12. Asara B'Tevet: Trust the Search

A short shiur on Asara B’Tevet focused on Reb Nosson’s teaching: the search itself has value. Rav Shlomo sings “בברסלב בוער אש – הבער אותה בליבי” (Reb Nosson’s post-Shabbos Breslov tefillah) and explains why, after learning, we must daven over what we learned. From Likutey Halachos (Hil. Aveidah #5): even if you haven’t “found” what you’re seeking in avodas Hashem, every bit of seeking, longing, and effort counts and effects change—often unseen—so you need emunah to believe you’ve already gained.

What’s covered:

• Reb Nosson’s “Breslov burns a fire—burn it in my heart” as a model of praying what you learn.
• Core yesod: “Ha-chipus atzmo hu metzi’ah” – the act of searching is itself a finding.
• Why inner gains often can’t be seen, so they require emunah (e.g., “I’m not there yet”).
• Concrete applications: setting small kabbalos, hitbodedus, showing up to minyan, keeping heart-sense during crisis.
• Asara B’Tevet lens: we’ve “lost” things (taste, tenderness, presence) — keep searching and trust the increments.