Rebbe Nachman of Breslov

(Originally published as an e-mail Oct 08, 2012)
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                      A Monday Thought For Temple Sinai From Rabbi Barry

Long ago Rebbe Nachman of Breslov ( 1772-1810 ) taught:

      “When you pray, hold nothing back from God.  Pour out your heart with
honest openness, as if you were speaking to your very best friend.”

(The Gentle Weapon : Prayers for Everyday and Not-So-Everyday Moments,
Adapted by Moshe Mykoff & S.C. Mizrahi with the Breslov Research Institute )

For many of us, relating to God in this way is often difficult, perhaps impossible.

For me, every evening before going to sleep, when I say the Sh’ma, I also turn to
the Holy One in personal prayer.  I ask God to forgive me for my mistakes, my
errors, my failings during that day, and I offer prayers for the safety and well being
of my loved ones.  At times, I really do “pour out” my heart as well.

I hope this little “Monday Thought” might bring each of us a measure of strength,
comfort, faith and hope as we prepare for a restful evening and a good “schluf,”
or sleep.

Love,
Rabbi Barry