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This week I have two stories for you. The first is a special mission that the Baal Shem Tov sends two of his chassidim on and the second about a tikkun for the holy Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh. If you're enjoying these Chassidic stories, please take a quick moment to buy me a coffee. https://ko-fi.com/barakhullman Thank you! I deeply appreciate your support! Also available at https://soundcloud.com/barak-hullman/three-lifetimes-one-soul. To become a part of this project or sponsor an episode please go to https://hasidicstory.com/be-a-supporter. Hear all of the stories at https://hasidicstory.com. Go here to hear my other podcast https://jewishpeopleideas.com or https://soundcloud.com/jewishpeopleideas. Find my books, Figure It Out When You Get There: A Memoir of Stories About Living Life First and Watching How Everything Falls Into Place and A Shtikel Sholom: A Student, His Mentor and Their Unconventional Conversations on Amazon by going to https://bit.ly/barakhullman. My classes in Breslov Chassidus, Likutey Moharan, can be found here https://www.youtube.com/@barakhullman/videos I also have a YouTube channel of ceramics which can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/@thejerusalempotter
Ehud Barak, former Israeli Prime Minister and longtime political heavyweight, maintained a deeply questionable relationship with Jeffrey Epstein that has never been fully explained. Barak visited Epstein's Manhattan townhouse numerous times—even after Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting sex from a minor. He accepted large sums of money through a business venture, reportedly over $2 million, routed through Epstein-linked foundations. When photos surfaced of Barak entering Epstein's residence—disguised in a scarf and hat—alongside young women, Barak gave evasive answers, claiming he never met anyone “remotely underage.” But the optics tell a different story: a world leader, a former defense minister, willingly associating with a convicted sex offender, and profiting from the connection.Barak's public statements have only deepened the suspicion. He described Epstein's death as “peculiar,” yet offered no explanation for why he maintained ties for years with someone already branded a sex trafficker by law enforcement and the media. His defensive posture—deflecting questions and minimizing the relationship—suggests more than just poor judgment. It raises serious questions about what Epstein offered powerful figures like Barak, and what they, in turn, offered him. In a case defined by secrecy, leverage, and the manipulation of influence, Barak's continued presence in Epstein's orbit—after the world knew who and what Epstein was—looks less like coincidence and more like complicity cloaked in diplomacy.bobbycapucci@protonmail.comSource:https://www.thedailybeast.com/israels-ehud-barak-i-visited-epsteins-island-but-never-met-any-girls
Sermon by Bryce Kittinger on Sunday, July 13th at Chenal Valley Church.
SummaryThis presentation discusses the story of Deborah and Barak, focusing on Barak's hesitance to take on the leadership role that God had called him to. Deborah, a prophetess, encourages and empowers Barak to step up and fulfil his responsibilities, demonstrating effective leadership principles that can be applied in ecclesial life. The presentation also explores the military strategy and divine intervention that led to the defeat of Sisera's army.Highlights
This presentation discusses the remarkable story of Deborah and Barak, highlighting the lessons in leadership and the prophetic significance of the events described in the book of Judges. It explores the contrast between the faithful leadership of Deborah and the unfaithful leadership of Sisera's mother, who represents the spirit of greed, arrogance, and cruelty. The presentation also draws parallels between the events in the book of Judges and the prophecies of Armageddon and the subjugation of Catholic Europe, as depicted in the book of Revelation.Highlights
SummaryThis presentation explores the story of Jael, the displaced wife, and her role in the deliverance of Israel from the oppression of the Canaanites. It highlights the faithfulness and leadership of Deborah and Barak, as well as the consequences of Heber the Kenite's decision to separate himself from his faithful family.Highlights
Deborah and Barak: #4 'The Tribes, The Insensitive Deserters'SummaryThis presentation discusses the biblical story of Deborah and Barak, highlighting the importance of leadership and the spirit of volunteering among the Israelites. It explores how the lack of leadership and the people's disregard for God led to their oppression, and how Deborah and Barak's inspired leadership and the willingness of some tribes to volunteer and sacrifice their lives turned the tide against their enemies.Highlights
SummaryThis presentation discusses the story of Deborah and Barak, a pivotal period in Israel's history during the time of the Judges. It highlights the challenges of faithless leadership and the importance of transferring the truth from one generation to the next. The presentation emphasises the lessons that can be learned from this period, particularly regarding the responsibilities of older and younger generations in maintaining and passing on the faith.Highlights
Description: In the times of Deborah and Barak, there was a problem with leadership. Faithless leadership in Israel cost them their inheritance, when they did not drive out the Canaanites from the land. Deborah encouraged Barak to lead Israel. Deborah, as a mother in Israel inspired others to achieve great outcomes without a claim to glory. True leadership, like that shown by Deborah and Barak, has vision and tenacity to see things through, right to the very end. They worked together until the enemy was completely destroyed.
