Podcasts about avraham

Cours audio MP3 de 26 minutes donné par Rav David BREISACHER.

Title: The Messianic Torah Observer: Reflections on Torah Reading 33   Description: Join Rod Thomas as he delves into Torah Reading 33, exploring the transformative journey of Ya'achov (Jacob) and the reaffirmation of the covenant by Yehovah. This episode covers the significance of Ya'achov's encounters, the importance of supporting Israel, and the lessons we can learn from the patriarchs. Rod also shares updates on the Qumran Family Foundation's efforts in Kenya and invites listeners to support the ministry.   Key Points:   Ya'achov's journey from Paddan Aram to Canaan and his divine encounters. The reaffirmation of the covenant and the significance of Ya'achov's name change to Yisra'el. The importance of supporting Israel in times of conflict. Updates on the Qumran Family Foundation's educational programs in Kenya. Encouragement to support the ministry through prayers and financial contributions.   Call to Action: Visit [https://themessianictorahobserver.org](https://themessianictorahobserver.org) for more information and to support the ministry. Subscribe to our YouTube and Rumble channels for more content.

Abraham Intercedes for Lot Starting in Genesis 18 On the hilltop, with sacred trees, we're eating a meal, God and humans, by the tent. How Wonderful We've got Avraham. Yahweh voice of God is appearing as a human, we've got Avraham, we've got Yahweh, we've got Sarah in the tent. And it was this whole…

God tells Yechezkel there are only to reasons he saved the Israelites: He promised Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov, and to show the Nations of the world that he does what he says.

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 2 pagesLength of audio: 8 minutes 15 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I wrote and published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 5/30/25, titled: Bamidbar: Dust, Sand, and Stars. Hashem reiterates His promise to multiply Avraham's offspring using three metaphors. What does each mean? How do they shed light on our present state?-----The Torah content from now through Isru Chag Shavuos is sponsored by Rabbi Chaim and Sara Weiss in honor of the yahrzeit of our beloved rebbi, Rabbi Morton Moskowitz zt"l (on the 28th of Iyyar). May his Torah continue to illuminate the minds and hearts of future generations.-----If you've gained from what you've learned here, please consider contributing to my Patreon at www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss. Alternatively, if you would like to make a direct contribution to the "Rabbi Schneeweiss Torah Content Fund," my Venmo is @Matt-Schneeweiss, and my Zelle and PayPal are mattschneeweiss at gmail. Even a small contribution goes a long way to covering the costs of my podcasts, and will provide me with the financial freedom to produce even more Torah content for you.If you would like to sponsor a day's or a week's worth of content, or if you are interested in enlisting my services as a teacher or tutor, you can reach me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail. Thank you to my listeners for listening, thank you to my readers for reading, and thank you to my supporters for supporting my efforts to make Torah ideas available and accessible to everyone.-----Substack: rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/Patreon: patreon.com/rabbischneeweissYouTube Channel: youtube.com/rabbischneeweissInstagram: instagram.com/rabbischneeweiss/"The Stoic Jew" Podcast: thestoicjew.buzzsprout.com"Machshavah Lab" Podcast: machshavahlab.buzzsprout.com"The Mishlei Podcast": mishlei.buzzsprout.com"Rambam Bekius" Podcast: rambambekius.buzzsprout.com"The Tefilah Podcast": tefilah.buzzsprout.comOld Blog: kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/WhatsApp Content Hub (where I post all my content and announce my public classes): https://chat.whatsapp.com/GEB1EPIAarsELfHWuI2k0HAmazon Wishlist: amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/Y72CSP86S24W?ref_=wl_sharel

After the Tochacha, when we confess our sins, Hashem says He'll rememeber the bris with Yaakov, with Yitzchak, and with Avraham. Rashi (Vayikra 26:42) explains why it switches the order of the avos.

Fabian Trumper is the Co-founder and CEO of Arrakis Bio (arrakis.bio) an Israeli Startup company which is making human collagen, the most important human regenerative protein, from engineered cells, to give greater access to high quality collagen for use in the medical and esthetic industries. Avraham sat down with Fabian in the offices of JMB Davis Ben-David to discuss how he came up with the idea, how he built his team, got funded, the challenges he has faced, tips for startup founders and much more. Do you have a great innovation? We'd love to hear from you. Contact us by going to https://jmbdavis.com/startup/contact. Learn more at https://jmbdavis.com and https://jmbdavis.com/startup. Also available at https://soundcloud.com/jmbdavis/arrakis-bio. Listen to all of the episodes at https://jmbdavis.com/podcast.

Ibu Rita Wahyu

Welcome to Bitachon . We continue with another important lesson from the pesukim in Ki Tavo . Vanitzak el Hashem Elokei Avoteinu / We cried out to Hashem the God of our fathers, and He heard our voices. And we quote a pasuk in Shemot where it says Vayishma Elokim et Maakatam / God heard their groans. Vayizkor Elokim et Brito/and God remembered His covenant et Avraham et Yitzchak v'et Yaakov/With Abraham, Yitzhak and Yaakov. So we see clearly here that it was not enough for us to just pray. Our prayers aroused the zechut Avot . Interestingly, this is the second pasuk mentioned in the Zichronot section of Musaf of Rosh Hashanah , telling us that Hashem heard the cries of Bnei Yisrael b'Mitzrayim and remembered Avraham Yitzchak and Yaakov . So what is this combination? Why do we need both prayer and Zechut Avot? Why can't Zechut Avot work on its own? Why can't prayer on its own work? The answer is that the Jewish people, on their own at that time, and probably quite often for us as well, can not make it with our prayer alone. That's why every single prayer, that we pray three times a day starts with Elokeinu v'Elokei Avoteinu , our God, and the God of our fathers, Avraham Yitzchak v'Yaakov . The Rambam in Moreh Nevuchim , section 3, chapter 43, says something fascinating. He says that the reason why we merited to go into Eretz Yisrael was, בחסד האלוה וביעודיו לאבותינו , בעבור שהיו אנשים שלמים בדעותם ומדותם - רצוני לומר , " אברהם , יצחק ויעקב - Because of the kindness of God, and His promise to our forefathers. Why? ba'avur shehayu anashim shleimim, They were people that were perfect, b'dei'otam, in their mindsets, their cognition, u'midotam, and their character traits, This refers to Avraham Yitzchak v'Yaakov . And he says, שזה גם כן הוא ממה שהתורה תלויה עליו - רצוני לומר , שכל טוב שהיטיב האלוה לנו וייטיב - אמנם הוא ' בזכות אבות This is a fundamental that the Torah hinges on. That any goodness that God did for us in the past, and will do for us in the future, in truth is b'Zchut avot. It's in the merit of our forefathers. This is definitely something to inspire us that we don't have to necessarily have our own zechuyot . We need zechut avot . Well, if that's the case, that I need zechut avot , why pray? Why do anything? The answer that's given is, In order to have zechut avot, God has to recognize you as one of their children. If we want to use the zechut of Avraham Avinu, you have to look a little bit like Avraham. Imagine your friend's son comes to see you, but you don't know it's his son. He asks for a favor. When you see him, you say, ' Hold on. You look like so-and-so. You remind me of so-and-so. ' He says, 'Yeah, that was my father.' 'Oh, that was your father? For sure, I'm going to take care of this for you. If you're his son, I'm going to do it. ' But if someone walks in with no resemblance to his father, it's not going to ignite that feeling. The same is true with Avraham Yitzchak V'Yaakov . We're their children. We have to look like them. We have to act like them. Matai yagiu ma'asai l'ma'asei Avraham Yitzchak v'Yaakov . And this is the beautiful point- That's why we need prayer. Because when we pray, we look like Avraham Yitzchak v'Yaakov . They cried out to God, and we're crying out to God. Rashi uses a particular lashon describing the Jewish people praying at Kriat Yam Suf . In Shemot 14:10 it says, Vayitzaku . The Jewish people cried out. They cried out at Kriat Yam Suf. Rashi quotes the Mechilta, Tafsu umnut avotam/They grabbed the trade/the craft of their forefathers. Avraham prayed. Yitzchak prayed. Yaakov prayed. Says Rav Wolbe, What does it mean that they took the trade of their forefathers? He says, an uman is a craftsman . It's something that your family does. It's naturally in your blood. If your father is a carpenter, and your grandfather is a carpenter, you're a carpenter. You just naturally fall into that. Prayer is the craft of the Jewish people. Avraham Yitzchak and Yaakov did it. Imagine someone was a great violinist, and his father was a great violinist. Now the grandson starts playing the violin, not quite like his father or grandfather, but he's holding on to his family trade. You'd say, That reminds me of his father. That reminds me of his grandfather. He was a great violinist. When we start to pray, that's the one-two punch. Because when we're pray, we are taking the trade of our forefathers, and that ignites their remembrance. So it's not just that our prayers are answered because we prayed. We're doing two things when we pray. We pray, and we're also acting like the avot , which ignites the zechut avot .

