{"id":5193442,"date":"2025-12-08T15:34:12","date_gmt":"2025-12-08T12:34:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/breslev.co.il\/?p=5193442"},"modified":"2025-12-08T18:06:50","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T15:06:50","slug":"smoke-screen-part-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/5193442\/","title":{"rendered":"Smoke Screen, Part 3\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Translated from Rabbi Arush\u2019s feature article in the weekly Chut shel Chessed newsletter. The articles focus on his main message: “Loving others as yourself” and emuna.<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Chanukah \u2013 the Real Story\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cAbba, come see the beautiful picture we made in kindergarten,\u201d our child will say to us and wave one of those drawings of the pious Chashmona\u2019im with peot<\/i> (sidelocks) and long beards facing vulgar-looking non-Jews. We will smile and reply, \u201cVery nice,\u201d and tell him the story of Chanukah near the Chanukah candles, as they cast their warm light.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

But we must tell the story of Chanukah to ourselves<\/b> as well. And when we tell it to ourselves<\/b>, we should devote time to thinking what the reality was really<\/b> like then. It\u2019s very convenient for us to think that the Mityavnim<\/i> (Hellenized Jews) looked like those vulgar gentiles after they changed their way of life completely, and after they changed their names and their clothing. But this is really not so. The <\/b>Mityavnim <\/i><\/b>looked just like us<\/b>. They kept their peot <\/i>and their beards and attended the synagogue and remained in their communities \u2013 but inside they were rotten, completely immersed in Greek culture.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

It is not at all certain that they even felt<\/b> that they were wicked. They thought that they were kosher Jews, and had just \u201cadded to their lives\u201d a bit more \u201charmless content\u201d\u2026 \u201cThere is much wisdom and beauty in Greek culture\u201d, they thought, mistakenly. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with it? Why shouldn\u2019t we adopt part of it? After all, it says \u201cMay G-d enlarge Yefet (the forefather of the Greeks \u2013 Yavan<\/i>), and let him dwell in the tents of Shem,\u201d1<\/b><\/sup><\/span> doesn\u2019t it?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

True, one cannot depict to the<\/b> children<\/b> a complex reality in which the resha\u2019im<\/i> (wicked people) walk around with peot<\/i> and beards, but we are not children<\/b>; we know that the yetzer hara<\/i> (evil inclination) exists everywhere, even in the study hall, and even in Charedi communities. And if we don\u2019t understand well the danger and the disease that attacked the Jewish people back then and what it looked like exactly<\/b>, we will not know how to identify it in our own days, and we won\u2019t know whose side we\u2019re on, and we won\u2019t know how to protect ourselves!\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The Few Tzaddikim Facing All the Evil\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

In the previous two essays we wrote at length how screens and various devices can be found in the home of Gd-fearing, observant Jews. This is a huge victory of the yetzer hara<\/i>: It has managed to cause people to forget the Torah, and that is, practically speaking, Hellenism itself, and even much worse than that.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

We wrote that if even if you think<\/b> you can\u2019t disconnect yourself from the technological gadgets, at least recognize the truth<\/b>. As a first stage, admit to the truth and understand and define to yourself: \u201cThis is bad, this is the opposite of Torah, and Hashem will help me and guide me in detaching myself from this evil thing, but I am not going to declare that this impure thing is pure, and I will not pervert the truth: Evil is evil!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

And indeed, the small screen has taken over our lives forcibly, and all those who are attached and glued to this device \u2013 it is the center of their lives, the essence of life to them, and they depend on it in so many ways \u2013 but the dependence is mainly psychological. It has been instilled in us so strongly that not only is it considered permissible, but it is a real mitzvah. Jews who are subjugated to this device not only don\u2019t understand how bad and damaging it is but are also completely attached to it and cannot tear themselves away from it.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

In this essay, erev <\/i>Chanukah, in which a small amount of light was enough to chase away much darkness, and the few vanquished the many against all chances, we wish to speak, with Hashem\u2019s help, about the solution<\/b>, about \u201chow to get ourselves out of this\u201d.<\/b> We will try to present the readers with the way that we, as small and weak as we are, will be able to stand up to an empire of money and psychological bondage whose entire goal is to enslave us.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

An Essential, Stable, Long-term Solution<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

