{"id":1080474,"date":"2021-01-05T08:04:48","date_gmt":"2021-01-05T08:04:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/%d7%9c%d7%9c%d7%90-%d7%a7%d7%98%d7%92%d7%95%d7%a8%d7%99%d7%94\/knowledge-is-power-a-new-light\/"},"modified":"2024-07-04T10:11:18","modified_gmt":"2024-07-04T07:11:18","slug":"knowledge-is-power-a-new-light","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/1080474\/","title":{"rendered":"Knowledge is Power – A New Light"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In this chapter of\u00a0A New Light<\/strong><\/a><\/span>,\u00a0Rabbi\u00a0Arush\u00a0highlights the\u00a0 vital\u00a0 importance\u00a0 of\u00a0requesting knowledge from Hashem\u00a0 in\u00a0 the fourth\u00a0 blessing\u00a0 of\u00a0 the\u00a0 Shemoneh\u00a0Esrei.\u00a0He encourages us to make this a special interest item and say it with\u00a0intense\u00a0devotion and intent.\u00a0This is because a\u00a0person needs\u00a0 daat\u00a0<\/em>–\u00a0 knowledge\u00a0 –\u00a0more than anything else in the world.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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What is knowledge? Knowledge means knowing Hashem!\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Living\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a good life\u00a0<\/span><\/span>is completely dependent<\/span><\/span>\u00a0 on a person’s knowledge.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
Rabbi Arush<\/span><\/span>\u00a0says it<\/span><\/span>\u2019s<\/span><\/span>\u00a0possible and necessary to review\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the words of the blessing\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>repeatedly\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>and<\/span><\/span>\u00a0 each time draw forth new meaning, <\/span><\/span>intentions,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0and ideas.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
Rabbi\u00a0<\/span><\/span>A<\/span><\/span>rush recommends\u00a0<\/span><\/span>that<\/span><\/span>\u00a0we repeat the words of the blessing\u00a0<\/span><\/span>multiple<\/span><\/span>\u00a0times, slowly and with feeling.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>I<\/span><\/span>n a minute, you can repeat the words four to six times.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>It’s very important to emphasize that this refers only to the words up to the end of the blessing, but not the end itself, because it is forbidden to recite the words\u00a0<\/span><\/span>at<\/span><\/span>\u00a0the end of the blessing\u00a0<\/span><\/span>that contain Hashem\u2019s holy name\u00a0<\/span><\/span>more than once.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>If you really want\u00a0<\/span><\/span>results, you need to put focus and energy into your prayers \u2013 not just recite the words without feeling. However,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>if you invest even a minute a day\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to<\/span><\/span>\u00a0focus your intentions on this prayer<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0you will build vessels<\/span><\/span>, your prayers will bear fruit,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0and you will see <\/span><\/span>wondrous<\/span><\/span> changes.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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For instance, for this fourth blessing, you can repeat over and over the words \u201c<\/span><\/span>chochma<\/span><\/span>,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>bina<\/span><\/span>,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>v\u2019daat<\/span><\/span>\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u2013 \u201cwisdom, understanding and knowledge.\u201d When you are finished with your intentions for this blessing, and are ready to continue on to the next blessing, then say \u201cBaruch <\/span><\/span>ata<\/span><\/span>\u00a0 Hashem\u2026\u201d \u201cBlessed are <\/span><\/span>You<\/span><\/span>\u201d \u2013 finish the blessing, and move on to the next paragraph.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Rabbi Arush<\/span><\/span>\u00a0gives numerous examples of various things that we should\u00a0<\/span><\/span>pray for<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>while we say this fourth blessing, asking G-d to give us wisdom, knowledge and understanding of all aspects of the truth:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
Ask Hashem<\/span><\/span>\u00a0to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>get to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>know and recognize\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Him<\/span><\/span>, which is the purpose of creation.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
Ask Hashem<\/span><\/span>\u00a0to know the entire Torah, and to know Hashem by means of knowing\u00a0<\/span><\/span>His<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Torah.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Ask Hashem<\/span><\/span>\u00a0to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>help you\u00a0<\/span><\/span>understand every holy book that you learn in line with the truth of the Torah.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
Ask Hashem<\/span><\/span>\u00a0to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>truly\u00a0<\/span><\/span>know that there is\u00a0<\/span><\/span>no one but Him<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
Ask Hashem<\/span><\/span>\u00a0to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>truly\u00a0<\/span><\/span>know there\u00a0<\/span><\/span>is<\/span><\/span>\u00a0no\u00a0<\/span><\/span>bad<\/span><\/span>\u00a0in the world.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
Ask Hashem<\/span><\/span>\u00a0to always know what Hashem\u00a0<\/span><\/span>wants<\/span><\/span>\u00a0from you and what\u00a0<\/span><\/span>He is hinting<\/span><\/span>\u00a0to you\u00a0<\/span><\/span>in<\/span><\/span>\u00a0everything you experience<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
Ask Hashem<\/span><\/span>\u00a0to find Hashem and know Hashem\u00a0<\/span><\/span>in<\/span><\/span>\u00a0everything in your life.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
