Please join us as we enter into the universe of Likutei Moharan. Many of the concepts are new to us and will be introduced and developed as we continue on. Some questions will have to stay on the ‘back burner’ until they are clarified. Many questions will arise as we encounter similar ideas from different angles until a beautiful, unified structure comes into a view. This is sure to be a marathon, not a race, and super-rewarding! There very first Torah addresses how to position ourselves as to have our Tefillos accepted and begins discussing an idea relating to the interconnectedness of Torah and Tefillah. Lets begin! 1.       Through Torah, our Tefillos will be accepted by virtue of the fact that ‘chen’ and ‘chashivus’ of klal yisroel will be elevated (and restored); in the current state, ‘chen’ and ‘chashivus’ is only to be found by the other nations; 2.       To achieve ‘chen’ one must look towards the Divine intelligent design in every aspect of the world. As we adopt this outlook, our path will be “lit up” enabling us the thus becoming close to the Ribono Shel Olam (Master of the World) and avoid/overcome pitfalls. In this context we discussed ideas represented by: “Yaakov; Reishis; chochmoh; Shemesh; and the letter Ches. 3.       Further, we discussed, that in order to relate to HKB”H and Chochma, we need to properly prepare ourselves as a kli (receptacle); Relating directly to Hashem’s ‘chochomo’ would otherwise overwhelm us. Our avodah, therefore relates to the developing ourselves as a receptacle represented by the letter “Nun” (as paired together with the letter “ches,” see above, creates a matzav of “chen”) such that our tefillos will be accepted. The bridge between our sechel and Chochmo that facilitates our connection with Hashem is: “emunah,” a bechina (same vein as) malchus (d’kedusah; see below),” and “levana” (moon) 4.       Therefore, to develop and cultivate “chen” one must be totally ‘reflective’, i.e. understand that there is nothing independent/other than Hashem and divine wisdom; (We will discuss the ideal of Avodah Zara and ga’avah in later shiurim); This is idea of malchus “which has nothing of ‘its own’ correspondent to the Levana reflecting the Shemesh Thus “chen” is held by the other nations, when one does not see the world through this lens (attaching the Nun to the Ches); This finds expression if “esav” disgracing the “Bechora” corresponding to the sechel discussed above) This is the idea of “Malchus d’sitra achra” which corresponds to Malchus d’Kedusha. 5.       Malchus d’kedusha and malchus d’sitra achra have a reciprocal relationship as finds expression in this world. Malchus d’kedusa is strengthened through learning Torah ‘bkoach and Tzaddikim who are mevatel their “self” towards cleaving to malchus d’kedusha.