Podcasts about Emunah

There are times when we have a certain plan that we're excited to carry out. We picture exactly how things are going to unfold, and we feel that our plan is going to be the best possible outcome. But then, suddenly, something happens that throws everything off. The opportunity disappears, someone interrupts our plans, and naturally, we feel disappointed and frustrated. At those moments, we have to remember a fundamental principle of emunah. It is very possible that if we react the right way, we will gain far more than we ever could have had our original plan succeeded. What appears to be an obstacle may actually be Hashem redirecting us to something much greater. Rav Shmuel Tzvi Kovalsky made sure that every year on his father's yahrtzeit he would be the chazzan at the minyan. It was something that meant a great deal to him, and it was his way of bringing an aliyah to his father's neshamah. One year, while waiting for the next minyan, he noticed an elderly man who appeared to need help. Although he realized that if he helped that man, he might lose the opportunity to be the chazzan at the next minyan, he offered to help anyway, figuring he would wait for the following minyan. The man first asked him to help fold his tefillin. Afterwards, he asked if he could accompany him home. Rav Shmuel assumed it would take only a few minutes because he knew the man had lived nearby. However, the man explained that he had recently moved five blocks away and that the walk usually took him thirty minutes. Rav Shmuel became very concerned that he might miss every remaining minyan to be the chazzan. Nevertheless, he strengthened himself and continued doing the chesed. When they finally reached the building, the elderly man apologized and explained that the elevator was broken. He lived on the fourth floor and couldn't get up the stairs alone. Once again, Rav Shmuel strengthened himself and continued the chesed. He silently said, "Hashem, please let this chesed serve as an aliyah for my father's neshamah in case I'm not able to be the chazzan." He then helped the man all the way up the four flights of stairs. By the time he got back to shul, the final minyan had already started and someone else was the chazzan. Rav Shmuel was heartbroken, but that night his father appeared to him in a dream. "My son," he said, "every year you are the chazzan for me on my yahrtzeit, and I receive so much nachat ruach from it. But this year you gave me something much greater. The nachat ruach I received from your sacrificing something so important to help another Jew far surpassed what I would have received had you simply been the chazzan. You were willing to give up something so precious to you in order to help someone else. That brought me an immeasurably greater aliyah." Rav Shmuel thought he was losing his opportunity, but in reality, Hashem gave him something much more valuable. A woman related a similar experience. She recently attended the wedding of a close friend who had finally become engaged after many years. Everyone was dancing with tremendous joy when someone accidentally bumped into her very hard and knocked her sheitel off her head. The embarrassment was overwhelming. As she bent down to pick it up, she made a conscious decision. "I forgive the person who just did this. I have no anger toward her." She remembered what Chazal teach—that when a person experiences public embarrassment and accepts it without retaliation, it is an especially auspicious time for tefillah. Right then she prayed that her two closest friends, ages twenty-five and twenty-four, should both become engaged within the month. Amazingly, three weeks later the twenty-five-year-old became engaged, and on the very last day of that month, the twenty-four-year-old became engaged as well. This woman had gone to the wedding expecting nothing more than an enjoyable evening. Instead, Hashem placed before her an unexpected challenge. Had she become upset, the night would have ended with disappointment. Instead, she accepted the situation with emunah, transformed a painful moment into a powerful moment of tefillah, and merited to accomplish something far greater than she could have ever imagined. When our plans suddenly change, instead of asking, "Why did this happen?" we should ask, "What does Hashem want from me right now?" If we respond with emunah, we may discover that what seemed like an interruption was actually the greatest opportunity of all.

In this episode of the Thinking Talmudist Podcast, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe continues exploring the Gemara in Tractate Ketubot, uncovering profound lessons about charity, human dignity, empathy, and trust in Hashem. Building on the previous discussion of anonymous giving, the Gemara recounts the generosity of Mar Ukva, who quietly supported a poor neighbor every year before Yom Kippur. When his son observed the recipient enjoying expensive aged wine, Mar Ukva's response was startling: rather than reducing his gift, he doubled it. Rabbi Wolbe explains that true tzedakah is not merely about meeting a person's minimum needs, but about understanding the life they once lived and the emotional pain caused by losing it. The Torah commands us not only to give, but to deeply appreciate another person's unique circumstances and preserve their dignity. The Gemara then examines the extraordinary generosity of Mar Ukva at the end of his life, when he reviewed his charitable giving and concluded that he had not done enough. Rabbi Wolbe uses this discussion to distinguish between ma'aser (tithing)—the portion of one's income entrusted to us by Hashem for distribution—and voluntary charity beyond the tithe. Through practical examples and inspiring stories, he illustrates that generosity is measured not by the absolute amount given, but by the proportion of one's means and the sincerity of one's heart. The episode also explores the halachic balance between giving generously and maintaining responsibility for one's own family's financial well-being. Rabbi Wolbe concludes with moving personal stories that demonstrate the incredible power of bitachon (trust in Hashem) and faithful tzedakah. He recounts the story of a struggling sofer who committed to giving twenty percent of his income despite having almost nothing, only to witness immediate and life-changing Divine blessing. He also shares remarkable experiences of donors whose acts of generosity were met with extraordinary providence. The overarching message is timeless: we often believe that holding onto money creates security, but the Torah teaches the opposite. Hashem entrusts resources to those who faithfully become channels of blessing for others. When we loosen our grip and allow Hashem to guide our generosity, we discover that true wealth is measured not by what we keep, but by what we faithfully give._____________The Thinking Talmudist Podcast shares select teachings of Talmud in a fresh, insightful and meaningful way. Many claim that they cannot learn Talmud because it is in ancient Aramaic or the concepts are too difficult. Well, no more excuses. In this podcast you will experience the refreshing and eye-opening teachings while gaining an amazing appreciation for the divine wisdom of the Torah and the depths of the Talmud._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by David & Susan MarbinRecorded at TORCH Meyerland in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on May 15, 2026, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on June 30, 2026_____________Listen, Subscribe & Share: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thinking-talmudist-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1648951154Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0cZ7q9bGYSBYSPQfJvwgzmShare your questions at aw@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content._____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Listen MoreOther podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodesPrayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#Talmud,  #Gemara, #Kesubos, #Rainmaker, #Faith, #Emunah, #Honesty, #JewishWisdom, #Tzedakah, #Charity, #HumanDignity ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of the Thinking Talmudist Podcast, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe continues exploring the Gemara in Tractate Ketubot, uncovering profound lessons about charity, human dignity, empathy, and trust in Hashem. Building on the previous discussion of anonymous giving, the Gemara recounts the generosity of Mar Ukva, who quietly supported a poor neighbor every year before Yom Kippur. When his son observed the recipient enjoying expensive aged wine, Mar Ukva's response was startling: rather than reducing his gift, he doubled it. Rabbi Wolbe explains that true tzedakah is not merely about meeting a person's minimum needs, but about understanding the life they once lived and the emotional pain caused by losing it. The Torah commands us not only to give, but to deeply appreciate another person's unique circumstances and preserve their dignity. The Gemara then examines the extraordinary generosity of Mar Ukva at the end of his life, when he reviewed his charitable giving and concluded that he had not done enough. Rabbi Wolbe uses this discussion to distinguish between ma'aser (tithing)—the portion of one's income entrusted to us by Hashem for distribution—and voluntary charity beyond the tithe. Through practical examples and inspiring stories, he illustrates that generosity is measured not by the absolute amount given, but by the proportion of one's means and the sincerity of one's heart. The episode also explores the halachic balance between giving generously and maintaining responsibility for one's own family's financial well-being. Rabbi Wolbe concludes with moving personal stories that demonstrate the incredible power of bitachon (trust in Hashem) and faithful tzedakah. He recounts the story of a struggling sofer who committed to giving twenty percent of his income despite having almost nothing, only to witness immediate and life-changing Divine blessing. He also shares remarkable experiences of donors whose acts of generosity were met with extraordinary providence. The overarching message is timeless: we often believe that holding onto money creates security, but the Torah teaches the opposite. Hashem entrusts resources to those who faithfully become channels of blessing for others. When we loosen our grip and allow Hashem to guide our generosity, we discover that true wealth is measured not by what we keep, but by what we faithfully give._____________The Thinking Talmudist Podcast shares select teachings of Talmud in a fresh, insightful and meaningful way. Many claim that they cannot learn Talmud because it is in ancient Aramaic or the concepts are too difficult. Well, no more excuses. In this podcast you will experience the refreshing and eye-opening teachings while gaining an amazing appreciation for the divine wisdom of the Torah and the depths of the Talmud._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by David & Susan MarbinRecorded at TORCH Meyerland in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on May 15, 2026, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on June 30, 2026_____________Listen, Subscribe & Share: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thinking-talmudist-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1648951154Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0cZ7q9bGYSBYSPQfJvwgzmShare your questions at aw@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content._____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Listen MoreOther podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodesPrayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#Talmud,  #Gemara, #Kesubos, #Rainmaker, #Faith, #Emunah, #Honesty, #JewishWisdom, #Tzedakah, #Charity, #HumanDignity ★ Support this podcast ★

ArtScroll will be offering many books at 50% off in the upcoming weeks including some volumes of Living Emunah. Click the link to view the selection. artscroll.com/categories/wk1. html One of the mistakes people make is believing that if they don't have enough money, they can't have what they need. We naturally assume that the deciding factor in what we'll be able to own is the balance in our bank account, but we know otherwise. Hashem is never limited by a person's salary or financial circumstances. If He wants someone to have something, He has unlimited ways of making it happen. Money is only one of His many messengers. A rabbi recently shared a story. For a few years, he and his wife had been trying to move from their apartment into a house. Their family had grown, baruch Hashem, and they had outgrown their apartment. Living in Brooklyn, however, they found themselves in one of the most expensive real estate markets, and every possibility seemed to be far beyond their reach. Then one day, they discovered what appeared to be the perfect house. It was exactly where they wanted to live, close to everything important to them. They had always assumed they would have to move to a less convenient neighborhood, but this house was perfect in every way, and there was a "For Rent" sign in front. There was only one problem. The owner wanted only to rent it, not sell it, and the rent was over $7,000 a month, far more than they could afford. They were currently paying $4,500 for their apartment, and there was no way they could take on such an additional expense. They were disappointed, but they continued praying and asking Hashem for help. A few days later, they attended a simcha. During a conversation, the rabbi's wife happened to mention the beautiful house they had seen and how they wished they could live there. The woman she was speaking to replied, "A relative of mine lives next door to that house. I think I can find out who the owner is." A short time later, they discovered that the owner was someone they knew very well. He had recently become a regular attendee of the rabbi's classes, and two of his children attended the yeshiva where the rabbi taught. Hashem had connected them long before they ever discovered this house of their dreams. The rabbi called the owner and asked if he would be willing to sell. The owner said he couldn't, but he did offer to lower the rent slightly. Even with the discount, however, it was still far beyond their budget. They continued praying, and then an unexpected idea entered the rabbi's mind. The yeshiva where he taught had recently discussed giving him a small raise because of the extra work he was doing. Since the homeowner paid tuition to that yeshiva, perhaps they could structure the raise differently. Instead of increasing his salary, which wouldn't make much of a difference, maybe the yeshiva would agree to reduce the homeowner's tuition by a larger amount, allowing the owner to lower the rent accordingly. The board considered the proposal and actually agreed. The rabbi then returned to the homeowner and asked if he would accept the tuition reduction in exchange for lowering the rent. He then asked if, even after that, he might lower the rent just a little more. The owner replied, "For you, I'll do it." Suddenly, the impossible became possible. The monthly payment for the house of their dreams was now almost exactly what they had been paying for their apartment. Looking back, it was clear that Hashem had been arranging everything in advance. He inspired the owner to attend the rabbi's classes instead of someone else's so they would develop a relationship. He arranged the conversation at the simcha that revealed who the owner was. He placed the creative idea into the rabbi's mind and gave the yeshiva board the willingness to approve it. Every piece was orchestrated perfectly for this family to move into the home they needed, even though they did not have the money to afford it. How often do we look at something and say, "I know I need it, but I just can't afford it"? Of course, if something is beyond our budget, it may very well be because it isn't good for us to have. But we don't know Hashem's calculations. Therefore, we can still pray for Him to give it to us in other ways. Hashem never needs a person to have money in order to give him what He wants him to have. Sometimes He gives a person more money. Sometimes He lowers the price. Sometimes He inspires other people to help. And sometimes He creates opportunities that never existed before. Hashem has countless ways to give a person exactly what He wants him to have. Our job is to make a normal hishtadlut and pray as hard as we can for the yeshuah we need. Hashem will decide if, how, and when that yeshuah will come. If He wants us to have something, no financial obstacle will ever stand in the way. When the time is right, He will open doors that no one ever imagined could be opened.

https://rabbiefremgoldberg.org/living-with-emunah-part-394-making-the-climb-while-taking-breaks Wed, 15 Jul 2026 13:51:31 +0000 7392 Rabbi Efrem Goldberg Living with Emunah - podcast no

One of the great benefits of having emunah is the sense of calm that it brings when we realize that Hashem is guiding every step we take in life. People may think their future depends on the decisions they make, the people they meet, or the opportunities they find, but in truth, Hashem is arranging all of that. A person is always exactly where Hashem wants him to be. He meets the people Hashem wants him to meet. He lives in the house Hashem wants him to live in. He works at the job Hashem wants him to have. Even the unexpected detours and closed doors are guiding him to exactly where he is meant to be. A woman shared the following story. Her son was learning in a yeshivah in Lakewood. For years, it had been his dream to learn Torah in Eretz Yisrael. About a month earlier, however, he spoke with his Rosh Yeshivah, who told him that since he was learning so well, he should remain in America. They accepted the Rosh Yeshivah's decision and moved on. The young man was a Canadian citizen, and because his yeshivah did not provide the visa documentation he needed to remain in the United States, he had to return home to Toronto for a short time before attempting to reenter America. When he arrived back at the border, he was denied entry. He was devastated. The entire plan had suddenly collapsed. What would they do now? That very day happened to be the last day to submit an early application to the Mir Yeshivah in Yerushalayim. Although the young man still expected to return to America, he submitted the application anyway. The mother said she worked very hard to strengthen her emunah, constantly reminding herself that Hashem was in charge. After Shabbat, her son finally reached his Rosh Yeshivah and explained everything that had happened. This time, the Rosh Yeshivah gave him completely different guidance. "You should go learn in Eretz Yisrael." Within hours, he found an affordable flight leaving that very day, and all of a sudden he was on a plane heading to Eretz Yisrael, fulfilling the dream he had cherished for years. Looking back, they realized that the closed border had never been an obstacle. It was the very vehicle Hashem used to bring him exactly where he was meant to be. Chazal tell us, " רגלוהי דאיניש אינון ערבין ביה " —a person's feet are his guarantors. They carry him to the place where Hashem has decreed he needs to be. Sometimes we set out intending to go in one direction and end up somewhere entirely different. What seems like an unexpected turn is often Hashem gently directing our steps to the place where our mission awaits us. Every encounter is carefully orchestrated. Every opportunity is handpicked. Every delay has a purpose. Every person we meet is part of Hashem's perfect plan. We don't always understand why we are led down one path instead of another, but we can be certain that every detail has been arranged with precision. When we truly internalize this, life becomes so much calmer. Instead of constantly wondering, "What if I had made a different decision?" we can say, "Hashem placed me exactly where I need to be." Instead of regretting the opportunities we think we missed, we can appreciate the opportunities that Hashem arranged specifically for us to have. And instead of worrying about the future, we can continue forward with confidence, knowing that the One Who brought us to where we are today will continue leading us to every place we need to be tomorrow.