This week I have two stories for you for Yud Bes and Yud Gimmel Tammuz. The first is about Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak as a young man being sent to avert a decree against the Jewish community and the second a story told by the Friediker Rebbe about a simple chassid of his grandfather, the Rebbe Reb Shmuel. If you're enjoying these Chassidic stories, please take a quick moment to buy me a coffee. https://ko-fi.com/barakhullman Thank you! I deeply appreciate your support! Also available at https://soundcloud.com/barak-hullman/shema-is-yisrael. To become a part of this project or sponsor an episode please go to https://hasidicstory.com/be-a-supporter. Hear all of the stories at https://hasidicstory.com. Go here to hear my other podcast https://jewishpeopleideas.com or https://soundcloud.com/jewishpeopleideas. Find my books, Figure It Out When You Get There: A Memoir of Stories About Living Life First and Watching How Everything Falls Into Place and A Shtikel Sholom: A Student, His Mentor and Their Unconventional Conversations on Amazon by going to https://bit.ly/barakhullman. My classes in Breslov Chassidus, Likutey Moharan, can be found here https://www.youtube.com/@barakhullman/videos I also have a YouTube channel of ceramics which can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/@thejerusalempotter
In this message from the Book of Judges, Adrian Rogers examines the faith of Deborah and Barak, and how their obedience and trust in God delivered Israel from her enemy. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/135/29
******Support the channel******Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thedissenterPayPal: paypal.me/thedissenterPayPal Subscription 1 Dollar: https://tinyurl.com/yb3acuuyPayPal Subscription 3 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/ybn6bg9lPayPal Subscription 5 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/ycmr9gpzPayPal Subscription 10 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/y9r3fc9mPayPal Subscription 20 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/y95uvkao ******Follow me on******Website: https://www.thedissenter.net/The Dissenter Goodreads list: https://shorturl.at/7BMoBFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedissenteryt/Twitter: https://x.com/TheDissenterYT This show is sponsored by Enlites, Learning & Development done differently. Check the website here: http://enlites.com/ Dr. Peter Adamson is Professor of Philosophy at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and at King's College London. He has written articles, monographs and edited books, mostly on philosophy in the Islamic world and ancient philosophy. He is the host of the weekly podcast "History of Philosophy without any gaps". He is the author of several books, including Heirs of Avicenna: Philosophy in the Islamic East, 12-13th Centuries. In this episode, we focus on Heirs of Avicenna. We start by talking about Avicenna and his main contributions to philosophy, the relationship between philosophy in the Islamic East and the scholastic tradition in Europe, the relationship between Avicenna and the traditions of falsafa and kalam, and how the book was organized. We focus on the topics of metaphysics in the Islamic East, and the issues that best characterize the philosophy of the Islamic East. We discuss whether the thinkers from this time period were philosophers of “paraphilosophers”. We talk about the most prominent philosophers, including al-Suhrawardī, Abū al-Barakāt al-Baghdādī, Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī, and al-Ṭūsī, as well as their legacy. Finally, we discuss what we can learn from studying philosophy beyond Europe.--A HUGE THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS/SUPPORTERS: PER HELGE LARSEN, JERRY MULLER, BERNARDO SEIXAS, ADAM KESSEL, MATTHEW WHITINGBIRD, ARNAUD WOLFF, TIM HOLLOSY, HENRIK AHLENIUS, FILIP FORS CONNOLLY, ROBERT WINDHAGER, RUI INACIO, ZOOP, MARCO NEVES, COLIN HOLBROOK, PHIL KAVANAGH, SAMUEL ANDREEFF, FRANCIS FORDE, TIAGO NUNES, FERGAL CUSSEN, HAL HERZOG, NUNO MACHADO, JONATHAN LEIBRANT, JOÃO LINHARES, STANTON T, SAMUEL CORREA, ERIK HAINES, MARK SMITH, JOÃO EIRA, TOM HUMMEL, SARDUS FRANCE, DAVID SLOAN WILSON, YACILA DEZA-ARAUJO, ROMAIN ROCH, DIEGO LONDOÑO CORREA, YANICK PUNTER, CHARLOTTE BLEASE, NICOLE BARBARO, ADAM HUNT, PAWEL OSTASZEWSKI, NELLEKE BAK, GUY MADISON, GARY G HELLMANN, SAIMA AFZAL, ADRIAN JAEGGI, PAULO TOLENTINO, JOÃO BARBOSA, JULIAN PRICE, HEDIN BRØNNER, DOUGLAS FRY, FRANCA BORTOLOTTI, GABRIEL PONS CORTÈS, URSULA LITZCKE, SCOTT, ZACHARY FISH, TIM DUFFY, SUNNY SMITH, JON WISMAN, WILLIAM BUCKNER, PAUL-GEORGE ARNAUD, LUKE GLOWACKI, GEORGIOS THEOPHANOUS, CHRIS WILLIAMSON, PETER WOLOSZYN, DAVID WILLIAMS, DIOGO COSTA, ALEX CHAU, AMAURI MARTÍNEZ, CORALIE CHEVALLIER, BANGALORE ATHEISTS, LARRY D. LEE JR., OLD HERRINGBONE, MICHAEL BAILEY, DAN SPERBER, ROBERT GRESSIS, JEFF MCMAHAN, JAKE ZUEHL, BARNABAS RADICS, MARK CAMPBELL, TOMAS DAUBNER, LUKE NISSEN, KIMBERLY JOHNSON, JESSICA NOWICKI, LINDA BRANDIN, GEORGE CHORIATIS, VALENTIN STEINMANN, ALEXANDER HUBBARD, BR, JONAS HERTNER, URSULA GOODENOUGH, DAVID PINSOF, SEAN NELSON, MIKE LAVIGNE, JOS KNECHT, LUCY, MANVIR SINGH, PETRA WEIMANN, CAROLA FEEST, MAURO JÚNIOR, 航 豊川, TONY BARRETT, NIKOLAI VISHNEVSKY, STEVEN GANGESTAD, TED FARRIS, ROBINROSWELL, KEITH RICHARDSON, AND HUGO B.!A SPECIAL THANKS TO MY PRODUCERS, YZAR WEHBE, JIM FRANK, ŁUKASZ STAFINIAK, TOM VANEGDOM, BERNARD HUGUENEY, CURTIS DIXON, BENEDIKT MUELLER, THOMAS TRUMBLE, KATHRINE AND PATRICK TOBIN, JONCARLO MONTENEGRO, NICK GOLDEN, CHRISTINE GLASS, IGOR NIKIFOROVSKI, AND PER KRAULIS!AND TO MY EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS, MATTHEW LAVENDER, SERGIU CODREANU, ROSEY, AND GREGORY HASTINGS!
