Podcasts about Avot

Le Srout Avot.Le merite de nos peres by Rav David Touitou

Jon Medved has spent decades building Israel into a global technology powerhouse, helping fund hundreds of companies, bringing billions of dollars into the Israeli economy, and playing pivotal role in what eventually became the Startup Nation brand.Then he flatlined in a hospital for eight minutes.In this episode, Jon sits down with Yaakov Wolff to talk about growing up far from Judaism on the beaches of California, the unlikely path that brought him to Israel, and why he believes the Avot were the original entrepreneurs. He makes a bold case that building companies, solving the world's problems through technology, and living as a proud Torah Jew are inseparable.He also opens up about his ALS diagnosis, what it felt like to be brought back after flatlining, and why, at this stage of his life, he's more driven than ever.In this conversation:From Berkeley to Jerusalem — Jonathan's winding path to Aliyah and observanceThe PowerPoint that seeded Startup NationWhy the Avot were all entrepreneursTechnology, Torah, and where the two meetLiving with ALS and refusing to stop"I'm not done. There's still what I have to accomplish."For exclusive written content, subsribe to our newsletter at ShtarkTank.org

Source: Likouté Si'hot volume 17 – Pirké Avot ch. 1Thèmes abordés :- Les trois maximes de Chamaï : exigence de piété ou respect de la stricte loi ?- Torah, prière et bienfaisance : peut-on choisir le « pilier » principal du quotidien ?- « Fais de ta Torah une occupation fixe » : ancrer la Torah en nous, qualitativement !- « Accueille chaque homme avec bienveillance » : chaque Juif est un objectif à part entière !Support de cours : https://app.box.com/s/7aszodavj5y0s0uspzbvyu87k8pufrksHébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Source: Likouté Si'hot volume 17 – Pirké Avot ch. 2Thèmes abordés :- « La Torah est son métier » : une qualification qui dispense du Chema et de la prière ?- Le point-commun entre Rabbi Chimon bar Yo'haï et Rabbi Chimon ben Nethanel- Révélation du Char céleste : L'apparition de l'arc-en-ciel est un signe positif ou négatif ?- Techouva douloureuse ou sereine : combiner l'aide du Tsadik avec l'effort humain !Support de cours : https://app.box.com/s/y8jg17mrt9eoy6ssim0s2zokx2yt9gdxHébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Source: Likouté Si'hot volume 17 – Pirké Avot ch. 3Thèmes abordés :- Comment « la paix du royaume » améliore-t-elle « l'étude en binôme » ?- Tout vient d'En-haut : Le lien entre la Royauté terrestre et la Royauté céleste- Comment effacer le sentiment d'égo et de supériorité envers son prochain ?- « Deux personnes qui étudient » : la qualité d'une étude pétrie de crainte divine.Support de cours : https://app.box.com/s/rnlsldedlbtv1t14tndj9qug9icl1yv6Hébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Source: Likouté Si'hot volume 17 – Pirké Avot ch. 4Thèmes abordés :- « Courir pour une Mitsva légère » : « mesure de piété » ou loi standard ?- Trois catégories de « courses » : l'empressement révèle la joie profonde !- « Le salaire d'une Mitsva est la Mitsva » : Un travail qui ne mérite pas salaire ?- La puissance d'une Mitsva légère : la leçon de Ben Azaï, fidèle à son mode de vie !Support de cours : https://app.box.com/s/8ijgros83rrxjx1haszbimi8op8mvngxHébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Source: Likouté Si'hot volume 17 – Pirké Avot ch. 5Thèmes abordés :- Pourquoi la « première pince » de l'univers devait-elle être façonnée exclusivement par D.ieu ?- Entre les démons et la première pince : les éléments créés juste avant le premier Chabbat.- Le « repas » d'Adam : entre les éléments réparables et quasi-irréparables de l'univers.- L'exemple de Rabbi ‘Hiya : ferveur ultime même pour la préparation d'une Mitsva !Support de cours : https://app.box.com/s/k2k8tvcwredf7hjujiy0vj8jmexdsoc8Hébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

