Podcasts about Hashem

The Midrash Rabbah on Megillat Ruth, quoting Rabbi Yehoshua, teaches: יֹתֵר מִמָּה שֶׁבַּעַל הַבַּיִת עוֹשֶׂה עִם הֶעָנִי, הֶעָנִי עוֹשֶׂה עִם בַּעַל הַבָּיִת — More than the homeowner does for the poor person, the poor person does for the homeowner. One application of this Midrash is in how we view the time we invest in helping others. People often think — especially when life is busy and responsibilities pile up — I'd love to do more chesed… I'd love to learn more Torah… I'd love to do more mitzvot… but I just don't have the time. It sounds logical: every minute we spend doing Hashem's work is a minute we could have spent on ourselves. But Hashem's accounting works very differently. When we give our time for His mitzvot, we don't lose time — we gain it. And it's not simply returned; it comes back with blessing. The more we give, the more we are given. Often, this isn't obvious, but sometimes we see it clearly in our own lives. A man who had recently moved into a new apartment discovered that one of his neighbors was an elderly, broken Jew who lived alone with no family or support. He decided to offer a small kindness: a hot meal. That small act quickly turned into a daily delivery. His family joined in, and it became part of their routine. But over time, the chesed became harder. The neighbor began requesting more specific meals — vegetables chopped finely, fruit salad prepared fresh. At first, the man complied, but eventually, the demands wore on him. He decided to stop chopping and simply sent whole vegetables and fruit, reasoning, He knows how to cut them himself. Around that same time, his healthy baby — who had always eaten well — suddenly refused to drink formula. The baby cried through feedings, turned his head away, spit out whatever he managed to drink, and each feeding became a stressful, time-consuming ordeal. The man didn't connect the two events — until a friend who also knew the elderly neighbor praised him for his kindness. "You have no idea what kind of mitzvah you're doing," the friend said. Then he added, "If you could please send the food nicely, prepared fresh the way he likes it, it's a very big part of the mitzvah." Those words struck a chord. The very next day, the man went back to preparing the food exactly as the neighbor preferred. That same day, his baby ate without crying, spitting, or resisting. The connection was crystal clear. When he tried to save time by doing less chesed, he ended up losing time in another area. We never lose by giving — we only gain. The time we "lose" on a mitzvah is never truly lost; it's invested. Hashem repays us with smoother days, calmer outcomes, and, yes, even babies who cooperate. But when we guard all our time for ourselves, we often find that it slips away anyway — tasks take longer, frustrations mount, and things don't flow. So the next time the yetzer hara whispers, You don't have time for this mitzvah, for Torah learning, or for chesed, whisper back: I don't have time not to.

Birkot Ha'shahar – the series of blessings that we recite each morning – appear to fall under the category of "Misvot Aseh She'ha'zman Gerama," meaning, Misvot that apply only at certain times. After all, although different views exist as to precisely by when these Berachot must be recited, there is a clear consensus that they must be recited specifically during the day. One view requires reciting Birkot Ha'shahar by the end of the fourth Halachic hour of the day, another view maintains that they must be recited by Hasot (Halachic midday), and the generally accepted opinion is that they must be recited before sundown. Either way, this requirement is limited to a specific time-frame. As such, we should, seemingly, apply the rule exempting women from "Misvot Aseh She'ha'zman Gerama," such that women should be exempt from the Birkot Ha'shahar obligation. Indeed, the Mishna Berura writes that women are exempt from this requirement, but he adds that Ashkenazic women may recite these Berachot voluntarily. Ashkenazic practice follows the opinion of Rabbenu Tam (France, 1100-1171) allowing those exempt from a Misva to recite the Beracha over the Misva if they wish to perform the Misva. Thus, for example, an Ashkenazic woman who wishes to take the four species on Sukkot, even though she is exempt, may recite the Beracha of "Al Netilat Lulab" over this Misva. By the same token, the Mishna Berura writes, Ashkenazic women may recite Birkot Ha'shahar if they so desire. According to this line of reasoning, Sephardic women should not recite the morning blessings. Sephardic practice does not allow the recitation of a Beracha when one voluntarily performs a Misva from which he or she is exempt. Perhaps, then, we should conclude that Sephardic women may not recite Birkot Ha'shahar. However, Hacham Bension Abba Shaul (Jerusalem, 1924-1998) ruled that women may, in fact, recite Birkot Ha'shahar, distinguishing between these Berachot and Berachot recited over a Misva which one performs voluntarily. The text of Berachot recited over the performance of a Misva thanks Hashem who "has commanded us" ("Ve'sivanu") to perform the given Misva. Sephardic custom does not allow reciting this Beracha when performing a Misva voluntarily for the simple reason that the individual cannot say "Ve'sivanu" about a Misva that he or she was not commanded to observe. The morning blessings, by contrast, praise and express gratitude to Hashem for the gifts He has granted us, such as the restoration of our souls in the morning, the ability to see, the ability to walk, and so on. These blessings, of course, are no less relevant to women than to men, and so there is no reason why a woman should not be allowed to recite these Berachot. Hacham Ovadia Yosef concurred with this ruling, but for a different reason – noting the minority opinion among the Poskim that one may recite Birkot Ha'shahar even after sundown, in the evening. This was the view of the Vilna Gaon (1720-1797) and a small number of other Halachic authorities. According to this opinion, there is no time when the Birkot Ha'shahar obligation does not apply, and thus it does not fall under the category of time-bound Misvot. Hence, women are included in the obligation. (This rationale requires further clarification, because Hacham Ovadia himself does not follow the minority opinion of the Vilna Gaon allowing the recitation of Birkot Ha'shahar after sundown. This question was posed by Rav Moshe Ha'levi, in his work Birkat Hashem.) Regardless, the accepted view is that women are required to recite Birkot Ha'shahar. Of course, they do not recite the Beracha "She'lo Asani Isha," which men recite to thank Hashem for not creating them as a woman. As men are bound by more Misvot than women, and they thus have more opportunities for serving Hashem, they are required each morning to recite this Beracha and thank Hashem for these additional opportunities. The Shulhan Aruch writes that women recite instead "Baruch She'asani Ki'rsono" – "Blessed is He who made me according to His will." This Beracha should be recited without "Hashem Elokenu Melech Ha'olam." In reciting this blessing, the woman gives thanks for her special nature, that Hashem created her as an especially refined being who does not require the same number of Misvot as men need in order to perfect herself and live a spiritually meaningful and accomplished life. Summary: Women are required to recite Birkot Ha'shahar each morning. Instead of the Beracha "She'lo Asani Isha," they recite, "Baruch She'asa Li Kol Sorki," without "Hashem Elokenu Melech Ha'olam."

The Mashgiach gives a shiur to yeshiva bachurim helping them realize their greatness and the greatness of this generation. Rabbi Stark is currently giving the daily Hachzek mussar shiur. To access, click the link below: Hachzek.com. WhatsApp Chat. Free Sefer. Hachzek App (Apple). Hachzek App (Google).