A conversation with Czech Cider Fan Dan Samek This episode brings us to the heart of Europe by way of Vermont. Ria sat down with Dan Samek, a cider enthusiast and home distiller from Prague, to talk about the evolving cider scene in the Czech Republic. They met at Kilowatt Park which is on the west side of the Connecticut River in White River Junction, Vermont. Dan Samek This was the first stop on the Cider Tour to Vermont and New York in May 2025. In this Cider Chat featuring Czech Cider 1. A Fruitful History The Czech Republic is rich with apples, pears, plums, and cherries and exports a lot of fruit. For centuries, fruit trees lined roads to feed traveling soldiers. This is a legacy left from the Barak times, in the 18th century 2. Cider by Way of Calvados Dan journey to cider started while he was working at a French winery He has an affection for Calvados and thus made cider to distill. His process blends natural fermentation and dry yeast (He favors the yeast known as 72B). The apples come from old trees in his one-acre garden-orchard near Prague. 3. Small Scene, Big Potential Early cider makers in the Cech Republic began around 2007. Prague had a cider shop (InCider) and a cider bar, but today you can find cider at most bars. Cidrerie Kliment and Utopia are two standout producers—Utopia leans all natural. 4. Enthusiasts Leading the Way Many Czech homes still have fruit trees. Backyard fermenters use presses ranging from barrel-style to hydraulic. Gardening clubs and university programs help spread knowledge. 5. Beyond Apples Dan grows quince and medlars and has a Sorbus domestica tree in his orchard. Morovia which is to the north of Prague has a Sorubus Domestic museum. There's a growing appreciation for traditional and lesser-known fruits in fermentation. Mentions in this Cider Chat Czech Cider Data Base https://databazecideru.online/dejv/ Natalia who write the Cider Explorers blog post on Czech Cider and Prague Cider Fest https://ciderexplorer.wordpress.com/2017/07/17/where-to-drinkbuy-cider-in-prague/ Prague Cider Festival – Slavnost Cideru to be held June 12–14, 2026 Art + Science Concerts and Campouts start July 5th | Oregon De Groote Wei Cider Fest – August 16, 2025 | Netherlands The Flower Expo Paper Crane Cannabis – Boey Bertold organic and regenerative family-owned farm Totally Cider Tour UK_Edition 20225 Related
This week I have two stories for you for Gimmel Tammuz. The first is about a couple that turns the Rebbe for advice on having children and the second about Raphael Nouril who came closer to Rebbe by painting his portrait. If you're enjoying these Chassidic stories, please take a quick moment to buy me a coffee. https://ko-fi.com/barakhullman Thank you! I deeply appreciate your support! Also available at https://soundcloud.com/barak-hullman/better-than-the-original. To become a part of this project or sponsor an episode please go to https://hasidicstory.com/be-a-supporter. Hear all of the stories at https://hasidicstory.com. Go here to hear my other podcast https://jewishpeopleideas.com or https://soundcloud.com/jewishpeopleideas. Find my books, Figure It Out When You Get There: A Memoir of Stories About Living Life First and Watching How Everything Falls Into Place and A Shtikel Sholom: A Student, His Mentor and Their Unconventional Conversations on Amazon by going to https://bit.ly/barakhullman. My classes in Breslov Chassidus, Likutey Moharan, can be found here https://www.youtube.com/@barakhullman/videos I also have a YouTube channel of ceramics which can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/@thejerusalempotter
A version of this essay was published by firstpost.com at https://www.firstpost.com/opinion/shadow-warrior-west-asia-hostilities-will-resume-again-only-question-is-when-13903341.html West Asia is again on the boil. Well, to be precise, it has been on the boil for a very long time, but we have the additional spectacle of the Iran-Israel war. Despite the ceasefire, which I hope does hold, there is a lot here that should concern all of us based on the geopolitical and geo-economic fallout.There are at least three issues of interest: the geopolitics, the war tactics, and the impact on the rest of the world. GeopoliticsIt would be fair to say that much of the turmoil in the region dates back to British (and to a lesser extent French) meddling in the 20th century, for instance the Sykes-Picot Act, or the antics of TE Lawrence. Britain's broader actions—contradictory promises (Balfour), repressive mandates, oil-driven interference, and botched withdrawals—sowed division, resentment, and conflict that shaped the region's 20th-century chaos. Many of these issues, like sectarianism in Iraq and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, persist today.The nations Britain created with arbitrary lines marked on a map made no sense because they ignored ethnic, tribal, and religious realities, sowing seeds for future conflicts. Indians know all about this: the same sort of random map-making in the Indian subcontinent led to extraordinary misery (the Radcliffe Line, created in just five weeks, created East and West Pakistan with little attention paid to ground realities, using outdated maps and census data).The British Deep State (let us call it Whitehall for short) has lost much of its clout, but it has been leading the American Deep State by the nose in what I referred to as a “master-blaster” relationship. And the latter has a rather clear SoP: there needs to be constant wars to feed the Military Industrial Complex, and so they will arrange for wars, which will lead to a complex money-laundering operation, with petrodollars being whitewashed through the IMF etc and ending up in the coffers of Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Palantir, and friends. It is notable that one of President Trump's main claims to fame in his first Presidency was that he scrupulously avoided going to war, in sharp contrast with his predecessors over the last several decades, all of whom had started or indulged in one war or the other. It appears that this time, though, the US Deep State has managed to co-opt Trump into its warmaking agenda, which, incidentally does not disqualify him for a Nobel Peace Prize: see Kissinger or Obama.What has happened in this 12-day war is that it became a stalemate, for all practical purposes. Neither Israel nor Iran can fully defeat the other, as neither has the resources to continue. A good metaphor is a boxing match, where evenly matched pugilists are both exhausted, covered and blinded with blood, and can hardly stand on their feet. The referee calling a halt is a blessing for both of them.Iran has, for years, shouted hair-raising slogans about