In this episode, Avraham Fixsler shares the painful and powerful story of his daughter Alta, and the legal battle he and his wife fought to keep her alive. He opens up about the emotional toll, the courtroom setbacks, and the unwavering faith that guided them. This isn't just a story about medical ethics - it's about a father's fight for his child's dignity. Listen to understand what it means to hold onto your values when the world says to let go.Trigger Warning: This episode has heavy conversations about child death.Contact Avraham or donate to his sefer torah here: Altafixsler@gmail.com✬ SPONSORS OF THE EPISODE ✬► Naki: The Best Jewish Devices for Your ChildrenNaki is a filtered audio entertainment system with an expanding library of wholesome content for the discerning family. It's the best devices on the market. And got brand new options!FREE Shipping with code: LCHAIM:Get Here → https://bit.ly/44BXQyJ► BitBean: Smart Custom SoftwareReally great way to take your business to the next level.Contact Bitbean today for a FREE CONSULTATIONReach Out Here → https://bitbean.link/MeEBlY► PZ DEALS: Never Pay Full Price AgainAn epic app that tracks deals for you.Download here → https://app.pz.deals/install/iftn► Wheels To Lease: Trust Me Get Your Car With ThemFor over 35 years, Wheels To Lease has offered stress-free car buying with upfront pricing, no hidden fees, and door-to-door delivery. Call today!→ CALL/TEXT: 718-871-8715→ EMAIL: inspire@wheelstolease.com→ WEB: https://bit.ly/41lnzYU→ WHATSAPP: https://wa.link/0w46ce► Koren: Create Memories for your KidsReally cute and well-done books you and your kids will cherish.Use Code LCHAIM10 for 10% OFFGet here → My First Tanach Stories: https://bit.ly/3GSLzft→ The Parsha: https://bit.ly/4mkHXmo✬ IN MEMORY OF ✬This episode is in memory of:​ Shimon Dovid ben Yaakov Shloima​ Miriam Sarah bas Yaakov Moshe​ Alta bas Avraham✬ Donate and Inspire Millions (Tax-Deductible) ✬Your generous donation enables us at Living Lchaim to share uplifting messages globally, enrich lives, and foster positive change worldwide! Thank you!https://www.LivingLchaim.com/donateOur free call-in-to-listen feature is here:​ USA: (605) 477-2100​ UK: 0333-366-0154​ ISRAEL: 079-579-5088Have a specific question? email us hi@livinglchaim.comWhatsApp us feedback and get first access to episodes: 914-222-5513Lchaim!

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 30 minutesSynopsis: This Friday morning (5/16/25), in our tefilah-focused Machshavah Lab series for women, we finished our analysis of the first berachah! Not that anyone can truly finish it, but we completed THIS round. After a quick review, we spent the bulk of the time analyzing the penultimate clause in the berachah, and rode that momentum through the conclusion. I'll probably do one more recording to summarize everything, but for now, we're done with the series!-----מקורות:סידור ארבע כנפות הארץ - אבותראב"ןבראשית פרק ידרמב"ם - משנה תורה: ספר המדע, הלכות תשובה ט:בר"י בר יקרקרבן תודה - פסחים דף קיז עמוד ברמב"ם - מורה הנבוכים ג:יחאבודרהםרמב"ן - בראשית טו:ארלב"ג - דברים לג:כט-----SPECIAL OFFER: I'm planning to write more on my Substack this summer than I have in the past few years, including a ton of paid subscriber posts I've been eager to publish. From now until Shavuos, for every week of content you sponsor, I'll add a full month of paid subscription access. If you're interested in sponsoring, let me know!-----If you've gained from what you've learned here, please consider contributing to my Patreon at www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss. Alternatively, if you would like to make a direct contribution to the "Rabbi Schneeweiss Torah Content Fund," my Venmo is @Matt-Schneeweiss, and my Zelle and PayPal are mattschneeweiss at gmail. Even a small contribution goes a long way to covering the costs of my podcasts, and will provide me with the financial freedom to produce even more Torah content for you.If you would like to sponsor a day's or a week's worth of content, or if you are interested in enlisting my services as a teacher or tutor, you can reach me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail. Thank you to my listeners for listening, thank you to my readers for reading, and thank you to my supporters for supporting my efforts to make Torah ideas available and accessible to everyone.-----Substack: rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/Patreon: patreon.com/rabbischneeweissYouTube Channel: youtube.com/rabbischneeweissInstagram: instagram.com/rabbischneeweiss/"The Stoic Jew" Podcast: thestoicjew.buzzsprout.com"Machshavah Lab" Podcast: machshavahlab.buzzsprout.com"The Mishlei Podcast": mishlei.buzzsprout.com"Rambam Bekius" Podcast: rambambekius.buzzsprout.com"The Tefilah Podcast": tefilah.buzzsprout.comOld Blog: kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/WhatsApp Content Hub (where I post all my content and announce my public classes): https://chat.whatsapp.com/GEB1EPIAarsELfHWuI2k0HAmazon Wishlist: amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/Y72CSP86S24W?ref_=wl_sharel

Parashat Acharei Mot begins by telling us that Hashem spoke to Moshe after the tragic deaths of Nadav and Avihu, who died while attempting to draw closer to Hashem. Though their death was a colossal tragedy, the Torah teaches us how to view it—and more broadly, how to understand when tragedy befalls righteous individuals especially when they are engaged in holy pursuits. At that time, the Jewish people were yearning for the Shechina to dwell in the Mishkan they had built. After the sin of the Egel , they were unsure whether Hashem would rest His presence among them. On the day of the inauguration, Aharon offered multiple korbanot as instructed, but still, the Shechina did not descend. Only after Moshe and Aharon entered the Ohel Mo'ed to pray did a heavenly fire come down and consume the offerings. The people rejoiced—Hashem had forgiven them and chosen to dwell among them. In their deep yearning and love for Hashem, Nadav and Avihu brought the Ketoret on their own initiative. Then, the unimaginable happened: another fire came down and consumed them. Everyone was in shock. Was this a sign of Hashem's anger? Did it mean the forgiveness was rescinded? Moshe then told Aharon that Hashem had previously said He would be sanctified through the deaths of great people—and Nadav and Avihu were those chosen Tzaddikim. The Torah testifies that when Aharon heard this, " וידם אהרן "—he remained silent , accepting Hashem's will without protest. As a reward for his profound emunah and submission, Hashem then spoke directly to him. What appeared to be divine punishment was, in fact, a great Kiddush Hashem . The Or HaChayim explains that Nadav and Avihu became so spiritually elevated that their souls desired only closeness to Hashem and no longer wished to remain in the physical world. Today, we lack prophets to explain tragedies, but we have the Torah—eternal and unchanging—to guide us in how to view them. Our greatest strength lies in trusting Hashem and using pain as a catalyst for growth. We are reminded that this world is temporary, and every moment here is an opportunity to serve and connect with our Creator. The Rashbam writes that the greatest Kiddush Hashem on that day was not the death of the tzadikim , but Aharon's silent acceptance. Seeing his beloved sons die before him, he continued to serve Hashem with unwavering devotion. That act sanctified the Mishkan more than any offering brought that day. When a person accepts Hashem's judgment with love, he elevates not only himself but also the space around him. Such acceptance carries a powerful spiritual energy, capable of invoking blessing and even salvation. The sanctity of Har HaBayit , where the Beit HaMikdash would one day stand, was similarly established through Avraham Avinu's loving acceptance of Hashem's will. When commanded to offer Yitzchak as a korban, despite the contradiction to Hashem's earlier promise that his future offspring would come through Yitzchak, Avraham did not question. The Targum Yonatan on the passuk יראה ויקרא שם המקום ה ' explains that Avraham prayed not to harbor any complaints, fully submitting himself to Hashem's will. His wholehearted obedience imbued the mountain with eternal holiness. Just as the Mishkan was sanctified through Aharon's faith, and the Beit HaMikdash through Avraham's, so too can we infuse holiness into our lives and surroundings by accepting Hashem's decrees with love and trust. Whenever a person accepts the will of Hashem with love, although it's difficult, he elevates himself and the place around him. Our job is to trust Hashem and always continue growing in our Avodah no matter what happens.