To know what the solution is, we must understand why it is so hard for those who are enslaved to the small and poisonous screen to detach themselves from it, even though they understand the depth and the extent of its dangers.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The reason is that these small and satanic gadgets keep their owners so busy and fill their lives with fake \u201cliving\u201d, to the point that they feel unbearable emptiness without it. No one can do without his source of vitality<\/b>, whatever gives him the feeling that he is alive<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The same way someone who is addicted to sweets \u2013 even though he understands <\/b>that it\u2019s bad for his health and he knows<\/b> that he must lessen his sugar consumption \u2013 as long as he receives <\/b>this sense of <\/b>vitality<\/b> from the fake sweetness, he will not be able to overcome his yetzer<\/i>, and certainly won\u2019t be able to make a long-term <\/b>change.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

And therefore, even those who want to wean themselves from the screens and indeed strengthen themselves and take some steps towards detaching themselves, go back to them after a while. This behavior is the same way most of those who go on diets return very quickly to their original weight, and the same way most of those who stop smoking go back to it, unfortunately.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

So, what is the solution that can bring about real change?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The only solution is to create a<\/b>n alternative<\/b> source of vitality<\/b> \u2013 a real life! Without a real life, we will never be able to pull ourselves away from the smartphone\u2019s fake vitality.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The way of the Ba\u2019al Shem Tov Hakadosh<\/i> was not to fight evil, but to do good and then the evil will go away on its own, as the Chassidic sayings put it: \u201cDarkness is not chased away with sticks\u201d So how is it chased away? \u201cA small amount of light is enough to chase away much darkness.\u201d2<\/b><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

And so, you don\u2019t have to fight the gadget head-on, because such a battle is doomed to fail. True, you must at the first stage<\/b> lessen your use of it and limit it, and block it with an effective filter, and find kosher solutions for your various needs.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

But your main task is to create <\/b>a real life<\/b> for yourself!<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Adding Light \u2013 Adding Life<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

And that is the idea of the holy festival of Chanukah: instead of fighting the darkness<\/b> of Greek culture, we just light one little candle!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

If we add some small bit of vitality to our lives, we will be able, with Hashem\u2019s help, to detach ourselves from these powerful gadgets. Life in this world is a search for this feeling that we are, indeed, living. All desires are a search for this feeling. And because we don\u2019t know where to find true vitality, we make many mistakes and escape into all our addictions.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

But we, the holy Jewish People, do not need to search for our sense of life anywhere. Our true vitality is right under our noses. \u201cThis word is very close to you. It is in your mouth and in your heart for you to keep it.\u201d3<\/b><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Judaism is not just a collection of laws but rather the source of vitality, the source of life! And this means that we receive our sense of being alive only from Hashem, only from the Torah and straight emuna<\/i> (faith). This, and only this, is the true solution: deep, true, inner, pure vitality.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Emuna<\/i> gives a sense of vitality, as it says: \u201cThe righteous man lives on by his faith\u201d!4<\/b><\/sup><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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

Prayer gives a sense of vitality, as Rabbi Nachman says: \u201cFor the main part of vitality one receives from tefillah<\/i> as is written, \u2018a prayer to the G-d of my life\u2019.\u201d5<\/b><\/sup><\/span> A true connection with Hashem yitbarach<\/i> gives life, because \u201cA king\u2019s bright face signals life\u201d6<\/b><\/sup><\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Torah gives a sense of vitality, because it is \u201cour life and the length of our days\u201d7<\/b><\/sup><\/span> and \u201cThey are a source of life for him who has discovered them\u201d8<\/b><\/sup><\/span>. Daat<\/i> and true wisdom give vitality because \u201cwisdom brings life to those who master it\u201d9<\/b><\/sup><\/span> and \u201ca fount of life is intelligence to the one who has it\u201d.10<\/b><\/sup><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Teshuva<\/i> (repentance) and true love of Hashem give a sense of vitality: \u201cHashem, your G-d, will circumcise your heart and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love Hashem your G-d with all your heart, with all your soul that you may live<\/b>\u201d!11<\/b><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Humility and fear of G-d give life: \u201cThe result of humility is fear of Hashem \u2013 wealth, honor, and life itself.\u201d12<\/b><\/sup><\/span> And \u201cFear of Hashem is the fount of life.\u201d13<\/b><\/sup><\/span> Tzaddikim<\/i> give life: \u201cThe wise man\u2019s teaching is a fount of life\u201d14<\/b><\/sup><\/span>. Spiritual wishes and yearnings give life! The joy of mitzvahs gives life. T<\/em>zedakah <\/i>and chessed<\/i> and doing things for the benefit of the Jewish people and of others gives vitality: \u201cHe that pursues righteousness and kindness finds life, virtue, and honor\u201d,15<\/b><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0and \u201cIn the way of righteousness is life.\u201d16<\/b><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The festival of Chanukah is a symbol and a good example. One little candle, one little flame is enough \u2013 its light already increases and chases away endless amounts of evil and darkness. Go and look and find your own small spiritual vitality<\/b>, learn a bit more about emuna<\/i>, do a bit more hitbodedut<\/i>, connect more to the Torah. And if you will just want to be saved from your subjugation to the screen, you\u2019ll see that this little light will give you a sense of being alive and a sense of inner strength. It will grow and grow until you will become disgusted by the false vitality, and you will be able to be completely clean from the biggest yetzer hara<\/i> of our generation!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n

