Transforming the World: A text based class

Studying a translation of a key section of the maamar Padah B'Shalom 5726

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Transforming the World: A text based class: Studying a translation of a key section of the maamar Padah B'Shalom 5726

Handouts:	Transforming the World
Topics:	Peace, Maamar, Kislev 19, Birurim

This class is presented in partnership with JNET - The Jewish Learning Network

Click here for follow-along source sheet.

By Tzvi Freeman

Tzvi Freeman is the author of Bringing Heaven Down to Earth and, more recently, Wisdom to Heal the Earth. Subscribe to The Daily Dose of Wisdom and Freeman Files for regular updates.

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10 Comments

Bentzion Chicago June 21, 2022

Where can I read specifically about the divine sparks being kavanah haElokis? With regard to these sparks in people, it is an interesting deeper meaning of tzelem Elokim. Thanks! Reply

Susan New York July 21, 2017

This is not a question I looked up Birur and found this as follows for a definition of the word.
Birur (“separation,” “choosing,” or “refinement”):
A birur is a type of tikun in which one must work to separate good from evil in any given entity, and then reject the evil and accept the good. This may be done actively or in one’s consciousness. Birur usally refers to the spiritual process of clarifying and redeeming the “fallen sparks” of Divine light which are “dormant” throughout nature.

As a physical act, relevant to the laws of Shabbat, there are two forms of birur, extracting the food from the waste, or removing the waste from the food. Also see yichud.

Yichud (“unification”):
1. A Yichud is a type of tikun in which one does not need to separate good from evil but rather focus one’s consciousness on the inherent spiritual unity between two apparently disparate concepts. See birur.

2. (pl. yichudim): A specific spiritual exercise of this nature.

3.The spiritual state associate Reply

J wahler Lockport NY October 8, 2021

in response to Susan:

This is eye opening. And thank you Reply

Ben Chicago March 21, 2016

What is the quoted sentence? Hi! Where is the quoted sentence,"hishlavshus b'levushei hamisbarer" from?

Thanks! Reply

Anonymous January 18, 2015

Thank you so much for sharing this. I also really appreciate that you went over time, explaining each step so that it could be understood, rather than just to be fit in the time limits. And more time to answer some questions. And for recording the stuff past the time limit. None of the above is expected, and it's valuable for month-late comers. Reply

Tzvi Freeman December 11, 2014

For Anath Grebler That's a very sticky question—How can there be divine sparks within terrorism and other evils? See the recent article Darkness Speaks www.chabad.org/2621981 Reply

Tzvi Freeman December 11, 2014

Re: Teaching from the level of the people That's an interesting point. It could be applied to many other things as well.

But there is a prohibition of Torah against dressing the same as the nations around you. In other words, Torah wants the Jew to remain distinct even as he or she adapts. Otherwise, we lose our ability to effect change. Reply

Orli Melbourne December 11, 2014

Thank you very much for your exceptional Torah teaching. Reply

Anath Grebler Nelson December 11, 2014

How to deal with the evil present now? Terrorism? the Divine sparks are there as well. Reply

Anonymous CA December 11, 2014

Teaching from the level of the people If Jews are supposed to adapt to the culture where they find themselves, for the sake of Tikun, in order to fully engage, then why do Orthodox Jews wear clothing styles from the past which set them apart? Reply

Transforming the World: A text based class: Studying a translation of a key section of the maamar Padah B'Shalom 5726

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