Emuna Beams

Menachem Herman and I got together for an evening of song and inspiration in Netanya last night. As a soul correction of our past, we've taken quite a few melodies and uplifted them with an emuna slant and lyrics. This is one of our favorites, which we originally did in 2008, when the UN and Obama were threatening to split Jerusalem:   Sweet Home Jerusalem Based on the original song "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd, 1974 Guitar, adaptation by Menachem Herman Lyrics by Rabbi Lazer Brody    Eagles' wings keep on flying Carry me home to see The King Singing songs about my City Jerusalem you're in my dreams And I'm gonna sing, yes   Well I heard the UN talk about her But a Jewish boy won't drink this brew Uncle Sam please remember, that "Jerusalem, won't be split in two!"   Sweet Home, Sweet Jerusalem Where the skies are so blue Sweet Home, Sweet Jerusalem L-rd I'm coming home to you   We're all waiting for Moshiach You can bet he's coming soon We'll all be dancing in Jerusalem And we'll all be singing the same tune Now that's the truth   Sweet Home, Sweet Jerusalem Where the skies are so blue Sweet Home, Sweet Jerusalem L-rd I'm coming home to you   The wise men of the Holy City They've been known to pick a song or two They help my soul when I'm hurting They give me joy when I'm feeling blue Now how about you?   Sweet Home, Sweet Jerusalem Where the skies are so blue Sweet Home, Sweet Jerusalem L-rd I'm coming home to you Sweet Home, Sweet Jerusalem Where the skies are so blue Sweet Home, Sweet Jerusalem L-rd I'm coming home to you

To keep the fish in our aquarium happy and healthy, we must follow specific guidelines, otherwise the fish will suffer. Are we any less important that the fish?

Rebbe Nachman's classic short fable tells about a simple yet greedy villager who didn't believe in the forces of the dark side. These demons, the evil-spirit agents of the Evil Inclination, decided to have some fun with him...

Don't be afraid to ask yourself some serious questions in life that most people avoid. This is a necessary step in finding ourselves, choosing the right goal and living a life of fulfillment and gratification.

I love trees and the imagery that our Torah is a tree of life. Before I became a rabbi, I was a tree-fruit farmer. I've planted hundreds ( maybe thousands) of trees all across Israel, from the Golan to the Negev. With that in mind, Hashem gave me this melody, which I hope you'll catch on to quickly. Menachem Herman made this lively arrangement, and is playing guitars and singing. Well-known Jewish music producer Jeff Horvitch is on the keyboards. Yours truly is playing the native-Israel flutes. Enjoy this (lyrics below, in translation, transliteration and original Hebrew): Translation: She is a tree of life to those who hold on to her, and happy are those who uphold her (Proverbs 3:18). Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace (Proverbs 3:17). Bring us back to You, Hashem, and we shall return; renew our days as of old (Lamentations 5:21). Transliteration (to sing along): Etz chaim he, lamachazikim ba, vetomcheha me'ushar; deracheha darkei no'am, vechol netivoteha shalom. Hashivenu A'donai elecha venashuva; chadesh yameinu k'kedem.  

In this week's Torah portion, we learn the qualities that exemplify a true leader. Moses possessed all of these attributes. We'll see them again soon when Moshiach arrives...

The king was jealous that a poor repairman was happier than he was. He therefore tried all sorts of schemes to make the repairman's life miserable, with no success… Rebbe Nachman's classic tale shows that nothing invokes such a plentiful income like bitachon (trust in Hashem) does.

A lost person doesn't know where he or she is in life. To find ourselves, we must determine where we are, then establish our goal and go for it.

Joseph and his brothers return to Egypt after burying their holy father Jacob in the Land of Israel. The brothers are terrified. They thought that Joseph was kind to them as long as their father was alive. But now, they fear that he will seek revenge for their selling him into slavery in Egypt. Joseph comforts them and teaches them a lesson in emuna that we all must learn. Source: Genesis, Chapter 50, Parashat Vayichi. 

Insults are wonderful, if we realize that they are a gift from Above. A person who meant no harm asked me why I'm so ugly. It inspired this podcast. If you know anyone who is self-conscious about the way they look, let them see this 3-minute message.

Sometimes the evil inclination masquerades as a person's best friend to prevent him from performing a mitzvah. This is the only one of Rebbe Nachman's tales that is not allegorical, but actually a true story. After relating the tale, we also learn Likutei Moharan I:115. which elaborates on the meaning of obstacles that stand in our way of getting closer to Hashem.

