There is a story told of the Noam Elimelech where he was once chased and beat up by a man who did not recognize the Tzaddik. When the attacker returned to his hotel, it was going up in flames. He realized it was a result of what he had just done and ran back to Reb Elimelech and begged for forgiveness. Reb Elimelech said, "I have already forgiven you and have prayed that your business be completely restored." When the man returned to his business, it was restored. This, says the Yanuka, is the entire secret to all greatness and kedusha and the purpose of creation - when a person searches to serve H'shem B'Emet. A simple person who made a mistake and hurt someone else and was forgiven with a Lev Shalem, recognizing he was a Shaliach and holds no grudge. Ahavat Yisrael and searching for Ritzon H'shem B'Emet. This is why a true Tzadik like the Noam Elimelech was able to hold the entire Creation up on his shoulders and had the ability to perform the mira...

When you hear a message over and over again, you know H'shem is sending it especially for you. I am going to believe it is not only for me but to spread to whoever can hear it as well. I heard an incredible Shiur today from Rav Raphael Abuchtzerah on the power of speech—how you literally can create your future, good or bad, by the words you choose. The power of our words are sharper than swords, and we must use them very carefully. I then heard the following speech I transcribed from the Gabi of the Yanuka. I am attaching both links to each Shiur at the bottom so that you can listen to both. I am sorry they are in Hebrew, but I hope I gave over the point of both for those that cannot understand. I am publicly asking H'shem for Teshuvah for every time I had a negative word or thought, and I am asking that all my thoughts and words should be changed to positive brachot for myself, my family, my group members, and all of Am Yisrael. Amen. A special message from the Yanuka especial...

  Beautiful Vort from the Yanuka .  I will try to give over the idea here: Within each of us there is a: Haman, evil ; Achashverosh, striving for greatness ; Mordechai, a tzadik ; and Esther, Bina understanding. The Yanuka said the Purim story happens within each one of us. Will Haman, the evil inclination, win today? Who will Achashverosh listen to, the desire for greatness and making wrong decisions for power or the right path? Will Mordechai the Tzadik and Esther the Yetzer HaTov, Bina make the right choices and put us on the right path? We each go through the Purim story constantly. And when we choose correctly, grab on to the Kedusha of the moment, especially the days leading up to and the holiest day of the year, Purim, we will BEZ" H  have a Purim miracle. Photo by Aharon Luria on Unsplash

Understanding Communication: Speaking Their Language One of the reasons the sign of Adar features two fish facing each other, says Rabbi Fanger, is because there are always two sides to every story. When speaking to someone, we should focus less on what we want to say and more on how the person we're talking to will receive our message. For instance, someone who doesn't have the emotional or intellectual capacity to process complex ideas—such as a young person under 20 or 25 whose prefrontal cortex is still developing—may not "get it" as we expect. Speaking to them in ways they can't understand will only cause frustration for both parties. We must also recognize whether the person we're communicating with is an emotional thinker or a logical thinker. They might understand best through sight, hearing, or touch, and may miss what we're trying to convey if we don't match their learning style. This is why when I work with my clients, it's crucial...