Think about every one of your children<\/span><\/span>. Pray for each of them, and ask<\/span><\/span>\u00a0Hashem<\/span><\/span>\u00a0give them knowledge and intent so they will attain\u00a0<\/span><\/span>emuna<\/span><\/span>\u00a0and know<\/span><\/span>\u00a0Torah<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
Think about your relatives and friends<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>and<\/span><\/span>\u00a0the entire nation of Israel<\/span><\/span>, and the entire world<\/span><\/span>. Pray that\u00a0<\/span><\/span>they too should get to know G-d, learn emuna, believe in Him and speak to Him<\/span><\/span>\u00a0every day<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I recommend\u00a0<\/span><\/span>printing this list and adding some of your own insights. Then keep it\u00a0<\/span><\/span>in your\u00a0<\/span><\/span>siddur<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>(<\/span><\/span>prayer book<\/span><\/span>)\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>contemplat<\/span><\/span>e<\/span><\/span> one of these concepts each time you request knowledge from Hashem in the\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>Shemoneh<\/span><\/span>\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>Esrei<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0If you can, try to focus on this prayer for up to 20 minutes at least once a day, during whichever of the three prayer times you have more time to focus on it.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
Connect the Dots<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
Next,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Rabbi\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Arush<\/span><\/span>\u00a0reviews each blessing of the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Shemoneh<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Esrei<\/span><\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>links<\/span><\/span>\u00a0it to the prayer for\u00a0<\/span><\/span>daat,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>knowledge.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
For example, in the six<\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span>\u00a0blessing,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>when we<\/span><\/span>\u00a0request<\/span><\/span>\u00a0forgiveness<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span> we must focus on\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>having\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>daat<\/span><\/span>.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>W<\/span><\/span>hen a person\u00a0<\/span><\/span>sins,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0he harms himself<\/span><\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>grows distan<\/span><\/span>t<\/span><\/span>\u00a0from Hashem<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0Why does he harm himself? Because\u00a0<\/span><\/span>he lacks\u00a0<\/span><\/span>daat<\/span><\/span>. After all<\/span><\/span>, would a<\/span><\/span>\u00a0person who has knowledge want to harm himself?\u00a0<\/span><\/span>O<\/span><\/span>ur\u00a0<\/span><\/span>S<\/span><\/span>ages\u00a0<\/span><\/span>declare\u00a0<\/span><\/span>that\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a person does not commit a sin unless a spirit of foolishness has\u00a0<\/span><\/span>entered<\/span><\/span>\u00a0him.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>A fool lacks\u00a0<\/span><\/span>daat \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>he doesn\u2019t realize what he is doing and the full consequences of his actions\u2026<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
In the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>fifteenth<\/span><\/span>\u00a0blessing,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>we request the full redemption of our people. W<\/span><\/span>hen we say the words,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u201c<\/span><\/span>because we hope for\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Y<\/span><\/span>our salvation the entire day,<\/span><\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0we must have in mind\u00a0<\/span><\/span>that we<\/span><\/span>\u00a0want all people in the world\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to have\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>daat<\/span><\/span>\u00a0 and<\/span><\/span>\u00a0 know\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>Hashem,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>so<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>that\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the verse will be\u00a0<\/span><\/span>realized, \u201cThe<\/span><\/span>\u00a0Earth will be filled with the knowledge of Has<\/span><\/span>hem like water covering the sea<\/span><\/span>”\u00a0<\/span><\/span>(I<\/span><\/span>saiah 11:9<\/span><\/span>)<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
E<\/span><\/span>very prayer whether it expresses a request or thanks, revolves around knowledge<\/span><\/span>\u00a0 (<\/span><\/span>daat<\/span><\/span>)<\/span><\/span>\u00a0 and <\/span><\/span>f<\/span><\/span>aith<\/span><\/span>\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>(emuna) <\/span><\/span>because knowledge and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>f<\/span><\/span>aith are the purpose of\u00a0<\/span><\/span>o<\/span><\/span>ur\u00a0<\/span><\/span>l<\/span><\/span>ives.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>For this reason, the request for knowledge is placed at the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>f<\/span><\/span>orefront\u00a0<\/span><\/span>of all the various<\/span><\/span>\u00a0requests in the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Shemoneh<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Esrei<\/span><\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