One of the reasons that people may lose energy and excitement in their avodat Hashem is that they misunderstand the way Hashem deals with them. It makes logical sense that when a person is doing what Hashem wants, he should feel a certain spiritual elevation and receive some type of reciprocation which shows that Hashem is appreciating what he is doing. And so, when those things don't happen, people may begin to lose the enthusiasm that they once had. If they only knew how much Hashem appreciates what they are doing, and how much they are gaining every second of it, they would happily increase their enthusiasm. Let us analyze the way that Hashem dealt with Avraham Avinu. Hashem promised him a baby boy when he was 70 years old, but he did not see the fulfillment of that promise for another 30 years. Then, when Yitzchak was 37, Hashem commanded Avraham to offer him up as a korban . One would think, being that this was arguably the greatest mitzvah ever performed, that Avraham should have felt a connection to Hashem like no other on his way to do the Akeda . He should have felt an incredible spiritual feeling beyond imagination. Yet, it says וירא את המקום מרחוק – and he saw the place from afar. Chazal tell us that means he saw the מקומו של עולם - HaKadosh Baruch Hu – very distant from him. He did not feel any spiritual elevation, nor did he feel any connection to Hashem. It was actually just the opposite, a feeling of being distanced from Hashem. And one would think, after Avraham passed this monumental nisayon , Hashem should have showered him with blessing and showed him how great he became as a result. Yet that is not what happened. Rather, Avraham discovered that his wife had passed away, and he had to go deal with finding her a burial plot. This is precisely what made Avraham's deed as great as it was. The entire Jewish Nation is still benefiting from that one deed until today. Avraham knew that what he was doing was what Hashem wanted and that's all he needed to know. Going there without the spiritual feelings made the avodah even more precious. Not seeing Hashem patting him on the back, kavayachol , afterward made the avodah even more valuable. This world is the world of work. We need to toil in our avodat Hashem and the rewards come later. If someone has been praying for something for years without seeing results, he may feel that Hashem is not listening to him. Yet our Chazal teach us otherwise. Our Imahot prayed for years without seeing any results and that is precisely what made them as great as they became, continuing to push themselves without seeing the reciprocation. We know what Hashem wants from us. He told us in the Torah. And we know He appreciates every little move we make. When we continue growing and serving Him to the best of our ability, without the spiritual feelings and without the immediate rewards, it makes our service infinitely greater. If someone starts learning more or going to shul more, his natural expectations are that he will see more open blessing in his life from it. That may happen and it may not, depending on what Hashem knows is good for him. But if it doesn't happen and he continues learning and continues going to shul more, it makes those efforts so much more valuable and it raises him to such a higher level. He will most probably not feel any more spiritual from what he is doing, but that will just add to the potential levels he could reach. Akedat Yitzchak was done without any special feeling and without any immediate reciprocation. And we know that Hashem appreciated that act more than we could imagine. It made Avraham so great and the rewards of it are still being paid until today. This should be a model for us to understand that the greatness of our avodah does not depend on how spiritual we feel or how quickly Hashem gives us what we want afterwards. It's actually just the opposite. The more we persevere without the feeling and without the reciprocation, the greater the avodah becomes.

The_kindness_of_Avraham_the_mark_of_a_righteous_man___Rabbi_David_Weissman

https://youtu.be/BkQtVQzaAE4 Audio: Play the audio class Download: Download this MP3 Topics: Morning Prayers Follow-Along Text: אֲבָל אֲנַֽחְנוּ עַמְּךָ בְּנֵי בְרִיתֶֽךָ, בְּנֵי אַבְרָהָם אֹהַבְךָ, שֶׁנִּשְׁבַּֽעְתָּ לּוֹ בְּהַר הַמֹּרִיָּה;זֶֽרַע יִצְחָק יְחִידוֹ, שֶׁנֶּעֱקַד עַל גַּבֵּי הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ;עֲדַת יַעֲקֹב בִּנְךָ בְּכוֹרֶֽךָ, שֶׁמֵּאַהֲבָתְךָ שֶׁאָהַֽבְתָּ אוֹתוֹ, וּמִשִּׂמְחָתְךָ שֶׁשָּׂמַֽחְתָּ בּוֹ, קָרָֽאתָ אֶת שְׁמוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל וִישֻׁרוּן:לְפִיכָךְ אֲנַֽחְנוּ חַיָּבִים לְהוֹדוֹת לְךָ, וּלְשַׁבֵּחֲךָ וּלְפָאֶרְךָ וּלְבָרֵךְ וּלְקַדֵּשׁ וְלִתֵּן שֶֽׁבַח וְהוֹדָיָה לִשְׁמֶֽךָ:אַשְׁרֵֽינוּ, מַה טּוֹב חֶלְקֵֽנוּ, וּמַה נָּעִים גּוֹרָלֵֽנוּ, וּמַה יָּפָה יְרֻשָּׁתֵֽנוּ;אַשְׁרֵֽינוּ, שֶׁאָֽנוּ מַשְׁכִּימִים וּמַעֲרִיבִים עֶֽרֶב וָבֹֽקֶר וְאוֹמְרִים פַּעֲמַֽיִם בְּכָל יוֹם:But we are Your nation, the people of Your covenant: the descendants of Avraham, who loved You, to whom You swore on Mount Moriah;the offspring of Yitzchak, his only son who was bound on the altar;and the congregation of Yaakov, Your son, Your firstborn, whom You named Yisrael and Yeshurun, out of Your love for him and Your delight in him.Therefore, we are obligated to thankfully acknowledge, praise and glorify You, and to bless, sanctify, and give praise and thankful acknowledgment to Your name.We are fortunate! How good is our portion! How pleasant is our lot! And how beautiful is our inheritance!Fortunate are we that, upon rising in the morning and again in the evening, we declare twice every day, evening and morning: PreviousClass 052: morning prayers: Leolam Yehei Adam part 2 NextClass 054: morning prayers: Aval Anachnu Amecha part 2 More in this section Class 058: morning prayers: Trumat Hadeshen part 2 Class 057: morning prayers: Trumat Hadeshen part 1 Class 056: morning prayers: Kriat Shema Ketana part 2 Class 055: morning prayers: Kriat Shema Ketana part 1 Class 054: morning prayers: Aval Anachnu Amecha part 2 Class 052: morning prayers: Leolam Yehei Adam part 2 Class 051: morning prayers: Leolam Yehei Adam part 1

https://youtu.be/xjGEbVKuldw Audio: Play the audio class Download: Download this MP3 Topics: Morning Prayers Follow-Along Text: אֲבָל אֲנַֽחְנוּ עַמְּךָ בְּנֵי בְרִיתֶֽךָ, בְּנֵי אַבְרָהָם אֹהַבְךָ, שֶׁנִּשְׁבַּֽעְתָּ לּוֹ בְּהַר הַמֹּרִיָּה;זֶֽרַע יִצְחָק יְחִידוֹ, שֶׁנֶּעֱקַד עַל גַּבֵּי הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ;עֲדַת יַעֲקֹב בִּנְךָ בְּכוֹרֶֽךָ, שֶׁמֵּאַהֲבָתְךָ שֶׁאָהַֽבְתָּ אוֹתוֹ, וּמִשִּׂמְחָתְךָ שֶׁשָּׂמַֽחְתָּ בּוֹ, קָרָֽאתָ אֶת שְׁמוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל וִישֻׁרוּן:לְפִיכָךְ אֲנַֽחְנוּ חַיָּבִים לְהוֹדוֹת לְךָ, וּלְשַׁבֵּחֲךָ וּלְפָאֶרְךָ וּלְבָרֵךְ וּלְקַדֵּשׁ וְלִתֵּן שֶֽׁבַח וְהוֹדָיָה לִשְׁמֶֽךָ:אַשְׁרֵֽינוּ, מַה טּוֹב חֶלְקֵֽנוּ, וּמַה נָּעִים גּוֹרָלֵֽנוּ, וּמַה יָּפָה יְרֻשָּׁתֵֽנוּ;אַשְׁרֵֽינוּ, שֶׁאָֽנוּ מַשְׁכִּימִים וּמַעֲרִיבִים עֶֽרֶב וָבֹֽקֶר וְאוֹמְרִים פַּעֲמַֽיִם בְּכָל יוֹם:But we are Your nation, the people of Your covenant: the descendants of Avraham, who loved You, to whom You swore on Mount Moriah;the offspring of Yitzchak, his only son who was bound on the altar;and the congregation of Yaakov, Your son, Your firstborn, whom You named Yisrael and Yeshurun, out of Your love for him and Your delight in him.Therefore, we are obligated to thankfully acknowledge, praise and glorify You, and to bless, sanctify, and give praise and thankful acknowledgment to Your name.We are fortunate! How good is our portion! How pleasant is our lot! And how beautiful is our inheritance!Fortunate are we that, upon rising in the morning and again in the evening, we declare twice every day, evening and morning: PreviousClass 053: morning prayers: Aval Anachnu Amecha part 1 NextClass 055: morning prayers: Kriat Shema Ketana part 1 More in this section Class 058: morning prayers: Trumat Hadeshen part 2 Class 057: morning prayers: Trumat Hadeshen part 1 Class 056: morning prayers: Kriat Shema Ketana part 2 Class 055: morning prayers: Kriat Shema Ketana part 1 Class 053: morning prayers: Aval Anachnu Amecha part 1 Class 052: morning prayers: Leolam Yehei Adam part 2 Class 051: morning prayers: Leolam Yehei Adam part 1