By pondering the rationale of creation, we begin to think positively. Positive thinking is wonderful in that it is conducive to believing in ourselves. Believing in ourselves is not some flowery notion, but a vital human resource that is essential for success. Today's lesson shows how to attain this priceless asset.

The Land of Wealth sends a delegation of noblemen to find the sword that will defeat the Warrior. Little do they realize that the disguised Warrior himself is leading them to their most surprising rectification…

Who are we? What are we? Who am I? You'd be amazed at how many billions of people go through their entire lives without ever asking themselves these critical questions. They shrug their shoulders and ask, "What difference does it make?" It makes a very big difference. Knowing who we are separates between failure and success and between anxiety and inner peace.

The Worry Worm is a delightful story about faith for children, ages 3-9. It tells about two worm sisters who were born inside an apple. One is happy but the other is worried all the time. Let's find out why... Story and Narration: Rabbi Lazer Brody Production: V'Nishma, Miami

Few people realize that America owes its independence to one of George Washington's soldiers who lit Chanukah candles at Valley Forge in Chanukah of 1777 (5538). Here's the amazing story: 

Now that they have found each other, the Master of Prayer, the Warrior and the Treasurer begin their fateful journey in their search of the King. Will they find him? Will they find their other comrades from the King's Court?

Our new series of lessons teaches us how to unlock our vast potential. We begin by reaching for the stars. For that, we must look up, not down…

Emissaries from the Country of Wealth encounter a nobleman who is vastly wealthier than anyone they ever met and crown him their king…

One's needs and one's lusts are two totally different entities. Our sages therefore define the rich person and the happy person as the ones who are content with their lot in life. Few financially wealthy people are happy. Why? Many of them lack the blessing of contentment…

Why does each one of us have a difficult challenge in life? If Hashem is a loving Father, why doesn't He make life easier for us? Today's podcast talks about the imminent Geula and coming of Moshiach. Will we be able to endure the birth pangs of redemption?

The entire Country of Wealth trembles as the Warrior and his army approach. Their last hope is to send the Master of Prayer on a risky mission to the Warrior's camp. Could this be his old comrade from the pre-storm era in the King's court? Click here to download your free study guide for the Master of Prayer 

Hashem is the best boss imaginable. Nothing is better than working for Him. He provides benefits and incentive plans that no other employer could dream of matching. What's more, He always pays on time...

Moshiach won't come until we all learn emuna. The Land of Israel is the Land of Emuna and Hashem wants us all here. That way, He can expedite the process of Redemption. If we don't take the initiative, Hashem prods us. Putin's declaration of war against the Ukraine is Hashem's way of prodding the Ukrainian Jews to come home. Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor of NYC for the same reason. Mamdani is an eagle in disguise, to uplift New York's Jews and to bring them home too. 

The Storm Wind confused the entire world, turning the sea into dry land and the dry land to sea, wilderness to settled area and settled area to wilderness. But even worse, it kidnapped the Princess's beautiful child. The chaos in the world created such confusion that different sects of people created their own countries with their own skewed ideology, leaders and false gods...

Would you like to be more charismatic and more successful, whether in business or in any other interpersonal endeavor? Learn to trust in Hashem. A person who trusts in Hashem won't resort to high-pressure methods in his or her dealings and therefore will be more affable…

The Master of Prayer reveals the source of his uncanny powers: he derived them from the King's Hand. All the creases and crevices on the hand formed a detailed map, both geographical and historical. It depicted everything that occurred from the beginning of creation until the end of time…

How much must a person engage in making a living? In light of the principles of emuna, what is considered reasonable hishtadlus, or effort? Let's get some vital answers to questions we all ask...

A bold warrior with an army of the bravest warriors like himself has succeeded in conquering many countries without firing a shot. He is now approaching the Country of Wealth, whose people are terrified. Why? The bold warrior detests money, which is their entire faith and creed.

Our arch-adversary, the evil inclination, does everything in its power to reduce us to sadness, depression and ultimate surrender with all types of pseudo-logical claims that there's no hope and no one to depend on, Heaven forbid. Of course, that's far from the truth...

Imagine a country that glorifies wealth. They worship many different human gods with names like Warren Buffet, Jeff Bezos, Marc Zuckerberg, Bill Gates and Elon Musk. They have other idols too. They even invent their own constellations and stars. They have movie stars, sports stars and all-stars. Rebbe Nachman foresaw all of this over 200 years ago and tells about it in today's lesson.

