Baruch Hashem. Parshas Lech Licha 5766 – spoken at the Seudas Shlishis at the Carlebach Shul, New York.
By Rabbi Avraham Brandwein of Jerusalem (translated by Noah Shavrick)

“And Hashem said to Avram, Lech Licha (You should go out), …” (The preceding Parsha) Parshas Noach concludes with the verse, “And these were the days of Terach… and Terach died in Charan.” Immediately, (Parshas Lech Licha begins), “And Hashem said to Avram.” This was the first revelation of Hakadosh Baruch Hu to the father of the Nation, Avraham Avinu, peace be upon him.

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Regarding the post below of Rabbi Avraham Brandwein’s talk at the Carlebach Shul:
The key to this discourse is that our awareness and knowledge of Hashem determines our ability to accomplish Avodah, our spiritual work of development and progress, with joy and pleasure. Accepting the yoke of Hashem’s Kingdom and Torah can feel like a great burden and troublesome to accomplish.

Many people prefer an unburdened spirituality, which asks little of them. They just want to enjoy their spirituality without the responsibilities and laws. Many teachers and centers for such spirituality are readily available.

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Maamar –Reasons for Creation – by Rabbi Schneur Zalman, the Baal HaTanya. (First printed from a manuscript, which belonged to the son-in-law of the Baal HaTanya, in Lehaskilcha Binah, Kfar Chabad, Israel, 1976, page 3; reprinted in Maamarei Admur Hazakain, Inyanim, Kehot,1983, page 95.) (Translated and elucidated from the Hebrew by Noah Shavrick) (Questions or comments to AZKF@comcast.net)

Behold! All of the reasons, which are explained about the intent of the creation (of the world), which are: “it is from the nature of the Good One to do good,” and also “to convert the darkness to light, since the superiority of the light (comes from the contrast with darkness) etc.,” (these reasons) do not apply except after the death of the (primordial) Kings, which is when “Mah” and “Ban” mixed, and from this was the root of the darkness.
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Written by Rabbi Yosef Shani in the book Shaar Yosef (1983), Israel.
(translated by Noah Shavrick)
(Disclaimer by the translator!) The conclusions herein are questionable, especially as to their source. All Kabbalah must be transmitted from teacher to student. New, innovative, novel conclusions could be quite incorrect and harmful to the development of one’s character. In addition, please be very aware that the planets, stars, etc. have no independent control over the world, only G-d does.
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