התוכן ישנם ב' פירושים (במדרש) בפסוק שבשני דפ' עקב "המוליכך במדבר הגדול והנורא נחש שרף ועקרב וגו'": 1) כפשוטו – זה קאי על המדבר. 2) זה קאי על הקב"ה. והתיווך: דוקא בזה שבנ"י הלכו במדבר במקום "נחש שרף ועקרב" ובכ"ז לא ניזוקו, מתבטא ה"הגדול והנורא" של הקב"ה. וזוהי התשובה להטוענים שנמצאים בחושך כפול ומכופל "במדבר הגדול והנורא" כפשוטו, והראי', שדוקא בדורות האחרונות נעשה ההכרח ללמוד פנימית התורה כדי להתגבר על החושך, ומדור לדור מתגבר החושך, שלכן הוצרך להיות הוספה בהפצת המעיינות בהתייסדות ישיבת תו"ת ע"י כ"ק אדנ"ע, ובביאור פנימיות התורה ב"שבעים לשון" ע"י כ"ק מו"ח אדמו"ר וכו' – עליהם לדעת פירוש השני בפסוק זה – ש"הגדול והנורא" קאי על ה', כי דוקא כשיש "נחש שרף ועקרב", ואעפ"כ, לא רק שאין מזיקים אלא מסייעים לבנ"י – בזה מתבטא גדלות ה'! [המשך יבוא]משיחת אור לט"ו באב ה'תש"מ ל"הנחה פרטית" או התרגום ללה"ק של השיחה: https://thedailysicha.com/?date=11-08-2025 Synopsis There are two interpretations in the Midrash on the verse (in sheini of parashas Ekev): “Who led you through the great and awesome desert, snakes, vipers, scorpions etc.” One is that “great and awesome” refers to the desert, and the other is that it refers to Hashem. The connection between them is as follows: That Hashem is “great and awesome” is expressed specifically in the fact that the Jewish people traveled through the desert, a place of “snakes, vipers and scorpions” without being harmed. Some argue: we find themselves in a double and redoubled darkness, literally in a “great and awesome desert,” the proof being that specifically in recent generations it has become necessary to study the inner dimension of Torah in order to overcome the darkness, and the darkness intensifies from generation to generation, which is why it was necessary to increase in the spreading of the wellsprings by the Rebbe Nishmaso Eden establishing Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim and by my father-in-law the Rebbe translating the inner dimension of Torah into the seventy languages etc. But the response is that they must know the second interpretation of the verse, that “great and awesome” refers to Hashem: it is precisely when there are “snakes, vipers, and scorpions,” and nevertheless, not only do they not cause harm, but they assist the Jewish people, that Hashem's greatness is expressed. (To be continued.)Excerpt from sichah of 15 Av 5740 For a transcript in English of the Sicha: https://thedailysicha.com/?date=11-08-2025

Welcome to Daily Bitachon . Today we're going to discuss an important pasuk in Parashat Ekev , which, according to many is a positive commandment, one of the 613. It says in Parashat Ekev , chapter 8, pasuk 2: וזכרת את כל הדרך /remember all the way, the path, אשר הולך השם אלוקיך /that Hashem your God has taken you, זה ארבעים שנה במדבר /these forty years in the desert." Rabbenu Yonah, in Shaare Teshuvah , Gate 3, letter 17, lists certain mitzvot aseh that are very high levels—called maalot . One of these is ma'alat zikaron chasadav , the quality of remembering Hashem's kindnesses . But it is not enough just to remember them— ve'hitbonen bahem —we must also contemplate them, as it says וזכרת את כל הדרך / remember all the way, The Sefer Charedim says that if we are commanded to remember what happened in the desert thousands of years ago, we can learn from this a kal vachomer : if I am required to remember what happened to my forefathers, then surely I must remember what happened to me personally . So we must remember: Not only Hashem's kindnesses to the Jewish people in the desert, but also, throughout history, how we survived all the exiles, the Inquisition, the Crusades, the Holocaust, and so on And finally, all the chassadim He has done for us personally. Chayav kol echad miYisrael lizkor chassadim she'gamal Hashem yitbarach /Eevery Jew is obligated to remember the kindnesses Hashem has bestowed upon him, from the moment he was created in his mother's womb. This should lead him to humility and teshuvah shelemah , as quoted in the name of his Rabbi the chassid Rabbi Yosef Saggis. Rav Yechezkel Levenstein adds that this is not only regarding physical matters, but also for the fact that we are religious Jews who know what we are supposed to do—that too is a kindness. Rav Yitzchak Blazer, a student of Rabbi Yisrael Salanter, writes in his Sefer Kochvei Or , Letter 9, that people sometimes feel, " Am I supposed to get excited that Hashem gives me a chocolate bar? That He gives me physical pleasures or wealth? That's like a little kid who likes the candy man in shul —that's not real love of Hashem. " But he says this is a mistake— lo ken ha'davar - It is Hashem's will that we should delve into and appreciate all His kindnesses, thank Him for them, and love Him for them . And he quotes this Rabbenu Yonah. Rabbenu Yonah further quotes the pasuk in which David HaMelech says, ויתבוננו חסדי ה׳ to contemplate Hashem's kindnesses. This is part of a long perek in Tehillim describing the four people who are obligated to say HaGomel . Sephardic communities recite it on Pesach . David HaMelech also says חסדך לנגד עיני /Your kindness is always before my eyes." Rav Yitzchak Blazer then shares an incredible chiddush : We are commanded to love Hashem with all our heart. The Gemara in Masechet Berachot , and the Mishnah there as well, explain this means with both of our inclinations—the yetzer tov and the yetzer hara . The yetzer tov is easy to understand- it loves Hashem through intellectual appreciation of His greatness—this is called ahavat ha'romemut /loving Hashem for who He is, by delving into His Torah and recognizing His greatness. But the yetzer hara also loves Hashem- through physical enjoyment. For example, I love ice cream, and Hashem gives me that ice cream, so I love Him for that. The more I appreciate that Hashem gave it to me—and that He wants me to enjoy it and thank Him for it—the more love I create for Him. This is a good, kosher love. The same is true with prayer. Hashem wants us to pray- not only for lofty spiritual needs but also for the small comforts: the chocolate bar, your shoes and socks, your soft pillow. And He wants us to pray for these things, not just thank Him after receiving them. This is also why we are not allowed to benefit from this world without a berachah . Even though worldly pleasures are, in themselves, nonsense, Hashem made them for us to enjoy—and He wants us to thank Him for them. He says, It is not enough just to rely on Hashem for these things. Bitachon is great, but He wants us to actively pray for them, think about them, and thank Him for them. That's why the system was set up this way—so that we would pray for rain, as Adam HaRishon did, and then appreciate it. And that is the meaning of the pasuk וזכרת את כל הדרך אשר הוליכך ה׳ אלוקיך זה ארבעים שנה —remember those forty years in the desert. It is a mitzvat aseh in our lives today to remember His kindnesses. So next time you sit down to enjoy something, know that the more you relish it and appreciate it, the greater the mitzvah . This is Rabbi Miller 101—but he didn't invent it, it's the good old tradition of yesteryear.

What does it actually look like to internalize the identity of the soul as our own? To approach our own reflection with a deep understanding of our essence, of the way it does not hinge on anything but the piece of G-d inside? In this episode, Shterna Ginsberg explores how to stop depending on others for your sense of self and find the infinite worth that lies within.|| To find more of Shterna's work, visit www.energizedliving.org. To sponsor an episode, please visit humanandholy.com/sponsor or email us at humanandholy@gmail.com.Human & Holy is currently on a season break. This episode originally aired in June 2022. * * * * * * *To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at info@humanandholy.comTo support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor.Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.* * * * * * *TIMESTAMPS0:00 - The Search for Sense of Self0:36 - Meet Shterna Ginsberg1:47 - What is the Neshama? 2:59 - Roots vs. Fruits: Why We Miss Our Essence4:34 - The Self-Care Problem: No Self to Care For6:09 - How to Bridge Concept to Experience7:21 - Hidden Hashem in a "Realistic" World8:07 - Power Dynamics: Who Controls Your Life?10:57 - Healthy vs. Unhealthy Dependency11:48 - The Inner Island of Love & Dignity13:41 - The Bell Story: Faith Must Be Practiced16:08 - Chochma, Bina, Das: Three Steps to Integration18:32 - Dealing with Inner Resistance & Toxic Self-Talk19:29 - Setting Up Your Internal "Fire Department"20:45 - The Shaitel Story: Practical Soul Identity22:37 - Essence vs. Personality: What's Really You?25:40 - "Just Be Nice"26:38 - No Excuses for Not Shining Your Light28:18 - Marriage Without a Self: The Dangerous Dynamic30:14 - "I'll Give You Everything for a Sense of Self"32:40 - Parenting from Wholeness vs. Neediness34:16 - The Apple Story: When Identity Depends on Details36:10 - Unconditional Love Requires Soul-Centered Identity38:21 - Root of All Problems40:45 - "You Are Worthy" - Empty vs. Soul-Based Truth43:08 - The Virtual Reality Experiment46:27 - Living in Hashem's Reality vs. Virtual Reality48:44 - Breaking Through the Barrier50:35 - Practical Integration: Using Daily Mitzvos52:28 - The Bell System: Connecting Dots in Your Day54:04 - Who Is the Self?

B"H As an Orthodox Jewish rabbi, one of my greatest joys and deepest ways to feel Hashem's presence is through swimming. Whether I'm floating, standing still, or snorkeling to explore the underwater world, the experience is both physically and spiritually rejuvenating. In Judaism, the mikvah, a ritual bath, symbolizes hope and the chance to begin again. When I'm in the water, I feel that same renewal… a sense of being alive, connected, and embraced by God's presence. To watch Torah Thoughts in video format, click HERE Subscribe to the Torah Thoughts BLOG for exclusive written content! Please like, share and subscribe wherever you find this!