There are two distinct and seemingly contradictory approaches to what constitutes bitachon, complete trust in G-d. Approach A says that that bitachon is the confidence that Hashem will do for a person whatever he or she needs. Approach B say that bitachon has nothing to do with what an individual needs or desires. Indeed, it is the calm acceptance of whatever Hashem does, no matter how uncomfortable it might be. Which approach is right?

Many consider "The Master of Prayer" Rebbe Nachman's finest tale. Although it is loaded with esoteric and Kabbalistic imagery, it's an uncanny look at our world of today. Rebbe Nachman is describing the events that lead up to the redemption and global rectification.

When a person knows that Hashem is omniscient and all-powerful, he or she readily leans on Hashem. Total reliance on Hashem in leads to true tranquility of the soul. That's happiness and that's bitachon, the power of trusting in Hashem, the subject of our new series.

Rebbe Nachman is showing us in his classic tale the importance of connecting to a righteous spiritual guide. We see that the road to accomplishing any true goal is strewn with obstacles.

The 13th Principle of Emuna is our belief that death as we know it today is a passing stage. It is definitely not terminal, for we believe in the resurrection of the dead. This principle is so very important that we allude to it six times in the initial three-benediction section of the Amidah prayer, which we recite every single day, weekdays, Sabbath and festivals…

Here's a simple plan that anyone can do to dramatically improve health and well-being. It addresses the needs of both body and soul.

The king and queen were childless and they yearned for a son. They summoned a secret tzaddik to pray for them. The tzaddik promised that they would have a son, made exclusively of rare jewels. We are all looking forward to seeing this prince...

Even though Moshiach (the Messiah) has not yet come, we eagerly anticipate his arrival. The advent of the Messianic era includes the Geula, the full redemption of our people, the ingathering of the exiles to our holy homeland of Israel and the rebuilding of our Holy Temple in Jerusalem. We believe that this can happen at any moment…

Did you ever wonder why people are willing to exert themselves so much to climb mountains? Your soul wants to do the same thing, but you don't need a Mount Everest to gain a magnificent view of the world and of yourself. In Elul, Hashem is especially close to you...

This tale is the key to understanding our own lives. Rebbe Nachman shows us our Divine souls, "the King's son", which is none other than a metaphor for that very part of us that is a spark of the Almighty. Why are we not aware of this? "The son of the maidservant," the body, gets in the way. Who is that midwife who exchanged the children at birth? Look in the mirror…

Hashem grants mankind the free will to do good or evil, for there can be no concept of reward and punishment outside the context of free choice. Therefore, there cannot be the slightest coercion in either direction. Simply speaking, it's your choice.

The Torah tells us that Sarah lived to the age of 127 (Genesis 23:1). Rashi, our foremost biblical commentator explains that they were all equally good years. How could that be true? Few women in history had a more difficult and apparently miserable life that our Matriarch Sarah. Her life was a never-ending saga of trials and tribulations...

Let's not be fooled when we see ourselves surrounded by injustice and falsehood. This is none other than a correction of the world and our souls in particular. Ultimately, truth always prevails so don't despair. This tale is the key to understanding our own lives.  Today's lesson reviews part 1 and presents the completion of the story. 

This is the belief in Hashem's omniscience. Since His Divine Direction determines everything, no thought, utterance or occurrence in the universe is unknown to Him. Learn all about the Divine GPS...

Hashem fashioned the entire universe and everything in it from the greatest macro to the tiniest micro in accordance to His Torah. Therefore, if the Torah would be rescinded or replaced, the world would cease to exist. Not only the blueprint of creation, the Torah is the sustenance of creation as well.

The midwife switched the babies at birth. The king's son grew up as the son of the servant, and the servant's son grew up as the son of a king. The result is a story of suspense, confusion and the key to understanding our own lives.

The 7th and 8th Principles of Emuna are closely related. Whereas the 7th is our belief in the prophecy of Moses, our 8th is the belief that the Torah we have today is the same one that the Almighty gave to Moses atop Mount Sinai.

Some interpret this intriguing tale as Rebbe Nachman's autobiography. In any event, it portrays the battle of good against evil and the international war against the revelation of righteousness.

Our 6th of the 13 Principles of Emuna is our belief in the message of the true prophets. Why is it so critically important to know that the words of the prophets are true?

After reviewing Parts 1, 2, 3 and 4, we conclude Rebbe Nachman's classic tale, which hints at the ingathering of the exiles and the imminent coming of Moshiach.