source likoutei si'hot 'Helek 17 – Pirké Avot ch. 6, Si'ha 1Thèmes abordés :- « Mériter de nombreuses choses » : les bienfaits et les qualités d'un érudit désintéressé.- « Se consacrer à l'étude » : s'investir dans la Torah comme pour une affaire personnelle.- « Aimer les créatures et les réjouir » : la qualité authentique des conseils d'un érudit désintéressé.- « Nous ferons puis nous comprendrons » : l'effacement personnel en préparation à Chavou'ot.Support de cours : https://app.box.com/s/pdpb59rs7hgwjh30ts5thuxapwz1ybndHébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Source: Likouté Si'hot volume 17 – Pirké Avot si'ha sur la Michna « Kol Israël »Thèmes abordés :- Pourquoi la Michna « Kol Israël » est-elle récitée avant la lecture des Pirké Avot ?- Principes de morale ou mesures de piété : A qui s'adressent les Pirké Avot ?- Le « Monde Futur » fait-il référence au Gan Eden ou plutôt à l'ère messianique ?- La Fierté divine de « l'œuvre de Ses mains » : Chaque Juif a une part au Monde Futur !Support de cours : https://app.box.com/s/u6vm7ckkv52esp2y9ba8w4bsadfjqevlHébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Source: Likouté Si'hot volume 17 – Pirké Avot si'ha sur la Michna « Rabbi ‘Hanania ben Akachia »Thèmes abordés :- Pourquoi récitons-nous la Michna « Rabbi ‘Hanania » après la lecture des Pirké Avot ?- Pourquoi D.ieu nous a-t-Il donné autant de Mitsvot au lieu de les regrouper par thèmes ?- Comment la Torah provenant d'un D.ieu unique peut-elle être autant diversifiée ?- « Pour raffiner Israël » : l'objectif le plus élevé de la Torah est de raffiner l'âme animale !Support de cours : https://app.box.com/s/d04xzmu7sey7ihjoyu6yv0exerkwhvuvHébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

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Intro into Rav Tzaddock HaCohen, at Shirat David Efrat after the 1st Mariv, Pri Tzaddick on the Parsha. We began with Parshat Tazria - where learned by keeping the 3 Seudat of Shabbos, Nega Tzaras transforms to Oneg. In the merit of the 3 Avot and even for those who have fallen out of the 3 camps Sheichnah, Levi, Yisrael, with Teshuva The Tolna Rebbe Shlita teaches Dovid Hamelech teaches us Teshuva Seudah Malava Malka...Cover

We say in the Haggadah that if Hashem did not take us out of Mitzrayim, we would still have been slaves to Pharaoh there. The mefarshim ask: didn't Hashem promise Abraham that He would redeem his children from Mitzrayim after 400 years? So even if we did not leave early at 210 years, Hashem would still have had to redeem us eventually. So how could we say that we would still be slaves there even until today? The Beit HaLevi answers based on the words of the Arizal, who said that if the Jewish people would have remained in Mitzrayim any longer than they did, they would have sunk into the fiftieth level of tumah. At that point, they would have lost their connection to the holy Avot and would no longer be considered the zaro(seed) of Abraham, similar to Esav and Yishmael. In that state, indeed, they would never have been redeemed. Rav Leib Chasman writes that we see from here the awesome power of a moment in time. Instead of being stuck in Mitzrayim on the fiftieth level of tumah, Hashem rushed the Jewish people out of there at the last moment. They then became elevated to be the Am Hashem for all eternity and to receive the Torah at Har Sinai. How quickly things can change in just a single moment. When a person is going through a hard time and it seems like things will never change, he must strengthen his hope and belief that Hashem can change everything in a moment. A man related that he was working in an office with little potential for growth. There were days when he would sit for hours upon hours with nothing to do. His boss kept telling him things were going to change, but they never did. He had no choice but to send his resume to other companies. He was told about a great job opportunity at a wholesale company and quickly sent his resume there. They called him shortly afterward, saying it looked like the position was already being filled. He found himself once again stuck in a job with little potential, and there were not many good options available. One day, he said to himself, "I am exactly where Hashem wants me to be, and therefore I have to do whatever work I have with joy." As he was waiting for instructions from his boss that day, he called a hotline and listened to a few clips on emunah. He became so encouraged. He walked down the hallway of that office building feeling so happy. At that moment, he received a call saying that the other job was available and that they wanted him. It was an amazing offer with a very high salary. He became so strengthened, seeing the hand of Hashem pulling him out of a job he was not happy with to a job that was perfect for him. All it took was one moment. A young woman shared that this past year she began reading a book on emunah to give her strength while going through shidduchim. Recently, she realized she was getting close to the end of the book and was dating a boy very seriously. She was thinking to herself how nice it would be if she could finish the book right as she got engaged. But a couple of days later, they both realized they were not for each other, and it ended. It was obviously very disappointing for her. She then pictured herself having to start the book all over again once she finished, needing the strength to continue on. However, Hashem, in His infinite kindness, sent her the boy that was meant for her literally the next day. Baruch Hashem, they had a very smooth and quick dating experience, and she finished the book just as she got engaged to him. She thought there would be no way for that to happen, as she was nearing the end of the book with nothing to look forward to. And then, all of a sudden, in one moment, Hashem sent her the greatest yeshuah, and she celebrated her engagement shortly afterward. So much can happen in one moment of time. We must never underestimate the ability of Hashem to give us the most glorious salvations in the blink of an eye.