Or Levy was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and held in Gaza for 491 days. In captivity, he endured relentless starvation, clung to life, and found God in the darkest of places. He did not know that his wife, Einav, had been murdered in the attacks until after his release. When he finally returned home, it was his young son who tried to comfort him. In this powerful conversation, Or opens up about his unimaginable ordeal, the moment he learned the truth about his wife, the faith that kept him alive, and his mission to fight for the hostages still left behind.**Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of captivity, violence, brutality, and starvation.✬ SPONSORS OF THE EPISODE ✬► HIRING4LESS: The Smart Way To Grow Your BusinessHire a full-time remote employee for only $7 an hour. Get huge talent at a low cost with overseas employees and no lock in contracts.Call, Text or WhatsApp →  845.682.0990Visit →  https://hiring4less.com/Email → info@hiring4less.com► BitBean: Smart Custom SoftwareReally great way to take your business to the next level.Contact Bitbean today for a FREE CONSULTATIONReach Out Here→ https://bitbean.link/MeEBlY► Wheels To Lease: #1 Car CompanyFor over 35 years, Wheels To Lease has offered stress-free car buying with upfront pricing, no hidden fees, and door-to-door delivery.Call today!→ CALL/TEXT: 718-871-8715→ EMAIL: inspire@wheelstolease.com→ WEB: https://bit.ly/41lnzYU→ WHATSAPP: https://wa.link/0w46ce► Feldheim: Elul Reads are Here. These books are perfect for Elul preparation because they inspire self-reflection, strengthen your connection to Hashem, and provide practical guidance to enter the Yamim Noraim with clarity, focus, and renewed commitment.The True Power of Speech→  https://bit.ly/45wpYlBMy First Sefer of Hilchos Shabbos→  https://bit.ly/45bHKeUMoadei Hashanah: Rav Shimshon Dovid Pinkus Elul - Yomim Noraim Titles→ https://bit.ly/45rcZBs→  https://bit.ly/3UPCA22✬ IN MEMORY OF ✬This episode is in memory of:• Shimon Dovid ben Yaakov Shloima• Miriam Sarah bas Yaakov Moshe•  Einav LevyThis episode is for the speedy recovery of:• Yosef Chaim ben Devorah Chaya Golda✬ Donate and Inspire Millions (Tax-Deductible) ✬Your generous donation enables us at Living Lchaim to share uplifting messages globally, enrich lives, and foster positive change worldwide! Thank you.→  https://www.LivingLchaim.com/donateOur free call-in-to-listen feature is here:• USA: (605) 477-2100• UK: 0333-366-0154• ISRAEL: 079-579-5088Have a specific question? email us hi@livinglchaim.comWhatsApp us feedback and get first access to episodes:914-222-5513

In this week's parasha, V'etchanan, we have, arguably, the most well-known pasuk in the entire Torah: "שמע ישראל ה' אלוקינו ה' אחד" This pasuk is the root of all of our emunah that Hashem is our G-d and He is the only One in control. The Gemara says in Masechet Sukkah (p. 42) that when a child is first able to speak, his father should teach him this line Shema Yisrael. With this, we are training our children and imbuing them with emunah from the earliest age. Something of such vital importance can't wait until the child is 5 or 6 years old, it must begin from the moment he/she can speak. We should not underestimate how much emunah our children can absorb. Emunah should be spoken about in the home and children should be trained from very young ages in it. I recently received an email which said, "Ever since I started listening to the Daily Emunah messages, it's as if I entered a whole new world. Growing up I was religious, but I never thought about Hashem too deeply or how He plays a role in our lives, but in the last two years, since I began listening, I became a whole new person. I'm so much happier and calmer and accepting and so grateful for the inspiring emunah lessons. I am a preschool teacher and one day, as my students walked into class, Hashem put a thought into my mind. I decided I was going to repeat a chizuk message in emunah to them in an age appropriate manner. I saw how they drank up every word with so much enthusiasm. I noticed how hungry their souls were for a connection to Hashem, even though they all came from religious backgrounds. From then on, every single day, I started repeating another chizuk lesson to them in a kid friendly way. It didn't take too long and I started noticing changes in my students' behavior. For example, little Esther told little Channah, 'I lost the snack that my mommy gave me this morning, but I am not upset because I know Hashem did it out of love and one day I'll find out why.' Channah replied, 'Did you make sure to thank Hashem for your lost snack?' This kind of talk has become the norm in my classroom, from just a little emunah message every day." I received a different email from a woman who says she speaks about emunah in her house all the time. It has changed the way her entire household thinks, and they are so much happier as a result. A few weeks ago, she was visiting her in-laws with her five year old son on Shabbat and, while he was playing outside, something banged into his eye very hard. There was no ice there so she took her son back to her house which was not too far away. While they were walking, she said out loud, "Baruch Hashem, I just remembered, I bought margarine right before Shabbat. That's the best thing to put on your eye." The little boy said in response, "Mommy, Hashem knew I was going to get a bump, so He told you to buy the margarine. He didn't tell you I was going to get the bump because then you wouldn't let it happen." The proud mother was so grateful for her little boy's response. His immediate thought that Hashem put it in her brain to buy the margarine just for him was so beautiful. He's only five. Emunah is for the very, very young as well. As a note of advice, if a very young child gets a bump and we tell him it was from Hashem for his best, he might not take it the right way, he might even come to resent Hashem because, at that time, the child is in pain. The key is to teach the child the lessons beforehand so that the child, on his own, will say it's from Hashem for his best. And when the child does that, we should make him feel so special and tell him how proud Hashem is of him for having that emunah. Shabbat Shalom.

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When Noah stepped off the Ark into a silent, barren world, his first act was planting a vineyard…not wheat. Was it a holy intention or a coping mechanism? In this episode, Rabbi Bentzi Epstein uncovers why the Torah calls this choice a debasement, and how one small act led to massive consequences for generations to come.You'll learn how this moment ties into the division of the post-Flood world between Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and how that geography still shapes civilization today. Plus, discover the surprising connection between Noah and the mitzvah of tzitzit, what the Torah says about modesty even in private, and why Greek beauty has a place—but only when it dwells in the tent of Shem.From ancient curses to the future of artificial intelligence, this episode reveals how the Torah offers timeless guidance on how to rebuild a shattered world—with purpose, holiness, and vision.

We say in Kriyas Shema that one should love Hashem B'chol Meodecha. The Mishna says two pshatim in what that means, either will all your money, or with every middah that Hashem sends your way. How can we come to love Hashem in every situation?Have a good Shabbos.

Knowledge that Hashem is everywhere and is everything- even in the holes and empty spaces.Chelek Chof Tes pg 26 This week's Sicha learning is dedicated Lilui Nishmas Chana Rochel bas Avraham Yechiel with a deep plea for Moshiach NOW.It is also sponsored by Susan Shapiro in honor of her daughter Etty's birthday, it should be a shnas hatzlacha bgashmius ubruchnius!

