Emuna Beams

Neither the biggest tzaddik, the most eloquent of speakers, nor the greatest poet can describe his perception of Hashem. It's so individual and so very lofty that it remains in the mind's eye…

The Jewish People's turbulent history is one continuous story of Divine Direction. It transcends all logic, military and otherwise. It's beyond nature to the extent that experts in military history and strategy understand everything but Jewish history. That's exactly what Hashem's personal Divine Direction is, constantly defying nature and logic.

The concluding lesson of the "7 Beggars" introduces us to the beggar with no hands, who reveals the deep secrets behind the "Tikkun Klali" and tikkun olam, the final rectification of the world.

We live in a world that is not short of guides. Politicians tell us how society should be run. Clergymen tell us how to live. Wellness experts tell us how to feel. And yet so many of them struggle privately with the very things they teach. Isaac is different. What Isaac gives, he gives from a life fully lived. And he's still going. He practices every word he preaches, every single day. Let's meet him...

Nothing upsets those who strengthen their emuna in Divine Direction. A situation might be physically painful or stressful for them, but they won't feel negative emotions.

"Anyone who believes that all of life's events are the result of Hashem's Divine Direction brings compassion from the Upper World down to this world." If the Bat Ayin said it, it's a signed check we can all trust. Prayer to Mitigate Suffering, based on the Bat Ayin famous quotation: "Master of the World, I firmly believe that my difficulties, troubles, and challenges—especially the one I am facing right now—are from You and are a result of Your precise Divine Direction that never makes mistakes, for You are perfect. Although I may not understand why I am suffering this hardship, I wholeheartedly believe that You love me and are giving me this challenge for my highest good. Please, Father in Heaven, as I willingly accept this tribulation, kindly also accept my prayer for ___________________ (fill in the blank with whatever you wish to ask for). May Your Holy Name be blessed forever and ever, amen."  

The hunchback beggar introduces the concept of "the little that holds a lot." A group claimed they had this attribute. But really, the hunchback was the only one, for he knew how to reach the great tree…

After having learned about Divine Direction in finding a soulmate, we now learn about Divine Direction in making a living. The two subjects logically follow one another, especially since our sages say that both are as difficult as splitting the Red Sea...

The notorious Three Weeks are here again. We thought that the catastrophe of Shabbat Shmini Atzeret, October 7, 2023, would unite us. For a few months, it did. But now, with the smell of elections on the way and the cheap populism of many politicians, intramural hatred between right and left / religious and non-religious has resurfaced like ragweed in an uncultivated field...

The beggar with the seemingly crooked neck actually had a beautiful neck and a magical voice. He could imitate any sound in the world. Only he could bring the two separated rare birds back together…

After learning the general concept of Divine Direction in our three previous lessons, we're now ready to examine how it influences various areas of our lives, especially shidduchim (marital matchmaking).

The beggar who stutters returns to bless the young couple on the third day of the wedding festivities week and tells them the story of how the world is able to exist every day…

This lesson asks a basic question that truth-seekers ask when learning about this vital concept. If Hashem, in His Divine Direction, determines everything, then what's left for our free will?

Hashem loves you – always – much more than you love yourself. His love is the best thing in the world, for it's love with no strings attached. This is an important part of emuna: believing in Hashem means believing that He loves you unconditionally. That's the type of emuna that will always give you happiness and peace of mind.

The deaf beggar returns on the second day of the wedding festivities week to bless the young couple and tells them the story of the gardener and all about the country of vast wealth...

The highest level of emuna is unshakable emuna in Divine Direction. The highest level of emuna in Divine Direction is the equal and loving acceptance of the good and the seemingly bad, just as Joseph ultimately discovered…

The blind beggar returns to bless the young couple on the first day of the wedding festivities week and tells them the story of the 9 sages, where the youngest is actually the oldest. No one understands until the Great Eagle arrives with the interpretation.

Rabbi Yisroel Baal Shem Tov (1698-1760) was the saintly and pious miracle worker who founded the Chassidic movement. He revolutionized Jewish thought and taught that every creation functioned according to the Almighty's personal Divine Direction. In other words, the Almighty personally directs every event of the universe.