This week on Shtark Tank, we bring you a special megapod in honor of Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha'atzmaut — a deep, emotional journey through stories of sacrifice, strength, and national pride.In this episode:Yakir and Josh Hexter's Story: Why one bereaved father turned down a public interview — and the lesson we all need to hear.Avraham and Daniel Colthuf: Two brothers, lawyers and reserve soldiers, who serve as chazanim for IDF funerals, standing by families in their darkest moments.Collection of Israel Stories:Jeff Swartz, former CEO of Timberland, on falling in love with Israel (from Invested podcast).Nobel laureate Professor Yisrael Aumann on losing his son and a powerful shiva visit.Highlights from Michael Eisenberg on making Aliyah and building a career in Israel.A personal reflection from my father about how a fallen soldier shaped our Aliyah story.Subscribe to our newsletter at ⁠shtarktank.org⁠ for more from working Bnei Torah around the world.Join our ⁠quiet whatsapp group ⁠for episode updates, event invites and exclusive bonus content.Thank you for listening.If this episode moved you, please take a moment to rate and review — it helps us bring more meaningful conversations to more people.Subscribe to Shtark Tank for thoughtful interviews, honest reflections, and real conversations for Bnei Torah navigating the modern world.00:00 Intro02:16 Yakir Hexter HY"D and Silent Grief07:30 Interview with Colthof Brothers54:56 Short Stories

Noam Shani is the co-founder of Neo Mare, an Israeli startup which has created a wristband that can be inflated to save the wearer from drowning. Avraham sat down with Noam in the offices of JMB Davis Ben-David to discuss how Noam came up with the idea, how he built his team, got funded, the challenges he has faced, tips for startup founders and much more. Do you have a great innovation? We'd love to hear from you. Contact us by going to https://jmbdavis.com/startup/contact. Learn more at https://jmbdavis.com and https://jmbdavis.com/startup. Also available at https://soundcloud.com/jmbdavis/neo-mare. Listen to all of the episodes at https://jmbdavis.com/podcast.

Shiur given by Rabbi Ben Zion Bamberger on Parsha. Dvar Torah is L'ilui Nishmas Yisroel Zev ben Avraham & Mira Rochel bas Yosef Yaakov.

Send us a textR' Moshe ben Avraham of Przemysl

"Exodus, Exile and Redemption" is a study of the profound significance of Judaism's history. Written essays are published bi-weekly ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Please subscribe!This series is made possible by the Jacob Lights Foundation. To support this and other ongoing foundation initiatives, please consider becoming a paid subscriber to the Substack newsletter or making a tax-deductible donation via Zelle to jacoblightsfoundation@gmail.com.

What happened to all the students of Avraham and Sarah? This episode unpacks that question and the surprising depth behind the answer—revealing a timeless lesson about the limits of inspiration without structure. Through the lens of gevurah (discipline), we explore how to anchor our growth in action, support others without fostering dependence, and move from emotional sparks to lasting spiritual foundations. Drawing from Chazal and modern thinkers like Rav Dessler and Rav Soloveitchik, this is a call to turn inspiration into real, lasting change—one mitzvah at a time.Join the Conversation! Be part of our growing community—join the Shema Podcast for the Perplexed WhatsApp group to share feedback, discuss episodes, and suggest future topics. Click here to sign up.

Today's daf is sponsored by Shulamith and Joel Cohn for a refuah shleima for Phyllis Hecht, Gittel Pesha bat Masha Rachel. Today's daf is sponsored by Batsheva Pava for a refuah shleima for Phyllis Hecht, Gittel Pesha bat Masha Rachel. "To my wonderful neighbor and dear friend, Phyllis, who is the person who sends me daily lists of shiurim that range from Daf Yomi, to Navi, to Parshat Hashavua, and Chaggim. She is a 24-hours-a-day Torah learning source. We cannot forget that it is the month of miracles and kriyat yam suf. May Phyllis continue to see many miracles. May our learning be for her zechut!" For what cases is a ger toshav allowed to go to a refuge city? Contradictory sources are brought and the contradictions are resolved. There is a debate one who killed someone and claimed "I thought it was allowed" - is that considered close to intentional or is it considered circumstances beyond one's control? Potential proofs are brought from the Torah for each position from the story of Avimelech when he took Sarah from Avraham. Does a blind person go to a city of refuge? What is the halakha if the accidental murderer hated the one who was murdered? How many refuge cities were there and where were they located?  

Are people responsible for doing the wrong thing when they thought it was permitted at the time that they did it, or to what extent is a person responsible for making sure he or she has knowledge of those permitted/prohibited actions? The example is a ger toshav - and the question of when punishing consequences kick in. That is, when does it seem close to deliberate, in contrast to the consequences all being left to God. With examples from the Torah where people were held responsible for transgressions they hadn't known they were committing (for example, Avimelech when he thought Sarah and Avraham were siblings, leaving her permitted for Avimelech to take as a wife - though she wasn't really). Also: 2 mishnayot - on the cities of refuge, and who can and cannot take refuge there. For example, a blind person cannot. An enemy of an "unintentional" killing cannot usually go to exile (and might be put to death for murder instead). Plus, the location of the 6 cities of refuge. Plus, initially, the killer ran to a city of refuge before the court judgement.

Today's daf is sponsored by Shulamith and Joel Cohn for a refuah shleima for Phyllis Hecht, Gittel Pesha bat Masha Rachel. Today's daf is sponsored by Batsheva Pava for a refuah shleima for Phyllis Hecht, Gittel Pesha bat Masha Rachel. "To my wonderful neighbor and dear friend, Phyllis, who is the person who sends me daily lists of shiurim that range from Daf Yomi, to Navi, to Parshat Hashavua, and Chaggim. She is a 24-hours-a-day Torah learning source. We cannot forget that it is the month of miracles and kriyat yam suf. May Phyllis continue to see many miracles. May our learning be for her zechut!" For what cases is a ger toshav allowed to go to a refuge city? Contradictory sources are brought and the contradictions are resolved. There is a debate one who killed someone and claimed "I thought it was allowed" - is that considered close to intentional or is it considered circumstances beyond one's control? Potential proofs are brought from the Torah for each position from the story of Avimelech when he took Sarah from Avraham. Does a blind person go to a city of refuge? What is the halakha if the accidental murderer hated the one who was murdered? How many refuge cities were there and where were they located?  

Today's daf is sponsored by Samuel Berlad in honor of Esther Sarah bat Sarah to get good passing grades in the exams and parnassah tova. Also in loving memory of Devorah bat Avraham, for the refuah shleima of Shmuel Lev ben Bracha.  Today's daf is sponsored by Audrey and Jake Levant in honor of Deborah and Michael Dickson. "Wishing you a huge mazel tov  on the engagement of Dalia to Yared Posnasky." Rav Yehuda said in the name of Rav that a conspiring witness pays according to his share. After four unsuccessful attempts to explain the meaning of his statement, they explain it to be a case where the witness said he was convicted and charged money in a court for being a conspiring witness. Based on his testimony, he can be obligated to pay his share, even though his testimony cannot incriminate the other witness. If conspiring witnesses testify that a man divorced his wife and did not pay her the ketuba money, how is the payment for their punishment assessed, as they tried to obligate him to pay money that he may have had to pay later if he predeceases his wife or divorces her? If conspiring witnesses testify that a debtor who had a ten-year loan had a thirty-day loan, how is the payment for their punishment assessed? Both these cases are explained in the Mishna. Rav Yehuda says in the name of Rav that a ten-year loan is canceled when the shmita year arrives. Rav Kahana raises a difficulty on his statement from the Mishna as it implies that a ten-year loan can be collected. Rava resolves the contradiction. According to an alternative version of the sugya, Rav Yehuda said in the name of Rav the opposite - that a ten-year loan is collected. Rav Kahana supported his statement from our Mishna.Rava rejects the support from the Mishna. Rav Yehuda says in the name of Shmuel that if one loans another upon the condition that the shmita year not cancel the loan, the loan is canceled anyway as the condition is invalid. However, this contradicts a different statement of Shmuel regarding ona'ah, that a condition that goes against the Torah is valid if the issue relates to money. How is this resolved? Two other statements are brought by Rav Yehuda says in the name of Rav and Rav Kahana raises a difficulty against them - one about laws of Shabbat and one about laws of mikveh.

