Yaakov Brawer

As pointed out previously, Reuvain and Gad are Ovdei Elokim, whose service is the active refinement of the physical world. Therefore, they specifically chose to possess land that does not share the high level of innate holiness of Eretz Yisroel proper, bu...

The Oved Elokim is not capable of annihilating his evil inclination. His service is rather one of active suppression of the evil below, resulting in defeat of the Sitra Achra above, thus bringing joy to the Almighty (see Tanya, Chapter 27).

The Oved Elokim is characterized not by what he accomplishes so much as how he accomplishes it. An individual could spend many hours in deep learning, expend a fortune in Tzedakah, or perform other Mitzvos with meticulous care and not qualify as an עובד א...

The Oved Elokim is totally devoid of self-interest, or even self-awareness. His only motivation is to bring joy and satisfaction to his master.

As discussed previously, Avodah Elokis is a service of subjugation of the body and natural soul to the will of the Creator (acceptance of a yoke). The Rebbe Rashab proceeds to explain that this Avodah is perpetual, even determining how and when the Oved s...

Thus far we have explored Mashalim for the various dimensions of Avodah of the Eved (Yaakov as opposed to Yisorel). We now continue with the essence of Avodah. Avodah Elokis is a service of subjugation of the body and natural soul to the Will of the Creat...

As we learned previously, the beautiful garments (Mitzvos) provided to the master by the Eved require cleansing, which is accomplished through appropriate Kavanah and Simcha Shel Mitzvah. In the case of the Eved who serves out of love, this Simchah is the...

As learned previously, beautiful garments represent the performance of Mitzvos. Garments (positive commandments), although precious, are susceptible to contamination by virtue of the fact that they are performed with physical objects that are originally u...

The devoted service of this Eved includes supplying the Adon with the choicest of delicacies as well as beautiful and clean garments. In the Nimshal, the “delicacies” are the products of Birurim of the Middos of the Nefesh Habamis and the refinement of in...

Unlike the Ben, whose devotion and service are natural expressions of the Nefesh Elokis, the Avodah of the Eved is a product of the Guf and therefore requires effort. There are 2 categories of Eved, one whose service is pure Kabbolas Ol motivated by Yirah...