The king's greatest wish was to crown his son during his lifetime. However, the king saw in the stars that his son would eventually lose his reign. Still, he told his son to stay happy no matter what...

Super Bowl 2026 tickets sold for an average of $8000. Tickets for the Mundial (World Cup Soccer) Finals in 2025, where Chelsea defeated Paris, ranged from $ 11,000 to $32,000! No one would pay these prices to see only one team on the field. The loftier the goal, the stiffer the opposition, but the greater the reward...

After reviewing the first three parts, we see in part 4 how a poor, righteous convert with every possible social disadvantage becomes the matriarch of kings and the Messianic Dynasty. Ruth teaches that we all have the potential for greatness.

We complete Rebbe Nachman's intriguing tale of the crippled son. This is a parable of how Moshiach will overcome and eradicate evil. But first, we all must learn to water the trees…

If you've ever heard of Rebbe Nachman of Breslev, you've likely heard of hitbodedut, or secluded personal prayer. It sounds like a wonderful idea, but where does one begin? This lesson shows how you can have a private audience with the Almighty and pour your heart out to Him, anywhere, anytime.

Nothing in Hollywood can match the suspense in Chapter 3 of the Book of Ruth. In case you've just joined our 4-part lesson, don't worry. We begin with a review of Chapters One and Two. This eye-opening lesson elaborates on a number of significant topics, such as Moshiach, shidduchim, the Laws of Conversion, levirate marriage, charity and the laws pertaining to the Land of Israel.

The Zohar teaches that where there is a lack of compassion, stern judgment takes over and spills the blood of Moshiach. When the Israelites entered the Land of Israel after 210 years of slavery in Egypt and another forty years of wandering in the desert, they were preoccupied with establishing their own estates. They forgot about compassion, one of Torah's principal requirements of them. Ruth's mission on earth was to bring Chesed, or compassion, back to Israel, and with it to bring Moshiach. Therefore, Ruth is not only the great-grandmother of Moshiach but the key to the rectification of the entire world.

The holy elder and his family settled in a spiritual battleground, where forces of holiness and evil clash. He draws a circle around them to protect them. The demon king accuses them of trespassing and arrives with his demon army to harm them. The wise man remains fearless, unafraid of this terrifying confrontation…

A person with strong emuna can virtually override natural laws through prayer. This is the language of emuna that equals prophecy and can even shape reality. The Torah is full of examples, as we are about to see.

Learning the Book of Ruth is a superb preparation for the imminent coming of Moshiach. The monumental example of Ruth and her lineage show us the extreme efforts that the Almighty makes in order bring Moshiach. The forces of evil do everything in their power to prevent Moshiach's arrival. Today's lesson introduces us to the Book of Ruth and its background and covers Chapter One.

The crippled son, now healed, goes to the Land of the Two Thousand Mountains and discovers a demon trapped inside a cloud. This demon reveals the secret of watering the trees, which all the demons are trying to prevent.

The more we believe in the Almighty, the easier it becomes to develop a personal relationship with Him. As that relationship grows, our emuna also strengthens. It's a beautiful upward cycle…

Why have so many good and upright people died recently, both as a result of the Iran war and from tragedies like drowning and road accidents that weren't at all related to the war? 

Once the cripple can walk again, he returns to the domain of evil and recovers the treasure that the robbers stole from him. Rebbe Nachman's amazing tale alludes to the way Moshiach will fight and subdue evil at the end of days...

Since the Creator alone does, does, and will do everything, then why pray? If everything is predetermined, then what difference do my prayers make? Let's get some answers...

In wartime, we all need special protection. Imagine that a person travels the world in search of a solution to his troubles, spends an arm and a leg, and comes home empty-handed. A guardian angel reveals himself and tells the person, "All your problems would evaporate if you only learned to say 'amen' whenever you hear a blessing"...

The crippled son insists on being independent. He sets out on a journey to make a living, only to make a critical mistake that becomes the biggest challenge of his life.  Yet, he neither persecutes himself nor suffers remorse. His perseverance despite the difficulties turns out to be his salvation.