התוכן על השאלה מדוע מתחלת המשנה ב"מאימתי קורין את שמע בערבין" ולא בשחרית, מתרצת הגמ' ד"יליף מברייתו של עולם דכתיב ויהי ערב ויהי בקר יום אחד". אבל מדוע היתה בריאת העולם כך? אלא זוהי הוראה: כאשר האדם מסתכל ורואה את חושך העולם, ושואל א"ע: מה יכול הוא, איש א', לפעול בעולם כזה?! אומרת התורה שזהו הסדר שה' קבע כבר בתחלת הבריאה – ש"ערב" ו"חושך" בא לפני "בוקר" ו"אור", ושיהודי ע"י עבודתו יאיר את החושך. והתחלת עבודתו (ב"תורה שבע"פ") בזה הוא – ק"ש! שפסוק הא' הוא – "שמע ישראל ה' אלקינו ה' אחד": ה' נותן את הכח לכל יהודי לפעול שבכל דבר יהא ניכר שנברא ע"י ה' – "ה' אחד", ופועל זאת ב-ח' וב-ד'. וזה נותן לו את התוקף לא לפחד מהעולם, אלא להסתכל עליו כמקום שבו יש לעשות לו ית' דירה בתחתונים. ועד"ז בנוגע ה"ערבין" של ירידת הנשמה בגוף, שאי"ז ח"ו כדי לצער את הנשמה, אלא כדי לפעול עי"ז ענין ה"קריאת-שמע" ב"ערבין"!משיחת מוצאי ש"פ עקב, כ"ף מנחם-אב ה'תש"מ ל"הנחה פרטית" או התרגום ללה"ק של השיחה: https://thedailysicha.com/?date=08-08-2025 Synopsis On the Mishnah “From when does one recite Shema in the evenings,” the Gemara asks why the Mishna starts with the evening rather than morning, and the answer is that it is based on the order in creation, as the verse states, “There was evening and there was morning, one day.” But the question remains: why was the world created that way? This teaches us that when a person looks around and sees the darkness in the world, and he wonders, what can one individual accomplish in the face of such darkness – the answer from the Torah is that this is the order that Hashem established from the very beginning of creation, that “evening” and “darkness” come before “morning” and “light,” and that a Jew, through his service, must illuminate the darkness. The beginning of this service (in the “Oral Torah”) is reciting Kerias-Shema, which begins with the verse, “Hear, O Israel: Hashem is our G-d, Hashem is One” – Hashem gives every Jew the power to make it evident that everything is created by Hashem (Hashem is One), and to express it in the ches (the seven heavens and the earth) and the daled (the four directions). This gives a Jew the strength not to fear the world, but to see it as a place where one is to make a dwelling for Hashem in the lower realms. And similarly with regard to the “evenings” of the soul's descent into the body: it is not chas v'shalom in order to afflict the soul, but to bring about “Kerias-Shema” within “the evenings.”Excerpt from sichah of Motzaei Shabbos parashas Ekev, 20 Menachem-Av 5740 For a transcript in English of the Sicha: https://thedailysicha.com/?date=08-08-2025 לעילוי נשמת הרבנית גיטל לאה בת הרב ישראל ע"ה סלונים לרגל היארצהייט ביום הש"ק חמשה עשר מנחם-אבהוקדש ע"י בנה ר' אהרן ומשפחתו שי' סלונים

The Rebbe reassures the writer that feelings of failure are unfounded, and that success comes through trust in Hashem and commitment to Torah and mitzvot. He advises continuing in the work that feels most manageable, checking tefillin, and saying Tehillim daily after Shacharit. https://www.torahrecordings.com/rebbe/igroskodesh/015/012/5660

In today's generation, we've grown used to instant results. We place an order and expect it at our doorstep within hours. We start a job and want to see immediate success. And this mindset has quietly crept into our spiritual lives as well. We invest our time, our energy, and our hearts into our avodat Hashem , but when we don't see immediate results, the yetzer hara whispers in our ears: "Why bother? You've tried and tried—what do you have to show for it?" This struggle applies to so many areas of life: our tefillot , our limud haTorah , our efforts in helping others, or supporting a cause we care about. In the world of Torah and mitzvos, the fruits of our labor are often hidden—sometimes for years, sometimes for decades. But one thing is certain: no effort in avodat Hashem ever goes to waste. There's a powerful mashal that illustrates this: A man plants a seed deep in the soil and faithfully waters it every day. Weeks go by, and not even a sprout breaks through the ground. Discouraged, he stops watering, convinced his efforts were in vain. What he didn't know was that beneath the surface, the seed had already begun to take root. Strong roots were forming deep underground—out of sight, but full of life. Had he waited just a little longer, he would have seen a beautiful tree begin to grow. It's the same with us. The growth is there—we just don't always see it. If it's hard for us to continue, that only makes the reward sweeter. Every moment of hishtadlut —every heartfelt tefillah , every struggle to hold back a sharp word, every time we try to improve—is being collected and counted by Hashem. A person can work on their middot for years and not feel much change. They may still get angry, still feel overwhelmed, still struggle to maintain joy—but then, one day, in a moment they never imagined they could handle, they respond with calm and with strength. And in that moment, they realize: the change was always growing—it just took time to bloom. A woman once said that she had worked on her shalom bayit for years. She gave in. She stayed quiet. She chose peace over winning. But she felt like none of it made a difference. Then, during a difficult moment in their marriage, her husband said to her with tears in his eyes: "You don't know what kind of strength you've been for me all these years." The fruit had been growing all along. It just needed time to ripen. When we keep going—even when we don't see results—that is the ultimate expression of emunah . We believe that Hashem values every step. This world is the world of action. The world of reward is coming. So many of our greatest leaders didn't live to see the full impact of their work. But they kept pushing—and that's what made them great. Rav Aharon Kotler zt"l came to America in the early 1940s, at a time when the country was spiritually barren—especially when it came to yeshiva learning. In 1943, he opened a small yeshiva in Lakewood, New Jersey, with just 14 students. Few believed it would last. But Rav Aharon taught with fire. He poured his soul into building Torah in a land that seemed inhospitable to it. He led the yeshiva for 19 years, 7 months, and 1 day—until his passing. By then, the yeshiva had grown to about 160 talmidim. Modest numbers for nearly two decades of work. But the Rabbanim who remained said: Rav Aharon infused the yeshiva with kedushah . His efforts were l'shem Shamayim , and they would not go to waste. His son, Rav Shneur Kotler zt"l, took over—and remarkably, passed away exactly 19 years, 7 months, and 1 day from when he began. In that time, the yeshiva grew to over 900 boys. Still, the true explosion of growth came afterward. Today, BMG in Lakewood is home to over 10,000 talmidim—arguably the largest yeshiva in the world. Rav Aharon never saw it. But today, in the radiance of the Shechinah , he is surely reaping the reward. He planted the seeds. He watered them with sweat, with mesirut nefesh , and with unwavering bitachon . And Hashem made them grow. So if you're struggling… if you've been trying to grow in your avodat Hashem but don't see the fruits yet—don't stop. Don't listen to that voice that says it's not worth it. Every drop of effort counts. And one day, those seeds will sprout in ways you never imagined. Because the tree always takes time to grow. But the reward… is eternal.

Upon waking in the morning, one is required to wash his hands, and recite the Beracha of "Al Netilat Yaadayim" before drying them. According to Sephardic practice, one who has remained awake throughout the night washes his hands in the morning without reciting the Beracha. The custom among Ashkenazim is that one who remained awake through the night recites the Beracha when washing his hands in the morning after using the restroom. Anytime one performs his bodily functions, he must recite a special Beracha – "Asher Yasar" – after leaving the restroom. This blessing was established by the Ansheh Kenesset Ha'gedola – Men of the Great Assembly, a group of scholars and prophets formed at the beginning of the Second Commonwealth – and it is an especially significant Beracha. Rabbi Yehuda Ha'levi (Spain, 1079-1141), in his Sefer Ha'kuzari (3:11), says about this blessing, "How great this blessing is, in terms of its content, and how perfectly formulated are its words for one who sees them with an eye for the truth." This Beracha consists of 45 words, alluding to one of the Names of G-d, which in Gematria equals 45. This Name is formed by spelling out the Names of the four letters that comprise the Name of "Havaya" (Yod, Heh, Vav and Heh) – Yod, Vav, Dalet, Heh, Alef, Vav, Alef, Vav, Heh and Alef – which together equal 45 (10+6+4+5+1+6+1+6+5+1). Once, after I left the restroom in a restaurant, a fellow saw me reciting this Beracha, and he cynically remarked, "So, Rabbi, G-d is even in the bathroom?" I told him that because of his sarcastic comment, I thought of an answer to a question that I had all my life. In the Beracha of "Asher Yasar," we say that if one of the body's passageways that carry the waste material would burst open, or would be obstructed, for even a brief moment, we would be unable to survive. I always wondered why we need to get so detailed, and mention the miracle of the body's passageways that are constantly functioning properly so that the waste is safely and effectively discharged from the body. I then realized that we need to mention this because of people like this fellow, who are skeptical about Hashem and His Providence over the universe. Indeed, as great as Hashem is, He is even in the restroom. He oversees each and every action, everything that happens – including the expelling of waste material from the body. This Beracha underscores for us not only Hashem's power and greatness, but also His unparalleled humility – that He even accompanies us to the restroom, assuring that our bodies are functioning properly. This is how much He loves us. Years ago, people had the custom just before entering the restroom to recite a brief text. A person would respectfully ask the angels who were with him to wait outside the restroom while he performs his bodily functions. The angels do not enter the restroom with us – but Hashem most certainly does. He loves us so much that He even foregoes His honor in order to accompany us everywhere, even the restroom, to care for us and make sure our bodies function the way they should so we are healthy and strong. When we recite this precious Beracha, we should take a moment to consider Hashem's special love for us, how He watches over us and cares for us at all times, throughout our lives – even when we are involved in performing our bodily functions.