Menachot 53 : Marc Chipkin : 2026-03-05 Hashem only shows gratitude to the Avot. Avraham in the Temple during the destruction. Why the Jewish nation is compared to an olive.

God doesn't change people. And we shouldn't try to. In this week's episode, we see just how central this principle is to Torah. And then we think about how important it ought to be to us. Sources: Ex. 13:17, Guide 3:32, Avot 2:4

Avot by Rabbi Benjamin Lavian

Aaah Golden Globesit juhlittiin ja ah mitä pukuloistoa ja alkumonologi! Leonardoa roastattiin! Ex-teinitähti Ashley Tisdale teki esseen toksisesta äitiryhmästä, internet teki salapoliisityötä ja draama on valmis. Avot! Dax Shepardilla on tosi oudot vibesit. Pystyykö Lily Allen vetämään biisejään kunnolla? Beckamien ja Peltzien riita syvenee – nyt lakimiehet on messissä. Jojo Siwa vaihtoi nimensä ja hyvin näköjään pyyhkii muutenkin. *Tämä on vain osa Tuplakääkin tämän viikon jaksosta. Koko jakson pääset kuuntelemaan Podmesta ilman mainoksia ja sieltä löytyy myös rutkasti aiemmin julkaistuja jaksoja viime vuosilta. Jos ja kun haluat kuunnella lisää, mene osoitteeseen podme.com.