obliterating Israel, although it is not clear how much of this was rhetoric, considering Uncle Sam's support for the latter makes the latter quite powerful. This sloganeering was supplemented by proxy allies, Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, all of whom have been capable of mischief. Plus there is the nuclear bomb.Israel set out to tame Iran on all these fronts. Their goals were to deprecate, if not destroy, Iran's nuclear capability, defang the proxies, and impose a regime-change on the country. Let us remember the Stuxnet incident of 2010 when a computer virus was introduced into the Iranian centrifuges that are used for uranium enrichment, causing many of them to disintegrate. The assaults on Nataz, Fordow and Ispahan (much like Israel's raid on Iraq's Osiraq reactor long ago) were intended to stop Iran's nuclear weapons program altogether.With the US' help, it appears as though there has been serious damage to Iran's weapons capabilities, although there are rumors that 400 kg of highly enriched uranium was smuggled out just before the bunker-buster strikes via B-2 bombers on the fortified, underground sites. Among Iranian proxies or force-multipliers, its so-called Axis of Resistance, Hamas has been severely degraded, with top commanders eliminated (notably Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh) and its tunnel network in Gaza largely inoperable. Hezbollah leader Hasan Nazrallah and several key aides have been targeted and killed. The Houthis have escaped relatively unscathed, although the Americans were bombing them.On the other hand, it may not be possible to effect regime change in Iran. There seems to be a standard playbook of so-called ‘Color Revolutions', wherein a ruler is replaced by someone close to the West through what is portrayed as a “popular uprising”. The Ukraine Maidan Revolution that placed Zelenksy in power, the Bangladeshi coup that brought Yunus to power, and the “Velvet Revolution” are examples.But one of the earliest examples was the CIA/MI6 coup in Iran that overthrew Mohammed Mossadegh in 1953 and brought Shah Reza Pahlavi back to monarchical power. And the reason: Mossadegh had nationalized the Iranian oil industry, and freed it from the clutches of British Petroleum. The 1979 coup by the mullahs succeeded because the Shah was unpopular by then. Iranians, despite widespread opposition to Khameini, probably don't want the Shah dynasty back, or for that matter someone else chosen to rule them by outsiders.There was also a fairly strange set of events: just as it is said the Iranians were allowed to spirit their uranium away, the Iranians seem to have given notice of their attacks on US bases in Qatar etc. (allowing the US to move their aircraft and personnel), and, strangest of all, a social media post by Trump that appeared to approve sanctions-free Iranian supply of oil to China!Thus there are some pantomime/shadow-boxing elements to the war as well, and some choreography that is baffling to the impartial observer. Geopolitics is a complex dance.War tacticsThe Israeli assault on Iran started with shock and awe. In the first phase, There was a massive aerial bombing campaign, including on Natanz. But more interestingly, there was a Mossad operation that had smuggled kamikaze drones into a covert base near Teheran, and they, as well as anti-tank missiles degraded Iranian air defenses. Mossad also enabled successful decapitation strikes, with several top commanders and nuclear scientists assassinated.This phase was a big win for Israel, and reminded one of the continuing importance of human intelligence in a technological age. Patiently locating and mapping enemy commanders' movements, managing supply chains and using psychological tactics were reminiscent of how Mossad was able to introduce the Stuxnet worm, and use pagers as remote explosive devices. In the second phase, the two were more evenly matched. Israel's Iron Dome was unable to deal with sustained barrages of Iranian missiles, as no anti-missile system can be more than 90% effective. Both began to suffer from depleted stocks of arms and ammunition. Thus the metaphor of two grievously wounded boxers struggling to stay on their feet in the ring. It took the bunker-busting US B-2 bombers in the third phase to penetrate deep underground to the centrifuges, but there is still the possibility that Iran managed to ship out its fissile material.We are now in a fourth phase: both parties are preparing for the next round of kinetic warfare.The lessons here were once again the remarkable rise of UCAVs or drones as weapons of war, and the continued usage of high-quality human intelligence. It is rumored that Israeli agents had penetrated to high levels in the Iranian military hierarchy, and there was allegedly a high-level mole who was spirited away safely out of Iran.Both of these are important takeaways for India. The success of India's decoy drones in the suppression of Pakistani air defenses will be hard to repeat; the Ukrainian drone strike against Russia's strategic TU-44 and other strategic bombers, which were sitting ducks on the ground, shows us what drones can do: India has to substantially advance its drone capability. India's counterintelligence and human intelligence suffered grievous blows when various personalities, including a Prime Minister, a Vice President, and the head of RA&W all turned hostile, with the result that India's covert presence in Pakistan will have to painfully recreated again. Perhaps India also does not have a policy of decapitation strikes. Should it?Impact on the rest of the world, especially IndiaIn general terms, it's hard to declare an outright non-loser in this war, except possibly China, because it is the one player that seems to be quite unaffected: its saber-rattling on Taiwan continues unabated. Russia lost, because it had been viewed as being an ally of Iran; it was unable to do much, enmeshed as it is in the Ukraine mess. Israel and Iran both came out, in the end, looking weakened, as neither could deliver a fatal blow.The US got kudos for the B-2 bombers and the bunker-busters, but it is not entirely clear if there was some kind of ‘understanding' which meant that Iran is still not that far away from being able to build its nuclear bomb. Indians will remember how President Reagan winked at Pakistan's efforts to nuclearize with Chinese help, and issued certificates of innocence.Pakistan in particular, and the Islamic Ummah in general, took a beating. Instead of expressing Islamic solidarity with Iran, it turns out Pakistan was quite likely opening up its air bases for possible US strikes on Iran. That would explain why Indian strikes on Pakistan's Nur Khan air