THE ESSENTIAL
RABBI NACHMAN

Translated by Rabbi Avraham Greenbaum

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Man's world consists only of the present. Whatever you can do to serve God, do immediately and determinedly without delay.

Chayey Moharan #431

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Don't be old

Don't be old! True, there are pious, righteous elders. But to be old is not good. Stay young - renew yourself every day and make a fresh start.

Sichot Haran #51

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One precious day

"Repent one day before your death" ( Avot 2:10 ) .

Yesterday and tomorrow are man's downfall. Today you may be aroused towards God. Don't let yourself become discouraged because of what may have happened yesterday or what may happen tomorrow.

No matter wh ere a person s tands, there are always reverses. Many people become discouraged as a result, and stop putting any real effort into their devotions.

That is why you must "Repent one day before your death . "

"Before your death" is your entire life. During your entire lifetime, you may be worthy of only one day of repentance.

This one day is more precious than all treasures. For what does a person gain from all his worldly effort? Nothing remains of your entire life other than this one day when you return to God.

Sichot Haran #288

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Now!

"Today if you will but listen to His voice!" (Psalms 95:7) .

Think only about the present day and the present moment. When someone wants to serve God, he may see it as a heavy burden. But if you remember that you have only today, it won't be such a burden. Don't push off serving God from one day to the next, saying, "I'll start tomorrow - tomorrow I'll pray with real devotion."

All we have is the present day and the present moment. Tomorrow is a whole different world.

"Today if you will but listen to His voice!" (Psalms 95:7) . Today!!!

Likutey Moharan I, 272

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