Rabbi Mordechai Yehuda Groner on Let's Get Real with Coach Menachem, Sunday July 12, 2026 #279Geula Through Emunah: How Can Emunah Help Us Find Light During the Darkness of the Three Weeks

When a person needs a yeshuah for a problem he has, his first thoughts are usually to focus on that problem, think of ways to solve it, and pray to Hashem to take it away. Sometimes, however, the salvation comes from a completely different angle—from focusing on someone else's problem and trying to help bring them a yeshuah. A woman related that her daughter needed a great deal of dental work, but she couldn't find a dentist who accepted their insurance. The treatments were going to cost $10,000. At that time, she was teaching from the Sefer Shemirat HaLashon . She came across a teaching from the Chafetz Chaim that when a person has mercy on others, Hashem has mercy on him. She immediately prayed, "Hashem, please send me someone that I can have mercy on." That very day, she received a phone call from a woman raising money for her niece's wedding. After carefully verifying the story, she found out that the kallah came from a distinguished family in Eretz Yisrael and needed exactly $10,000 to make the wedding. She felt that Hashem had answered her tefillah by giving her the opportunity to help with this great mitzvah, and help she did. That same day, she mentioned her daughter's dental situation to a friend, who suggested trying a certain dentist. The woman replied, "I know about that dentist. They aren't accepting any new patients." Her friend answered, "Don't worry. Hashem is in charge. Try anyway." On Shivah Asar B'Tammuz, she managed to get an unexpected appointment. Amazingly, not only did the dentist agree to take her daughter as a new patient, but he also accepted their insurance. The entire $10,000 bill was covered. As if that wasn't enough, she later discovered that the very friend who told her to call this dentist had been the one who canceled her own son's appointment the day before because he didn't want to go to the dentist on a fast day. The lesson that she had just learned from the Chafetz Chaim became her own reality. She looked for an opportunity to have mercy on someone else, and Hashem had mercy on her. A man told me another story with the very same message. His wife found out that a close friend needed to undergo a very dangerous medical procedure. Wanting to create a zechut on her behalf, they organized hundreds of people to learn the laws of Shemirat HaLashon for forty straight days. The man prepared a booklet and divided it into daily lessons with clear and concise halachot. Many schools joined the initiative, and hundreds of people strengthened themselves in guarding their speech. This created an enormous zechut for the woman with countless people growing in this great mitzvah. Baruch Hashem, her procedure went very well. Then something completely unexpected happened. The very man who had organized the entire undertaking was told that he himself needed to undergo a dangerous medical procedure. The timing was incredible. His procedure was scheduled just as the fortieth and final day of the Shemirat HaLashon campaign came to an end. Baruch Hashem, his procedure was a success. He had organized this learning solely to help someone else. He never imagined that the very zechut he was creating for another person would become the zechut that would help him through his own medical issue. When we are given the opportunity to help others, we may think Hashem is simply giving us the chance to help someone else. In reality, He may also be preparing the very yeshuah that we ourselves may one day need. Every act of chesed, every mitzvah, and every opportunity to help another Jew has the potential to help us in ways we could never imagine. The Chafetz Chaim wasn't just teaching a beautiful idea. He was revealing one of the ways Hashem runs this world. When we look for opportunities to care about the pain of others, Hashem looks upon our pain with greater compassion. Sometimes the yeshuah that we are hoping to receive begins with becoming the yeshuah for somebody else.

We spend a lot of time making different calculations. We think about what's going to bring us the greatest benefit, what's going to produce the best outcome, and what will help us accomplish the most. That's a good approach when it comes to our physical lives, but when it comes to avodat Hashem, there is a different rule. Our job is not to calculate what we think will accomplish the most. It is to do exactly what Hashem asks us to do and trust that His calculations are infinitely greater than ours. Rabbi Eliyahu Lopian brings out this lesson very clearly in the first of this week's two parashiyot. In Parashat Matot, Hashem tells Moshe Rabbeinu to go to war against Midyan, and immediately afterward he would leave this world. Rashi, quoting the Midrash, points out the greatness of Moshe Rabbeinu. Even though he knew that fulfilling this command would bring about his own death, he did not hesitate for a moment. He fulfilled Hashem's command with joy and without delay. Rabbi Lopian notes that we find what appears to be a different approach by Yehoshua bin Nun. Hashem also commanded Yehoshua to wage war and conquer Eretz Yisrael, and after that mission was complete, his life would come to an end. Chazal tell us that Yehoshua delayed the war, and as a result, he lost ten years of his life. Rabbi Lopian explains that Yehoshua had the best of intentions. He knew Moshe Rabbeinu's prophecy that after Moshe died, the Jewish people would eventually stray from the proper path. Yehoshua understood that as long as he remained alive, it was considered as if Moshe was still alive, because Chazal teach that as long as a student lives, it is as if his rebbe is still living. Indeed, the Jewish people remained loyal to Hashem throughout Yehoshua's lifetime, and only after he died did they begin serving avodah zarah. Yehoshua therefore made a calculation. If he delayed the war, he would live longer, and Klal Yisrael would remain on the proper path for a longer period of time. It seemed like a wonderful calculation. Moshe Rabbeinu could have made the very same calculation. He could have thought, "If I delay the war against Midyan and remain alive longer, I'll continue leading the Jewish people, and they too will remain on the proper path." But Moshe Rabbeinu did not make calculations. Hashem told him to do something, and he did it immediately. In the end, Yehoshua's calculation accomplished just the opposite of what he intended. Instead of gaining years, he lost ten years of his life, and consequently, the Jewish people strayed from the proper path earlier than they would have had he fulfilled Hashem's command immediately. Moshe Rabbeinu, on the other hand, only gained. Because he fulfilled Hashem's command without delay, the prophecy that the Jewish people would stray from the path was postponed until after Yehoshua's passing. Hashem fulfilled the prophetic words אחרי מותי כי השחת תשחיתון to mean not only after Moshe's death, but after the death of his faithful student as well. By trusting Hashem, Moshe accomplished far more than he ever could have by making his own calculations. Very often we also make calculations when it comes to Torah and mitzvot. We say, "I know I should give tzedakah, but first I want to become more financially secure." "I know I should spend more time learning Torah, but right now I need to build my career." "I know I should do this mitzvah, but maybe if I wait a little longer, it will work out better." Our job is not to calculate how Hashem's commands will produce the best results. Our job is to do what Hashem wants now. Hashem, Who sees the past, present, and future all at once, has already made every calculation. Living with emunah means recognizing that Hashem's calculations are infinitely greater than ours. If we do our job by fulfilling His will with joy and without delay, trusting that we only gain by listening to Him, then we will fulfill our mission in this world properly. Shabbat Shalom

One of the hardest experiences in life is watching an opportunity that we almost had slip away. A person may have worked so hard for something, and everything seemed to be falling into place, only for it to disappear at the very last minute. At that moment, it feels as if we lost something that was meant to be ours. That is precisely when we need to dig deep and access our emunah, trusting that not only was it not meant for us, but it would have been the worst thing for us to have. Rabbi Yaakov Tzvi Meir Ehrlich related the following story. A heartbroken man came to him. He had been living in a tiny apartment for a long time and had finally found what seemed to be the perfect house. He had already spoken with the owner, and everything looked very promising. The real estate agent told him that another buyer had made an offer, but if he would submit a bid that was even one euro higher, the house would be his. The man was thrilled. He prepared all the paperwork, and on Friday, just before faxing in his proposal, something very unusual happened. The papers suddenly became soaked, the writing smudged, and he had to start all over again. Time passed, and he realized he was not going to finish before Shabbat. His wife told him, "Shabbat is almost here. Put everything away. You'll continue afterward." She wanted the house just as much as he did, but she wanted to honor Shabbat even more. Together they put everything aside and welcomed the Shabbat. After Shabbat, he contacted the agent only to hear the disappointing news. The house had been sold to the other buyer. The man was devastated. "Maybe I should have ignored the clock and kept writing," he asked the rabbi. The rabbi comforted him. "Don't you see that Hashem orchestrated this? Is it natural for the papers to become ruined at the exact moment you were about to send them? You don't yet understand why, but you can be certain that this house was not good for you." The rabbi later related that after telling this story to a man sitting next to him on an airplane, the passenger replied, "Please tell that Jew my story. He doesn't yet know the happy ending to his, but I was privileged to see mine." This man then related that seventeen years earlier, he had wanted to buy a beautiful apartment in Herzliya. The negotiations dragged on until they finally agreed on a price. Then the Second Lebanon War broke out, and the seller became willing to accept his offer. The agreement came during the Nine Days, and before signing, he asked his rabbi, Rabbi Yosef Cohen, what to do. His rabbi told him, "Do not sign during the Nine Days. Wait until the fifteenth of Av." He listened. But by the time the fifteenth of Av arrived, the war had ended, the prices had risen again, and the owner refused to sell the apartment for that price. The deal fell apart. The man was crushed. After spending six months in Eretz Yisrael hoping to buy an apartment, he returned home empty-handed. Some time later, he returned to Herzliya to continue looking. He told the new agent, "Please don't take me down the street where the first apartment I almost bought is. It will hurt too much to see it." The agent tried to avoid that street, but by mistake they found themselves there. Unable to resist, the man glanced toward the house and froze. The house wasn't there. It was just an empty lot. The agent asked, "That was the apartment you almost bought? Didn't you hear what happened?" After the new owner began renovating, an architect discovered that the entire structure was dangerously unsound. The municipality declared it unsafe, and the house had to be demolished completely. The buyer, who thought he had purchased a beautiful home, suffered an enormous financial loss and tremendous aggravation. At that moment, the man realized that what had seemed like his greatest disappointment had actually been one of Hashem's greatest acts of kindness towards him. How many times in life do we cry over opportunities that we think we lost? The job that didn't work out, the house that someone else got, the investment we couldn't make, or the shidduch that never came to fruition. We only see the closed door, but we don't see what is behind it. Sometimes Hashem allows us to discover years later why He said no, and sometimes we never find out. But our responsibility is always the same—to believe that if Hashem prevented something from happening, then that opportunity was never ours to begin with. The opportunities that Hashem takes away are no less an expression of His love than the ones that He gives us. We call them disappointments, but in Shamayim they are called salvations. One day, we will look back and realize that some of the greatest blessings in our lives were not only the things that Hashem gave us, but also the things that He lovingly withheld from us.

https://rabbiefremgoldberg.org/living-with-emunah-part-393-walking-through-the-valley Wed, 08 Jul 2026 13:57:41 +0000 7384 Rabbi Efrem Goldberg Living with Emunah - podcast no

ArtScroll will be offering many books at 50% off in the upcoming weeks including some volumes of Living Emunah. Click the link to view the selection. artscroll.com/categories/wk1.html Life is filled with tests. The greatness of a person is determined by how he overcomes the tests that Hashem gives him. Everybody gets tested according to the level they are on. I was in a taxi the other day, and the driver asked me a question that made it obvious he was Jewish. We got into a conversation, and he told me about a major test that he once faced. Although he doesn't keep the mitzvot, including Shabbat, he understands the value of Torah and mitzvot. He told me that in 2002 he had bought tickets to the U.S. Open Finals and couldn't wait to go. Then his wife reminded him that the match fell on Rosh Hashanah, the one time each year that they go to synagogue. He struggled tremendously because he had been anticipating that match for so long. But in the end, he heroically sold the tickets and went to shul. Everybody gets tested. Naturally, we don't like to be tested. We even pray not to be tested. But we have to know that when tests do come, they present us with golden opportunities. Many times we pray fervently for things that we want, and when the answer doesn't seem to come, we begin to wonder if Hashem values our tefillot. The Or HaChaim in Parashat Vayera teaches us a remarkable lesson. When Hashem wants to give a person a blessing, one of the ways He does it is by presenting him with an opportunity to perform a mitzvah or a heroic deed whose segulah is the very blessing that he needs. Every nisayon that we overcome contains a hidden blessing, besides the eternal reward awaiting us in the Next World. When Hashem gives a person this type of opportunity, it is truly a gift. If he knew what was at stake, he would beg Hashem to give him that test. At the beginning of Parashat Pinchas, Hashem gave Pinchas the greatest gift—an eternal kehunah that would never be disputed. Pinchas was the only one in his family who was not a Kohen, and he had long yearned to become one. Without his realizing it, Hashem placed before him a mitzvah opportunity whose reward would be the very blessing he had been longing for. Pinchas witnessed the terrible chillul Hashem when Zimri ben Salu brought Kozbi into the tent to commit an aveirah. He had an enormous nisayon. Zimri was over 250 years old and was considered one of the great leaders of the generation. If Pinchas acted, he would be risking his life. He had to be acting with completely pure intentions, l'shem Shamayim, or his act would be considered murder. He also had to be prepared to face criticism and ridicule from the rest of Klal Yisrael for what he was about to do. Yet he rose to the challenge. He acted solely for the honor of Hashem, stopped the plague, and prevented countless more deaths. There was someone else in Klal Yisrael who also yearned to be a Kohen. Originally, Moshe Rabbeinu himself had the kehunah. However, because he repeatedly declined Hashem's mission to lead the Jewish people out of Egypt, the kehunah was taken from him. We know how desperately Moshe wanted every opportunity to serve Hashem. That is why he pleaded so much to enter Eretz Yisrael—to perform the mitzvot that could only be fulfilled there. Now another opportunity to attain the kehunah had been placed before Klal Yisrael, and Moshe Rabbeinu was there. Moshe Rabbeinu, the Rabban Shel Kol Yisrael, certainly knew this halachah. He was the one who had taught it to everyone else. Yet at that moment, Hashem caused him to forget it, and therefore he did not perform the mitzvah. Instead, Pinchas remembered the halachah and carried it out. We see from here that a person needs merits not only to pass a test, but even to be given the opportunity to face the test. Because Moshe had lost the kehunah through his earlier actions, Hashem did not give him this opportunity to regain it. Instead, that opportunity was reserved for Pinchas. When a person is confronted with a difficult nisayon, he naturally wonders, "Why is Hashem doing this to me?" But perhaps the better question is, "What blessing is Hashem giving me the opportunity to earn?" If we truly knew what we could gain by overcoming our tests, we would thank Hashem from the bottom of our hearts for giving them to us. Every nisayon is a precious gift, allowing us to earn blessings in this world and immeasurable reward in the Next World.