To<\/span><\/span>\u00a0understand the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Torah,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0you must pray for success\u00a0<\/span><\/span>in<\/span><\/span>\u00a0learning it.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Ra<\/span><\/span>bbi Arush conveys an account of the Maggid of\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Ko<\/span><\/span>z<\/span><\/span>nitz<\/span><\/span>. After\u00a0<\/span><\/span>finishing praying one day<\/span><\/span>, he<\/span><\/span>\u00a0asked one of his students\u00a0<\/span><\/span>if<\/span><\/span>\u00a0he\u00a0<\/span><\/span>had\u00a0<\/span><\/span>studied a passage of the Torah which he was having difficulty understanding. The student was surprised at the question and didn\u2019t understand it. The Maggid understood the surprised look and said this was a matter of basic faith.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u201cIn<\/span><\/span>\u00a0your prayer<\/span><\/span>s,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0you asked\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Hashem for knowledge. Why don\u2019t<\/span><\/span>\u00a0you go immediately after praying to see if you understand now what you didn\u2019t before?\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
In truth, why don’t we do that?\u00a0<\/span><\/span>A<\/span><\/span>\u00a0person does not\u00a0<\/span><\/span>really beseech Hashem<\/span><\/span>\u00a0for knowledg<\/span><\/span>e if<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>t<\/span><\/span>hroughout his life he only reads the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>blessing<\/span><\/span>,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u201cH<\/span><\/span>e\u00a0<\/span><\/span>W<\/span><\/span>ho graciously grants knowledge<\/span><\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>and<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>at the same time\u00a0<\/span><\/span>does not feel\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a<\/span><\/span>\u00a0deep<\/span><\/span>\u00a0and urgent\u00a0<\/span><\/span>need for knowledge<\/span><\/span>\u00a0of G-d<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
Such a person\u2019s<\/span><\/span>\u00a0Torah learning is entirely disconnected from Hashem.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>He only thinks<\/span><\/span>\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>\u201c<\/span><\/span>I\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>understood,\u00a0<\/span><\/span> or I didn’t understand.<\/span><\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0But\u00a0<\/span><\/span>overall,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0he does not see\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Hashem\u2019s involvement<\/span><\/span> in his learning.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>You\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>must<\/span><\/span>\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>realize<\/span><\/span>:\u00a0 I<\/span><\/span>f\u00a0<\/span><\/span>you<\/span><\/span>\u00a0understood<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0it<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span>s because\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Hashem\u00a0<\/span><\/span>helped<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>you<\/span><\/span>\u00a0understand. If\u00a0<\/span><\/span>you<\/span><\/span>\u00a0didn’t understand<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0it is because\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Hashem<\/span><\/span>\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0<\/span><\/span>allow\u00a0<\/span><\/span>you<\/span><\/span>\u00a0to understand, because he wants\u00a0<\/span><\/span>you\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>first\u00a0<\/span><\/span>pray<\/span><\/span>\u00a0to understand<\/span><\/span>\u2026<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
When we\u00a0<\/span><\/span>internalize and apply<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Rabbi Arush\u2019s teachings on this topic<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0we\u2019ll recite the blessing requesting knowledge with a new sense of urgency and enthusiasm<\/span><\/span>. This will<\/span><\/span>\u00a0uplift the quality of our entire\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Shemoneh<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Esrei<\/span><\/span>\u00a0and empower our prayers.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In this chapter of\u00a0A New Light,\u00a0Rabbi\u00a0Arush\u00a0highlights the\u00a0 vital\u00a0 importance\u00a0 of\u00a0requesting knowledge from Hashem\u00a0 in\u00a0 the fourth\u00a0 blessing\u00a0 of\u00a0 the\u00a0 Shemoneh\u00a0Esrei.\u00a0He encourages us to make this a special interest item and say it with\u00a0intense\u00a0devotion and intent.\u00a0This is because a\u00a0person needs\u00a0 daat\u00a0–\u00a0 knowledge\u00a0 –\u00a0more than anything else in the world.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 What is knowledge? Knowledge means … Continue reading “Knowledge is Power – A New Light”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":62109,"featured_media":1080475,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[15186],"tags":[37996,16369,63479],"author_post":[15855],"new_serie":[86774],"class_list":["post-1080474","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-spiritual-growth","tag-divine-wisdom","tag-emuna","tag-shemoneh-esrei","author_post-dennis-rosen","new_serie-if-theres-a-will-theres-a-way"],"acf":{"intro_text":"

A person needs daat - knowledge - more than anything else. Knowledge means knowing Hashem! Living a good life is completely dependent on a person's knowledge.<\/p>\n","special_content_in_the_post":"none","meta_title":"Knowledge is Power - A New Light - Chapter 8","meta_description":"A person needs daat - knowledge - more than anything else. Knowledge means knowing Hashem! Living a good life is completely dependent on a person's knowledge.","paragraph_first":"","paragraph_second":"","youtube":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1080474","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/62109"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1080474"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1080474\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1080475"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1080474"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1080474"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1080474"},{"taxonomy":"author_post","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/author_post?post=1080474"},{"taxonomy":"new_serie","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/new_serie?post=1080474"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}