The pasuk says in this week's parashat Shemot, וַתֵּתַצַּב אֲחֹתוֹ מֵרָחֹק לְדֵעָה מַה־יֵּעָשֶׂה -לוֹ Simply, this refers to Miriam, Moshe's older sister, who was standing by watching what would happen to him when he was put into the Nile River. Rabbi Menashe Reizman quoted the Midrash which explains that this pasuk is referring to the Shechinah, standing there watching from afar. The Midrash proves from other pesukim how every word in that pasuk is a reference to the Shechinah. The Maharsha, Masechet Sotah, explains the Midrash is teaching us that although Moshe being thrown into the river seemed like an act of destruction, the ways of Hashem are very far from us. Miriam had a prophecy that the savior was going to be born, and this looked like a nullification of that prophecy. However, this was actually the way in which the prophecy became fulfilled. It was through this that Moshe was raised safely in the palace by the daughter of Pharoah. It also teaches us that although this took place when the harshest slavery began, it appeared that Hashem was so distant, but He was right there standing with them. During their darkest time, Hashem was making the greatest miracles—causing the daughter of Pharoah to go down to the Nile at the exact time Moshe was placed there, and then making the miracle of her arm stretching out to reach him. Rabbi Reizman pointed out that the Torah only devotes six pesukim to discussing all of the slavery in Mitzrayim. Right after that, begins the story of the redemption—how Moshe was born and how he became the go'el. Even the pesukim that speak about the throwing of the babies into the Nile mention Miryam and Yocheved, the mother and sister of the go'el. Perhaps one explanation of this is that we are not meant to dwell too much on the difficulties that we are given. It is hard for us to comprehend how pain and suffering could possibly be good for us, and therefore it is incumbent upon us not to analyze the details too deeply, but rather to trust in Hashem. When Hashem called to Moshe from the burning bush, the pasuk says that Moshe was afraid to look. Hashem appeared to Moshe in a thorn bush, symbolizing עִמּוֹ אָנֹכִי בְצָרָה -He was with us during that hard time. Moshe did not see all the harsh slave labor because he was in Midyan. The Mefarshim explain that here Hashem began showing Moshe the suffering that the Jewish people were going through, but Moshe was afraid to look because he did not want to lower his level of emunah and potentially have questions on the way Hashem was dealing with them. One of the harshest decrees was that Pharoah was killing 150 babies every morning and another 150 every evening, bathing in their blood because he had tzara'at. When Moshe heard about this, along with the fact that Jewish babies were being built into the walls as bricks, he asked Hashem what they did to deserve this. Hashem told Moshe that all of those babies were from previous generations and were receiving their tikkun. It was all chesed, meant to purify them. Hashem told Moshe that if he really wanted, he could save one—and Moshe did. That one baby-Micha- brought about the worst destruction. He was the one who took the Shem Hashem that Moshe used to bring Yosef's aron out of the sea, threw it into the fire when the Jews were waiting for Moshe to come down from Har Sinai, and caused the Egel(golden calf) to emerge alive. Until today, we are still suffering from the effects of the Egel. He later made an idol when they entered Eretz Yisrael, causing countless tragedies to befall the Jewish people. He was also known as Nevat, the father of Yeravam, who caused the exile of the Ten Tribes. That destruction came from just one of those babies. The Lev Aryeh writes that all those who perished in Mitzrayim were neshamot from earlier generations that returned for a tikkun—the generations of the Mabul, Dor HaPelagah, and the people of Sedom. The Mishnah says in Pirkei Avot, אַל תִּסְתַּכֵּל בַּקַּנְקָן אֶלָּא בְּמַה שֶּׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ (Avot 4:20) The Lev Aryeh explains homiletically that this also refers to the tragedies in Mitzrayim. The word קן has the numerical value of 150. Do not look at what happened to the 150 babies in the morning and the 150 babies in the evening; rather, look at who those people really were—resha'im who needed a tikkun. Hashem is always standing near us, but He appears to be afar because His ways are so far beyond our understanding. Everything He does is chesed. We do not have the ability to comprehend His ways in this world, but we do have the ability to trust in Him. We should not dwell excessively on the difficulties; rather, we should believe that everything is chesed done out of love. And if we have that emunah, then we will be considered people who are truly loyal. Shabbat Shalom

A Real Nullification aka Bitul of The Level of Merkava aka,Avot to our Real selves during Shemonei Esrei and Tefilin daily - Learning Weekly Lessons in Tanya Perek 39 derech Chizzuk from Chassidus at TheFamilyMinyan.com aka the Shtiebel...Cover

Vayishlach | Hegemonism or Conquest? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom ולזרעך נתתי את הארץ - What was at the core of Yaakov's dispute with his sons after the massacre of Sh'khem?  Continuously throughout Sefer Bereishit, our Patriarchs are promised by Hashem that their descendants will be "given" the Land - but there is no indication of how that gift will be given, of how that "inheritance" will be achieved. We explore what may have been the perspective of our Avot in that regard - and how and why it changed by the time we arrived in Mitzrayim. Source sheet >>