00:25 The essence of Rabbi Akiva's wisdom is that the Torah speaks in parables3:40 The sin that led to the death of Bar Kochba is the sin of taking the Torah literally 11:15 Balaam and the parables about the Messiah; the prophets themselves didn't know the meaning of their parables about the Messiah18:00 Balaam blessed Israel with kingship, which turned into a curse21:00 Inverting the meaning of the Torah and Balaam's endeavor24:00 The inversion of the Torah is its external, superficial meaning; Balaam as the anti-Moshe28:45 The function of a king is to craft a unified message; the connection between kings and parables33:45 The problem with kings, who occlude the kingship of Hashem43:00 How can there be a righteous king?44:15 The function of halacha and how it applies to establishing kings who stand as parables for Hashem55:00 The contradiction in Shemoneh Esreh whether Hashem alone will rule us or David will56:00 Solomon's failure revolved around thinking we know the reasons of mitzvahs fully59:30 The more progress we make in recognizing the limits of our reason, the more we can safely explore the reasons for the mitzvahs 1:05:30 The Guide is Gan Eden; the Tree of Life is the middle question in the middle chapter of the middle section of the Guide: "Why did he give these mitzvahs and these prohibitions?"1:11:30 Rabbi Akiva knew the reason of the Red Heifer, which is that paradoxes are appropriate1:13:00 Balaam as the anti-Moshe and his influence, together with Moshe, on all the prophets that come after Moshe1:15:00 Rabbi Meir, student of Rabbi Akiva, and his approach to parables

VaEtchanan: What Did Moshe Say To Secular Jews? | STUMP THE RABBI (241)https://youtu.be/9_3f073XgPwCountless newly successful people have made showing off their wealth a standard in today's society. This will sometimes make those with less fortunate bank accounts question their life's choices. Why does HaShem give success to people who do not follow His Torah?In Parashat VaEtchanan Moshe Rabbeinu speaks to us and gives us the Godly perspective of what's really happening behind the money scenes that you see today. This will be followed with questions from the live online audience. Learn, Enjoy, Share and Be Holy

Hashem intertwined man and the world in a wondrous way, the three stages of man, purifying speech of the goyim

B"H Once a day of joy and matchmaking in ancient Israel, Tu B'Av is still considered an et ratzon — an auspicious time for finding one's match. To those still searching: don't lose hope. Keep your heart open. Hashem is always working behind the scenes to bring souls together. To watch Torah Thoughts in video format, click HERE Subscribe to the Torah Thoughts BLOG for exclusive written content! Please like, share and subscribe wherever you find this!

Cherche Hashem et il se montrera (Ohr haHaim) by Rav David Touitou

The Rebbe rebukes the delay in fulfilling tzedakah commitments, warning that withholding them causes delay in Hashem's blessings. He urges immediate and full fulfillment of all promises, with a firm resolution to maintain this conduct going forward, leading to open and revealed blessings. https://www.torahrecordings.com/rebbe/igroskodesh/015/012/5655

Hi K'vod Harav, I'm the same sponsor from this week's episode, I just wanted to clarify that I don't deserve as much credit as it may have come off as, I had discovered the Rav's shiurim and podcasts about six years ago, when the podcast was still in its first few weeks (I think maybe episode 6, or somewhere around there), so there weren't that many podcasts yet at the time to catch up on. When I discovered it though I did go back to find and listen to all of the Rav's previous shiurim that I could find online. Thank you again K'vod Harav for everything the Rav does and for all of the chizzuk and inspiration that we all gain from the Rav's shiurim and podcasts. May the Rav always continue to inspire us, and may we all grow in Torah and all good things, and be zocheh to see mashiach and the binyan beit hamikdash bimheira beyameinu amen.

Hashem doesn't just hear every word we say — He knows every thought that passes through our minds. Last Friday, I was shopping for Shabbat and noticed that the prices were unusually high. I picked up an item and began debating whether or not to put it back. Just then, a man came over to me and asked, "Is it true that anything we spend for Shabbat doesn't come out of the yearly income Hashem allots for us?" I replied, "Absolutely. It's an explicit Gemara." As soon as I answered, I realized Hashem had sent this man to remind me of that truth. I smiled, thanked Hashem for the immediate correction, and bought the item I had been second-guessing. Hashem is intimately involved in our lives — not just every day, but every second. Just over a month ago, a mother was looking to take her children on outings to keep them entertained before camp started. She tried two different places, but both were completely booked. The children were disappointed, and the mother, trying to soften the letdown, took them for ice cream instead. It was an extremely hot day. As they left the ice cream shop, the children ran ahead and mistakenly opened the door of a car that looked like their own. To their shock, there was a four-month-old baby alone in the back seat. The baby had been forgotten. They ran into various stores searching for the baby's mother. When she saw them holding her child, she burst into tears. "I always double-check!" she cried. "I just forgot this time…" On a hot summer day, R"l, it only takes 10–15 minutes for a tragedy to occur in a car. At that moment, it became clear to the mother and children why their plans had been canceled earlier. Hashem had rerouted them, put the idea of ice cream in their minds, and guided them to open the wrong car door — just in time to save that baby's life. Another remarkable story was shared by Rabbi David Ozeri. Last Thursday night, he received a call from a panicked father — a Rav in Eretz Yisrael. His 17-year-old daughter had landed in Newark on a stopover from Israel, and her connecting flight had been canceled due to weather. She didn't speak English, she was alone in a foreign airport, and it was already 11:00 p.m. Rabbi Ozeri immediately contacted a baal chessed in his community, who answered the phone right away. "Of course she's welcome to stay with us," the man said. "I'll even send an Uber for her." But the father was too nervous to place his daughter in an Uber alone at night. Rabbi Ozeri then thought of a woman in Brooklyn who drove children to school each morning. She was divorced and may have needed some extra income. He called her and asked if she would be willing to drive from Brooklyn to Newark to pick up the girl, bring her all the way to Deal, New Jersey, and then return home. The woman answered immediately, "It would be my pleasure to do the chessed," and added that she didn't want to be paid. But Rabbi Ozeri went to the host's home and gave him an envelope with $450, asking him to give it to the driver when she dropped off the girl. The next morning, the woman texted Rabbi Ozeri thanking him for the opportunity to do the chessed — and for the money. What she shared afterward was incredible. She said it was her turn to host her children for Shabbat, but when she checked her bank account, she had only ten dollars left. She didn't know how she would buy food for her large family. At that moment, she saw a request for tzedakah for a worthy cause. With great Emunah, she donated her last $10 and prayed that in the zechut of that mitzvah, Hashem would help her provide for Shabbat. The very next night, at 11:00 p.m., she received the call from Rabbi Ozeri — and ended up earning more than enough to buy everything she needed. We don't fully understand the ways of Hashem, but it seems like one of the reasons the girl's flight was canceled was so this woman could have the parnassah she had so desperately prayed for. When people heard her story, they were so moved that they voluntarily donated more — and she ended up receiving a total of $6,000. Hashem is involved in every moment of every person's life. He orchestrates everything with precision and purpose. Our job is to build our connection with Him — through our tefillot , through our mitzvot , and through our emunah.

