Viktor Frankl, who survived the Holocaust and founded logotherapy, taught that when we feel supported—when someone is truly there for us—we find the strength to stand tall even in our darkest moments.
But our chachamim knew this thousands of years ago.
The Gift of Hitbodedut
Long before modern psychology, our sages gave us hitbodedut—personal prayer where you talk to H'shem like a close friend.
Rebbe Nachman of Breslov made this his primary teaching: Set aside time daily to pour out your heart to H'shem in your own words. He taught this practice is "the highest level, greater than everything."
The Baal Shem Tov spent years in the forests practicing hitbodedut—his spiritual greatness came primarily through this intimate conversation with H'shem.
Abraham Maimonides wrote that hitbodedut is the path of the prophets, leading to true intimacy with H'shem.
Rabbi Kalonymus Kalman Shapira taught about crying out to H'shem even in the Warsaw Ghetto, reminding us that each Jewish heart can call out—and be heard.
Rav Moshe Minder (minder) of Slonim-Baranowitz
Who said that in any time of hardship, lock yourself in a room, say to perakim of Tehillim, and then speak to H'hsem and you will truly be answered (video clip)
When you practice hitbodedut, you have the Ultimate Listener—One who hears every word, knows your heart completely, and holds you up when you cannot stand on your own.
That's the gift our chachamim gave us: healing comes when you're truly heard.
Photo by Lukáš Parničan on Unsplash
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