Why do we have three Avot?Why not one towering role model, or ten? And what makes Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov fundamentally different from any other Jewish inspiring figures?Join us as we take a deep dive into the inner world of the patriarchs, uncovering how each embodied a distinct spiritual quality — and how each was deliberately tested in the area opposite their natural strength in order to achieve inner balance and wholeness.Just as they faced tests that stretched them beyond their natural strengths, we too are invited to ask:Where am I strong, and where am I being nudged to grow?What does balance look like in my life?Together, Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov form the complete blueprint of a fully actualized human being. A new understanding of the AvotA lens for identifying your own spiritual “default setting”Tools for recognizing the tests that come to develop your opposite traitCheck out my book Living Beautifully - now available in audiobook as well - https://amzn.to/48ez9bv

Toldot 5786 - The Role of the Avot

Each of the "Avot" represent a unique contribution to the mosaic of Jewish existence and ideas.Today we probe what Yitzchak - in many ways the most hidden of all the Avot - represents.

A new tractate! On rulings that the court issues in error, and people then follow those ruling - are they held accountable, and if so, how? Sources are in Leviticus and Numbers. Plus, Eduyot and Avot. Also, a new mishnah: A decision to violate a mitzvah is in error - who would bring an offering to atone? Also, the communal offering for when the court explicitly allows something that is not permitted. Spotlighting Ben Azzai and Ben Zoma.

Miriam's well sustained her people step by step in the wilderness. In this episode of Survival Guide for a Spiritual Wilderness (featuring Judaism Unbound Gemara/commentary from Lex and Rena Yehuda), to tap into this wellspring of belonging. In addition, connect to the Tao de Ching, what it means to be a “Miriam person,” twilight creations, the mystical meaning of wells, Lakewood New Jersey, and a practice for bringing Miriam's wisdom to life.----------------------------------We are proud to introduce the 3rd podcast in the Judaism Unbound family of podcasts: Survival Guide for a Spiritual Wilderness, hosted by Jericho Vincent. "We are the ancestors of the future." This new podcast offers a spiritual home for listeners seeking to connect Jewish ancestral, feminist wisdom with their own svara: moral intuition. Each episode of this limited series delves into a different story of our ancestor Miriam, illuminating her mystical teachings and offering practical tools for navigating and flourishing in personal or political spiritual wildernesses. We're thrilled to periodically feature episodes of Survival Guide for a Spiritual Wilderness here on Judaism Unbound. But we don't only feature those episodes alone. Lex Rofeberg and Rena Yehuda Newman, two members of Judaism Unbound's team, supplement each episode with some gemara (commentary) as well. We hope that our ideas will help spur you to form your own gemara, and channel your unique teachings -- about this podcast and beyond -- into the world. Subscribe to Survival Guide for a Spiritual Wilderness anywhere that podcasts are found!-----------------------------------Energized about Jewish learning and unlearning? Dive into our upcoming 3-week mini-courses in the UnYeshiva! Classes include Anti-Fascist Mussar, Elul: Your On-Ramp into Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, The Siddur (Prayer-Book) Unbound, and Comix Midrash: Drawing the Orchards (Pardes) of Elul. Head to JudaismUnbound.com/classes to learn more! Financial aid is available for all who need it.-------------------------------------

Eikha Rabbati: Rachel's Tears, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom How are we to understand the Midrash about Rachel's tears saving Am Yisrael? The Midrash Rabba collection on Megilat Eikha includes some of the most moving literature in the canon. A brief introduction to Midrash Agada, followed by a briefer introduction to Midrash Eikha, is followed by a study of a famous proem ("Petichta") involving the unsuccessful intervention by the Avot and Mosheh Rabbenu to defend the people - until Rachel speaks up and tells her story... Source sheet >>

What if Moshe couldn't see that the people had already grown up? In this episode, Parshat Pinchas takes center stage as Zvi Hirschfield and Aviva Lauer delve into the powerful juxtaposition of two pivotal moments in Bamidbar 27: the bold legal claim of the daughters of Tzlofchad and the appointment of Yehoshua as Moshe's successor. They explore rabbinic expansions from Avot de-Rabbi Natan, the challenge of seeing people as they are today—not as they were—and the evolving nature of Torah leadership and inheritance. Their discussion raises timely questions about authority, growth, and meeting learners where they truly are.