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

Editor\u2019s Notes<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1<\/sup> <\/span><\/strong>Bereishit (Genesis) 9:27\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2<\/sup><\/strong><\/span> This widely known saying in Jewish tradition is often attributed to the Chofetz Chaim (Rabbi Israel Meir Kagan). The exact quote is:\u00a0“Darkness is not chased away with sticks, not even with cannons. One simply lights a small candle, and the darkness flees before it.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3<\/sup><\/strong><\/span> Devarim (Deuteronomy) 30:14\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

4<\/sup><\/strong><\/span> Habakkuk 2:4\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

5<\/sup><\/strong><\/span> Likutei Moharan 9:1\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

6<\/sup><\/strong><\/span> Mishlei (Proverbs) 16:15\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

7<\/sup><\/strong><\/span> Found in the blessing immediately preceding Kriyat Shema<\/em> in the Maariv prayer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

8<\/sup><\/strong><\/span> Mishlei 4:22\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

9<\/sup><\/strong><\/span> Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) 7:12\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

10<\/sup><\/strong><\/span> Mishlei 16:22\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

11<\/sup><\/strong><\/span> Devarim 30:6\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

12<\/sup><\/strong><\/span> Mishlei 22:4\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

13<\/sup><\/strong><\/span> Mishlei 14:27\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

14<\/sup><\/strong><\/span> Mishlei 13:14\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

15<\/sup><\/strong><\/span> Mishlei 21:21\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

16<\/sup><\/strong><\/span> Mishlei 12:28<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Translated from Rabbi Arush\u2019s feature article in the weekly Chut shel Chessed newsletter. The articles focus on his main message: “Loving others as yourself” and emuna. \u00a0 Chanukah \u2013 the Real Story\u00a0 \u201cAbba, come see the beautiful picture we made in kindergarten,\u201d our child will say to us and wave one of those drawings of … Continue reading “Smoke Screen, Part 3\u00a0“<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":62109,"featured_media":5190474,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[83792,15144],"tags":[16725,39804,28530,39909,58241,56216,23156,58106],"author_post":[14273],"new_serie":[89448],"class_list":["post-5193442","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-holiness-for-men-and-women","category-jewish-outlook","tag-mitzvot","tag-enlightenment","tag-shmirat-eynayim","tag-heresy","tag-smartphone","tag-tumah","tag-torah-lifestyle","tag-torah-observant","author_post-rabbi-shalom-arush","new_serie-smoke-screen"],"acf":{"paragraph_first":"If we don\u2019t understand the danger that attacked the Jewish people in the Greek exile, we will not know how to identify it in our own days; we won\u2019t know whose side we\u2019re on; we won\u2019t know how to protect ourselves!","paragraph_second":"The only solution is to create a real life! Without a real life, we will never be able to pull ourselves away from the smartphone\u2019s fake vitality. ","meta_title":"Smoke Screen, Part 3\u00a0","meta_description":"On Chanukah, a small amount of light was enough to chase away much darkness. How can we, as small and weak as we are, break our psychological bondage to devices whose entire goal is to enslave us? Rabbi Arush gives a message of hope... ","special_content_in_the_post":"none","youtube":"","intro_text":"

On<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Chanukah, a small amount of light was enough to chase away much darkness. <\/span>How can<\/span> we, as small and weak as we are, <\/span>break <\/span>our psychological<\/span> bondage <\/span>to devices <\/span>whose entire goal is to enslave us<\/span>?<\/span> Rabbi Arush gives a message of hope...<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5193442","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=5193442"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5193442\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5193521,"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5193442\/revisions\/5193521"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5190474"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5193442"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5193442"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5193442"},{"taxonomy":"author_post","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/author_post?post=5193442"},{"taxonomy":"new_serie","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/new_serie?post=5193442"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}