Today's Living Emunah Message is Dedicated Leiluy Nishmat: Moshe Aaron Tzadok a"h If Hashem puts a person in an unexpected, challenging situation, his emunah is going to be tested. The natural reaction is to focus on the problem and wonder why Hashem is doing this. But we must know that Hashem is not placing an obstacle in front of the person. He is giving him an opportunity—one that could never have existed without the challenge. Rabbi David Sutton told the following story, which took place just a few days ago. It was 5:30 on Friday afternoon in Lakewood, New Jersey, and the power suddenly went out in Mrs. Schwartz's home. She had a Sheva Berachot planned in her house with 45 guests, including 23 young children, and now she had no electricity to heat the food or host everyone comfortably. The following is Mrs. Schwartz's account of what happened next. "I realized by six o'clock that I desperately needed a place to heat our food. Miraculously, the cure had come before the illness. That very morning, before the outage even occurred, a neighbor named Rivka Strauss had called. She was on a different grid that didn't lose power, and she offered her extra refrigerator space and oven just in case we would ever need it. As soon as my oven went out, I called her, and she immediately told me to bring my food over. Meanwhile, my husband reached out to Rabbi Davidowitz. Since Rabbi Davidowitz has internet access and we don't, my husband hoped he could check with the electric company to see when the power might return. During the call, Rabbi Davidowitz asked, 'You're making your simcha at a catering hall, right?' When my husband explained that we were actually hosting it at our own house, Rabbi and Mrs. Davidowitz instantly mobilized. They were going away for Shabbat and insisted that we take over their home. 'We're opening our doors. Please,' they urged. At first we hesitated, hoping the power would come back on, but once we found out there was no update on the outage, I walked over to the Davidowitz home. They were already opening their dining room table for us. Mrs. Davidowitz greeted me warmly, showing me where we could put the children to sleep and pointing out the cribs and pack-and-plays. She gave me a tour of the kitchen, explaining the meat, dairy, and pareve setups. She told me, 'The house is yours. Feel free to take anything from the refrigerator, freezer, or pantry.' And we really did. With 45 people, we ended up needing everything from their seltzer maker to extra plasticware for the waiters. The logistics were wild, but the teamwork and achdut were incredible. We were moving massive hot pots of chicken soup across the street under serious pressure, along with high chairs, paper goods, tablecloths, and silk flowers. The boys hauled everything over, and my daughters led the charge on cleaning up afterward, with a lot of help from the Stern family. All of the guests who were staying nearby had no electricity where they were sleeping, and the heat was unbearable. So, 45 people crowded into the Davidowitz home on Shabbat afternoon, sitting on couches, eating around the dinette, and reading books together. After Shabbat, we went back to thank the Davidowitz family for letting an army of people take over their home, but they refused to take any credit. Instead, they told us that we had brought berachah and simcha into their home and that they were incredibly excited about it. Mrs. Davidowitz then shared the beautiful, emotional reason why. That Shabbat was her father's sheloshim(30 days since he passed away). She had really wanted to host her extended family in her home to honor his memory, but because another sister had a better setup, the family decided to go there instead. She had been terribly disappointed. When our power went out and the opportunity to host our simcha arose, she felt it was a gift from Hashem. She told us that when she walked into her sister's house and saw a picture of her father, she looked at it and said, 'Thank you, Tati. This is going to be for your iluy neshamah.' She felt so grateful that we were using her home. What had begun as our stressful blackout became a beautiful tribute to her father." What began as a blackout became an opportunity that none of these people would have wanted to miss. The Schwartzes, whose Shabbat seemed to be falling apart, experienced extraordinary kindness. Rivka Strauss was given the opportunity to help at exactly the right moment. The Davidowitz family was given the opportunity to open their home and perform an incredible act of chesed. Mrs. Davidowitz received the very opportunity she had been hoping for—to fill her home with people in honor of her father's neshamah. So often we view our challenges only as problems to overcome. But many times, Hashem is using those very challenges to present us with opportunities that could never have existed otherwise. When Hashem sends us a challenge, our first instinct is naturally to ask, "Why is this happening? Hashem, what do You want from me?" Perhaps the better question is, "What opportunity is Hashem placing before me?" Very often, hidden inside the difficulty is a chance to perform a great mitzvah, help another person, grow in emunah, or bring tremendous blessing into our lives. When we respond with emunah instead of frustration, we may discover that what first appeared to be an obstacle was actually one of Hashem's greatest gifts.

The Midrash at the beginning of this week's parasha Pinchas says, אמר הקב"ה בדין הוא שיקבל שכרו – Hashem said that Pinchas deserved the reward he was getting for the act he performed. The mefarshim ask the question, doesn't everybody who does a mitzvah deserve the reward that comes as a result of performing it? Why is the Midrash singling out Pinchas, saying that he deserved his reward? The sefer Vaveh HaAmudim quoted an answer given by the sefer Zichron Yitzchak - even though everyone who does a mitzvah deserves reward for it, most of the time, there is some type of praise or honor that the person gets as a result of the performance of that mitzvah which takes away some of the reward. Receiving praises from others or being acknowledged for a deed reduces the full amount of the reward of that mitzvah. Hashem may still give the person the reward but it is no longer called "fully deserved". Pinchas however did not only not receive praises for his actions, he was even ridiculed for them. Therefore, he can be called deserved of the reward that he was getting. On one occasion, somebody from Rav Shach's family saw the Rosh Yeshiva with tears in his eyes. At that time, he was very old. The family member asked the Rosh Yeshiva what was wrong and if he could offer his assistance. Rav Shach replied he was thinking about what he was going to bring with him to the Heavenly Court after he leaves this world. The family member then pointed to the sefer Avi Ezri that was open on the table, a four volume masterpiece written by Rav Shach as a commentary of the Mishneh Torah of the Rambam which is used in every yeshiva throughout the entire world. Rav Shach replied, "Yes, it is a good sefer , but I got too much recognition from it. It's value has been diminished." A relative of the Chofetz Chaim once came to the Rabbi to ask him if he should travel to America to help collect money for a yeshiva that was struggling financially. The Chofetz Chaim told him he should go and he even gave him a beracha for success. The day the relative was leaving, he came back to the Chofetz Chaim to get a departing beracha . The Chofetz Chiam gave him the beracha and then told him, "Hashem gave us a Torah with 613 mitzvot in it. Due to our sins, we lost the Beit HaMikdash and according to my calculation, there are only 271 mitzvot left that we can perform nowadays - 77 positive commandments and 184 negative commandments. I felt that it was my obligation to clarify these 271 mitzvot for Klal Yisrael and therefore, I just wrote a sefer explaining each one of them. I want this sefer to have success. I want it to be completely leshem Shamayim . I need somebody to sponsor it, but I have three conditions: #1 – his name should not appear on the sefer , #2 – he himself should ask that his name doesn't appear on the sefer , and #3 – only one person should give the entire sum. Please try to find someone during your travels abroad." The man traveled by boat to America. After a few weeks, he arrived in New York but developed a very strong cough there and a doctor advised him to spend some time in a warmer climate in Florida. When the man arrived in Florida on Thursday, he had no idea where he was going to stay. To his surprise, there was a religious Jew waiting on the platform there. He introduced himself as Yerachmiel, saying he stands there every Thursday warning Jews who arrive not to go to certain "kosher" hotels and shuls that were not really reliable and were run by the wrong people. Rav Yerachmiel invited him for Shabbat and he enjoyed it very much. After Shabbat, he asked Yerachmiel about the yeshiva he was collecting for, as well as the new sefer being put out by the Chofetz Chaim. But he forgot the conditions that the Chofetz Chaim gave him. Yerachmiel said he would love to sponsor the sefer , but on 2 conditions: #1 – he would be the only sponsor, and #2 – his name wouldn't be on the sefer . The man then realized this was min haShamayim , the same conditions the Chofetz Chaim asked for were offered by this man. Decades later, after the Chofetz Chaim had already left this world and Rav Yerachmiel had married off all his children, Rav Yerachmiel's entire family moved to Israel. One day, his son-in-law, who was at that time a big talmid chacham , was walking in Bnei Brak and that relative of the Chofetz Chaim saw him and recognized him. He called him over and said, years before this, his father-in-law sponsored the Sefer HaMitzvot of the Chofetz Chaim. The talmid chacham had no clue that his father-in-law did that. When he told his father-in-law about it, Rav Yerachmiel turned pale and started crying out loud. He said, "I can't believe this was told to you. I gave a lot of tzedaka in my lifetime, but I got so much honor from it. There was one thing that I felt consoled by – sponsoring this sefer that nobody knew about, just me and Hashem and one other person. Now, what am I going to come with to Olam Haba ?" Mitzvot are great, but when we do them without any recognition, they become infinitely greater. Shabbat Shalom.

The Gemara in Masechet Chulin, daf 63a, teaches us a very important lesson about parnassah. There it discusses one of the non-kosher birds mentioned in the Torah called the shalach . The Gemara says it is called shalach because it has to draw its food from the depths of the sea. Every meal requires tremendous effort. By contrast, there is the tiny ant, whose food seems to be readily available wherever it goes. The Gemara says that whenever Rabbi Yochanan saw the shalach , he would recite the pasuk, " מִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ תְּהוֹם רַבָּה ." And when he saw an ant, he would say, " צִדְקָתְךָ כְּהַרְרֵי אֵל ." Rashi, in his second explanation, says that Rabbi Yochanan was marveling at the different ways that Hashem provides sustenance. One creature receives its food with ease, while another has to struggle for every bite. Both are exactly the way Hashem wants them to be. We look around and see that some people struggle to earn even the most basic necessities, while others seem to have more money than they know what to do with. Some people work day and night and barely make ends meet, while others appear to have great opportunities simply fall into their laps. Hashem has a different mission for every individual. He determines exactly how much a person will have, how it will come, when it will come, and even how much effort will be required to receive it. Every person's financial circumstances are tailor-made for his unique mission in this world. Recently, I received a heartbreaking letter from a woman who grew up in a family filled with trauma. She described how several members of her family desperately needed therapy, psychiatric care, and other treatments that they simply could not afford. Some of her siblings had already been hospitalized. She wrote about watching her parents suffer as they longed to provide the best care for their children but lacked the financial means to do so. Then she asked a question that many others may wonder: "If money can save so many terrible situations, why doesn't Hashem just give people the money they need?" Of course, we can never understand the ways of Hashem. But we do know that a person's problems are never due to his financial circumstances. They are there because Hashem, in His infinite wisdom, decided that this is the path that is best for that person's unique mission in this world. When it comes to money, Hashem can give a person money even if he doesn't even have a job. I read a story about an avrech from Yerushalayim who learns every day with a yeshivah boy from Switzerland. One day, before they started learning, the boy mentioned that his father was involved in real estate in Switzerland. The avrech casually replied, "That's interesting. I have a friend in Bnei Brak who also does real estate in Switzerland." The boy then told his father about it, and they got the contact information of the man in Bnei Brak. Around that same time, the avrech's son became engaged. Because of the circumstances of the shidduch, he committed to contribute an additional forty thousand dollars toward the couple's apartment—money that he didn't really have. Naturally, he wondered where he was going to get such a large amount of money, but he gave himself chizuk, saying that if Hashem wanted him to have forty thousand dollars, it was no more difficult for Him than forty dollars. A few weeks later, the boy said to the avrech, "My father wants to thank you. Even though you weren't trying to be a broker, he feels you deserve compensation for introducing him to your friend because of the great deals they made together." Two days later, the avrech received $39,500—almost the exact amount he needed. He never negotiated any deals. He didn't work as a real estate agent. He wasn't even trying to make money. All he did was mention a name in the course of a regular conversation. Hashem showed him how easy it is for Him to give a person forty thousand dollars, and through this story, He showed us the same thing. When we see someone struggling financially, especially with things as important as medical care, therapy, or other basic needs, we may think the problem is that they don't have enough money. But this story reminds us that if Hashem wants to give a person money, He can do it in the easiest of ways. If Hashem has chosen a different financial path for someone, it is not because He cannot provide. It is because that person needs to experience that path in order to fulfill his mission in this world. At the same time, a lack of money never means a lack of hope. Money is just one messenger that Hashem uses to bring yeshuot. He has infinitely many other ways of doing so. He can send the right doctor. He can heal without a doctor. He can send the right therapist. He can send the right opportunity, or a completely unexpected yeshuah that no one could ever have imagined. Why one person receives abundance with ease while another struggles is one of the hidden ways of Hashem. But one thing we know with certainty: if Hashem wants to change a person's situation, He can do it in any way He wants. Whether through money or through an entirely different messenger, He can bring the yeshuah in the blink of an eye.

A rabbi from Israel came over to me the other day and shared the following beautiful thought. When a person goes to speak with a great rabbi, he naturally feels excitement. He prepares what he wants to say, treasures every moment of the conversation, and leaves feeling privileged that he was granted such an opportunity. Yet three times a day, we are invited to stand before the Melech Malchei HaMelachim and speak directly to Hashem. Why don't we feel that same excitement? Why don't we enter shul overflowing with anticipation? The rabbi explained with the following mashal. Imagine someone tells you that a man has left you a gift. You open the envelope and find one hundred dollars. You would certainly appreciate it. You might even ask who it was so you could go over and thank him. But imagine opening the envelope and finding a check for one hundred million dollars. Would you simply say, "Oh wow, thank you. Who was it?" Of course not. You would be overwhelmed with gratitude. You would rush to find the person who gave you such an unimaginable gift. You would praise him, thank him, and never feel that your words could adequately express your appreciation. The reason we don't feel that way when we approach Hashem is because we don't fully appreciate the gifts He has already given us. Every morning we wake up with treasures that are worth infinitely more than one hundred million dollars. What price could a person put on his eyesight? If someone who had just lost his vision was told that for one hundred million dollars he could once again see his spouse, watch his children grow, or learn Torah from a sefer, who wouldn't give every penny he owned if he could? What is the value of hearing? What is it worth to hear the laughter of a child, the voice of a loved one, or the sweet sound of Torah learning? There was a little boy named Avi who was born without the ability to hear. For six years, he never heard a single sound. He never heard birds chirping, rain falling, music playing, or even his mother's voice. After years of tefillot and doctor's visits, the long-awaited day finally arrived. A hearing specialist was able to activate a hearing device that worked for him. His mother leaned over and softly whispered, "Avi." He froze. Slowly, he turned toward her. She said his name again, "Avi." His eyes widened, and tears immediately filled them. For the first time in his life, he heard his mother's voice. His mother burst into tears. His father could barely contain his emotions. The specialist quietly stepped out of the room, allowing the family to cherish a moment they had dreamed about for years. His mother kept speaking, not because she had anything new to say, but simply because after waiting six years, she wanted her son to hear her voice. For Avi, hearing a voice was a miracle. For most of us, it is just another day. We hear thousands of sounds every day and rarely stop to think about them. Yet, lo aleinu, if a person were told that he was about to lose his hearing, he would gladly exchange every possession he owned to keep it. The same is true of every gift that Hashem has given us. Our hearts beat approximately one hundred thousand times every day, pumping thousands of gallons of blood through a network of blood vessels stretching tens of thousands of miles throughout our bodies. If a person's heart skipped just a few beats, he would panic. With every breath, our lungs absorb life-giving oxygen through hundreds of millions of tiny air sacs. If a person could not take even one breath, nothing else in the world would matter. Our eyes distinguish millions of colors. Our brains process billions of signals every moment. Thousands of incredible processes are taking place inside our bodies every second, all because Hashem lovingly keeps them running. These are gifts beyond any price. No amount of praise could ever repay Hashem for the priceless gifts He gives us every second of every day. When we walk into shul, we are not coming before Someone Who gave us one hundred dollars or even one hundred million dollars. We are standing before the One Who gave us life itself—our eyesight, our hearing, our ability to think, speak, breathe, walk, love our families, learn Torah, perform mitzvot, and serve Him. Every heartbeat and every breath is another priceless gift from Hashem. If we truly appreciated the treasures Hashem has already placed in our hands, we would not have to force ourselves to feel inspired when we entered shul. Our hearts would naturally overflow with gratitude, and we would cherish every opportunity to stand before the One Who has given us everything.