The Berachot we recite each day can easily become a rote exercise, a text that we recite mindlessly, mechanically, to discharge our duty, without concentration and without emotion. The Misvot and Berachot that are required on rare occasions generally tend to generate a great deal of excitement, whereas those which apply each day receive far less attention and don't arouse much enthusiasm, because they are part of our regular routine. But the truth is that the daily Berachot are especially important – and it is specifically because of their unique importance that they are required each and every day. There is a Halachic principle of "Tadir Ve'she'eno Tadir, Tadir Kodem" – Misvot which apply more frequently are to precede Misvot which are observed less frequently. This shows us that the more frequent Misvot are generally more important, and thus deserve greater attention, not less. Birkot Ha'shahar, the blessings we recite each morning, pose a particularly difficult challenge by virtue of the fact that they are recited not only each day, but also early in the morning, before we are fully awake. Many people, unfortunately, fail to give these Berachot the focus and emotion that ought to accompany their recitation, and do not say them with Kavana (concentration). Rav Eliezer Papo (1785-1828), in his work Hesed La'alafim, discusses the importance of the morning blessings and why is it especially important to recite them with proper Kavana (concentration). He implores us to pause before we begin reciting these Berachot, and to contemplate the fact that Hashem, who is infinitely great and powerful, has chosen us lowly human beings, and has given us the permission to come before Him, to give Him praise, and to serve Him. We must never take for granted the extraordinary privilege we have to serve Him. Out of the billions of people in the world, Hashem chose us and invited us to be His servants. We must appreciate how blessed we are to have the ability to serve the Creator of the universe. Before we begin reciting the morning Berachot, Rav Papo writes, it is worth taking a moment to reflect on this privilege we have been given. He also writes that before we begin reciting the Berachot, we should resolve in our minds that we will recite them slowly, and enunciate each letter properly, as though we were speaking to a king. We should recite the words with both fear and love, patiently and thoughtfully. This is especially important when reciting the Birkot Ha'shahar, Rav Papo writes, because this recitation sets the tone for the rest of the day. If we recite the first Berachot of the day with feeling and concentration, then this will impact all the other Berachot and prayers that we recite throughout the rest of the day. It is important to "get on the Kavana train" right from the outset, to set the momentum for the day. Rav Papo here urges us to use a Siddur when reciting the daily Berachot, even if we already know them by heart. One of the most effective strategies for Kavana is to pray from a Siddur. Some find an allusion to this concept in the verse in Megilat Ester (9:28), "Amar Im Ha'sefer Yashub Mahashabto Ha'ra'a," which may be read to mean that the way to eliminate distracting thoughts ("Yashub Mahashabto Ha'ra'a") is to read "Im Ha'sefer" – with the book, meaning, from a Siddur. When we look at the words as we recite them, we are far less likely to be distracted, and have a better chance of praying with Kavana. Rav Papo also recommends writing for oneself a note with the concepts discussed in this passage – the gratitude we must feel for the privilege of serving Hashem, the importance of setting the momentum for the entire day etc. – and placing this note inside one's Siddur. This way, as soon as a person picks up his Siddur to begin reciting the Berachot, he will be reminded of these concepts, and this will enhance his Kavana. Not infrequently, we find ourselves wondering whether or not we forgot to recite Birkot Ha'shahar. Never are we uncertain whether or not we ate breakfast, but we sometimes cannot remember whether or not we recited the morning blessings. This shows us that, unfortunately, we do not value these Berachot to the extent that we should. Let us try to be mindful of the great importance of these daily Berachot, and to concentrate as best we can each time we recite them.

I Want Hashem in my Life

B"H Antisemitism isn't new — it evolves, just like Rabbi Sacks called it: a “mutating virus.” But through it all, we hold onto the truth of the Torah. We may not be perfect, but we know the truth is on our side. Praying for the safe return of our hostages, and for the day when Hashem's kindness and presence will be clear to all. To watch Torah Thoughts in video format, click HERE Subscribe to the Torah Thoughts BLOG for exclusive written content! Please like, share and subscribe wherever you find this!

Chazal tell us, ישראל מפרנסין לאביהם שבשמים —Yisrael "support" their Father in Heaven. This means that the satisfaction Hashem derives from our good deeds is, so to speak, how we "support" Him. In earlier generations, that support came from the deeds of great tzaddikim—people whose entire lives were devoted to serving Hashem with purity and holiness. Their Torah learning was filled with clarity, their prayers pierced the heavens, and their mitzvot were performed with incredible precision and joy. In those times, Hashem, k'viyachol (so to speak), was being "supported" in abundance. But today, we no longer have such towering tzaddikim. We live in a time when it is very difficult to remain spiritual. Confusion and distraction are everywhere. Temptations are stronger than ever, and spiritual clarity is at an all-time low. So how do we compensate for all the support that has been lost? Hashem has darkened the world spiritually so that even the simplest mitzvah today requires mesirut nefesh —self-sacrifice. In this way, our deeds become incredibly valuable, and we are able to give Hashem the same nachat ruach —the same pleasure—as the tzaddikim of past generations. It is so hard today to stay focused during prayer, yet we come back day after day and try our hardest to concentrate, even if we can manage only a bit of kavanah . It's more difficult than ever to stay pure in thought, speech, and action—and yet we keep trying. We guard our eyes, watch our mouths, and avoid negative influences. It's harder than ever to live with emunah , especially when we don't see the results we're hoping for—but we still believe in Hashem's unending mercy and love. A man said that he doesn't understand why he now struggles with tests that were never an issue earlier in his life. Temptations that never appealed to him before suddenly became major challenges. One possible explanation is that he now needs his deeds to carry more weight—and that weight can only come through intense struggle. A teenager today feels pulled in every direction. It is incredibly difficult to maintain his religious standards. Once upon a time, praying, learning, and guarding oneself from sin were considered routine. Today, they are acts of heroism. Simple deeds done with effort in our generation are more beloved to Hashem than hundreds of effortless mitzvot done in generations past. A mother running a busy household barely has a moment to breathe, yet she still manages to pray, say Tehillim , avoid lashon hara in a group conversation, and faithfully care for her children and husband. These small acts are, k'viyachol , supporting Hashem in the world more than we can possibly imagine. And of course, we are the ultimate beneficiaries of this support. We just passed Tishah B'Av. Hashem is still homeless, and He is begging us to bring Him back home. Soon, He will reveal Himself to the world and reward those who remained loyal to Him. For now, He is still asking for our help. Let us take advantage of the opportunity while we still have it. The challenges in serving Hashem are actually for our benefit. We may not be on the level of the tzaddikim of the past, but we can accomplish the same—perhaps even more. Hashem will never abandon us. The difficulties we face today are His way of drawing even closer to us. Let us strengthen ourselves and recognize the immense value of everything we do. It is well worth the fight. Never say, "It's just one mitzvah," or "It's just one aveirah." Every mitzvah we perform is precious. Every aveirah we avoid is beyond measure.