base alarmed the Americans, who may have been bulking up their presence there partly as a way of opening a new front against Iran.None of the other Islamic powers, with the possible exception of Turkey, paid more than lip service to Iran's troubles, which was interesting to note. The Sunni-Shia schism holds. The worst outcomes were averted: the nightmare scenarios, in order of seriousness, would have been a) World War 3, b) nuclear bombs being dropped on one or more of the belligerents, c) a broad war in West Asia, c) the closing of the Straits of Hormuz and a serious spike in energy prices.From the point of view of a nation like India, it demonstrated, yet again, that superpowers have their own rationale of amoral transactional relationships with other countries. India, as an aspiring superpower needs to internalize the fact that foreign policy is the pursuit of war by other means, and there are only permanent interests, not permanent friends. Instead of the highfalutin' moralizing of the Krishna Menon and Jawaharlal Nehru days, what India needs is the pursuit of its own national interests all the time.In this context, both Israel and Iran are useful to India. There is a billion-dollar arms trade between Israel and India (and Israel long ago offered to destroy Pakistan's Kahuta nuclear reactor with India's help, but shrinking-violet India refused). Today India is Israel's biggest arms buyer, with products ranging from Phalcon AWACS to Barak missiles to Harop and other drones, with Hermes 900 drones co-produced in India and exported to Israel.As for Iran, India's investment in Chabahar port is a strategic counter to China's CPEC and Gwadar port in Pakistan. It enables India to avoid Pakistan in its trade to Afghanistan and Central Asia. It is also a node on the International North South Transport Corridor, using which India can connect to Russia and Europe. It cuts time and cost of shipping to Europe by 30% as compared to the Suez Canal. India has invested more than a billion dollars in Chabahar.Besides, India used to be a big customer for Iranian oil, but that has been cut to near-zero from 20+ million tons a year because of US sanctions on Iran. If and when sanctions are lifted, India will have an interest in buying Iranian oil again. India has interests in both Israel and Iran, and it should continue to maintain its good relations with both. Nevertheless, West Asia remains a tinderbox. Hostilities will resume again, the only question is when. Iran will not give up on its nuclear ambitions, and as with Pakistan, some nuclear power will proliferate to it sooner or later, quite possibly China. The grand ambition to topple Iran's mullahs is not likely to come to fruition. Israel will continue to be beleaguered. Status quo ante, after the current round of noise dies down.2075 words, 1 Jul 2025The AI-generated podcast in Malayalam from notebookLM.google.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rajeevsrinivasan.substack.com/subscribe
On this episode Bryn talks to film maker and campaigner Barak Laub about his documentary Volunteers Needed and the discovery he made when travelling Nepal. Approximately 80% of children in orphanages have at least one living parent, so why, in some parts of the world, are orphan numbers dropping whilst orphanages are increasing in number? Is it possible that well-meaning travellers looking to volunteer in an orphanage are actually part of the problem? Find our more about Barak and his campaign at: https://www.volunteersneededthefilm.com/ This podcast was produced by Blue Bear Coffee Co. and narrated by Bryn Frere-Smith. Follow us at: @bluebearcoffeeco @brynfreresmith Books referred to in the Pod: The Jungle - Upton Sinclair Bad Aid - Dambisa Moyo Where Helping Hurts - Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert Theme tune, Spotless Rose by Matt Tinsley
This week I have two stories for you. The first is about a desperate Rosh Yeshiva who blesses a wealthy Jew with a child in exchange for a large donation and then goes to the Frierdiker Rebbe for help when his blessing doesn't come true. The second is a well known story about Yaakov Ish Tam, a story told by the Tzemach Tzedek when his house was being rebuilt after a fire. If you're enjoying these Chassidic stories, please take a quick moment to buy me a coffee. https://ko-fi.com/barakhullman Thank you! I deeply appreciate your support! Also available at https://soundcloud.com/barak-hullman/never-make-promises-you-cant-keep. To become a part of this project or sponsor an episode please go to https://hasidicstory.com/be-a-supporter. Hear all of the stories at https://hasidicstory.com. Go here to hear my other podcast https://jewishpeopleideas.com or https://soundcloud.com/jewishpeopleideas. Find my books, Figure It Out When You Get There: A Memoir of Stories About Living Life First and Watching How Everything Falls Into Place and A Shtikel Sholom: A Student, His Mentor and Their Unconventional Conversations on Amazon by going to https://bit.ly/barakhullman. My classes in Breslov Chassidus, Likutey Moharan, can be found here https://www.youtube.com/@barakhullman/videos I also have a YouTube channel of ceramics which can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/@thejerusalempotter
Barak and Jael - which type of camper are you?
Have you heard the song of Deborah and Barak? Come Bible Study WITH ME through Judges 5 and ask all the questions!
In Judges, Israel's idolatry led to oppression by King Jabin and Sisera. God raised Deborah, a prophetess and judge, who directed Barak to defeat Sisera's army. A miraculous rainstorm disabled Sisera's chariots, ensuring Israel's victory. Jael killed the fleeing Sisera with a tent peg. Deborah's song teaches that faithful leadership glorifies God, inaction is cursed, and obedience achieves God's purposes. Ultimately, God will right all wrongs, pointing to Jesus as the ultimate Savior who brings justice and forgiveness.
Though we rebel, God remains faithful—redeeming us by crushing the enemy. Why do we rebel against God? 1. Rebellion is in our hearts (1–3) 2. Redemption is in God's heart (4–24) a. Deborah [the unique leader] b. Barak [the faithful warrior] c. Jael [the courageous agent of deliverance] Applications from these servants. a. God works through weakness. b. God's Word is sufficient. c. God delights in faithful women. Takeaways. a. God is victorious—He has crushed the head of the enemy. b. God is trustworthy—His word never fails. c. God is worthy—He deserves our full devotion. d. God is the deliverer—not our strength, but His. e. God is the judge–the unrepentant will perish. f. God is sovereign–working behind the veil. g. God is glorious—He alone deserves the praise.
