article with Mahatma Gandhi’s quote about being the change we wish to see in the world. It is a profound and excellent statement – just ironic after reading an article such as this one.
if you’re a bochur looking to get married, or even not looking to get married yet but looking for direction in life, find a way to buy his audio or go to the next retreat. If you want to have a good marriage and don’t want to end up being miserable for the rest of your life or divorced then you want to go to the retreat, you will be amazed and will not regret it. You will learn lots of things that I’m sure you never heard before. Because no one else speaks about them. For example they don’t… Read more »
manis rocks the boat hes#1
yea its him. go reuven!
Rabbi Friedman, you’re the best!!!
Yes i think it is him.
no publicity
Is that Reuven with the orange scarf?
Rabbi Friedman is one of a kind, A real Mashpia with a true understanding of the mushpah. He really understands Chassidus and relates it to every part of life, from how to educate children, to what marriage is and what is considered a healthy marriage and what is not normal and what doesn’t work in marriages, parent -child relationships, Rebbe and Chossid, Shlichus, and how to live life the way it’s supposed to be. Rabbi Friedman is unique in his approach to everything. If you don’t learn his approach and live by it, yeish loimar you don’t begin to understand… Read more »
Rabbi Friedman is the bomb!!
– Your (wanna be) son
is there anyway for a bochur who couldn’t make it to get recordings of this?
if there are recordings of this please publicize – for the benefit of many!
It’s Bais Chana for boys!
Rabbi Manis Friedman should use this goldene opportunity to teach these BOCHRIM how to be future husbands.
my son attended one with Manus Friedman for post smicha bochurim just starting the shidduch process. It really changed his concept of a proper marriage and the roles of men and woman. highly recommended
beautiful writing. I’m impressed.
Shaya
Rabbi Friedman made a farbrengin in ch. it was amazing.
all you people looking 4 info
zalman friedman did the previous ones and will b prolly doing them in the future. any 1 looking should prolly contact him
for some reason, rabbi manis seems like an atypical mashpia. i don’t know any mashpiim like him. why is that?
i would have loved to participated. how do i find out about the next time this is happening?
I was there, it was a terrific experience.
I highly recommend to anybody who is considering such a seminar it was very educational, topics which are extremely necessary but are not usually spoken about were discussed.
I hope that the many other capable people will follow Rabbi Friedman’s example, I firmly believe that this can really help the next generation.
Is it possible to get a hold of them?
beautifully written. What a wonderful opportunity. Please do this more, this generation needs people who have the wisdom and the ability to communicate it to them.
Thank you Levik for bringing this info to us. great job.
about when programs like this take place?
Rabbi M Friedman is an inspiration to all! Somehow he manages to shed the light of chassidus on the youngsters of this day and age!
Should have constant seminar with rabbi friedman.
For our kid’s benefit.
Who do we speak to to make this happen?
Shame.
will leave it up to colLive to get some recordings of these classes, for the masses.
thanks
I had a really enjoyable learning experience. Wish he was my teacher when I was growing up!
It was eye opening, enlightening, engaging, stimulating and totally amazing!
Thank you Rabbi Friedman for sharing the truth with us. Thank you Zalman for arranging it!
Thank you the Bernsteins for hosting the classes and providing excellent food!
Thank you, Rabbi Friedman for your guidance and practicality, they make life easier to understand…
It is a tremendous opportunity for Bochurim to gain heaps of knowledge from Rabbi Friedman, otherwise reserved for female groups!
Thank You!
It is so important that Bochrim can get direction from people like yourself, I hope that other people who have what to give will learn from you and offer direction to today’s Bochrim, it is a tremendous need, and it’s great to see that somebody is addressing this need.
Thank you!
i was there
it was amazing
wish i was there