Hashem treasures not only the good deeds that we do, but also the good that we genuinely want to do. Even if circumstances prevent a person from carrying out the acts of kindness he wishes to perform, Hashem never forgets a sincere good intention. Sometimes, in His infinite kindness, He arranges for those good intentions to be fulfilled years later—even after a person has already left this world. Rav Yehuda Segal from Beit Shemesh related the following remarkable story about his mother. She managed a clothing store in Yerushalayim for many years. Widowed at a young age, she ran the business with tremendous emunah, bitachon, and kindness. After she passed away, her children decided to close the store and donate all of the remaining clothing to families of seriously ill patients as a zechut for her neshamah. Each family was allowed to take six articles of clothing. One day, a young mother with tired eyes came into the store and handed Rav Segal's sister a ticket stating that she was eligible to receive clothing for herself and her family. After choosing her six items, she asked if she could possibly take a seventh outfit for her elderly mother. Her request was gladly granted. The young woman selected an outfit that matched her mother's taste and size and went straight to her apartment. As she handed it to her, she smiled and said jokingly, "Mommy, I brought you something from Mrs. Segal." Those words awakened a memory that had long been forgotten. Many years earlier, the elderly woman had purchased a beautiful Shabbos outfit from Mrs. Segal's store for 360 shekels. After wearing it once, she mistakenly washed it without following the instructions on the label. The outfit came out ruined. It had torn, the fabric had pilled, and it was wrinkled beyond repair. Upset, she returned to the store demanding either a refund or a replacement. Mrs. Segal calmly showed her the washing instructions and explained that, according to the clearly posted store policy, they were not obligated to replace the garment because it had not been washed properly. Then she said something extraordinary. "If you truly feel that you deserve a refund, you may choose anything in the store worth 360 shekels." The woman knew the damage had been her own fault. She realized that Mrs. Segal was under no obligation to replace the outfit. Although Mrs. Segal sincerely wanted her to leave feeling good, she felt uncomfortable accepting something she wasn't entitled to. She declined the generous offer and left. Many years passed. Now, after Mrs. Segal had already left this world, the elderly woman was holding a gift from that very same store. She looked at her daughter and said with emotion, "You're really bringing me a gift from Mrs. Segal in Shamayim." Then she looked at the price tag and couldn't believe her eyes-360 shekels. Tears filled her eyes. "Hashem arranged that I should finally receive the gift she wanted to give me all those years ago. This will certainly be an aliyah for her neshamah." Mrs. Segal truly wanted her customer to leave happy. Although her offer was never accepted during her lifetime, Hashem did not allow that sincere desire to disappear. Years later, after she had already returned her neshamah to Him, He orchestrated every detail so that her original wish would finally become a reality—down to the exact value of the gift. How precious are our good intentions to Hashem. Every sincere desire to help another Jew is treasured by Him. Even if we are unable to complete the kindness ourselves, Hashem is not limited by time. If He so chooses, He can fulfill a person's good intentions even after he has left this world.

In this episode of the Thinking Talmudist, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe continues the Talmud's discussion in Tractate Kesubos (68a), examining the Torah's delicate balance between compassion for the needy and responsibility in the distribution of charity. The Gemara addresses those who fraudulently portray themselves as impoverished or disabled in order to receive charity, teaching that dishonesty in seeking assistance ultimately carries severe spiritual consequences. Rabbi Wolbe emphasizes that Judaism is built on trust, integrity, and personal responsibility, warning that manipulating the generosity of others not only harms the community but also distances a person from Hashem. The discussion then explores the fascinating Talmudic definition of poverty. Rabbi Wolbe explains that the Torah does not require a struggling individual to sacrifice every possession or abandon their dignity before qualifying for communal assistance. While obvious luxuries should be sold before relying on public charity, essential possessions and basic human dignity are protected. The Sages recognized that preserving a person's self-respect is itself an act of compassion. At the same time, they insist that those seeking assistance must act honestly and never exploit the generosity of the community. The episode concludes by broadening the conversation into a discussion of human dignity, trust in Hashem, and proper priorities. Rabbi Wolbe contrasts dependence on wealth with dependence on Divine Providence, sharing personal stories that illustrate how Hashem provides in unexpected ways. Whether discussing financial aid, family responsibilities, or raising children, the underlying message is that while we must act responsibly, we should never allow financial fears to overshadow our trust in Hashem. True wealth is measured not only by what we possess, but by our integrity, gratitude, and confidence that the Almighty provides for those who place their trust in Him._____________The Thinking Talmudist Podcast shares select teachings of Talmud in a fresh, insightful and meaningful way. Many claim that they cannot learn Talmud because it is in ancient Aramaic or the concepts are too difficult. Well, no more excuses. In this podcast you will experience the refreshing and eye-opening teachings while gaining an amazing appreciation for the divine wisdom of the Torah and the depths of the Talmud._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by David & Susan MarbinRecorded at TORCH Meyerland in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on May 29, 2026, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on June 30, 2026_____________Listen, Subscribe & Share: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thinking-talmudist-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1648951154Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0cZ7q9bGYSBYSPQfJvwgzmShare your questions at aw@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content._____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Listen MoreOther podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodesPrayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#Talmud,  #Gemara, #Kesubos, #Rainmaker, #Faith, #Emunah, #Honesty, #JewishWisdom, #Tzedakah, #Charity, #HumanDignity, #Integrity, #Honesty, #TrustInHashem, #Bitachon, #Emunah, #FinancialWisdom, #ActsOfKindness, #Compassion, #LiveWithIntegrity ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of the Thinking Talmudist, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe continues the Talmud's discussion in Tractate Kesubos (68a), examining the Torah's delicate balance between compassion for the needy and responsibility in the distribution of charity. The Gemara addresses those who fraudulently portray themselves as impoverished or disabled in order to receive charity, teaching that dishonesty in seeking assistance ultimately carries severe spiritual consequences. Rabbi Wolbe emphasizes that Judaism is built on trust, integrity, and personal responsibility, warning that manipulating the generosity of others not only harms the community but also distances a person from Hashem. The discussion then explores the fascinating Talmudic definition of poverty. Rabbi Wolbe explains that the Torah does not require a struggling individual to sacrifice every possession or abandon their dignity before qualifying for communal assistance. While obvious luxuries should be sold before relying on public charity, essential possessions and basic human dignity are protected. The Sages recognized that preserving a person's self-respect is itself an act of compassion. At the same time, they insist that those seeking assistance must act honestly and never exploit the generosity of the community. The episode concludes by broadening the conversation into a discussion of human dignity, trust in Hashem, and proper priorities. Rabbi Wolbe contrasts dependence on wealth with dependence on Divine Providence, sharing personal stories that illustrate how Hashem provides in unexpected ways. Whether discussing financial aid, family responsibilities, or raising children, the underlying message is that while we must act responsibly, we should never allow financial fears to overshadow our trust in Hashem. True wealth is measured not only by what we possess, but by our integrity, gratitude, and confidence that the Almighty provides for those who place their trust in Him. _____________The Thinking Talmudist Podcast shares select teachings of Talmud in a fresh, insightful and meaningful way. Many claim that they cannot learn Talmud because it is in ancient Aramaic or the concepts are too difficult. Well, no more excuses. In this podcast you will experience the refreshing and eye-opening teachings while gaining an amazing appreciation for the divine wisdom of the Torah and the depths of the Talmud._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by David & Susan MarbinRecorded at TORCH Meyerland in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on May 29, 2026, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on June 30, 2026_____________Listen, Subscribe & Share: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thinking-talmudist-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1648951154Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0cZ7q9bGYSBYSPQfJvwgzmShare your questions at aw@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content._____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Listen MoreOther podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodesPrayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#Talmud,  #Gemara, #Kesubos, #Rainmaker, #Faith, #Emunah, #Honesty, #JewishWisdom, #Tzedakah, #Charity, #HumanDignity, #Integrity, #Honesty, #TrustInHashem, #Bitachon, #Emunah, #FinancialWisdom, #ActsOfKindness, #Compassion, #LiveWithIntegrity ★ Support this podcast ★

One of the most beautiful ways that Hashem shows His love for His children is through the hearts of other Jews. Although Hashem alone performs every yeshuah, many times He chooses to do it through people who open their hearts and willingly become His messengers. Every act of chesed is much more than one person helping another. It is Hashem's kindness flowing through the hands of one of His children. A man whom we'll call Alan told me that 25 years ago, someone knocked on his door and entered his home crying uncontrollably. After calming him down, the man explained that he had been married for nine years. He had a very happy marriage and loved his wife dearly, but because they had not been blessed with children, and apparently the medical issue was with him, she had reached the point where she wanted a divorce. He had gone to Hadassah Hospital in Israel for one last attempt, and he was told there that perhaps there was one specialist in Brooklyn who might be able to help. But after years of treatments, the couple had used up every last penny they had. The doctor's fee was $28,000, and they had no way to pay for it. The man had come to Alan to ask for financial help. Alan immediately assured him that he would take care of the money one way or another. After the man left, Alan called his daughter, whose husband knew the doctor, and asked her to see what could be done. His daughter contacted a generous individual and explained the situation. Without even taking time to think, the philanthropist replied, "I'll pay for the entire procedure. Tell the Dr. to bill me the $28,000, but don't tell the couple who paid. I want to remain anonymous." With that, the treatments began. About six weeks later, the doctor shared the wonderful news that the wife was expecting. Soon afterward, they found out she was carrying twins, and a short time later they discovered it was actually triplets. After nine years of waiting, the couple was blessed with three healthy babies—the only children they would ever have.Twenty-five years later, baruch Hashem, all three are married. When the anonymous donor heard the news of the birth, he was overjoyed. "Triplets? I can't believe it! They're going to need even more help now." Without even being asked, he contributed again. He gave a check for $5,000 to help with the expenses of the babies. Alan, who had answered the knock on his door that day, also wanted to participate financially. He asked his daughter to find out who the anonymous donor was so that he, too, could share in the zechut of bringing these three precious neshamot into the world. The donor insisted on remaining anonymous, but he agreed to let Alan participate by sending in a contribution. The triplets were certainly a miracle, but there is another inspiring lesson here as well. Look how these Jews responded to another person's pain. Nobody asked, "What's in it for me?" No one hesitated because the amount was too large. They saw another Jew suffering and did whatever they could to help. Perhaps it was their mesirut nefesh that became the catalyst for these miraculous babies to come into the world. Hashem could have brought this couple their yeshuah in many different ways, yet He chose to bring it through the kindness of His people. He gave one Jew the opportunity to open his door and lend a listening ear, another the opportunity to make a phone call, another the opportunity to give generously, and a doctor the opportunity to become a shaliach. Hashem allowed each of these people to become His partners in bringing three precious children into the world. Every act of chesed creates far more than we can imagine. We never know how many lives will be changed because we chose to help another person. When we open our hearts to our fellow Jews, we become the hands through which Hashem's infinite kindness is revealed in this world.

How one word defines destiny

There are times when a person is in desperate need of a yeshuah, but there does not seem to be any way for him to be helped. He begins to panic. Time is of the essence, yet there is no help in sight. He wants to pray, but he can't imagine how he could still possibly be saved. One of the ways that Hashem deals with us is called מקדים רפואה למכה . He prepares the solution even before the problem arises. When we think it has reached the point where it is too late to be saved, it is very possible that Hashem already has the help on the way. A man told me that several years ago, he and his wife were home for Shabbat while their two children were sleeping. They had just begun their seudah when his wife started choking on a piece of fish. At first she was coughing. Her husband asked if everything was okay, and she gave him a thumbs-up. She then walked over to the sink to try to clear her throat, but instead, the fish bone became lodged even deeper. Within moments, she could no longer breathe. He tried everything he could think of to get it out, but nothing was working. At that time, Hatzalah had not yet begun operating in their neighborhood, so he called 911. He knew they were not going to arrive for at least a few minutes, but he couldn't wait that long. They lived in a small building with only four families. He ran into the hallway and started screaming for help, but there was no answer. His wife was turning blue. He realized that none of the other families were home. He screamed even louder, but still nobody answered. Then, all of a sudden, the elevator door opened. One of the neighbors stepped out and immediately ran to the rescue. When the conventional methods didn't work, she did something that is generally not recommended. She reached her finger into the woman's throat, causing her to gag, and Baruch Hashem, the fish bone popped right out. Her life was saved. The neighbor then shared the amazing hashgachah of how she happened to arrive at that exact moment. She admitted that she still had a long way to go in her religious observance. She had not grown up religious and had not yet learned about keeping Shabbat properly. That Friday night, she and her husband had been invited to his parents' home for dinner on the other side of town. Normally, they always traveled together in one car. But this time, for the very first time, she decided to take a separate car because she was afraid her husband would want to stay later than she did. In the end, she decided to leave much earlier than usual. On the drive home, she made every single green light. She had never driven that route so quickly in her life. As the seconds were ticking away and this woman's life hung in the balance, it looked as if there was no one who could save her. What they didn't realize was that Hashem had already sent the messenger long before anyone knew there would be an emergency. He had already arranged for this woman to take a separate car for the first time, to leave earlier than usual, and to arrive at that building at the precise moment she was needed. It appeared as if there was no salvation. There was nobody around to help. But the One Who takes care of us had already set the yeshuah into motion. No matter how bleak or hopeless a situation may appear, salvation is always possible. Very often, Hashem has already prepared it long before we even realize there is a problem. Our job is to cry out to Hashem with emunah, knowing that He can save us in any way He chooses, and that perhaps, at this very moment, the yeshuah is already on its way.