Today's daf is sponsored by Samuel Berlad in honor of Esther Sarah bat Sarah to get good passing grades in the exams and parnassah tova. Also in loving memory of Devorah bat Avraham, for the refuah shleima of Shmuel Lev ben Bracha.  Today's daf is sponsored by Audrey and Jake Levant in honor of Deborah and Michael Dickson. "Wishing you a huge mazel tov  on the engagement of Dalia to Yared Posnasky." Rav Yehuda said in the name of Rav that a conspiring witness pays according to his share. After four unsuccessful attempts to explain the meaning of his statement, they explain it to be a case where the witness said he was convicted and charged money in a court for being a conspiring witness. Based on his testimony, he can be obligated to pay his share, even though his testimony cannot incriminate the other witness. If conspiring witnesses testify that a man divorced his wife and did not pay her the ketuba money, how is the payment for their punishment assessed, as they tried to obligate him to pay money that he may have had to pay later if he predeceases his wife or divorces her? If conspiring witnesses testify that a debtor who had a ten-year loan had a thirty-day loan, how is the payment for their punishment assessed? Both these cases are explained in the Mishna. Rav Yehuda says in the name of Rav that a ten-year loan is canceled when the shmita year arrives. Rav Kahana raises a difficulty on his statement from the Mishna as it implies that a ten-year loan can be collected. Rava resolves the contradiction. According to an alternative version of the sugya, Rav Yehuda said in the name of Rav the opposite - that a ten-year loan is collected. Rav Kahana supported his statement from our Mishna.Rava rejects the support from the Mishna. Rav Yehuda says in the name of Shmuel that if one loans another upon the condition that the shmita year not cancel the loan, the loan is canceled anyway as the condition is invalid. However, this contradicts a different statement of Shmuel regarding ona'ah, that a condition that goes against the Torah is valid if the issue relates to money. How is this resolved? Two other statements are brought by Rav Yehuda says in the name of Rav and Rav Kahana raises a difficulty against them - one about laws of Shabbat and one about laws of mikveh.

* This week's Derasha is dedicated in memory of Avraham ben Gemilah* Toward the end of Maggid – the main section of the Haggadah, when we discuss Yesiat Misrayim in fulfillment of the obligation to speak about the miraculous Exodus from Egypt on this night – we cite a Halachic ruling of Rabban Gamliel regarding the obligation of the Seder. Rabban Gamliel stated that one must discuss at the Seder the meaning of the Korban Pesach (paschal sacrifice), the Masa, and the Marror, and if one does not, then he does not fulfill his obligation. At my Seder, when we reach this point, I make sure that everyone who had left the table – such as the women arranging the food in the kitchen – returns to the table, and that this passage is read in both in Hebrew and English, so that it will be clearly understood by all. One of the questions that arise regarding this section is its sequence. Rabban Gamliel lists the three Misvot which must be discussed in the order of Pesach, Masa and Marror. Seemingly, this order is incorrect; the Marror should be discussed first. After all, the Marror commemorates the bitterness of slavery, whereas the Korban Pesach commemorates the miraculous plague of the firstborn on the night of Yesiat Misrayim, and the Masa commemorates our ancestors' hasty, frantic departure from Egypt. Quite obviously, Beneh Yisrael first experienced the bitterness of slavery, and then the miracle of the plague of the firstborn. The correct order, therefore, should be Marror, Pesach, Masa. Why did Rabban Gamliel move the Marror to the end of the list? To answer this question, we need to revisit the meaning and significance of the Marror. The Gemara instructs that the best option for Marror is "Hasa," which we call Romaine lettuce. Although this lettuce is not particularly bitter, it is the preferred choice because of its name – "Hasa" which alludes to the fact that "Has Ha'Kadosh Baruch Hu Alenu" – Hashem had mercy and compassion upon us. This seems very strange. If the entire purpose of the Marror is to remind us of the "bitterness," the pain and suffering that our ancestors endured, then why would we associate the Marror with compassion? Hashem's compassion was shown at the time of Yesiat Misrayim, not during the years of bitterness. Why, then, do we want the name of the vegetable used for Marror to allude to Hashem's mercy? The answer is that, indeed, the "bitterness" of slavery was an expression of Hashem's mercy and compassion. To understand how, let us consider an analogy to mortgage payments. A person with a mortgage can choose different payment plans. One possibility is to pay small, relatively easy sums each month, for a lengthy period of time. But he could also choose to "tighten his belt,", cutting back on other expenses so he can afford to pay more of his debt each month. This way, he is able to get out of debt faster. For reasons we do not fully understand, Hashem had told Abraham Abinu that his descendants would endure a 400-year period of slavery. However, Hashem saw that Beneh Yisrael would not survive such a lengthy period of exile. Beneh Yisrael were submerged in the impurity of Egypt, and had they remained there for 400 years, they would have plummeted to the lowest depths, from which they could not recover. Hashem therefore decided to increase the "monthly payments," so-to-speak, by intensifying the workload, so they could leave 190 years early – after just 210 years of slavery. The suffering the people endured during those 210 years amounted to the suffering they were to have experienced over the course of 400 years of bondage. It turns out, then, that the "bitterness" was a crucial component of the redemption from Egypt. Beneh Yisrael were able to leave Egypt only because they suffered not only exile, but "bitterness," such that 400 years' worth of exile was condensed into 210 years. Had this not happened, they could never have been redeemed. This easily explains why we eat "Hasa" as our Marror – because the bitterness commemorated by the Marror was indeed a manifestation of Hashem's boundless kindness and compassion for His beloved nation. With this in mind, we can return to Rabban Gamliel's statement. He listed "Pesach, Masa, Marror" in this sequence because it was only after the "Pesach" and the "Masa" that Beneh Yisrael understood the nature of the "Marror." While they were suffering, everything appeared "bitter." But later, in retrospect, after they left Egypt, they understood that the bitterness of those 210 years allowed them to "pay" their "debt" more quickly, which was critical for their survival as a people. We therefore discuss first the Korban Pesach and Masa, the redemption from Egypt, and then we are in a position to properly understand the Marror, the indispensable role played by the "bitterness" of slavery in the process of redemption. This might also be the reason why we dip the Marror in the sweet Haroset – to symbolize the fact that the bitterness of slavery was actually "sweet," as it ensured our ancestors' survival and eventual redemption. This is something we must remember during our own "bitter" periods, when we face challenges and hardship. At the moment, we see nothing "sweet" or beneficial about the difficult situation that we are experiencing. But we must trust that this "Marror," as "bitter" as it feels, is actually to our benefit. As regarding our ancestors' bondage in Egypt, Hashem is acting kindly toward us even when we endure hardship. This belief helps us remain strong and confident even in life's more challenging moments, as we will trust that everything we are going through is, in truth, to our benefit.

What is the difference between fantasy, myth and Torah? How does the sacred imagination serve as a vessel for prophecy? What are we meant to be doing on Seder night? Hear about these questions and more as Rav Mike and Eitan engage in a deep conversation about this unique human capacity.

 Today's daf is sponsored by Mitzi and David Geffen in loving memory of Mitzi's mother, Ruth Toll Lock, Rut bat Miriam and Avraham z"l on her 39th yahrzeit. "She was a loving wife, mother, and mother-in-law; a devoted Zionist and wonderful educator in Harrisburg, PA. All 4 of her children made Aliyah and her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as her great-grandchild, all live in Israel." The Mishna lists groups of people throught our early history that do not have a share in the World-to-Come and deliberates about whether they will be ressurected.  Arrogance caused the sin of the generation of the flood, as they had everything and therefore thought that they didn't need God. Was Noah a real righteous peerson or just in relation to his generation? How did Noah try before the flood to get the poeple to repent and what was their reposnse? What was the purpose of the seven days before the flood? How did they deal with animals while they were in the ark? These and other issues related to the flood are discussed. 

A story is brought of Nahum ish Gamzu and how he is saved from death by the Romans on account of magical dirt that came from the dirt that Avraham used against the four kings, which magically turned into swords. What was the generation of those who built the Tower of Bavel try to accomplish? What were the acts of Sodom? God gave them everything they could want, which made them self-sufficient, leading to arrogance, which led to their isolationist policy.    They mainly engaged in two categories of trangressions - not treating guests properly and perverting justice.  There is a debate about Korach and his followers - whether they are deserving of the World-to-Come. The Gemara extrapolates the names of the people in Korach's group and explains how On ben Pelet didn't rejoin Korach's group on account of his wife's actions.