We are to begin our day, each day of our lives, by expressing our gratitude to Hashem for all the blessings He has granted us. Immediately upon awakening, we recite "Modeh Ani," thanking Hashem for restoring our souls, and we are then required to recite a series of Berachot known as "Birkot Ha'shahar" – the morning blessings. These Berachot thank Hashem for our ability to open our eyes to see, the ability to get out of bed and walk, and other basic functions of the body. They also thank Hashem for spiritual blessings, such as His having chosen us and given us the Torah. As parents, we know how much it means when a child expresses gratitude. The more our children acknowledge what we do for them and thank us, the more we want to do for them. But when children act ungratefully, and do not thank their parents, the parents will be less inclined to give them what they want. We are Hashem's children, and we owe Him an enormous debt of gratitude for the countless blessings He gives us each day, starting with life itself. The more we thank Him for the blessings we have received, the more He will continue blessing us. We therefore thank Hashem each morning for some of the precious gifts that He has given us. Rav Natrunai Gaon (9 th century, Babylonia) traces the origins of the Birkot Ha'shahar to the obligation to recite one hundred Berachot each day. This obligation was taught as a "Halacha Le'Moshe Mi'Sinai" – a law that Moshe heard at Mount Sinai and has since been transmitted orally from one generation to the next. In ancient times, there were no fixed Berachot, and everyone was expected to recite Berachot on his own, until reaching a total of one hundred each day. However, without a fixed text of Berachot, and without specific Berachot required at certain times and on certain occasions, people became lax, and failed to recite the obligatory one hundred Berachot. In fact, the Midrash relates that when a devastating plague ravaged the Jewish Nation during the time of King David, killing one hundred people a day, King David determined that this was caused by the people's failure to fulfill this obligation of reciting one hundred Berachot every day. He therefore issued an edict to ensure that people recite the required number of Berachot, and the plague suddenly stopped. Still, this obligation was not always fulfilled. Therefore, the Ansheh Kenesset Ha'gedola (Men of the Great Assembly), a group of scholars and prophets that was formed at the beginning of the Second Commonwealth, established fixed Berachot that we are required to recite every day, thus ensuring that we recite one hundred blessings over the course of the day. Included in these Berachot are the eighteen Birkot Ha'shahar that we must recite each morning. Indeed, the Shulhan Aruch discusses the Birkot Ha'shahar in the same Siman (chapter) in which he mentions the obligation to recite one hundred Berachot each day – indicating that, as Rav Natrunai Gaon explained, the Birkot Ha'shahar are related to this obligation. They were instituted to help ensure that a person recites the required amount of Berachot every day. As mentioned earlier, underlying the requirement of Birkot Ha'shahar is our debt of gratitude to Hashem. Not surprisingly, we find a close connection between the obligation to recite one hundred Berachot each day and the concept of gratitude. First, the 100 th chapter of Tehillim is the chapter "Mizmor Le'toda" – the song which was sung to express gratitude to Hashem, thus establishing an association between the number 100 and gratitude. And, the first two letters of the word "Modim" ("We thank") are Mem and Vav, which together in Gematria equal 46 – the Siman in the Shulhan Aruch that speaks of the obligation of one hundred Berachot. We might wonder, why is it necessary to recite these Berachot each and every day? Why does it not suffice for us to occasionally praise and thank Hashem for all He gives us and does for us? An important answer to this question is offered by the Rashba (Rav Shlomo Ben Aderet, Barcelona, Spain, 1235-1310). He writes that every morning, we must see ourselves as born anew. As the verse says (Echa 3:23), "Hadashim La'bekarim, Rabba Emunatecha" – G-d performs great kindnesses for us each and every morning by restoring our consciousness, by giving us a new day, showing us His trust in our capacity to achieve and accomplish. Yesterday's blessings do not suffice today, because today we have been created anew, and so we must express gratitude to G-d anew. The Berachot that comprise Birkot Ha'shahar thank Hashem for many things – such as our vision, our ability to stand up straight and walk, our clothing, our having been chosen by Hashem – but does not appear to be exhaustive. Rav Haim Palachi (Turkey, 1788-1868) raised the question of why the Sages did not institute a Beracha thanking Hashem for the ability to speak. It goes without saying that the faculty of speech is one of the human being's most important capabilities. In fact, the Torah says that when G-d created Adam, He infused within Him "Nishmat Haim" – "a living soul" (Bereshit 2:7), and Targum Onkelos translates this expression to mean "Ru'ah Memalela" – "a spirit that speaks." The power of speech can be said to be our defining characteristic, the quality that distinguishes the human being from other creatures in the animal kingdom. Why, then, do we not have a special blessing thanking Hashem for this most precious gift? An answer to this question appears in the work Petah Ha'debir by Rav Binyamin Pontremoli (Turkey, d. 1784). He notes the aforementioned verse, and Onkelos' translation, which teaches us that the faculty of speech is a function of the Neshama, the human soul. Now the Sages instituted as one of the Birkot Ha'shahar a special Beracha thanking Hashem for the soul which He has given us – the blessing of "Elokai Neshama." Hence, as the ability to speak stems from the Neshama, this Beracha which thanks Hashem for giving us our soul also thanks Hashem for the power of speech. (It would thus seem that if parents have a child who, G-d forbid, is not developing the ability to speak, or struggles with speech issues, they should have special intention when reciting the Beracha of "Elokai Neshama," and have in mind the child's soul through which they wish that he develop the faculty of speech.) Moreover, Rav David Abudarham (Spain, 14 th century), in explaining the Beracha of "Elokai Neshama," cites the verse in Tehillim (115:17), "Lo Ha'metim Yehalelu Y-ah" – "It is not the dead that will praise G-d." Once a person's soul is taken, he is no longer able to express Hashem's praises. Rav Abudarham notes the implication of this verse that the primary purpose of speech is to praise G-d. (This is indicated in the text of "Elokai Neshama," in which we say, "As long as the soul is within me, I give thanks before You…") Accordingly, it stands to reason that when we recite "Elokai Neshama" and give thanks to Hashem for giving us a soul, this includes an expression of gratitude for our ability to speak. A second answer to this question was offered by Rav Shmuel Alexander Unsdorfer (1920-2002), who explained that we express gratitude for the faculty of speech by reciting Birkat Ha'Torah – the blessing over Torah learning. The Misva of learning Torah includes the obligation to speak words of Torah and to transmit them to others, and so when we thank Hashem for this precious Misva, we automatically thank Him also for the gift of speech. A different question was asked regarding the omission of the faculty of hearing from the Birkot Ha'shahar. Clearly, our hearing is exceedingly important. In fact, if somebody injured another person and caused him to lose his hearing, he must pay compensation for the damages. Why, then, is this capability not included in our morning blessings? One answer given is that the ability to hear is included in the Beracha of "Ha'noten La'sechvi Bina Le'havhin Ben Yom U'ben Layla" – thanking Hashem for granting the rooster the knowledge to crow in the morning, thus waking people up. Of course, the rooster's crow is effective in waking people only because of the ability to hear, and so this Beracha implicitly expresses gratitude for the sense of hearing. Another answer is that the morning blessings thank Hashem only for those abilities which we lost, as it were, during the night when we slept, and were restored in the morning. Thus, for example, we thank Hashem for restoring our vision after our eyes were closed throughout the night, and for allowing us to get out of bed, stand upright and walk, after we spent the night lying down. Our sense of hearing, however, is unaffected by sleep; we can still hear while sleeping, and so this capability is not included in Birkot Ha'shahar. (Interestingly, the Ben Ish Hai (Rav Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 1833-1909), in his work Mi'kavse'el, cites a Rabbi who wanted to apply this theory to explain why we do not recite a Beracha over the ability to speak. This Rabbi noted that some people talk in their sleep, and so this capability is not technically "lost" at night, such that we should give thanks for it when we wake up in the morning. The Ben Ish Hai dismissed this answer, noting that some people sleepwalk, and yet we still recite each morning the Beracha of "Ha'mechin Mis'adeh Gaber," thanking Hashem for the ability to walk. One might, however, distinguish between talking in one's sleep and sleepwalking, as a person who sleepwalks is not actually sleeping as he walks, whereas those who talk in their sleep really are still asleep and have not woken up to talk.) The Sefer Hasidim (Rabbenu Yehuda Ha'hasid, Germany, 1150-1217) writes that he once met an exceptionally pious individual who recited additional blessings each morning, thanking Hashem for each and every part of the body, and the Sefer Hasidim expressed great admiration for this practice. He noted the verse in Tehillim (84:3), "Libi U'bsari Yeranenu El Kel Hai" – "My heart and my flesh shall sing praise to the living G-d" – implying that each and every part of the body which functions properly is a sufficient reason to give praise to Hashem. A different verse in Tehillim (35:10) states, "Kol Asmotai Tomarna, Hashem Mi Kamocha" – "All my bones shall declare: G-d, who is like you?" Indeed, it is worthwhile to express our gratitude to the Almighty for each and every limb and organ in the body. The Hida (Rav Haim Yosef David Azulai, 1724-1806), in his commentary to Sefer Hasidim, asserts that this righteous man could not have actually recited additional Berachot, for a Beracha that was not instituted by the Sages constitutes a Beracha Le'batala – a Beracha recited in vain, which is forbidden. Undoubtedly, this man expressed his gratitude to Hashem for all his working body parts without reciting formal Berachot. By contrast, Rav Meir Mazuz (1945-2025) suggested that this righteous man followed the opinion that one is permitted to create his own Beracha to give praise to Hashem. In any event, the truth is that we do not need additional Berachot – formal or informal – to express our gratitude to Hashem for everything in our body that works properly. The Tur (Rabbenu Yaakov Ben Asher, Spain, 1270-1340) notes that in the Beracha of "Asher Yasar," which one recites after using the restroom, we say that Hashem created "Halulim Halulim" (hollow spaces in the body). The Gematria of the word "Halulim," the Tur observes, is 124, and we recite this word twice, for a total of 248 – the number of limbs and organs in a person's body. This expression, then, alludes to all our body parts. Thus, when we recite "Asher Yasar," we give thanks to Hashem not only for the wondrous ability to eliminate the waste from our body, but also for each and every body part. The Rishonim (Medieval scholars) debate the question of whether a person recites a Beracha that is not applicable to him, because he unfortunately does not have the ability for which that Beracha gives thanks. For example, does a blind person recite the Beracha of "Poke'ah Ivrim," in which we thank Hashem for the gift of vision? The Rambam (Hilchot Tefila 7:7-8) writes explicitly that a person recites each of these Berachot only after performing the action referred to by that Beracha. For example, after standing upright, one recites the Beracha of "Zokef Kefufim" ("Who makes the bent upright"), and after getting dressed, one recites the Beracha of "Malbish Arumim" ("Who clothes the naked"). The Rambam writes that if, for whatever reason, a person did not experience that which a given Beracha speaks of, then he does not recite that Beracha. In the Rambam's opinion, the Birkot Ha'shahar resemble the Berachot recited over food, which one recites only when eating. By the same token, one recites each of the morning blessings only after receiving the benefit for which each blessing gives praise. The Shulhan Aruch follows this opinion. By contrast, the Kolbo (anonymous work from the period of the Rishonim), citing several of the Geonim, writes that every person recites all the Birkot Ha'shahar, regardless of whether or not he personally experiences these phenomena. According to this opinion, the morning blessings express gratitude not for one's personal experience, but rather for the general phenomena mentioned by these Berachot. Even if one is not, Heaven forbid, able to see, for example, he still recites the Beracha of "Poke'ah Ivrim" to praise Hashem for the phenomenon of vision. Common practice follows this view of the Kolbo. One of the interesting questions asked regarding the Birkot Ha'shahar relates to the Halachic principle that applies in situations of a "Beracha Semucha La'haveratah" – a Beracha which is recited immediately following another Beracha. Normally, when a Beracha is recited right after another Beracha, it does not begin with the word "Baruch." Thus, for example, the text of Birkat Ha'mazon consists of four Berachot recited in immediate succession of one another, and thus only the first Beracha begins with "Baruch." The three subsequent Berachot are covered, so-to-speak, by the "Baruch" which begins the first Beracha, and so they do not require the introductory word "Baruch." In the Amida prayer, too, only the first Beracha begins with the word "Baruch," whereas all the subsequent Berachot do not, because they are recited immediately after the first Beracha. When it comes to Birkot Ha'shahar, however, the blessings all begin with the word "Baruch," despite the fact that they are recited as a series of Berachot, one right after the other. Tosafot in Masechet Berachot (46) offer two answers. First, they explain, unlike the blessings of Birkat Ha'mazon and the Amida, the blessings of Birkot Ha'shahar were not instituted as a series of Berachot. The Sages did not require reciting them together in a particular sequence. As we saw, the Rambam maintained that one recites each Beracha as he experiences the phenomenon referred to by each Beracha, and the Rambam writes explicitly that there is no set order for these Berachot. The rule of "Beracha Semucha La'haveratah," Tosafot write, applies only to a series of Berachot which were instituted to be recited together in a particular order, and so it does not apply to Birkot Ha'shahar. Secondly, Tosafot suggest, this rule applies only to relatively lengthy Berachot, such as the Berachot of Birkat Ha'mazon and the Amida. The Birkot Ha'shahar, however, are very brief, and thus they require the introduction of "Baruch Ata Hashem." A person should not unnecessarily get involved in other matters before reciting the Birkot Ha'shahar. Ideally, the Hesed La'alafim (Rav Eliezer Papo, 1785-1827) writes, the first words that come out of a person's mouth in the morning should be words of praise and gratitude to Hashem. One should not write text messages, make phone calls and the like before reciting the morning blessings. The Kaf Ha'haim (Rav Yaakov Haim Sofer, Baghdad-Jerusalem, 1870-1939) warns that according to the Kabbalah, unnecessarily delaying the recitation of Birkot Ha'shahar has the effect of allowing the Kelipot (negative spiritual energies) access to the person's soul, which can cause great harm. One should not be doing anything else while reciting a Beracha. This applies not only to Birkot Ha'shahar, but to all blessings that we recite. The Ben Ish Hai writes that "Lo Tiheyeh Ka'zot Be'Yisrael" – it should never happen that a Jew recites a Beracha while being involved in some other activity. And the Ben Ish Hai laments the fact that many people make this mistake. One common example is Netilat Yadayim – many people mistakenly recite the Beracha while drying their hands. One must ensure not to begin reciting the Beracha of "Al Netilat Yadayim" until after he finished drying his hands. Another common mistake is people reciting Birkot Ha'shahar while rushing to get to shul. This is improper. One should recite a Beracha while standing in place and doing nothing else, focusing his attention fully on the Beracha. The Taz (Rav David Ha'levi Segal, Poland, 1586-1667) writes that one who recites a Beracha while performing other activities is included in the Torah's harsh warnings against serving Hashem "Be'keri" – in a casual, haphazard manner, without focus and attentiveness. Rav Chaim Brim (1922-2002) tells that he once went to visit Rav Moshe Yehoshua Landau in the middle of the night. Rav Landau was in the restroom when he arrived, and so he waited. When Rav Landau came out, he recited the Beracha of "Asher Yasar" without realizing that he was being watched. Rav Brim said that at 2am, without realizing that anyone was around, Rav Landau recited "Asher Yasar" with greater concentration and emotion than most people have while reciting Ne'ila in the synagogue on Yom Kippur. We start our day by thanking Hashem for all the great blessings He has granted us. I had the occasion during my trips to Israel to visit Israeli soldiers who, unfortunately, sustained injuries that necessitated the amputation of limbs. They do not have the ability that the rest of having to easily get out of bed and move about. We need to appreciate these great blessings that Hashem gives us anew each morning, and try, as much as possible, to recite the Berachot with thought and concentration, truly appreciating all that Hashem does for us.

