עברית
Faith
The Book 'In the Garden of Faith'
Question
Hello esteemed Rabbi! I read the book 'In the Garden of Faith Explained - A Practical Guide for Life' by Rabbi Shalom Arush and thought to revisit it, because in my opinion it contains correct ideas. I wanted to know your opinion about the book. Is everything written in it accurate? I have heard two opposing opinions about it and I am confused. How close should one be to Hashem? The book encourages increasing prayers and conversations with Hashem about everything a person goes through and trying to understand from everything that happens what Hashem wants. One opinion I heard opposes this and claims that one simply needs to live life without constantly looking upwards, and that it is impossible to know what Hashem expects from us. Another thing I wanted to clarify concerns all the streams within the Haredi community. It is very difficult to know what is correct, which way is closest to Hashem's path. Is the Lithuanian way correct, or the Breslov path, or maybe the Chabad way? There are other streams, but I have heard about these. Each stream is sure it is right. It is simply very hard to discover the correct way. Should one be stringent and which rabbi should one follow? And what happens if someone chooses the wrong path? And one question before the last: Will there be complete unity and everyone will agree in the days of Mashiach? And a final question related to Bein HaMetzarim: Is it permissible to buy a book on the weekly Torah portions during this period?
Thank you very much!!!
Answer
Peace and blessings,
The book is excellent and highly recommended.
All the streams and paths for which the Shulchan Aruch is a guide are very good, and everyone should choose to belong to the path that speaks most to them and to which their soul yearns. All are beloved, all are clear, and their one purpose is to draw closer to Hashem.
These paths have no connection to the Shulchan Aruch except regarding the ways of serving the heart.
One may rely on any G-d-fearing rabbi who has been ordained by the great authorities of the generation in matters of halacha. It is preferable not to consult many rabbis, but rather to select an accessible and close rabbi who knows you.
After the days of Mashiach, there will still be servants of Hashem who serve out of awe, servants of Hashem who serve with joy, and servants of Hashem in every way according to their soul’s root.
It is permissible to purchase books during the period of Bein HaMetzarim.
With blessing, Benjamin Shmueli