India's air defense stuns the world, S-400, Akash-Teer, AAD, PAD, Barak-8. As Iran bleeds and Pakistan begs China for scraps, Cdr Sandeep Dhawan breaks down why a major war is coming.
In this exciting combo episode about new avenues in Phelan-McDermid syndrome research, Dr. Lauren speaks with Dr. Boaz Barak from Tel Aviv University and Dr. Haitham Amal from Hebrew University/Boston Children's Hospital. Dr. Barak describes his work on understanding the process of myelination, where "electrical cables" help brain cells to communicate, and how SHANK3 is involved in this process. He also discusses his lab's work on possible treatments for Phelan-McDermid syndrome. Dr. Barak's work was recently awarded Autism Science Foundation's Profound Autism Pilot Grants! Read more here: https://autismsciencefoundation.org/asf-funded-research/Dr. Amal explains why nitric oxide (NO) is important for brain functioning and how NO is linked to autism as well as Phelan-McDermid Syndrome. He also describes his ongoing work with the two companies that he co-founded, NeuroNOS and Point6 Bio. NeurNOS's lead investigational therapy, BA-102, for the treatment of Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (PMS) just received Orphan Drug status from the FDA! Learn more here: https://www.neuro-nos.com/oddpmsDon't forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts to discover groundbreaking research uncovering new paths in understanding and treating Phelan-McDermid Syndrome — hope and progress are on the horizon!
This week I have two stories for you. The first is about couple that gives up wealth for a child but then comes to the Baal Shem Tov asking for help and the second a short story about Reb Zusha who helps a wealthy Jew see what true wealth is. If you're enjoying these Chassidic stories, please take a quick moment to buy me a coffee. https://ko-fi.com/barakhullman Thank you! I deeply appreciate your support! Also available at https://soundcloud.com/barak-hullman/can-i-tell-you-about-hashems-bookkeeping-baal-shem-tov-story. To become a part of this project or sponsor an episode please go to https://hasidicstory.com/be-a-supporter. Hear all of the stories at https://hasidicstory.com. Go here to hear my other podcast https://jewishpeopleideas.com or https://soundcloud.com/jewishpeopleideas. Find my books, Figure It Out When You Get There: A Memoir of Stories About Living Life First and Watching How Everything Falls Into Place and A Shtikel Sholom: A Student, His Mentor and Their Unconventional Conversations on Amazon by going to https://bit.ly/barakhullman. My classes in Breslov Chassidus, Likutey Moharan, can be found here https://www.youtube.com/@barakhullman/videos I also have a YouTube channel of ceramics which can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/@thejerusalempotter
There's no denying that western money in Global South countries has a profound impact, for better or worse. We might assume that spending money on volunteering and caring for orphans would be a net positive in the majority world. That however is not the case. As we dive back into the conversation around orphan care and volunteering, we're joined by filmmaker Barak Laub whose new documentary Volunteers Needed delves into this very dynamic in Nepal. He talks with Brandon Stiver about the film, his travels and the effort to advocate for government policies in the US that would mitigate harm in global orphan care. Support the Show Through Venmo - @canopyintl Podcast Sponsors The M.A. in Global Development and Justice program at Jessup University prepares students to work across the nexus of justice, community development, and peacebuilding. Learn More About The MAGDJ Online Program Alliance for Children Everywhere is on mission to bring vulnerable children into secure families, schools, and communities. Visit Alliance for Children Everywhere Online Resources and Links from the show Volunteers Needed Film Online The Westerner Abuse and Child Protection Conversation (Think Orphan Podcast) Conversation Notes The connection of volunteering to care for wild animals and canned hunting The importance of bringing and teaching skills when volunteering abroad The country conflict that led to the proliferation of orphanages in Nepal The relationship between corruption, poverty and caste in certain Asian countries The experience of kids that grow up in care in Nepal Misinformation told to volunteers that leads to exploitation Spending money in a way that reflects your values Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License
What is it that God is calling us to when He says, “Come and worship”? Let's seek to answer that question by looking first at some… Biblical Examples of Worship.The first example is found in Psalm 95. It gives us not only a call to worship, it also provides a pattern for worship. Celebration (v. 1-5) Notice the phrases “sing for joy,” “shout aloud,” and “let us extol Him.” Worship is a time for God's people to celebrate their Lord. Adoration (v. 6-7) Here we're called to “bow down,” to “kneel” before the Lord. It is a quieter, more intimate response.Instruction (v. 8-11) The psalmist says, “Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” Part of worship is hearing God's Word. Psalm 96 provides us with a few additional insights. The very first word in this psalm is “sing.” Three times in the first two verses, we are told to “sing to the Lord.” This is one of the most common commands in Scripture. This is why singing is such an integral part of our corporate worship gatherings. As you worship the Lord…Sing boldly.Sing thoughtfully.Sing wholeheartedly.Sing skillfully.Something else we see in Psalm 96 is the call to “bring an offering.” (v. 7-9) Giving to God is an act of worship. As such, when we give, we should…Be intentional.Be thoughtful.Be cheerful.Next, let's look at some…Biblical Expressions of Worship.Here are eight Hebrew words, often translated as “praise,” that may revolutionize your worship.1. Halal: to boast; to celebrate; to be vigorously joyful; to be clamorously foolish (Ps. 35:18) Halal is the more common word for “praise” in the Psalms. It's the root from which we get the term “hallelujah.” It's is an explosion of enthusiasm in the act of praising. 2. Tehilla: to sing; to laud (Ps. 33:1) Literally, this is the singing of one's halals. 3. Zamar: to touch the strings; to make music (Ps. 104:33) This is why we use instruments in our worship.4. Shabach: to address in a loud tone; to triumph; to glory (Ps. 145:4) This is a loud verbalization of praise—a shout. 5. Shachah: to bow down; to pay homage; to prostrate oneself; to have the arrogance knocked out (Ps. 96:9) This refers to lying prostrate, flat on your face before the Lord.6. Barak: to kneel down expecting a blessing from God; to bless God as an act of adoration (Ps. 34:1) This is kneeling before God in humility and surrender, but also expectation. 7. Yada: to acknowledge God's character; to make a declaration of worship; to throw out the hand enjoying God (Ps. 63:3-4) This involves lifting our hands to the Lord in worship.8. Todah: to extend hands in thanksgiving and acceptance; to offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving (Ps. 116:17) This also involves the lifting of hands to the Lord, but it more specifically has to do with offering a sacrifice of praise. Text: Psalm 95, 96Originally recorded on January 24, 1999, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN
Send us a textEpisode Title: Learning to Celebrate God's Victories Scripture Reference: Judges 5:1–11 Welcome: In today's episode, Learning to Celebrate God's Victories, we step into one of the Bible's most famous Old Testament songs of praise: the Song of Deborah. After a dramatic and miraculous deliverance in Judges 4, Israel responds—not with parades or pageantry, but with worship. What does it look like for God's people to truly celebrate His victories? How do we mark moments of breakthrough and deliverance? This episode invites us to learn from Deborah's song and rediscover how praise—public, joyful, radical praise—can become our response to the goodness of God.
