Building a Personal Relationship with Hashem (27): Talking to God When It Hurts

“How can pain not cause a separation between the one in pain and the One providing it?”In this week’s installment of our series on Rebbe Nachman’s path to the heart (based on the teachings of Rav Kivak), Rav Leibish Hundert dives into the "Pikpuk"—the tiny, almost imperceptible doubts and complaints that build a thick wall between us and Hashem over time.Drawing on the classic metaphor of the Princess and the Pea, Rav Leibish explains that as children of the King, we are incredibly sensitive. Even a "hair’s breadth" of feeling that Hashem is acting improperly toward us can sabotage our Simcha and turn our Hisbodedus from a deep relationship into a cold, transactional business meeting.In this episode, we explore:The Anatomy of a Disconnect: How small misunderstandings grow into "thick walls" of separation.Simcha vs. Depression: Why true joy isn't about ignoring pain, but about feeling the reality of your life wholeheartedly.The "Spies" in Our Own Heads: Lessons from Parshat Shlach on how we project our own self-judgments onto God.Practical Hisbodedus: How to speak to Hashem like a trusted friend (K'dabber Ish el Re'ehu), bringing your whole "pekel" (burden) into the room rather than leaving your complaints at the door.If you’ve ever felt like your prayers were "hitting a ceiling" or struggled to feel God’s love during a difficult season, this shiur offers a roadmap back to Pshitus (simplicity) and a clean, honest connection with the Infinite.Recorded at Yeshivat Simchat Shlomo, Jerusalem on June 10, 2026.