We naturally become frustrated when we encounter delays or when our schedules suddenly change. But someone with emunah knows that what may appear to be an inconvenience is actually the loving hand of Hashem guiding him exactly where he needs to be. The Midrash tells us that a person's legs are his guarantors. They carry him to the places he is meant to be. We may think we are going somewhere for one reason, while Hashem has an entirely different purpose in mind. Sometimes He is protecting us from harm. Sometimes He is arranging an encounter that will help us. Sometimes He is creating opportunities that could never have happened otherwise. Most of the time, we never discover the reason, but we can be certain that every delay and every detour has purpose. A man related that his son recently quit his job with the understanding that he was going to start a new business with a partner. However, after he had already left his job, the partner backed out. The son felt he could still operate the business on his own, but he needed money to get it started. The father told his son he would try to find someone who could help. The very next day, the train he normally took after work to his summer residence was canceled. Instead, he decided to take the subway to his winter residence and spend the night there. It was an inconvenience, but he accepted it happily, knowing it was min haShamayim. After getting off the subway, even though it was only 5:30 in the afternoon, he suddenly decided to pick up dinner on the way home. He passed a restaurant he had never entered before and felt an unusual craving for that type of food. While placing his order, he noticed an old friend sitting alone. He went over to say hello, and the friend invited him to join him. During their conversation, the father mentioned what his son had recently gone through. The friend smiled and said it would be his pleasure to lend the son the money he needed, to be repaid whenever he was able. The father told me it was incredible to see how Hashem had orchestrated everything. From the canceled train, to the decision to stay elsewhere for the night, to the sudden craving that brought him into that restaurant, every step led him to the exact person who could help his son. Another man, whom we'll call Rabbi Shemueli, told me that he works in a day camp together with several other rabbis. During the first few days of camp, the director asked them to remain an extra forty minutes after camp ended to make sure dismissal ran smoothly. Rabbi Shimoni, who was also a Hatzalah member, commented to Rabbi Shemueli that he didn't understand why they needed to stay. Everything seemed to be operating perfectly well without them. Still, he accepted the request and remained there patiently. About five minutes after making that comment, Rabbi Shimoni noticed one of the boys was not wearing his kippah. He walked over to remind him to put it back on. As he approached, he suddenly noticed another boy turning blue from choking. Shockingly, no one else had realized what was happening. The boy could not call for help because a seaweed snack was lodged in his throat. Rabbi Shimoni immediately sprang into action, dislodged the food, and saved the boy's life. Later, he said how clearly Hashem had shown him that we are always exactly where we are meant to be. He could not understand why he needed to remain in camp for those extra forty minutes, but within minutes Hashem revealed one reason. Most of the time we are not privileged to see the reason at all. Here, Hashem allowed him a glimpse behind the curtain. We are always exactly where Hashem wants us to be. When we internalize that truth, we can remain calm and even happy when plans change or delays occur, knowing that every step we take and every place we find ourselves has been carefully arranged by Hashem for a purpose. Sometimes Hashem allows us to see that purpose, but even when He doesn't, we can trust that there is a reason. What appears to us as an inconvenience may actually be one of the most important moments in our journey.

https://rabbiefremgoldberg.org/living-with-emunah-part-391 Wed, 24 Jun 2026 14:12:07 +0000 7379 Rabbi Efrem Goldberg Living with Emunah - podcast no

One of the harder challenges in life is dealing with delays and setbacks when we are convinced that something has to happen right now. A father shared the following lesson. His infant son was born with a serious heart defect that required surgery. Although the condition needed to be corrected, the doctors felt it would be better if the baby grew a little before undergoing the operation, increasing the chances of success and long-term benefit. After waiting for months, a surgery date was finally scheduled for just before Pesach. The family arrived at the hospital early in the morning and spent an exhausting day going from one test to another, preparing their baby for the long-awaited procedure that was scheduled for the following day. By the time they finally got home, physically and emotionally drained, they were focused on making all the necessary arrangements before returning to the hospital early the next morning. Then the phone rang. A hospital representative informed them that the surgery had been canceled. Another baby had been born that day with a more urgent condition and needed immediate surgery to save his life. The father couldn't believe it. After all the preparation, anticipation, and emotional build-up, everything suddenly came to a stop. But then he reminded himself that it must be for the best and Hashem knows exactly what He's doing. A new date was scheduled for after Pesach. When that date arrived, shockingly, the exact same thing happened. After another full day of testing and preparation, another cancellation because another child's condition was more urgent. This time it was much harder to accept. Frustrated and disappointed, the father went to his Rebbe for guidance. The Rebbe told him a story about Rav Shlomka of Zvhil. Once, before beginning a fast, Rav Shlomka asked his grandson to prepare a cup of tea. Although the child hurried to do so, everything seemed to go wrong. Water spilled, delays occurred, and by the time the tea was finally ready, sunset had arrived and the fast had already begun. Seeing how upset his grandson was, Rav Shlomka gently told him, "Don't be upset. This is what was meant to be." The Rebbe then repeated those words to the father. "This is what was meant to be." There were no mistakes. It was not poor planning. It was not unfortunate timing. Everything was exactly the way it was supposed to be. Those words penetrated the father's heart. A few days later, a well-known medical askan heard about the repeated cancellations and offered his assistance. He explained that he had connections and could pressure the hospital to ensure that this would never happen again. But to his own surprise, the father declined. "This is how it is meant to be," he said. "Hashem is taking care of my son. The surgery will happen when it's supposed to happen." A few days later, his sister mentioned that her neighbor had given birth to a baby with a life-threatening heart defect and the baby had been rushed into emergency surgery immediately after birth. The father asked when that surgery had taken place. It was on the very day that his own son's surgery had been canceled. Suddenly, everything became clear. He now understood how urgent the other baby's situation had been, and he was genuinely happy that his son's surgery had been postponed in order to save that child's life. Then another thought struck him. If he had used influence and pressure to move his son ahead in line, perhaps the next time a different baby's life would be hanging in the balance. Perhaps that child would be forced to wait because of his intervention. How often do we experience disappointments that seem completely unnecessary? How often do plans fall apart, appointments get canceled, opportunities disappear, and doors close just when we think they should be opening? We are only seeing a tiny fraction of the picture. What appears to us as a frustrating delay may actually be protecting someone, helping someone else, or setting in motion events that we cannot begin to understand. We assume that if something did not happen, then something must have gone wrong. But that is not the way it is. Everything always happens exactly the way it is supposed to happen. We must internalize those powerful words: "This is what is meant to be." When we live with that belief, not only do we spare ourselves so much frustration and disappointment, but we also earn tremendous reward for demonstrating our Emunah in Hashem's perfect plan, even when we cannot yet understand it.

One of the fundamental principles of emunah is recognizing that when Hashem wants to help someone, He has endless ways of doing so. We naturally look for salvation through the avenues that we can see, but Hashem is never limited to those avenues. He can provide exactly what we need in ways we could never anticipate. A man related that his daughter needed a $20,000 loan toward the purchase of an apartment in Eretz Yisrael. His brother, who lived in Florida, generously agreed to lend her the money and planned to send it by wire transfer. This took place shortly before Yom Kippur, and the payment on the apartment was due shortly after Succot. After Yom Kippur, his daughter became concerned that the money still had not been transferred and asked her father to remind his brother. He spoke to him, and the brother assured him that he would take care of it soon. Succot arrived, and still no transfer. The daughter was feeling tremendous pressure. The payment deadline was approaching, and international transfers often take several days to clear. But her father refused to make additional calls during Chol HaMoed. "Hashem has His plans," he told her. "You'll get the money when you need it." Then came Simchat Torah and the tragic events of October 7. A few days later, the brother finally sent the money. The transfer took several days to reach Israel, and the dollars were converted into shekalim at the exchange rate that existed on the day the funds arrived. Before the war, the dollar had been trading at approximately 3.7 shekalim. But after the turmoil that followed, the dollar strengthened dramatically against the shekel. On the exact day the money reached the account, the exchange rate climbed to 4.06 shekalim per dollar, one of the highest rates in many years. As a result, the very same $20,000 produced approximately 7,000 extra shekalim. A week later, the exchange rate began falling again. Since the loan eventually had to be repaid in dollars, and the exchange rate later dropped significantly, she would need far fewer shekalim to repay the same amount. In effect, Hashem ended up giving her tens of thousands of extra shekalim toward her apartment at no cost. Looking back, it became clear that what initially appeared to be an annoying delay was actually part of a carefully orchestrated plan to help her in a way that nobody could have foreseen. A similar lesson can be seen from the following story. A representative traveling on behalf of Keren Olam HaTorah, which is raising money to support the yeshivot in Eretz Yisrael, related that due to government funding cuts and the challenges facing the Torah world, tremendous sums of money are needed to keep the yeshivot functioning. While visiting a certain city, he approached a wealthy individual and asked if he would host a gathering in his home. The man happily agreed. He offered to open his house and pay for all the food and expenses associated with the event. However, he made it clear that he did not intend to contribute any money toward the cause. Several days before the event, the wealthy man happened to be going through some old papers that had belonged to his grandfather, who shared the exact same name as he did. Among the documents, he discovered a decades-old letter from Rav Shlomo Wolbe addressed to his grandfather. Many years earlier, Rav Wolbe had helped arrange his grandfather's shidduch. Out of gratitude, the grandfather had sent Rav Wolbe thirty dollars. Rav Wolbe replied with a heartfelt letter thanking him, but explaining that he did not want to accept payment for helping with the shidduch. Instead, he wrote that there was a pressing need in Eretz Yisrael to support yeshiva students(it also mentioned difficulties with them being drafted to the army) and encouraged him to direct the money toward that cause. He added that if the donor wished to contribute more, it would be a tremendous zechut. The wealthy man sat there stunned. The letter was addressed to his own name. It was as if Rav Wolbe himself was speaking directly to him, urging him to support Torah students in Eretz Yisrael during a time of great need. He viewed it as a clear message from Hashem and proceeded to contribute an extraordinarily large sum. These stories teach us a powerful lesson. We often think that our livelihood, success, or financial assistance depends on specific individuals. We believe that if a certain person says yes, everything will work out, and if he says no, the opportunity has been lost. But that is not how Hashem runs the world. Hashem can make a delayed transfer become worth thousands more than an on-time transfer. He can arrange for a letter written decades ago to inspire a donation that seemed impossible only days earlier. He can provide assistance in ways that we could never imagine. Our job is to make a normal hishtadlut and trust in Him. Very often, when something appears to be delayed, blocked, or unavailable, we assume that help is not coming. In reality, Hashem may already be preparing something far better than what we had in mind. We must remember that the source of our salvation is never a person, a bank, a donor, an employer, or the market. The true Source is always Hashem, and His ability to help us is unlimited. When He decides it is time to send a blessing, it can arrive in ways that leave us standing in awe of His incredible hashgachah.

In this episode of the Thinking Talmudist, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe explores one of the Torah's most profound teachings on charity, dignity, and human sensitivity through a fascinating discussion in Tractate Ketubot. The Talmud teaches that helping another person is not merely about providing money or resources; it is about understanding what that individual truly lacks. Whether supporting orphans, helping a bride and groom marry, or caring for someone who has fallen on hard times, the Torah demands that we preserve a person's dignity while addressing their needs. Charity is not measured by what the giver wants to give, but by what the recipient genuinely requires. A central theme of the episode is the remarkable sensitivity the Torah expects from us. The Talmud teaches that if a person was accustomed to a life of wealth and suddenly loses everything, the community should help restore as much of that dignity as possible. Rabbi Wolbe explains that poverty is not merely a financial condition—it is often accompanied by shame, embarrassment, and emotional pain. True kindness requires empathy, understanding, and the willingness to see the world through another person's eyes rather than our own. The discussion culminates with one of the most powerful lessons in all of Jewish ethics: protecting another person's dignity. Through the famous story of Mar Ukva and his wife hiding in a burning oven rather than allowing a poor recipient to discover their identity, the Talmud teaches that it is preferable to endure personal suffering than to publicly embarrass another person. Rabbi Wolbe emphasizes that preserving human dignity is among the Torah's highest values and applies to every aspect of life—from charity and relationships to disagreements and public discourse._____________The Thinking Talmudist Podcast shares select teachings of Talmud in a fresh, insightful and meaningful way. Many claim that they cannot learn Talmud because it is in ancient Aramaic or the concepts are too difficult. Well, no more excuses. In this podcast you will experience the refreshing and eye-opening teachings while gaining an amazing appreciation for the divine wisdom of the Torah and the depths of the Talmud._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by David & Susan MarbinRecorded at TORCH Meyerland in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on March 27, 2026, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on June 22, 2026_____________Listen, Subscribe & Share: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thinking-talmudist-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1648951154Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0cZ7q9bGYSBYSPQfJvwgzmShare your questions at aw@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content._____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Listen MoreOther podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodesPrayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#Talmud,  #Gemara, #Taanit, #Rainmaker, #Faith, #Emunah, #Honesty, #Integrity, #PositiveMindset, #Gratitude, #DivineProvidence, #PersonalGrowth, #CharacterDevelopment, #SpiritualGrowth, #AttitudeMatters, #Blessings, #MindsetShift, #LiveWithPurpose ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of the Thinking Talmudist, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe explores one of the Torah's most profound teachings on charity, dignity, and human sensitivity through a fascinating discussion in Tractate Ketubot. The Talmud teaches that helping another person is not merely about providing money or resources; it is about understanding what that individual truly lacks. Whether supporting orphans, helping a bride and groom marry, or caring for someone who has fallen on hard times, the Torah demands that we preserve a person's dignity while addressing their needs. Charity is not measured by what the giver wants to give, but by what the recipient genuinely requires. A central theme of the episode is the remarkable sensitivity the Torah expects from us. The Talmud teaches that if a person was accustomed to a life of wealth and suddenly loses everything, the community should help restore as much of that dignity as possible. Rabbi Wolbe explains that poverty is not merely a financial condition—it is often accompanied by shame, embarrassment, and emotional pain. True kindness requires empathy, understanding, and the willingness to see the world through another person's eyes rather than our own. The discussion culminates with one of the most powerful lessons in all of Jewish ethics: protecting another person's dignity. Through the famous story of Mar Ukva and his wife hiding in a burning oven rather than allowing a poor recipient to discover their identity, the Talmud teaches that it is preferable to endure personal suffering than to publicly embarrass another person. Rabbi Wolbe emphasizes that preserving human dignity is among the Torah's highest values and applies to every aspect of life—from charity and relationships to disagreements and public discourse._____________The Thinking Talmudist Podcast shares select teachings of Talmud in a fresh, insightful and meaningful way. Many claim that they cannot learn Talmud because it is in ancient Aramaic or the concepts are too difficult. Well, no more excuses. In this podcast you will experience the refreshing and eye-opening teachings while gaining an amazing appreciation for the divine wisdom of the Torah and the depths of the Talmud._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by David & Susan MarbinRecorded at TORCH Meyerland in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on March 27, 2026, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on June 22, 2026_____________Listen, Subscribe & Share: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thinking-talmudist-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1648951154Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0cZ7q9bGYSBYSPQfJvwgzmShare your questions at aw@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content._____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Listen MoreOther podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodesPrayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#Talmud,  #Gemara, #Taanit, #Rainmaker, #Faith, #Emunah, #Honesty, #Integrity, #PositiveMindset, #Gratitude, #DivineProvidence, #PersonalGrowth, #CharacterDevelopment, #SpiritualGrowth, #AttitudeMatters, #Blessings, #MindsetShift, #LiveWithPurpose ★ Support this podcast ★