Avot 6:11 - Horayot 1:1 | Sunday, July 6th 2025 | 10 Tamuz 5785

Avot 6:9-10 | Saturday, July 5th 2025 | 9 Tamuz 5785

Avot 6:7-8 | Friday, July 4th 2025 | 8 Tamuz 5785

Avot 6:5-6 | Thursday, July 3rd 2025 | 7 Tamuz 5785

Avot 6:3-4 | Wednesday, July 2nd 2025 | 6 Tamuz 5785

Avot 6:1-2 | Tuesday, July 1st 2025 | 5 Tamuz 5785

Avot 5:22-23 | Monday, June 30th 2025 | 4 Tamuz 5785

Avot 5:20-21 | Sunday, June 29th 2025 | 3 Tamuz 5785

Avot 5:18-19 | Saturday, June 28th 2025 | 2 Tamuz 5785

Avot 5:16-17 | Friday, June 27th 2025 | 1 Tamuz 5785

Avot 5:14-15 | Thursday, June 26th 2025 | 30 Sivan 5785

Avot 5:12-13 | Wednesday, June 25th 2025 | 29 Sivan 5785

Avot 5:10-11 | Tuesday, June 24th 2025 | 28 Sivan 5785

The story is told that on one Erev Rosh Hashanah, Rav Bunim of Peshischa came to his Rebbe, the Chozeh of Lublin, to receive a berachah. However, he noticed that the Chozeh was hesitant. At the time, Rav Bunim had a successful business, but the Chozeh revealed to him that he had seen a decree in Heaven that during the coming year, Rav Bunim would lose all of his parnassah. On Yom Kippur, Rav Bunim poured out his heart in tefillah, with sincere tears and deep emotion. Though his business later faced serious challenges and was nearly shut down, not only was it saved — his parnassah actually doubled. When Rav Bunim returned to the Chozeh on Erev Pesach, the Rebbe greeted him warmly and told him he knew with certainty that Rav Bunim's tefillah on Yom Kippur had shaken the heavens and changed the decree from hardship to great blessing. This story reminds us that our tefillot can do wonders, but only if we truly believe in their power. The Nefesh Shimshon explains that when Avraham Avinu established the tefillah of Shacharit, he didn't merely create a morning prayer; he infused it with his own spiritual energy and power. Every time we pray Shacharit, we do so with the merit and spiritual momentum of Avraham Avinu behind us. The same is true for Yitzchak Avinu, who established Minchah, and Yaakov Avinu, who established Arbit. These tefillot were not only composed — they were charged with the deepest essence of the Avot, and that strength continues to support our prayers today. Similarly, every time a person opens a Tehillim, they are not just reading words on a page — they are connecting to the neshama of David HaMelech. Each word of Tehillim is imbued with his spiritual strength, his longing, his struggles, and his closeness to Hashem. Hashem is already close to us, waiting to hear our every word. But now we understand that our tefillot are not coming from us alone — they are carried by the koach of those who established them. Chazal teach us that there is special power in a tefillah that comes with kavanah and tears. When we realize just how valuable our prayers are and how much they can accomplish, we gain new strength and motivation to pray with deeper emotion and sincerity. One woman shared her personal experience: she had been struggling with shidduchim for years. The suggestions that came her way were few and far between, and none of them seemed right. Still, she prayed daily to Hashem to send her the right zivug. What kept her emotionally afloat was the fact that she had good friends that she was close to, and then one day out of nowhere, one of her closest friends who had gotten married told her she would no longer be able to continue their relationship. This news was devastating to her. She spoke to this friend every day. She was her lifeline of support. Shortly afterward, she traveled to Eretz Yisrael. Before returning home, she went to the Kotel to pray. Instead of complaining and bemoaning her fate, she decided to channel all of her pain and emotion into the most heartfelt tefillah. She cried to Hashem for her zivug and in her words, it was the most powerful tefillah she had ever made. The very next day, upon returning home, she received a call from a shadchan with a new suggestion — the man she would soon marry. These stories illustrate that tefillah has the power to change everything. It is up to us to believe that Hashem is listening, and that every word we say matters. We are never alone. When we pray with heart and connect genuinely to Hashem, we can draw down brachot that are far beyond anything we could expect. As the pasuk says: קָרוֹב ה' לְכָל־קֹרְאָיו לְכֹל אֲשֶׁר יִקְרָאֻהוּ בֶאֱמֶת (Tehillim 145:18) Let us strengthen ourselves to approach tefillah not as a routine, but as a living bridge to the Ribbono Shel Olam — a moment to pour out our soul, to draw from the merit of the Avot and tzaddikim, and to unlock the gates of blessing with every sincere word we say.