Why does the Haggadah begin by reminding us that our ancestors were idolaters?What is the secret sin of Avraham Avinu, and why did he ask for it to remain hidden?This shiur explores the tension between freedom and servitude, the esoteric struggle with idolatry in every generation, and how the Torah guides us through an annual Exodus that is far from over.Uncover true liberation develops from avodah itself.us #slavery #sacrifice #death #avrahamavinu #AbrahamWhy does the Haggadah begin by reminding us that our ancestors were idolaters?What is the secret sin of Avraham Avinu, and why did he ask for it to remain hidden?This shiur explores the tension between freedom and servitude, the esoteric struggle with idolatry in every generation, and how the Torah guides us through an annual Exodus that is far from over.Uncover how true liberation develops from avodah itself.0:00 The overall structure of the Haggadah: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7p74lusVF8&t=1s1:00 The question the Haggadah is answering: Why is the past relevant to today?2:45 The two narratives the Haggadah tells: We were once slaves, and Hashem freed us; we once served idols, and now we serve Hashem6:00 The first narrative explains freedom from slavery; the second narrative explains the purpose of slavery itself8:00 The exile in Egypt as a result of Avraham's doubt; Jewish history as recurring opportunities to recognize Hashem through redemption from suffering16:30 The wicked son doesn't understand that there are moments in history that are crucial for long-term destiny25:45 Both narratives involve escape from servitude, but the second narrative involves escape from one form of servitude to another: from serving idols to serving Hashem30:00 Rambam and Avodas HaKodesh argue whether Avraham himself worshipped idolatry32:45 Avraham Avinu was worried about the idol worship he engaged in as a youth, and Hashem promised him that his sin will disappear like the evaporating dew35:00 The verse written awkwardly to conceal the fact that Avraham worshipped idolatry40:30 The influence of idolatry on the Torah and on how we worship Hashem; the Guide of the Perplexed on sacrificial worship43:00 The purpose of the Torah is to make worship easy45:20 The psychological need that people have for servitude48:00 The link between freedom and being familiar with Hashem53:15 Because we struggle with serving idols, we require servitude directed to Hashem57:30 Why monotheism is the key to achieving world peace59:40 Will the Torah forever contain an element of servitude?1:01:30 The meaning of Avraham Avinu's concern about the idol worship he engaged in as a youth1:08:00 The Torah will never change, but sacrifices will eventually not involve the element of servitude1:08:45 The Rambam's reason for mitzvahs are dynamic and can change over time: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0XAcZW9hUZHAEoteTjjmQL1:13:40 When the Messiah comes, we will find new reasons for the mitzvah of sacrifices, such that they won't involve the element of servitude1:16:15 Every year, we undo somewhat the inclination to idolatry and servitude within ourselves1:20:00 Chad Gadia as explaining why we didn't bring the korban pesach1:22:00 Why the suffering in exile makes us opposed to bringing sacrifices1:23:30 Hashem killing indicates that death is not an evil1:25:00 Sacrifices will not involve an element of servitude when death is viewed as a good that Hashem himself effectsThis lecture is a project of the Jacob Lights Foundation

The Koren My First Tanakh Stories brings the characters and wisdom of Torah to to life for the whole family. Engaging with Tanakh stories from a young age with a trusted grown-up sets a child's foundation for future learning, helps develop core values, and sets a foundation for Torah learning in the home and with the family. With a story loyal to the Tanakh text alongside beautiful illustrations, every page is designed to be appealing and engaging to adults and children alike while sparking an intergenerational discussion of Torah values. Each book includes a "Guide for Grown-ups", with a child-friendly glossary (including an explanation of Hebrew terms used in the story) and a series of reflective questions to launch intergenerational conversations about the story and its message. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

The Koren My First Tanakh Stories brings the characters and wisdom of Torah to to life for the whole family. Engaging with Tanakh stories from a young age with a trusted grown-up sets a child's foundation for future learning, helps develop core values, and sets a foundation for Torah learning in the home and with the family. With a story loyal to the Tanakh text alongside beautiful illustrations, every page is designed to be appealing and engaging to adults and children alike while sparking an intergenerational discussion of Torah values. Each book includes a "Guide for Grown-ups", with a child-friendly glossary (including an explanation of Hebrew terms used in the story) and a series of reflective questions to launch intergenerational conversations about the story and its message. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/jewish-studies

A story is brought of Nahum ish Gamzu and how he is saved from death by the Romans on account of magical dirt that came from the dirt that Avraham used against the four kings, which magically turned into swords. What was the generation of those who built the Tower of Bavel try to accomplish? What were the acts of Sodom? God gave them everything they could want, which made them self-sufficient, leading to arrogance, which led to their isolationist policy.    They mainly engaged in two categories of trangressions - not treating guests properly and perverting justice.  There is a debate about Korach and his followers - whether they are deserving of the World-to-Come. The Gemara extrapolates the names of the people in Korach's group and explains how On ben Pelet didn't rejoin Korach's group on account of his wife's actions.

 Today's daf is sponsored by Mitzi and David Geffen in loving memory of Mitzi's mother, Ruth Toll Lock, Rut bat Miriam and Avraham z"l on her 39th yahrzeit. "She was a loving wife, mother, and mother-in-law; a devoted Zionist and wonderful educator in Harrisburg, PA. All 4 of her children made Aliyah and her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as her great-grandchild, all live in Israel." The Mishna lists groups of people throught our early history that do not have a share in the World-to-Come and deliberates about whether they will be ressurected.  Arrogance caused the sin of the generation of the flood, as they had everything and therefore thought that they didn't need God. Was Noah a real righteous peerson or just in relation to his generation? How did Noah try before the flood to get the poeple to repent and what was their reposnse? What was the purpose of the seven days before the flood? How did they deal with animals while they were in the ark? These and other issues related to the flood are discussed. 

Maharal Netzach Yisroel Chapter 11 Part 3 (Why no intro for Avraham Avinu) by Rabbi Avi Zakutinsky

The Geography of Wrath Part Two Before the LORD Destroyed Sodom Last week, we looked at The Geography of Wrath, a preface to this lesson on the danger of the last watch of the night. “Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere—this was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah—like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar.” (Ge 13:10) When Lot “lifted up his eyes,” he saw prophetically. Before their destruction, the five cities of the valley enjoyed an Edenic-like climate and prosperity, yet the prophetic phrase “lifted up his eyes” predicts a restoration of that area, which sits in the Arava. Revelation predicts a great miracles of the two witnesses, which helps us to understand "Sodom and Egypt": "And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which mystically is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified." (Re 11:8) What Sodom and Egypt have in common is that those who were saved and set on a path of righteousness (Lot and the Israelites in the wilderness) looked back at what at enslaved them as more to be desired than the Garden of Eden, the authentic Promised Land, that lay before them if they would walk in their salvation. When the bodies of the two witnesses are caught up from Jerusalem, it is a witness to be understood as a last warning to believers who, in those last days, continue to cling to the cargoes of Babylon, who persist in begging to go "by way of Zoar to Egypt" instead of repenting and returning to the righteous walk of salvation epitomized by Avraham. The night is far spent by then. The commercial success of the five cities lured Lot in. The deception was that its fruitfulness “like the Garden” was to be desired over the fruitfulness of the stars promised to Avraham. Lot's wife preferred the deception of luxury with wickedness over the promise of good gifts from above.The Midrash concerning Sodom details how travelers were lured in, then maimed or killed and their goods confiscated. “When morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, ‘Up, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away in the punishment of the city.'” (Ge 19:15) The sun had risen over the earth when Lot came to Zoar. Then the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven, and He overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. But his wife, from behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. Now Abraham arose early in the morning and went to the place where he had stood before the LORD; and he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the valley, and he saw, and behold, the smoke of the land ascended like the smoke of a furnace. (Ge 19:24-28) Before Adonai destroyed Sodom, he sent warning of the wrath to come. Lot was aware of the blessings promised to Avraham, but he was also aware of the righteous life required for such eternal blessings. Lot chose precarious salvation over a life of obedience and teaching his children after him: “For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him.” (Ge 18:19) Lot was troubled by the wickedness of Sodom, but not enough to forfeit living in it: “and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men…” (2 Pe 2:7) It took the wrath of Adonai to remove him, not to abundant life, but bare salvation. “Insignificance” is the meaning of the small city Zoar in which Lot requested to live, and so was his contribution to the Kingdom of Adonai compared to Avraham. Avraham viewed the valley of Sodom and saw the smoke of the cities ascending like the smo...

Send us a textThe tension between accomplishment and humility stands at the heart of Jewish spiritual life. How do we strive for greatness while remaining modest? This profound question finds its answer in Parsha Pekudei's account of the Mishkan's construction.When the impossibly heavy beams of the Mishkan needed to be erected, no one—not even Moshe—possessed the physical strength to lift them. Confronted with this impossible task, Moshe turned to Hashem, who offered a life-changing instruction: "Occupy yourself with your hands." Make the effort, and the impossible will happen through divine assistance. This teaching parallels other biblical moments where humans faced impossible challenges—Moshe being asked to count children inside homes without entering, and Avraham being commanded to count the stars.The pattern reveals a fundamental spiritual principle: we must exert our maximum effort even when success seems beyond reach. Whether in Torah study, building families in challenging times, or professional pursuits, our obligation is to try—to get our hands dirty in sincere effort. Only after we've done our part does Hashem step in, making the crushing weight feel light, making the stars countable, making the impossible happen.Yet this raises another challenge: how do we remain humble after experiencing success? The answer lies in recognizing the true source of all achievement. Like a parent supporting a milk carton while a child believes they're pouring it independently, Hashem provides the strength behind our accomplishments. We may direct the effort, but He powers the outcome.This delicate balance between striving and humility creates the perfect Jewish approach to life. Work diligently, attempt the impossible, create vessels for blessing—then watch as divine assistance transforms your efforts into accomplishments beyond your natural abilities. And when success comes, remember who truly lifted the weight.What impossible challenge are you facing today? Remember: your job is to put your hands on it. The rest will come from above.Support the showJoin The Motivation Congregation WhatsApp community for daily motivational Torah content!Elevate your impact by becoming a TMC Emerald Donor! Your much-needed backing is crucial for our mission of disseminating the wisdom of the Torah. Join today for just $18.00 per month. (Use your maaser money!) https://buy.stripe.com/00g8xl5IT8dFcKc5ky------------------Check out our other Torah Podcasts and content! SUBSCRIBE to The Motivation Congregation Podcast for daily motivational Mussar! Listen on Spotify or 24six! Find all Torah talks and listen to featured episodes on our website, themotivationcongregation.org Questions or Comments? Please email me @ michaelbrooke97@gmail.com