In this week's parasha , Korach staged a rebellion against Moshe and Aharon, telling them that they took all the good positions in Klal Yisrael for themselves. Chazal tell us, Korach's actions were motivated by jealousy. He saw others around him being promoted to different positions and he didn't get any of them for himself. He convinced himself, and others, that his motives were purely l'shem Shamayim , but deep down it was all about his own honor. Sometimes, people feel bad about their positions in life. They look around at others and see that this person is the president of a shul and that person is the president of a school, this one runs his own business, that one heads his own chesed organization, and the list goes on. A person may feel, what am I worth? I don't do anything big. Nobody knows about me, I'm just an average, regular guy . If that person would instead think, it's okay, I don't need honor or recognition. I don't need to be famous. Then, his job would become very valuable – working on his middot and becoming humble is an extremely precious avodah . But, if his position leads him to feel worthless and all he does is crave honor and is jealous of everyone around him, then his misery will know no end and he will be seriously lacking in his avodat Hashem. What is the attitude he should have? The Dubno Maggid explained with a mashal . There was once a king who gave his slaves different fields of his to work on. To one of his slaves, he gave many fields to plow and to seed, etc. The other slave only got one field to work on. That slave went to the king to complain. He said, "Why do I only get one field while the other slave got so many?" The king replied, "What difference does it make to you how many fields you work on? Are they your fields? Less fields means less work. You both belong to me. You're complaining that you don't have to work as hard as your friend? Must be you're planning on taking things from the fields for yourself so you want more so you could steal more." This, says the Dubno Maggid, is what Moshe told Korach: If your motive in getting positions is to serve Hashem then it wouldn't bother you what you got. What difference would it make to you if that's what Hashem wants from you? Must be you want the position for yourself so you could take honor. This is what we have to internalize. People may feel inferior for not having lofty positions like others they know, but if they could internalize that we are all working for the same boss – He is the One who gives out positions like it says, והמתנשא לכל ראש. What difference does it make what position we get? If we are doing what our Master wants, we'll be considered a perfect worker. If anything, it's just the opposite: The less honor we get the more real our service is to Hashem. Everybody has a special job to do, to serve Hashem to the best of his ability in the circumstances Hashem puts him in. If he does his job with joy and humility, then he'll be rewarded the same as anyone else who did his job, whatever Hashem wanted that person to do. The job doesn't matter as much as doing whatever we are asked of correctly. Shabbat Shalom.

One of the biggest challenges in life is seeing someone else receive the very blessing that we have been praying for for so many years. Naturally, it hurts. A person wonders why Hashem is giving others what he so desperately wants while he still has to wait. A woman who had been in shidduchim for more than twenty years shared the following powerful insight. She had recently completed an entire fourteen-week cycle of Shemirat HaLashon and had been praying throughout for her own yeshuah. One day, she received a phone call from a woman she had known for many years. The woman was calling to ask for information regarding a shidduch prospect. Immediately, her eyes lit up. She thought her yeshuah had finally arrived. But then the woman on the other end of the line asked about her nineteen-year-old niece who had just returned from seminary. The words pierced her heart. It was not only that what she still thought of as her baby niece was already in shidduchim. It was that after waiting more than twenty years herself, she was being asked to help someone who had only just begun the process. She felt deeply hurt. What made it even harder was that she felt the caller was not being sensitive to her situation. At first, she could not understand it. After all of her tefillot, all of her chesed, tzedakah, and spiritual growth, why would Hashem send her such a painful experience? But then she caught herself. This was not about the woman who called. This was Hashem giving her a tremendous opportunity. Would she become upset with the caller? Would she focus on the insensitivity? Or would she recognize that the caller was merely a messenger sent by Hashem to help her fulfill her purpose in life? Suddenly, she began to see the situation in a completely different light. Hashem was giving her an opportunity to be dan l'kaf zechut and give the caller the benefit of the doubt. Hashem was giving her a chance to earn an enormous zechut for herself and for Klal Yisrael. This was her opportunity to rise above her natural feelings and do exactly what Hashem wanted her to do. And that is what she did. Instead of allowing the pain to dictate her response, and instead of saying something hurtful, she did what she knew would make Hashem proud. She gave a glowing report of her niece. She spoke enthusiastically and did everything she could to help the shidduch move forward. Later, she reflected on the experience and felt genuinely grateful that she had been able to rise above the challenge. She harbors no animosity toward the caller and sincerely hopes that her niece finds a wonderful shidduch. We do not understand Hashem's calculations. We do not know why one person receives a yeshuah immediately while another person must wait for years. But we do know that every situation in our lives is tailor-made for us by Hashem and filled with endless opportunities for growth. Sometimes our greatest accomplishments are the ones that nobody sees. The battle takes place entirely within the heart. When a person is hurting and still chooses to act with kindness, generosity, and emunah, that achievement is beyond comprehension. These are the moments that bring the geulah closer. One act of being dan l'kaf zechut while we are hurting, one act of overcoming hurt feelings, one act of recognizing that everything came from Hashem and responding the way He wants us to respond—these are among the greatest accomplishments a person can achieve in this world. It is extremely difficult to overcome hurt feelings, especially when they come through what feels like insensitivity. We hope that this zechut will be the one this woman needs to find her own zivug. But regardless, the zechut she earned will remain with her for all eternity and will bring her untold reward. May Hashem help all of us respond properly to the challenges He sends us and enable us to maintain peaceful and happy relationships with everyone around us. If someone is currently experiencing pain because of an insensitive comment or action, he should recognize the golden opportunity before him. By rising above the hurt and responding the way Hashem wants him to, he earns an eternal accomplishment and frees himself from so much unnecessary anguish. And with Hashem's help, in that zechut, may he see blessings and success. Amen.

https://rabbiefremgoldberg.org/living-with-emunah-part-391-connecting-the-dots Thu, 18 Jun 2026 13:59:15 +0000 7371 Rabbi Efrem Goldberg Living with Emunah - podcast no

One of the greatest gifts Hashem has given us is the ability to speak to Him. A person can turn to Hashem at any moment, from any place, and ask for His help. Sometimes we pray for ourselves, and sometimes we pray for others. When we pray for others, we may never get to see what our tefillot have accomplished. We say a few words, shed a few tears, and then move on with our lives. But we must know how valuable every tefillah is. Sometimes Hashem allows us to see just how powerful one heartfelt tefillah can be. A rabbi related the following story, which he heard directly from the man to whom it happened. One evening at around 7:30 in Bnei Brak, there was a knock at a man's door. Anyone with a large family can imagine what a home looks like at that hour. Children everywhere, the house bustling, everyone busy. He opened the door and saw a man standing there. "Mazal Tov," the visitor said. "I just had a baby girl." "Mazal Tov," the man replied, but he was confused. He barely knew the person standing at his door and couldn't understand why he had come. The visitor then asked if he could come in for a few minutes. After sitting down, he said, "I want to take you back about nine months, to Simchat Torah. "I had been married for eighteen years without children. Most of the time I managed, but Simchat Torah was especially painful for me. Everywhere I looked, fathers were dancing with their children. I felt I couldn't take it anymore. I decided I was not going to pray in my regular shul that day. Instead, I went to a different shul where you happened to be praying. "I was sitting by myself there, and you came over to me and asked why I was sitting. You then told me to gather up my children and go dance with everyone. "I answered you sharply. I told you that I had specifically come to this shul because I couldn't bear watching everybody celebrate with their children when I didn't have any. I felt like you had poured salt on my open wound. "You may not have realized it, but after our conversation, I watched you walk over to the Aron Kodesh. You started crying out to Hashem, saying, 'Ribbono Shel Olam, why did I just say that? Why did I speak that way? What did I do? Please help this man. Please send him a yeshuah.'" The man had no idea that anything had come from that tefillah. The visitor continued, "You didn't know my name. You didn't know my story. You knew nothing about me. You simply stood there and begged Hashem to help me, with tears streaming down your face. "Before Sukkot, we had just received results from a major specialist telling us there was virtually no chance we would ever have children. But from Motzaei Simchat Torah until now, everything changed. "Today, after eighteen years of marriage, my first child, a baby girl, was born. You are the very first person I came to tell. I wanted you to know that your tefillah helped bring this yeshuah." Look at how valuable even a short tefillah can be. A person may think that a few words spoken to Hashem cannot possibly make a difference, but they can. This man wasn't even asked to pray. He didn't know any details. He simply felt the pain of another Jew. And when he realized that he may have added to that pain, he ran to the Aron Kodesh and cried out from the depths of his heart. Nine months later, Hashem showed him what those words accomplished. We never know what one sincere tefillah can accomplish. We never know how much can be achieved when we pray for another person with genuine care. Every tefillah matters. Every tear is counted. And sometimes Hashem allows us a glimpse into the incredible power of our words.

Join Rabbi Joey Rosenfeld as he guides us through the world and major works of Kabbalah, Hasidic masters, and Jewish philosophy, shedding light on the inner life of the soul. To learn more, visit JoeyRosenfeld.com

One of the challenges of human nature is that we become accustomed to the blessings that Hashem gives us. Things that once would have filled us with excitement eventually become part of everyday life, and we begin to expect them rather than appreciate them. Very often, we do not recognize the true value of something until it is no longer available. A person may take his health for granted until, lo alenu, he becomes ill. Suddenly, all the things he was once able to do effortlessly become precious. The same is true with all blessings and relationships. One of the purposes of thanking Hashem for our blessings is to train ourselves to appreciate them while we have them, so that we do not need to lose them in order to recognize their value. A man told me that he recently had to move to another city, and now it takes him over an hour to commute to work each day. He said he never appreciated living just five minutes from his office. Looking back, he wishes he had appreciated that convenience while he had it. Sometimes a person spends years praying for something. He dreams of getting married, finding a job, buying a home, or having a child. Then, when Hashem grants him that blessing, it gradually becomes part of his routine, and he no longer feels the same excitement he once did. He moves on to making new requests and may even feel as though Hashem never gives him what he asks for. If only he could remember how desperately he once wanted what he already has. Another benefit of thanking Hashem for our blessings becomes apparent from the following story. A woman related that after she gave birth, she was rushed to the ICU with severe complications. She lost a tremendous amount of blood and required more than ten blood transfusions. She was connected to machines, had a tube down her throat, and her hands and feet were extremely swollen. The doctors expected her to remain in the ICU for at least seven to ten days. At one point, they were not sure if she would survive. They told her husband that her life was hanging by a thread. When she finally became aware of where she was, what was happening, and how serious her condition was, she told her husband that they needed to thank Hashem for the healthy baby He had just given them. Even though she was weak, confused, and frightened, she felt that this was the moment to focus on gratitude. Together they began thanking Hashem for everything they could think of. They thanked Him for the doctors and nurses who were caring for her, for the people bringing them food, for her hands and feet that had not been swollen for all the years before, and for countless other blessings. Then they said Mizmor LeTodah together. At that time, her oxygen level was only 88. The doctors had told them that she would not be allowed to leave the ICU until it reached at least 96. Despite all the medical efforts, the number would not move. As they continued thanking Hashem and saying Mizmor LeTodah, they watched the monitor. Eighty-eight became eighty-nine. Eighty-nine became ninety. They could hardly believe it. They continued thanking Hashem for more and more blessings and recited Mizmor LeTodah again. The numbers kept climbing until, all of a sudden, the oxygen level reached 97 and remained there. After a little more than an hour of focusing on gratitude and thanking Hashem, her oxygen level had risen enough for her to leave the ICU. The doctors were stunned. The next day, while she was still in the hospital, the nurses noticed that her numbers were once again not looking good, and they were concerned that she might need to return to the ICU. She asked for a few minutes alone. Once again, she focused on gratitude to Hashem and recited Mizmor LeTodah. When the nurses returned, they saw that the numbers had gone back to normal. Baruch Hashem, she was eventually discharged fully healed. She said she learned one of the greatest lessons of her life. Gratitude does not change Hashem; it changes us. When we stop focusing on what we are missing and start noticing the blessings that Hashem has already given us, something changes inside. We begin to see His kindness everywhere, and that itself is a tremendous zechut. May we always merit to appreciate Hashem's blessings and thank Him for them constantly.

One of the greatest challenges in tefillah is continuing to believe that Hashem cherishes our prayers even when what we are asking for seems delayed in coming. Many people think that if they have been praying with sincerity and strengthening their emunah, yet still have not received what they are asking for, then their tefillot must not be accomplishing anything. We know that no tefillah is ever lost. Sometimes we do not see the answer for a long time, and sometimes Hashem uses our tefillot for a purpose that we could never have imagined. A woman who lives in Israel shared the following story. This past year, she suffered a miscarriage. It was very difficult for her to deal with, but with the support of family and friends, she was able to get through it. She desperately wanted another child and worked very hard on strengthening her emunah and bitachon. Throughout the day, she constantly reminded herself how much Hashem loves her and how badly He wants to give her what is best. She relied on His abundant love and prayed with all her heart, crying to Hashem constantly. She truly believed that she would soon have another baby. However, as the months passed, she realized she was having difficulty conceiving again. She strengthened herself even more and told herself that now she knew for certain that she would soon be expecting a child because she really had nothing else to rely on. She could not even rely on her emunah and bitachon to bring the yeshuah, because from her perspective, that was not working. All she had was Hashem's love. Yet more time passed, and she still was not expecting a child. As she approached her original due date, the pain became almost unbearable. At that point, she faced a major challenge in her emunah. She could not understand why Hashem was still not showing her His love. She had always read stories of people receiving their yeshuah immediately after strengthening their bitachon, and she genuinely believed that would happen to her as well. She invested tremendous effort in learning about the power of bitachon and tefillah, yet she could not understand why the answer still seemed to be no. Not only that, but as the months passed, things appeared to be getting worse. Her doctor informed her that she would need to see a fertility specialist because some of her test results were concerning. That news shattered her. She began questioning everything. How could Hashem be doing this to her after all the emunah, bitachon, and tefillot she had invested? How could Hashem not be listening? Why did it seem as though things were getting worse rather than better? Were her tefillot, her emunah, and her bitachon accomplishing anything at all? Then came the week she had originally been scheduled to give birth. She dreaded that week. She did not know how she was going to get through it. Instead of preparing to welcome a baby into the world, she was left with indescribable pain. Then her life changed. That very week, her husband was involved in a horrific car accident. He collided with a truck in what should have been a fatal crash. By an open miracle, he survived. He suffered numerous broken bones and other serious injuries, but the doctors said that, with time, he would make a full recovery. It was a clear miracle. And suddenly everything changed. She finally understood. She realized that Hashem had never ignored her tefillot or her bitachon. Rather, He had been saving every one of them for this very week—the week of her original due date—to save her husband's life. She learned the greatest lesson of her life: Hashem is always listening and always acting out of love, even when it feels impossible to believe. He never ignores our efforts. He treasures them. He stores every prayer, every tear, every moment of emunah and bitachon, and uses them in the way that is best for us. Sometimes the answer to our tefillah comes exactly as we requested. Sometimes it comes later than we hoped. And sometimes it comes in a form we never expected. But every tefillah is valuable. Hashem hears every word and counts every tear. It is up to us to continue praying with the same sincerity and emotion, no matter how long we have been waiting, knowing that every tefillah is precious to Hashem and that He will use it in the way that He knows is best.