How valuable is a word of prayer? Imagine also that 2-karat diamonds are scattered all over the pavement of a downtown sidewalk. There are so many of these gemstones that people treat them with the same indifference as they would pebbles. This is no exaggeration; it might even be the understatement of the decade...

Today's 10-minute Emuna News analysis offers the key to understanding the current conflict with Iran. Most importantly, we explore the spiritual root of the conflict.

Passover is our freedom holiday. On Passover night at the Seder, we tell the story of how the Almighty liberated us from slavery in Egypt. Are we free today? Half the world's Jews live under foreign regimes. The other half live in Israel, which is far from independent today, living under dictates and limitations from the White House. What's more, Israel's anti-emuna government and military discriminate against Torah-observant Jews in more ways than one. Is that freedom? If we're not free, then why tell the story of Passover? Let's find out, with this lovely parable that you can tell at your Passover Seder table.

On the eve of the Exodus, it wasn't enough for someone to say, "I have emuna in my heart. I don't need all these rituals." A person like that would have died in Egypt on Passover night. Hashem wanted the Israelites to be proactive in fulfilling His commandments...

Rebbe Nachman teaches us a lesson about Passover, which is a lesson for life. The bitter herbs are an integral part of the Seder, and of life as well…

When Moses delivered Hashem's message of "Let My people go" to Pharaoh, the Egyptian king retorted, "Who is Hashem that I should listen to Him? Besides, I've never heard of Hashem before" (Exodus 5:2). With such unprecedented arrogance, Pharaoh was inviting punishment.

There was a rich Jew in Hungary who went bankrupt. When he had money, everyone would kowtow to him. But, now that he lost his money, no one would even say "good morning" to him. The unfortunate person went to the Chasam Sofer and complained that no one paid the slightest attention to him.

Rebbe Nachman reveals the secret of the Tikkun HaKlali, the general remedy. The human body has ten types of pulse, which correspond to the ten types of song. The ten types of song are the key to inner happiness. So is the matzah we eat on Passover…

Passover is a story of emuna. Many things we are about to say sound like outright exaggerations to the logical 21st-century ear. Yet, emuna is beyond logic. Our entire history defies logic.

Rebbe Nachman's classic parable seems absurd, but it's actually a cogent reflection of the emoji and smartphone generation. The second half of this lesson elaborates on Likutei Moharan I:119, which helps us understand the concepts of foolishness and spiritual unawareness we see in the Turkey Prince.

The Book of Esther is a living blueprint: the Purim story—unfolding over 13 years—reveals patterns that mirror today's geopolitics and upheavals, showing how Hashem's hidden hand directs history. Using parallels between Ahashverosh and modern leaders, and the choices of Mordecai and Esther, the episode emphasizes teshuva, faith, and how apparent threats can become redemptive when people repent and trust God. The lesson also reviews Purim customs (fasting, reading the Megillah, feasting, gifts and charity) and the holiday's core message that no decree is irreversible and divine providence remains constant.

Rabbi Nachman teaches the “Pasture Pastoral,” a concise exploration of Likutey Moharan (Torah 63, with links to Torah 11) revealing the secret of Perek Shira: every level of creation and every pasture has its own niggun (melody) that sings to Hashem. Using shepherd imagery, flute music, and the Land of Israel, he shows how these melodies uplift the soul and unite human prayer with the natural world. Clear and practical, the lesson explains why music and place matter in prayer, how food and fields carry sparks of holiness, and how each person is a shepherd responsible for tending and correcting their part of creation.

Gravity and natural ability are very similar. Both are strong limiting forces. But pull us down. Yet, we can overcome by applying a sustained upward force that is greater than their downward pull…

The closest distance between two points is a straight line. In spirituality, straightness means simplicity and honest innocence. The two traits, which are really one, makes a person beautiful. They also create the closest distance between the person and the Creator. They're also he key to happiness...

So what if we made a mistake? Rebbe Nachman promises us that all we have to do is to declare a new beginning, and start all over with enhanced faith and enthusiasm. Even a turkey can make a new beginning…

Astrology is certainly real. A person has reason to fear an unfavorable horoscope. The good news is that those who cling to emuna uplift themselves above the influence of the stars. There, pain and affliction no longer exist...