Today's daf is sponsored by Dina Kaufman and Rob Ginsburg to celebrate the wedding of their son Aaron to Dana Houri. "So good to have a simcha in these difficult times. Mazal tov!" Today's daf is sponsored by Mark and Rena Septee Goldstein in loving memory of Moe Septee, on his 28th yahrzeit. "A truly wonderful man."  Sancheriv's humiliation by God after he fails in the battle of Jerusalem and his death by the hands of his sons is explained in detail. How did Avraham beat the four kings? He was also helped by an angel, according to one interpretation, just as Chikiyahu was. Yirmiyahu asked God: why do evil people live good lives? God answers, using Nevuchadnetzer as an example. Nevuzaradin, the army officer of the Babylonians, was intimidated while trying to conquer Jerusalem as he was concerned he would meet the same end as Sancheriv. However, he was encouraged by a heavenly voice. When he entered the Temple, he saw the blood of Zecharia boiling. As a result, he killed many Jews, but eventually called on Zecharia to stop causing so many people to die. When that happens, he is so amazed that he converts to Judaism. There were others as well whose descendants converted to Judaism, including Sanheriv. God wanted Nevuchadnetzer's descendants to convert, but the angels stopped him.  How did Nevuchadnetzer decide to go conquer Jerusalem?  He was encouraged by Israel's neighbors Amon and Moab who gave him inside information that the time was right. Even so, he was very hesitant, after what happened to Sancheriv, but was encouraged that he would be successful. 

Today's daf is sponsored by Dina Kaufman and Rob Ginsburg to celebrate the wedding of their son Aaron to Dana Houri. "So good to have a simcha in these difficult times. Mazal tov!" Today's daf is sponsored by Mark and Rena Septee Goldstein in loving memory of Moe Septee, on his 28th yahrzeit. "A truly wonderful man."  Sancheriv's humiliation by God after he fails in the battle of Jerusalem and his death by the hands of his sons is explained in detail. How did Avraham beat the four kings? He was also helped by an angel, according to one interpretation, just as Chikiyahu was. Yirmiyahu asked God: why do evil people live good lives? God answers, using Nevuchadnetzer as an example. Nevuzaradin, the army officer of the Babylonians, was intimidated while trying to conquer Jerusalem as he was concerned he would meet the same end as Sancheriv. However, he was encouraged by a heavenly voice. When he entered the Temple, he saw the blood of Zecharia boiling. As a result, he killed many Jews, but eventually called on Zecharia to stop causing so many people to die. When that happens, he is so amazed that he converts to Judaism. There were others as well whose descendants converted to Judaism, including Sanheriv. God wanted Nevuchadnetzer's descendants to convert, but the angels stopped him.  How did Nevuchadnetzer decide to go conquer Jerusalem?  He was encouraged by Israel's neighbors Amon and Moab who gave him inside information that the time was right. Even so, he was very hesitant, after what happened to Sancheriv, but was encouraged that he would be successful. 

Today's daf is sponsored by Nancy Kolodny in honor of her daughter-in-law Lisa Kolodny's birthday. "She brings light, love and learning into the lives of her family and friends."  Today's daf is sponsored by Caroline Ben-Ari in loving memory of her mother, Daphne Rhodes, Daphne Devora bat Avraham v'Chana on her 8th yahrzeit. The story of the battle between Hizkiyahu and Sancheriv is discussed in detail, beginning with the tradition that Hizkiyahu was destined to be the messiah but was ultimately deemed unworthy because he failed to express gratitude to God after being saved from Sancheriv's attack. In recounting this story, the Gemara uses it as a platform to emphasize the critical importance of Torah study. It specifically highlights that Hizkiyahu's merit in encouraging the people to learn Torah is what ultimately saved them from destruction.

Today's daf is sponsored by Nancy Kolodny in honor of her daughter-in-law Lisa Kolodny's birthday. "She brings light, love and learning into the lives of her family and friends."  Today's daf is sponsored by Caroline Ben-Ari in loving memory of her mother, Daphne Rhodes, Daphne Devora bat Avraham v'Chana on her 8th yahrzeit. The story of the battle between Hizkiyahu and Sancheriv is discussed in detail, beginning with the tradition that Hizkiyahu was destined to be the messiah but was ultimately deemed unworthy because he failed to express gratitude to God after being saved from Sancheriv's attack. In recounting this story, the Gemara uses it as a platform to emphasize the critical importance of Torah study. It specifically highlights that Hizkiyahu's merit in encouraging the people to learn Torah is what ultimately saved them from destruction.

Today's daf is sponsored by Amy Goldstein in loving memory of her mother, Carolyn Barnett-Goldstein on her sixth yahrzeit. "Mom - I miss your knowledge of music, art, and literature. You were gone way too soon."  Further conditions are brought under which the rebellious elder can get killed. Only the High Court in the Temple is allowed to execute the rebellious elder. There is a debate about how his death is publicized - is his death delayed until the next holiday and killed while everyone is in Jerusalem or is he killed immediately and the court sends letters to all the communities? A false prophet, who tells of a prophecy that he either did not hear or was told to someone else, and one who prophesizes in the name of an idol receive the death penalty of strangulation. Three other cases regarding false prophets are subject to death by the hands of God - one who suppresses a prophecy, one who does not listen to the instructions of a prophet, and a prophet who doesn't listen to their own prophecy. The Gemara brings examples from the Tanach for each of these six categories. A difficulty is raised against one who doesn't listen to the words of a prophet - how does the person know that the prophet is a real prophet? The answer is that this would only be true in a case where the person was already proven to be a true prophet. The Gemara brings examples of situations where it was clear that they needed to listen, such as Yitzchak at the akeida, as Avraham was already proven to be a true prophet. Also, Eliyahu at Mount Carmel was trusted already when he told the prophets of Baal to bring sacrifices outside the Temple. The Gemara digresses to the akeida story and brings two explanations to the verse introducing the section "And it was after these matters that God tested Avraham." The first explanation relates it to the celebration of Yitzchak's weaning and introduces the Satan character from Job as pushing God to test Avraham. The second explanation connects it to the circumcision of Yishmael and Yitzchak and to sibling rivalry. Rabbi Shimon and the rabbis disagree about which penalty is given to a prophet who tries to sway the people to worship idols and a person who sways an entire city to worship idols. 