In this continuation of the "Rainmaker" narratives from Tractate Ta'anit, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe explores profound lessons about poverty, faith, honesty, prayer, and personal responsibility. The episode opens with the moving story of Rabbi Elazar ben Pedas, who lived in extreme poverty yet maintained unwavering faith. Through a remarkable dream-like encounter with Hashem, he demonstrates acceptance of Divine providence and a refusal to seek personal gain at the expense of others—even in the World to Come. The discussion then turns to the Torah's uncompromising standard of honesty. Rabbi Wolbe shares powerful contemporary examples illustrating the mitzvah of returning lost property and conducting business with integrity. Whether it's returning forgotten cash hidden inside a desk or correcting a pricing error that benefits you, true righteousness means doing what's right because Hashem commands it—not because anyone else is watching. The latter portion of the episode returns to the Talmud's stories of prayer for rain, emphasizing that a generation's spiritual state affects the effectiveness of its leaders' prayers. The episode culminates with a profound lesson on gratitude and perspective: complaints generate more negativity, while appreciation and positive expectation create opportunities for greater blessing. Rabbi Wolbe teaches that our words, attitudes, and outlook shape the spiritual reality we experience. _____________The Thinking Talmudist Podcast shares select teachings of Talmud in a fresh, insightful and meaningful way. Many claim that they cannot learn Talmud because it is in ancient Aramaic or the concepts are too difficult. Well, no more excuses. In this podcast you will experience the refreshing and eye-opening teachings while gaining an amazing appreciation for the divine wisdom of the Torah and the depths of the Talmud._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by David & Susan MarbinRecorded at TORCH Meyerland in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on March 27, 2026, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on June 15, 2026_____________Listen, Subscribe & Share: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thinking-talmudist-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1648951154Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0cZ7q9bGYSBYSPQfJvwgzmShare your questions at aw@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content._____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Listen MoreOther podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodesPrayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#Talmud,  #Gemara, #Taanit, #Rainmaker, #Faith, #Emunah, #Honesty, #Integrity, #PositiveMindset, #Gratitude, #DivineProvidence, #PersonalGrowth, #CharacterDevelopment, #SpiritualGrowth, #AttitudeMatters, #Blessings, #MindsetShift, #LiveWithPurpose ★ Support this podcast ★

In this continuation of the "Rainmaker" narratives from Tractate Ta'anit, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe explores profound lessons about poverty, faith, honesty, prayer, and personal responsibility. The episode opens with the moving story of Rabbi Elazar ben Pedas, who lived in extreme poverty yet maintained unwavering faith. Through a remarkable dream-like encounter with Hashem, he demonstrates acceptance of Divine providence and a refusal to seek personal gain at the expense of others—even in the World to Come. The discussion then turns to the Torah's uncompromising standard of honesty. Rabbi Wolbe shares powerful contemporary examples illustrating the mitzvah of returning lost property and conducting business with integrity. Whether it's returning forgotten cash hidden inside a desk or correcting a pricing error that benefits you, true righteousness means doing what's right because Hashem commands it—not because anyone else is watching. The latter portion of the episode returns to the Talmud's stories of prayer for rain, emphasizing that a generation's spiritual state affects the effectiveness of its leaders' prayers. The episode culminates with a profound lesson on gratitude and perspective: complaints generate more negativity, while appreciation and positive expectation create opportunities for greater blessing. Rabbi Wolbe teaches that our words, attitudes, and outlook shape the spiritual reality we experience. _____________The Thinking Talmudist Podcast shares select teachings of Talmud in a fresh, insightful and meaningful way. Many claim that they cannot learn Talmud because it is in ancient Aramaic or the concepts are too difficult. Well, no more excuses. In this podcast you will experience the refreshing and eye-opening teachings while gaining an amazing appreciation for the divine wisdom of the Torah and the depths of the Talmud._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by David & Susan MarbinRecorded at TORCH Meyerland in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on March 27, 2026, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on June 15, 2026_____________Listen, Subscribe & Share: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thinking-talmudist-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1648951154Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0cZ7q9bGYSBYSPQfJvwgzmShare your questions at aw@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content._____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Listen MoreOther podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodesPrayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#Talmud,  #Gemara, #Taanit, #Rainmaker, #Faith, #Emunah, #Honesty, #Integrity, #PositiveMindset, #Gratitude, #DivineProvidence, #PersonalGrowth, #CharacterDevelopment, #SpiritualGrowth, #AttitudeMatters, #Blessings, #MindsetShift, #LiveWithPurpose ★ Support this podcast ★

Every worth-while journey has a "dip"—that heavy, exhausting valley between the excitement of a new start and the mastery of a deeper faith. In the finale of our Habakkuk series, Pastor Tom Kang shows how our prayers transform from a wrestling cry of "How long?" in the valley into a defiant song of worship.What do you do when you see a storm coming that you cannot stop? When you cannot read your future, you must learn to preach the past faithfulness of God to yourself. Discover how true biblical faith (Emunah) enables us to sing through chattering teeth—knowing that even if He does not rescue us from the fire, He promises to step into the furnace with us, turning our trembling feet into the feet of a deer to tread upon new heights.

In this week's parasha , Shelach , the Jewish People were tested in emunah and bitachon and they failed. Kalev tried to give them chizuk , saying, "Hashem wants us to go in, we have nothing to fear." But it didn't help. The pasuk says סלחתי כדבריך ואולם חי אני – Hashem forgave them but they were not going to be allowed into Eretz Yisrael . Most mefarshim explain סלחתי כדבריך to mean Hashem forgave them for the עגל, but not for the meraglim . And that's why they were not allowed into Israel. The reason both sins are mentioned in the same pasuk is because both of them were due to a lack of bitachon . By the עגל, Hashem tested the people by showing them a vision which made it appear that Moshe Rabbenu was not coming back. They knew that the mann was in the merit of Moshe and so they feared without Moshe they would go hungry. Their test was they should have realized Hashem is the One supporting them. It is true that Hashem gives us things in the merit of tzaddikim , but He also gives us new tzaddikim when the ones we had were taken away. The Gemara says that one time the entire world was being sustained in the merit of Rabbi Chanina ben Dosa. But what happened when Rab Chanina ben Dosa passed away? There was still sustenance being given. The reason is because it is Hashem who gives sustenance and He is never bound by any one means to give it. The Jewish People received water in the midbar in the merit of Miriam. But when Miriam passed away, Hashem still continued giving them water in the zechut of Moshe. The Clouds of Glory were given in the merit of Aharon, but when Aharon passed away, Hashem brought the clouds back in the merit of Moshe. Then when Moshe passed away, Hashem continued helping His People through Yehoshua. Hashem is always the One who is taking care of us and He wants us to feel that in our hearts. He wants us to internalize that He is unlimited and has infinite ways of helping. When someone had an avenue of parnasa that is no longer producing the same money it used to, this person is being tested with the same type of test. Is he going to believe that it was the means that was supporting him, or that it was Hashem? No matter how good a person thinks he used to have it, Hashem could always make it even better. A man said his wife works as a nurse's aid at people's homes. Before she gave birth, she worked for a nice old lady and they both enjoyed the relationship and the pay was good too. When she gave birth, a substitute was put there instead and when her paid vacation ended, the substitute didn't want to leave. She too had fallen in love with this nice old lady. Instead of making a fuss about it, the man's wife set out to start over from the beginning. She tried several places but nothing was available. Frustrated, she started getting angry at the substitute who took her job. But then she caught herself and worked on her emunah. She managed to remove the anger from her heart and feel at ease, knowing she was in Hashem's Hands. The very same afternoon that she was finally calm, she got a call from an agency with a new offer. The lady she was given to work for was also very sweet like the other lady. This job gave her more hours and more pay and was much closer to her house. She thought she had it good before and would never get the same opportunity, now she has it much better. We are never dependent on one means in any area of life. Hashem is the One who provides the means and He is unlimited. And we are to know that He was, is and always will be there to help us. Shabbat Shalom.

Rabbi Chaim Kramer, founder of the Breslov Research Institute, opens up Rebbe Nachman's tale of the Lost Princess — the story Rebbe Nachman said awakens a hirhur teshuvah, a thought of return, in anyone who hears it. In this warm, practical shiur, Rabbi Kramer brings the story straight into daily life: what teshuvah really is and why it's available every single day; how to make Hashem real through hisbodedus — private, heartfelt conversation with Hashem, speaking to Him the way you'd speak to a close friend; and why the most important "leg" of emunah is believing in yourself. If you can believe you damaged something, you can believe you're able to repair it. Along the way he weaves in Reb Noson's teachings from Likutey Halachos and Likutey Moharan: the secret hidden in the laws of kashrus — the things we have to work hard for versus the gifts that simply arrive on their own; the power of staying silent in the face of humiliation as the highest form of teshuvah; and the hidden Name of Hashem, Ehyeh — "I will be." A story-filled, down-to-earth talk on returning to Hashem, finding Him 24/7, and never giving up on yourself. In this shiur: What teshuvah really is — and why it's available every day Hisbodedus: talking to Hashem like a friend Emunah as a four-legged chair — and why believing in yourself is the key leg Hirhur teshuvah: the single thought that can change everything Kashrus as a map for trusting Hashem (Likutey Halachos) Accepting humiliation in silence — the highest teshuvah (Likutey Moharan 6) The hidden Name Ehyeh — "I will be" Source: Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, the tale of the Lost Princess (Sippurei Maasiyos), taught by Rabbi Chaim Kramer. #Breslov #RebbeNachman #ChaimKramer #Teshuvah #Hisbodedus #Emunah #LostPrincess #SippureiMaasiyos #LikuteyMoharan #RebNoson #Hashem #JewishWisdom #Torah #Spirituality #Chassidus #Faith #Prayer #JewishPodcast #Uman #BelieveInYourself

When a person needs something and cannot figure out any way to obtain it, that simply means that from a hishtadlut standpoint, his primary responsibility is to ask Hashem for help. We are only required to make a physical effort when there is a reasonable effort to make. If there is none, then we are exempt from that obligation and can place our full reliance on Hashem. Just because we do not see a solution does not mean one does not exist. It only means that Hashem has not allowed us to see it yet. Hashem has a solution to every problem. When we truly understand that, we are able to pray with genuine emunah. Hashem wants to help us. Hashem is available to help us. But we need to believe that and sincerely ask Him for help. A man told me that he and his wife had been trying to travel to Israel together since before COVID. Every time they made plans, something came up that prevented the trip from happening. In recent years, his income had dropped significantly, and with the rising cost of airfare, the trip had become completely unaffordable. His wife had been patiently waiting for years, and he had told her that by this summer he would do everything possible to make it happen. As the summer approached, he realized it was impossible. Even if his income suddenly improved, any extra money would have to be used to pay off debts that he owed. He saw how much his wife wanted to go, and it pained him that he could not provide it for her. He prayed to Hashem from the depths of his heart. "Hashem," he said, "I have no conventional way of purchasing these tickets. But I know that You can provide them in the blink of an eye. Please help me." A couple of days later, his wife, who works as a shadchanit, told him that a family for whom she had recently arranged a shidduch wanted to give her a gift. In addition to paying her generously, they offered her two airline tickets to Israel to attend the wedding of another child they were marrying off that summer. The tickets appeared completely out of nowhere. Hashem had sent them exactly what they needed. The man told me, "I always read stories like this. Now I am so happy that I get to be part of one." Another man told me that he received a call from his supplier informing him that two pallets of merchandise were about to be delivered in Manhattan and that he needed to be there to accept them. The timing could not have been worse. It was Friday afternoon, and he was preparing to leave early for Shabbat. All of his employees had already left, and there was nobody available to help unload the shipment. When he stepped outside, the truck had just arrived. Miraculously, there was an open spot directly in front of his building. The truck driver asked, "Who is going to unload these pallets?" The man replied that he would try to do it himself. In truth, it was impossible. The job required multiple people, and the truck driver informed him that he only had twenty minutes before he would have to leave. The man looked at the pallets and realized there was absolutely no way he could get the job done. He turned to Hashem and said, "I don't know how this can happen, but I know You can make it happen. Please help me." Less than thirty seconds later, a large, strong man tapped him on the shoulder and asked, "Do you have any work available?" It was as if Hashem had sent a malach. The man immediately got to work, and together they unloaded the entire shipment just in time. Hashem can always help us. Hashem loves helping us. The problem is not that He lacks solutions. The problem is that we often convince ourselves there are no solutions because we cannot see them. When we reach the point where we have exhausted every possibility and can think of no way forward, that is not necessarily a sign that hope is gone. Sometimes it is Hashem inviting us to stop relying on our own understanding and start relying on Him. Very often, the yeshuah is already on its way. We simply have not seen it yet. As Chazal teach, before Hashem creates the problem, He prepares the cure. By the time we discover the challenge, Hashem has already arranged the solution. Our task is to believe that, pray with sincerity, and trust that the One who created the problem certainly knows how to solve it.

