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This small book is the first in a series of books detailing practical
steps on how to attain the state of feeling attached to Hashem at all
times. The Hebrew title - Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh - "In my heart, I will
build a Sanctuary" sums up the three elements of the method. The goal is
to create in oneself a sanctuary within which the Divine Presence will
rest. The method is "building" - step by step in a concrete way that is
both simple and profound. The tool is "my heart". The author guides the
reader on how to arouse his inner feelings using the medium of directed
thought (and speech as well, for extra effect.)
The author of this sefer, who prefers to remain anonymous, has studied
the full spectrum of sefarim in Torah literature that discuss how to
best serve Hashem. He is associated with great tzaddikim in our
generation who have written haskamos to his many Hebrew sefarim on
a variety of topics. Using an eclectic approach, he has developed a
method that speaks to the hearts of Jews from all walks of life. As a
book-store owner in Yerushalayim put it, "His sefarim are lapped up by
the entire spectrum, from modern Orthodox youths to Mea Shaarim
chassidim!"
To present his ideas, he does not delve into philosophical discussions,
nor does he quote many sources. He just shows how by constantly
repeating basic fundamentals of emunah one can gain a different
perspective on life in this world. The style may appear at first to be
over-repetitive. This is done deliberately, since most people will read
something once and then read on. The author therefore does the
repetition for you, showing how, by restating the apparently obvious,
the ideas penetrate from the mind to the heart.
The translation is fairly literal with an attempt to retain the direct
style of the original, presented in readable English. This translation
includes some additional paragraphs not included in either the original
Hebrew or the Yiddish, Spanish or Russian editions. These were taken
(with the author's permission) from cassette recordings of the shiurim
on which this sefer is based. [We have marked them off with square
brackets]. The author refers to Hashem most often as "Haboreh Yisbarach"
- the Creator, blessed be He. This term is used very commonly in
sefarim hakedoshim. It is extremely germane to the topic being
discussed, namely the awareness that Hashem's presence permeates all of
creation. We have used the terms "Hashem" and "the Creator"
interchangeably so that the reader will feel comfortable with the mode
of reference.
It is our sincere hope that this work will help prepare our generation
for the much awaited times of Moshiach when "the earth will be filled
with knowledge of Hashem..."
"Building a Sanctuary in the Heart Part I" can be ordered from your local Hebrew bookstore.
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