**Today's Halacha is dedicated f or the refuah and haslacha of Ronnie, Sharon, Eli and all the children of CARE** On Purim morning, one should make an effort to wake up extra early and recite Tehilim. This is based on the Hida (Rav Haim Yosef David Azulai, 1724-1807), who writes in his "Devash L'fi" that there are five special days during the year that one should arise at "Hashkama"-extra early: Tisha B'ab, Shabuot, Rosh Hashana, Hoshana Rabba and Purim. He says that this is alluded to in the word "AVRaHaM" in the verse "Vayashkem AVRraHaM BaBoker"-Avraham arose early in the morning. The letter "Aleph" of Avraham, hints to "Echa" which is read on Tisha B'ab; the "Vet" refers to Shabuot on which the Torah was given, and the Torah begins with the letter "Bet;" the "Resh" refers to Rosh Hashana; the "Heh" alludes to Hoshana Rabbah; and the "Mem" hints to the Megillah of Purim. *** The special Tefila of "Al Hanisim" is inserted into the Amidah of Purim. If one forgot to do so, he does not have to go back and repeat the Amidah. Nevertheless, it is preferable to recite the "Al Hanisim" at the expense of prolonging his Amidah and missing the Kedusha with the Sibbur, than to skip it and finish earlier. *** The Torah reading for Purim is "VaYavo Amalek," in Parshat B'shalach. Since it only has nine verses, the accepted custom is to read the last verse twice to complete the requisite ten verses need for a public Torah reading. It is important for everyone to hear this Parasha. Those who missed hearing Parashat Zachor can fulfill the Misva with this reading, if they have intent to do so. The Kaf HaHaim (Rav Yaakob Haim Sofer, Baghdad-Israel, 1870-1939, Ch. 693:25) writes that if someone cannot attend Bet Knesset on Purim day, he should read this passage by himself at home with the Ta'amim (cantillation). After reading the Torah, the Tefila continues with "Ashreh" and the beginning of "Uva Lesion." The Megillah is read before the Pasuk "V'atah Kadosh." In the morning, "Shehecheyanu" is not recited on the Megillah, according to the practice of the Sepharadim. The Sefer Torah is kept out until after the Megillah is read, because the Megillah states, "LaYehudim Hayta Orah V'simcha, V'saon V'y'kar"-the Jews had light and joy and happiness and glory. The Gemara understands that Orah (light) refers to the light of the Torah. One should not take off his Tefilin before the completion of the Megillah, because the same verse says that the Jews had "Y'kar"-glory. The Gemara understands that it is referring to Tefilin. In fact, the custom is to kiss the Tefilin when that word is read. If there is a Brit Mila, some say that it is performed prior to the Megillah reading to correspond to a word in that same Pasuk "Sason"-joy, which the Hachamim understand to be Brit Mila. However, the accepted practice is to conduct the Mila after Shaharit. *** There is no obligation to recite Hallel on Purim. One reason for this is that the reading of the Megillah, which tells the story of the miraculous events, takes the place of Hallel. Therefore, if one cannot hear the Megillah, there are Poskim who hold that he should recite the complete Hallel. This should be done without a Beracha, as there is a difference of opinion on the matter. After the Shir Shel Yom (Psalm of the Day), the Mizmor (Tehilim 22) "Al Ayelet Hashachar" is added. Esther was referred to as "Ayelet Hashachar," and this was the prayer she offered upon approaching the King's private chamber. *** It is prohibited to eat even a small amount before hearing the Megillah on Purim morning, even if one has already prayed. Therefore, one should insure that his wife and children hear the Megillah promptly, so that they can eat. *** Immediately after Shaharit, the Matanot LaEvyonim are distributed. Performing this Misva early is not only a fulfillment of "Zerizim Makdimim L'Misvot," but it also enables the recipients to use the money to buy what they lack for the holiday. *** The Shulhan Aruch rules that the Beracha of Shehecheyanu is not recited before reading the Megillah in the morning. This applies even if one did not fulfill the Misva of Megillah the previous night. One should have in mind to include the other Misvot when he hears the Beracha at night. *** The Hida (Lev David, Ch. 30) brings a custom for both men and women to light two candles in honor of Mordechai and Esther on Purim. After lighting the candles, one should give Sedaka and offer heartfelt prayers and requests in their merit. There is a widespread custom to don costumes on Purim. The Hida mentions this specifically regarding the Seudah. The Ben Ish Hai (Rav Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 1833-1909, Ateret Tiferet) brings a custom for women to adorn themselves with their fanciest jewelry, even more than Shabbat and Yom Tov. This custom has its origins in the Kabbalah. This should only be done within the confines of her own home and not to go out publicly, so as not to breach the standards of modesty.

Today’s daf is sponsored by Rabbi Art Gould in loving memory of Art’s mother Shirley, Sarah bat Avraham v’Ziche Reicha on her 9th yahrzeit. “She was a life-long learner, a striver, she sewed and made mosaics. Once her three children were old enough, she went back to school, earned a master’s degree, created a new career doing social work and counseling, and published four books on raising a family. She lives on in the tallitot and quilts she made. Today's daf is sponsored by Deborah Aschheim Weiss is loving memory of Elsie Muller on her 30th yahrtzeit. "Elsie was a family friend, 50 years my senior. She had no children of her own, so she adopted my family as hers. We were close friends and we confided in each other. She devoted her retirement to Jewish causes and would be very proud of her adopted children and grandchildren in Israel and USA." Today's daf is sponsored by Tina Lamm in loving memory of her mother, Peppy Senders, Pesha Rivka bat Gershon HaCohen and Bina, on her yahrzeit. "It has been 21 years, and my mother's wisdom, kindness and patience are still my North Star." Today's daf is sponsored by the Shuster family in loving memory of Ozer's mother Devora bat Yisroel. "May her devotion to Torah and mitzvot be a merit to the entire Jewish people." A rebellious son will only be convicted if he steals money from his father and eats in the domain of others, as only in that situation will it be likely that the son continue to act in this way. Why? Rabbi Yosi son of Rabbi Yehuda rules that he must steal from both parents. Since the wife does not generally own her own property, two explanations are brought to understand his opinion. Both parents have to agree to bring the son to the court. Rabbi Yehuda adds that if the mother is not worthy for the father, the son cannot be convicted. The Gemara establishes the meaning of his statement - they must have the same voice, height, and look alike. This is derived from the verse in the Torah, Devarim 21:20 "he doesn't listen to our voice." The braita that says that a rebellious son never existed, nor will it ever exist, presumably accords with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda, as it is impossible to find a couple who are identical in appearance, voice, and height. Rabbi Shimon also agrees that a rebellious son never happened and never will. Rabbi Yonatan disagrees and says he sat on his grave. There is a similar debate about an ir hanidachat, a city that all worship idols, and a leprous house. The Mishna also excludes any case where one of the parents is lame, mute, blind, etc. as the parents will be unable to complete the process as defined in the Torah. Can we infer from here that when the Torah describes how a process is supposed to happen, it must be done exactly in that way? After the son steals and eats meat and wine in a large quantity, the parents bring the son to a court of three judges and he is flogged. If he continues in his ways, he is brought to a court of twenty-three and judged to be stoned. The obligation to flog is derived by means of a gezeira shava from the word "v'yisru" by the one who slanders his wife (Devarim 22:18)  to that same word in the rebellious son (Devarim 21:18) and from "ben" to "ben" (Devarim 25:2) in the verse regarding lashes. If the son is brought to court but then runs away and by the time they catch him, he is no longer within the age range of one who can be killed for being a rebellious child, can he be executed? It depends on whether he was convicted before he ran away. Rabbi Chanina rules that a ben Noah who curses God and then converts is not convicted as the laws for judging him and the death penalty have changed.  Four sources, including the two parts of our Mishna, regarding a rebellious son who aged out before the ruling/execution, are brought to prove or disprove this ruling, but all comparisons are rejected. A rebellious son is killed because of the concern for where these actions will lead him in the future.

Today's daf is sponsored by Elisheva Gray in loving memory of Gidi Nahshon, z''l, Yoel Melech ben Moshe v'Sarah, on his tenth yahrzeit. "Gidi was a wonderful mentor, friend and chevruta. He made Aliyah to Israel from Prague and was in the IDF during both the 1967 and Yom Kippur wars. I feel his presence in my Daf Yomi studies every day, and I am grateful that he passed on to me his d'vekut for Israel and for Torah. May his neshama have an aliyah." Today's daf is sponsored by Miri Darchi in loving memory of her father Aharon Shimon ben David and Malka Tzirel.  Abaye raises a difficulty against Rabba's position, that males before reaching maturity cannot father a child, from a verse in the Torah regarding a man who engages in relations with a shifcha harufa. The drasha on that verse includes a male over the age of nine. However, the difficulty is resolved, as this is not an indicator that the child can impregnate a woman at that age. Another difficulty is raised against Rabba from a braita of Rabbi Yishmael that derives an exemption for a ben sorer u'moreh who himself is a father - how could he be a father if he did not impregnate the woman before reaching maturity, since according to Rabbi Kruspedai, there is only a three-month window after reaching maturity to be a ben sorer u'moreh? This is resolved as well by explaining Rabbi Yishmael's drasha as the source for Rabbi Kruspedia's ruling - the three months is based on the fact that the child could potentially be called a father within three months of reaching maturity as his wife could become pregnant and would be showing it after the first three months. Rabbi Kruspedai's opinion is based on the majority of women who give birth at nine months and begin showing at three months and doesn't consider a woman who gives birth at seven months and would be showing at two and a third months. Could this prove that woman who gives birth at seven months also begins showing at three months and not at a third of her pregnancy (two and a third months)? This suggestion is rejected as he follows the majority. However, is that really true? This contradicts the concept that in capital law we try to find any possible way to exonerate the accused from the verse "and the congregation shall save." Two Mishnayot are brought to prove that we do follow the majority even in capital cases, but the second one is rejected as it can be explained differently. Beit Shamai and Beit Hillel disagree about a mother who has an incomplete sexual encounter with her minor son. Does this disqualify her from marrying a kohen, as she could be considered a zona from the interaction? Rav Chisda (either quoted someone else or he was quoted by someone else) explains that they all agree if the child was nine, that she would become disqualified, and if he was younger than eight, then she would not. Their disagreement is about a child who is between eight and nine, as in the days of the Tanach men were able to father children at eight, even though already in the time of the tannaim, this was no longer the situation. The debate is whether we learn from those times or follow what is true presently. What is the source that in the times of the Tanach men fathered children at age eight? At first, they try to prove from Shlomo, as his great grandfather Achitofel was twenty-six years older than him. However, this proof is rejected, as the lineage includes Bat-Sheva who was a woman and she could have been younger, and the men were older. The second attempt is brought from Avraham and Sara, but this is rejected as well as it is not clear whether Avraham was older than Sara's father, Haran or younger. The final proof comes from Bezalel who was the great-grandson of Caleb, who was twenty-six years older than him. If two years are deducted due to three pregnancies, then the remainder of the twenty-four years prove that each father was eight years old at the birth of his son. Why are girls exempted from being a ben sorer u'moreh?