Join Rabbi Joey Rosenfeld as he guides us through the world and major works of Kabbalah, Hasidic masters, and Jewish philosophy, shedding light on the inner life of the soul. To learn more, visit JoeyRosenfeld.com

If someone has an addiction, it can completely overtake his life. It becomes the only thing that matters. He loses control and may even be willing to sacrifice his family, his career, and everything else that is truly important. The reason is because addiction blinds a person to the damage it is causing. The only way to help him is to wake him up and make him see the destruction taking place before his eyes. Sometimes, people become so consumed with earning a livelihood that it resembles an addiction. Money becomes the only thing that matters, and everything else is pushed aside in its pursuit. Every so often, a person needs a reality check to remind himself that there is far more to life than earning money. When the time comes for a person to leave this world, all of his money becomes meaningless. The countless hours spent accumulating it may become a source of regret if they came at the expense of things that have eternal value. A man told me that he became so involved in his business that he completely abandoned learning Torah for fifteen years. Then one day, someone awakened him to what was happening and encouraged him to return to learning. Today, he says he finally feels alive. His life has meaning again, and he is grateful that someone helped him break free from his obsession with making money. There are people, unfortunately, who spend years involved in bitter disputes over money. In this world, those arguments may seem significant. But in the Next World, it will become clear how insignificant they really were. Imagine the son of a king who got into a fight with a friend when they were five years old. In a moment of anger, the friend broke one of his toys. The prince shouted, "When I become king, I am going to punish you for this!" Forty years later, the prince has become king. The old friend appears at the palace and begs forgiveness for breaking the toy. The king would look at him as if he were crazy. Why would he care about a broken toy now? It is utterly insignificant compared to his current position. When a person reaches the Next World, that is how he will view someone who hurt him financially in this world. It will seem like a broken toy. Yet if he can rise above the hurt now and make peace, he will gain eternal pleasure and reward that have genuine value forever. Someone who spends his entire life building a fortune while neglecting Torah and mitzvot is like a man who reaches old age without ever marrying because he was too busy accumulating wealth. People would look at him and wonder what all that money was worth if he never built the life Hashem wanted him to have. So too, if a person leaves this world without Torah and mitzvot, all of his wealth is worthless. We have heard stories of great and successful people who cried on their deathbeds because they realized they could have done more with their lives. At that moment, they understood that the only things that truly mattered were their Torah and mitzvot. Life in this world is incredibly short compared to eternity. If a person does not stop from time to time and think about that reality, he can easily become caught up in pursuits that have little lasting value while neglecting what matters most. Let us always remain focused on what true wealth is. Those who spend their lives learning Torah and performing mitzvot are building fortunes that will last forever. The more we acquire, the greater our eternal reward will be.

Shiur given by Rabbi Shmuel Freedland on Parsha. Shiur recorded at the Night Kollel at Betchuch in Forshay.

Everyone comes into this world with a unique set of circumstances. Some people are blessed to grow up in homes filled with love, encouragement, and great role models. Others, however, face challenges right from the beginning. They grow up in difficult environments, experience hardships, and lack the opportunities that other people had. It's so easy for a person to look at his background and feel that he was placed at a disadvantage. He may think, "If only I had grown up differently, I would have been able to accomplish so much more." But that is not the way Hashem wants us to view it. Hashem does not judge people based on where they started. He judges them based on what they did with the circumstances He gave them. Every person is sent into the exact situation that he needs to fulfill his mission here. The challenges are not there to prevent him from succeeding. They are there to help him reach a level of greatness that could not have been achieved any other way. Imagine two people climbing a mountain. One begins halfway up while the other starts from the bottom. The one who started lower has a much harder climb. But when he reaches the top, his accomplishment is far greater because he had to overcome so much more to get there. The same is true in our spirituality. Someone who had to struggle against negative influences or painful experiences is not at a disadvantage. It's just the opposite. Every step forward in his life is worth so much more because of what it took to achieve it. So many of the greatest people who ever lived overcame tremendous obstacles. Their greatness was not despite their challenges; it was because of them. The very difficulties that could have been used as excuses became the tools through which they rose to the greatest heights. While it is true that some people begin life with very big disadvantages, our rabbis teach us that our circumstances do not determine our destiny. They merely determine the nature of our test. The Torah tells us about the Megadef, the blasphemer. Chazal explained that he was born into a very difficult situation. His father was an Egyptian and his mother was a yatzanit, someone who would speak to everyone in the marketplace, including men. He was not accepted by society. He never felt that he belonged anywhere. He hoped that at least when he came before Moshe Rabbeinu, he would finally be accepted. However, when the matter was brought before the Beit Din of Moshe, it was ruled that he would not be allowed to camp among Shevet Dan because the tribes followed the father, and his father was a goy. Therefore, he did not have a tribe. He left the Beit Din disappointed and rejected, and from there he deteriorated until eventually he blasphemed Hashem. Looking at his life, a person might say, "How could he not become bitter? Look at what he went through. Nobody wanted him. Nobody accepted him. Under his circumstances, it's understandable." However, perhaps one of the reasons the Torah records this incident is to teach us the opposite lesson. Although his circumstances were difficult, he still had a choice. His background only explained his struggle, but it did not excuse his actions. The Ishbitzer Rebbe contrasted the Megadef with David HaMelech. David also grew up feeling rejected. Chazal tell us that his own family did not recognize him. His father looked at him differently than all his other sons, and his brothers looked down upon him. Even when he rose to greatness, Shaul HaMelech tried to kill him. He was forced to run from place to place. Even after becoming king, his suffering did not end. His own son Avshalom rebelled against him and tried to kill him. David could have spent his life asking, "Hashem, why did You put me in such a world? Why am I facing so much rejection and pain?" But instead, whenever David faced hardship, he turned to Hashem. Whenever he felt alone, he picked up his kinor and sang songs to Hashem. While he was running for his life, he sang to Hashem. When he was betrayed, humiliated, and attacked, he sang to Hashem. Those songs became Sefer Tehillim. The very pain that could have destroyed him became the source of his greatness. The very hardships that could have filled him with bitterness became the inspiration for some of the most beautiful words in all of Tanach. The difference between the Megadef and David HaMelech was not their circumstances. Both experienced rejection. Both experienced pain. Both had reasons to feel hurt by the world around them. The difference was in the choice they made in response. One allowed his hardships to push him away from Hashem, while the other allowed his hardships to bring him closer to Hashem. Every person faces challenges that are unique to him. Some begin life with advantages, while others face obstacles that seem overwhelming. Our greatness will not be determined by where we started. It will be determined by what we did with what we were given. The more difficult the challenge, the greater is the potential for greatness. Someone who overcomes very big obstacles can reach heights that others may never attain. When a person refuses to use his background as an excuse and instead uses it as a springboard for growth, he transforms his struggles into achievements. Nobody chooses the circumstances into which he is born, but everyone can choose how he responds to them. And the choices we make can make all the difference between, chas v'shalom, becoming a Megadef or becoming someone like David HaMelech.

Living Emunah 2951 The Place Meant for You The Gemara tells us that when it came time to choose the seventy elders who would assist Moshe Rabbeinu, six men were selected from each shevet, making a total of seventy-two candidates. A lottery was then held to determine which seventy would be chosen. Seventy slips of paper had the word "Zaken" written on them, while two slips were left blank. Whoever drew a blank slip would not be selected. The Gemara says that Moshe told the two men who drew the blank slips, "HaMakom lo chafetz becha." This is usually translated to mean, "Hashem did not want you." That is difficult to understand. It was painful enough that these two individuals were publicly excluded while everyone else was chosen. Why would they also need to hear that Hashem did not want them? Furthermore, according to some opinions, those two men were Eldad and Medad. Yet immediately afterward, the Torah tells us that they received prophecy. If Hashem did not want them, how could they have merited prophecy? Rabbi Menashe Reizman brings from the Sifrei Kabbalah that the word Makom is one of Hashem's holy Names. It has the same numerical value as the Name of Hashem represented by Yud-Keh-Vav-Keh when each letter is multiplied by itself. This teaches that in every makom—in every place in the world—the Shechinah is present with all of Hashem's mercy. Every person has a unique place from which he is meant to serve Hashem and connect to Him. Hashem already determined where a person would be born, into which family he would be born, how he would look, how intelligent he would be, how strong he would be, and every other detail of his life. Everything was arranged specifically for him to fulfill his mission. Moshe was not telling these men that Hashem did not want them. Hashem wants every one of His children. Rather, he was telling them, "This makom is not where you are meant to be. This is not the place through which you will achieve your greatness and connect to Hashem." When a person desperately wants something and does not receive it, it can be very painful. When the rejection is public, it can even be humiliating. Yet a person can become extraordinarily great when he accepts with love that Hashem's plan for him is different. The sefer Meshivat Nefesh, written by Rabbi Yochanan Luria, the uncle of the Maharshal, explains that when Eldad and Medad realized they had not been chosen, they accepted it with love. Hashem was so pleased with their reaction that He immediately granted them prophecy—prophecy that surpassed that of the other seventy elders. The Midrash tells us that Eldad and Medad received more than the seventy elders in five different ways. When a person rises above disappointment and trusts that Hashem is doing what is best for him and for his purpose in this world, despite how difficult that may be, he elevates himself to remarkable heights. Hashem was similarly proud of the Jewish people when they followed Him into the desert after Yetziat Mitzrayim, not knowing how they would survive. The pasuk says: זָ כַרְתִּי לָךְ חֶסֶד נְעוּרַיִךְ אַהֲבַת כְּלוּלֹתָיִךְ לֶכְתֵּךְ אַחֲרַי בַּמִּדְבָּר בְּאֶרֶץ לֹא זְרוּעָה "I remember for you the kindness of your youth, the love of your bridal days, when you followed Me into the wilderness, into a land that was not sown. ." The Ramban explains that this praise was not limited to the moment they entered the desert. It referred to the entire forty years that they followed the Cloud of Glory wherever Hashem directed them. Sometimes they remained in places they did not want to be for extended periods of time, yet they accepted it. At other times they were settled comfortably in places they liked, only to have the cloud suddenly rise and signal that it was time to move. Once again, they followed with trust. That unwavering acceptance is what made Hashem so proud of them. The same opportunity exists for every one of us. Sometimes Hashem places us in situations that are embarrassing. Sometimes they are painful. Sometimes they seem unfair. But the harder it is to accept, the more precious that acceptance becomes. Eldad and Medad could have become depressed. They could have felt humiliated. No one would have blamed them. But they were not interested in mediocrity. They wanted greatness. By accepting Hashem's decision with happiness, they achieved it. A prophet can only receive prophecy when he is in a state of joy. The very fact that Eldad and Medad received prophecy demonstrated that they remained happy despite their rejection. Every person has a different place that Hashem wants him to be in. That place is not an accident. It is the exact place from which he can best fulfill his mission and connect to Hashem. When we learn to be happy with the places Hashem chooses for us, we too can rise to the greatest heights.

In this week's parasha Beha'alotecha , the Jewish People complained that they wanted meat and Moshe Rabbenu said to Hashem, כי תאמר אלי שאהו בחיקך כאשר ישא האומן את היונק – Moshe was asking Hashem how he was expected to carry the nation like a nursing mother carries her suckling infant. The Maharam Shapira asked, the word אומן usually means a Torah teacher of boys aged five or six. Why would Moshe use that word to describe someone carrying a suckling baby? The Rabbi answered, Moshe was saying, his job was to be the spiritual leader of the Jewish People, to teach them Torah and the ways of Hashem, but now they were asking him to fulfill their base desires, that's like a schoolteacher who teaches Torah being asked to take care of infants, which is something that doesn't fit his bill. With this we could understand the baffling statement that Moshe made right after this. הצאן ובקר ישחט להם ומצא להם? – "could there possibly be enough sheep and cattle that would suffice to satiate them?" The mefarshim ask, astonishingly, it seems like Moshe here was doubting the ability of Hashem to provide enough meat for the Jewish People. The explanation is, Moshe was saying, I know the way for them to be satiated is through Torah and mitzvot. The neshama that Hashem put inside man cannot be satisfied any other way, like it says in Kohelet , והנפש לא תמלא. The reason for the complaining was that they were not spiritually satisfied and they were looking for a quick fix. It is true that physical pleasures can temporarily satisfy a person's empty feelings, but very quickly it will wear off and, again, they will feel empty. So Moshe was saying, all the meat in the world will not get this job done. Hashem told Moshe he was right, but he had to provide the meat anyway to prevent a chilul Hashem. Everybody in this world is looking for happiness. The only real way of having sustained feelings of inner joy and tranquility, as well as satisfaction, is by filling up our neshama with what it craves most – Torah and mitzvot. Hashem provided us with an abundance of ways to fill our neshama . And to help motivate us, He even promised rewards for doing them. Hashem created us and knows what will make us happy. The yetzer hara tries to convince us otherwise, but we must not get fooled by it. When a person learns emunah, he feels more tranquil because his neshama is connecting to Hashem more. A young man told me he started learning emunah about a year ago and his words to me were, "it was as if someone had removed a blindfold from upon my eyes. I had always had some level of emunah, but it was only last year that I began to truly see, in every direction that I turned, the Yad Hashem. A whole new world has opened up before me as Hashem is so much more visible to me now" Our neshama is a piece of Hashem and the more we connect with Him, the more our neshama will be satisfied and in a state of tranquility. Spirituality helps reduce anxiety and other emotional roller coasters. The more we connect with Hashem and the Torah, the happier we will be. Shabbat Shalom.

Shlomo HaMelech said that a person's legs are like guarantors, ensuring he is brought to the places Hashem wants him to be. When a person reflects on the days of his life, he begins to see countless stories of Hashem's hashgachah unfolding in his path. He can recognize how Hashem directed his steps—bringing him to certain places and keeping him away from others. He notices how precise and exacting Hashem's guidance is, how, in mere seconds, the course of events can shift from one possible outcome to a completely different one. He sees how Hashem orchestrated encounters with the people he needed to meet, and prevented encounters with those he was not meant to meet. The more one reflects, the more awe arises, and with that awe comes chizuk in emunah. Sometimes our direction changes suddenly. Sometimes we find ourselves unexpectedly in a different place. Sometimes we meet a person without understanding why, only to see the full purpose revealed years later. And sometimes, it is clear immediately that Hashem was guiding us to be in the exact place we needed at the exact time. A man shared with me this morning how he was at home when his children's bus arrived. Normally, he is never home at that time; his wife usually sends them out on their own. But on this morning, for some inexplicable reason, he felt an urge to go downstairs and watch them onto the bus. He ran down the steps, called out to them, and wished them a nice day. As the children crossed the street toward the bus, he noticed a car speeding and about to ignore the stop sign. He yelled for his children to stop. Seconds later, the car sped past—another moment could have meant tragedy. It was completely reckless to run a stop sign, and in this case Hashem had guided this man's legs to the precise spot to prevent a disaster. Hashem directs us in everything, from the greatest matters to the smallest, because for Him, everything matters. Another man told me his air conditioning unit had broken, and replacing it would cost $5,000—a steep price for someone learning in a kollel. He was given a repairman's number and called him, even knowing the unit could not be repaired. When the repairman arrived, he examined it and said it was in good condition, except for the main part. Then he realized that he had an identical unit on his truck from a previous job, and the part needed was still working. The repairman replaced the part, charging only a small labor fee. Hashem had caused this man to call the exact person who already had the exact part he needed. These are reminders that Hashem's hashgachah is everywhere. The more we look for it, the more we see it. Every step we take, every encounter we have, and every turn in our path is guided with infinite wisdom and care.

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