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The Gemara in Sanhedrin tells us that David HaMelech asked Hashem why, in the Amidah , we say אלוקי אברהם, אלוקי יצחק, ואלוקי יעקב . Hashem responded that it is because the Avot were tested and passed their tests. We see from here that tests make a person great in this world. The Midrash in Tehillim says that Hashem does not elevate a person to a high position until He first tests him. The pasuk states that Hashem tested the Jewish people in the desert " להטיבך באחריתך " The Sforno explains that Hashem wanted to elevate Bnei Yisrael to become even greater than the angels who serve Him, and that is why He tested them. Many times, Hashem has gifts waiting for a person, and by passing a test, they become worthy of receiving them. A well-known story illustrates this concept: Rashi's father, Rabbi Yitzchak, once found a rare diamond and went to sell it to a local jeweler. The jeweler didn't have enough money to purchase such a valuable stone and suggested that the bishop buy it instead. The bishop had been searching for such a diamond to place on his cross. He offered an enormous sum of money for it. When Rabbi Yitzchak heard the purpose of the purchase, he refused to sell the diamond. However, he realized that if he didn't sell it, it would likely be taken from him by force. So, instead, he threw it into the ocean. That night, he was told in a dream that because of this great sacrifice, he would be blessed with a son whose light would outshine all the precious stones in the world, and whose Torah would illuminate generations to come. The following year, he had a son, whom he named Shlomo. He grew to become the towering sage known as Rashi. A man told me a personal story that took place more than 30 years ago: After high school, he traveled to Israel, where he became religious. He returned for a second year and planned to go back for a third. That summer, he was in his hometown making the final arrangements for his return. On the last day before his flight, on the way to the airport, he stopped at a convenience store to buy a drink and some snacks. While in the store, he remembered that he had purchased a lottery ticket and decided to check the numbers on the store's machine. As soon as he inserted the ticket, red sirens went off across the store. Startled, he asked what was happening. The store manager told him, "That means you won. You matched at least five numbers—possibly six." Shocked, he asked how much he had won. The manager replied, "It could be anywhere from $500,000 to several million dollars." He was stunned. For a moment, he paused to take it all in. But then, fear set in. If he had won millions, would he still go back to yeshiva ? Would this change his life in ways he didn't want? He made a firm decision: instead of checking the numbers immediately, he would first board his flight to Israel. Once he was settled back in yeshiva , he would check the ticket and see how much he had won. Early the next morning, he arrived in Israel and went straight to the yeshiva building. He placed his jacket in the same spot where he had always hung it for the past two years and then went to the Kotel to pray Shacharit . When he returned, his jacket was gone. His lottery ticket was in the zipper pocket. He had not told anyone about the ticket. He searched the entire yeshiva , but the jacket was never found. To this day, he has no idea how much he would have won. Instead of millions of dollars, Hashem gave him something far greater—he remained in yeshiva for several more years, married a bat talmid chacham , and raised a family of outstanding talmidei chachamim with sterling Midot. It is clear that the money was not meant for him, but the test most certainly was. Hashem had given him an extraordinary nisayon . And heroically, he chose to return to Israel, fearing that the money would steer him away from the path he had chosen. Hashem blessed him in ways far beyond anything money could buy. Life's tests can be challenging, but they are designed to lift us up and make us great.