This week I have three stories for you. The first is about a wealthy Jew that buys an unknown cargo for a fortune, the second about the Baal Shem Tov and his unique way of inspiring two Jews and the last from just after October 7th and how a pair of tziziot saved lives. If you're enjoying these Chassidic stories, please take a quick moment to buy me a coffee. https://ko-fi.com/barakhullman Thank you! I deeply appreciate your support! Also available at https://soundcloud.com/barak-hullman/a-match-made-in-heaven. To become a part of this project or sponsor an episode please go to https://hasidicstory.com/be-a-supporter. Hear all of the stories at https://hasidicstory.com. Go here to hear my other podcast https://jewishpeopleideas.com or https://soundcloud.com/jewishpeopleideas. Find my books, Figure It Out When You Get There: A Memoir of Stories About Living Life First and Watching How Everything Falls Into Place and A Shtikel Sholom: A Student, His Mentor and Their Unconventional Conversations on Amazon by going to https://bit.ly/barakhullman. My classes in Breslov Chassidus, Likutey Moharan, can be found here https://www.youtube.com/@barakhullman/videos I also have a YouTube channel of ceramics which can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/@thejerusalempotter
In this episode of the Jaime Luce Podcast, we dive deep into the inspiring story of Deborah and Barak from the book of Judges. Deborah's powerful call to battle challenges us to rise up, embrace leadership, and trust God's call—even in the face of uncertainty. We explore: ✔️ The significance of Deborah's leadership in a time of crisis ✔️ How Barak responded to the call—and what it teaches us about courage and responsibility ✔️ Why leadership is about sacrifice, obedience, and discipline ✔️ How to apply these lessons in your own life, whether at home, at work, or in ministry Whether you're leading a family, a team, or simply your own spiritual journey, this episode will equip and encourage you to rise up and lead with faith. Resources Mentioned: Judges Chapters 4–5 Jaime's book: You Don't Need Money, You Just Need God — available on Amazon Where to dive in: (0:00:00) - The Importance of Leadership and Discipline (0:13:22) - The Leadership Test of Courage (0:25:37) - The Weight of Leadership Responsibility (0:42:45) - Leadership Through Diversity and Wisdom (0:47:22) - Leadership Through Willing Spirits Subscribe to the Jaime Luce Podcast for weekly encouragement and biblical insights. Like & share this episode to spread hope and equip others to lead courageously. About your host: Jaime Luce' testimony has daunting personal mountains and treacherous financial valleys. She was trapped in day-to-day stress and couldn't see a way forward. But how she started is not how she finished! And she wants you to know God has a plan for your life too, no matter how tough it seems. Today, Jaime has been married to the love of her life for almost three decades, owns two companies, and has become an author and podcaster. God's way is always the blessed way! Free chapter of Jaime's new book: You Don't Need Money, You Just Need God: https://jaimeluce.com/book/ Connect: - Website: https://jaimeluce.com - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaime.luces.page - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaime_luce/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaime-luce-00395691/
Barak Speaks with Ryan Marty of the Charlie Kirk Show by Barak Lurie
When fear rises, will you respond with hesitation or with faith? In week two of the Judges: Spiritual Siestas series, Pastor Fred unpacks the story of Deborah from Judges 4–5, where Israel's spiritual drift deepens. Through Deborah, Barak, and Jael, we see the contrast between those who shrink back and those who step up with courage. This message challenges us to examine our own readiness to respond to God's call, especially in times of pressure and uncertainty.
Worship is our priestly calling—not just singing, but ministering to God with our whole lives. As we behold Jesus—not glance, but gaze—we're transformed. Worship involves our hearts, our posture, our voices, and our affection. It's not about us; it's all for Him. And from that place, we love others well. In the Old Testament, worship was expressed through seven distinct Hebrew words, each revealing a different facet of praise: Halal means to boast or rave about God with joyful celebration; Yadah is the act of lifting hands in surrender and thanksgiving; Barak reflects reverent worship by kneeling or bowing; Tehillah refers to spontaneous, heartfelt songs of praise; Zamar is worship through instruments and music; Todah is offering thanks in faith before the breakthrough; and Shabach means to shout loudly in triumph. Together, these expressions remind us that worship involves our whole being—heart, soul, mind, and body.
In these chapters we meet two heroines through whom God delivered His people- Deborah and Jael. Deborah means bee and she brought sweetness for Israel and a destructive sting for Sisera and his host. She inspired Barak, whose name means lightning, to attack from the heights of Mount Tabor – a position from which escape was impossible with 10,000 men who trusted in God to deliver them. Barak was hesitant in allowing himself to rise to the heights of faith unless strongly encouraged by a mother in Israel, a prophetess of immense faith. Many a brother reluctantly takes on a task only because a wonderful woman stands up to support him. Barak placed his life and the 10,000 courageous men of Naphtali to place themselves at Yahweh's disposal. Let us too, despite our shortcomings, make ourselves available to do our Sovereign's will. When we do we will like Barak find strength in our time of need and the evidence of the Almighty energetically working in concert with His children. Despite our weaknesses the LORD uses His instruments to do His work. Sisera fled, only for the mighty general to fall victim to a courageous and faithful woman. Sisera fell victim to an insignificant tent peg. The praise and thanksgiving to God is celebrated in Deborah's song. Deborah describes the desperate and vulnerable state in which Israel found themselves. But the situation was changed by women and men who overcame by their faith and helped the Almighty to deliver His people. The prophetess also calls upon the LORD to judge those who apathetically fled the fight. Let us never underestimate the power of faithful women to inspire courageous activity in the ecclesia of the Living God.
This week I have three stories for you. The first is about Reb Yonasan Eibeschutz who gave up his entire wedding dowery to save a fellow Jew, the second about a father and son during the Holocaust and the father's disobeying the Nazi's orders, and the third about the Six Day War and Rabbi Aryeh Levin's blessing for Nasser. If you're enjoying these Chassidic stories, please take a quick moment to buy me a coffee. https://ko-fi.com/barakhullman Thank you! I deeply appreciate your support! Also available at https://soundcloud.com/barak-hullman/a-blessing-instead-of-a-curse. To become a part of this project or sponsor an episode please go to https://hasidicstory.com/be-a-supporter. Hear all of the stories at https://hasidicstory.com. Go here to hear my other podcast https://jewishpeopleideas.com or https://soundcloud.com/jewishpeopleideas. Find my books, Figure It Out When You Get There: A Memoir of Stories About Living Life First and Watching How Everything Falls Into Place and A Shtikel Sholom: A Student, His Mentor and Their Unconventional Conversations on Amazon by going to https://bit.ly/barakhullman. My classes in Breslov Chassidus, Likutey Moharan, can be found here https://www.youtube.com/@barakhullman/videos I also have a YouTube channel of ceramics which can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/@thejerusalempotter
Catalyst Church NWA Pastor Daniel Tedder (Worship and Missions Pastor)
Yasmine M'Barek, 26, Journalistin, Autorin & Podcasterin - „Ich bin total alt im Kopf, ich bin eine konservative Bitch“ ist ein Zitat unseres heutigen Gastes, unseres doch verhältnismäßig jungen Gastes, denn die Journalistin, Autorin und Podcasterin Yasmine M’Barak kam 1999 in Köln zur Welt. 8 Einsen und ein paar Zweien hatte sie im Zeugnis, überhaupt unterschied sie sich von der Mehrzahl ihrer Mitschülerinnen und Mitschüler schon dadurch, dass sie sich früh für Politik und Wirtschaftsthemen interessierte. Ja, Mode ist und war wichtig, aber wie interessant war es, auf Parteitage zu pilgern und mal auf gut Glück ein paar Zeilen über sicherheitspolitische Bedenken oder kommunalpolitische Defizite zu schreiben, oder? Nein? Yasmine zog das durch, lernte, las und schrieb und profitiert heute von ihrem Antrieb, den Dingen genau auf den Grund zu gehen. Mit Markus Feldenkirchen moderiert sie dienstags den gesellschaftspolitischen Podcast „Apokalypse und Filterkaffee“, bei der ZEIT hostet sie den Podcast „Echt jetzt?“, dessen Gästeliste von Robert Habeck über Gregor Gysi bis hin zu Olaf Scholz reicht und M’Bareks Buch "Radikale Kompromisse" landete auf Platz 23 der SPIEGEL Bestsellerliste.
THEME-Letting Ourselves Go; Barak on Charlie Kirk Podcast; New Investigations; Anti-Israel Mob Rages by Barak Lurie
This week I have two stories for you the first is about the Shpoler Zeide who wants a Poritz and his friends to really hear the Ten Commandments and the second a story Reb Meir of Premishlan would tell every year on Shavuot about Rabbi Shimshon Meir Wertheimer of Vienna and a simple wagon driver that saves a stranded king but then wants to punish his fellow Jew. If you're enjoying these Chassidic stories, please take a quick moment to buy me a coffee. https://ko-fi.com/barakhullman Thank you! I deeply appreciate your support! Also available at https://soundcloud.com/barak-hullman/jealousy-into-generosity-shavuot-stories. To become a part of this project or sponsor an episode please go to https://hasidicstory.com/be-a-supporter. Hear all of the stories at https://hasidicstory.com. Go here to hear my other podcast https://jewishpeopleideas.com or https://soundcloud.com/jewishpeopleideas. Find my books, Figure It Out When You Get There: A Memoir of Stories About Living Life First and Watching How Everything Falls Into Place and A Shtikel Sholom: A Student, His Mentor and Their Unconventional Conversations on Amazon by going to https://bit.ly/barakhullman. My classes in Breslov Chassidus, Likutey Moharan, can be found here https://www.youtube.com/@barakhullman/videos I also have a YouTube channel of ceramics which can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/@thejerusalempotter
In the Old Testament book of Judges, we find a fascinating story about two people named Deborah and Barak. A careful examination of their lives offers a powerful lesson on leadership. Pastor J.D. invites us to follow along as he teaches from the book of Judges, Chapters 4 and 5, as he shares five key points that will apply to both men and women in leadership.