Yud-Alef Menachem Av (21:03)

Yud-Beis Menachem Av (21:08)

Rebbetzin Esti Simon, and her husband, Rabbi Sruly run the Chabad Student Centre of Kington, in Kingston, Ontatio, Canada.Rebbetzin Esti is one of 14 children, and her husband is one of 13 children. Her story about her parents and family is inspiring!Rebbetzin Esti shares the secrets of the unique power of a woman to lead, inspire, and nurture, in relationships. Rebbetzin Esti tells us that in a relationship, each person has their own strengths. According to the Lubuvitcher Rebbe, women should be partners with their husband in building a Jewish home. By allowing and making space for each person to fulfill the role that they are naturally good at, a dynamic is created where a husband and wife feel like they are contributing to the relationship without being stepped on. Kabbalah teaches that men are the givers and women are the receivers. The feminine energy is about receiving. A woman receives from a man, and then creates something from that which she received.Trust and relax, believing that everything comes from Hashem.Contact: atrebbetzins@gmail.com Vera Kessler (host of America's Top Rebbetzins) is a certified life coach. She specializes in transformational life coaching and accountability coaching. She is also a motivational speaker. Vera's mission is to help women get out of survival mode and start thriving. She works with women who are committed to stepping into their own self-worth and creating the life they want to live--one that is full of joy, empowerment, meaning, and purpose. To learn more, visit:https://innerlifecoachingwithvera.com/

Learning Lessons in Tanya chapter 37 exploring ✨️ the reward of Mitzvot is a Mitzvah and bringing the dwelling of Hashem into this World. Elevating technology like phones

התוכן עשרת הדברות [שברביעי דפ' ואתחנן], שהתחלתן היא ב"אנכי ה' אלקיך" וסיומן ב"לא תתאווה .. וכל אשר לרעך", נאמרו בפרטיות ובאופן ברור דוקא – בשש מאות ועשרים אותיות, כנגד תרי"ג מצוות בתורה וז' מצוות דרבנן. וההוראה הברורה: כשם שצריכים להיות זהיר בקיום ציווי הקב"ה ש"בין אדם ומקום" – "אנכי ה' אלקיך", כך באותה מדה צריכים להיות זהיר בכל הענינים שבהמשך העשה"ד, גם הענינים שהם לכאו' שייכים רק לחבירו, "בין אדם לחבירו", ואפי' אם מדובר לא בנשמתו וגופו של חבירו אלא בנכסיו, ואפי' נכסים לא יקרים – "וכל אשר לרעך". וע"י ההוספה בקיום הוראה זו, ממהרים ומזרזים קיום בקשת משה להכנס לארץ ישראל, "ואתחנן וגו'", בגאולה האמיתית והשלימה תיכף ומיד ממש. א' השיחות יום ד' פ' ואתחנן, י"ג מנחם-אב, ה'תנש"א ל"הנחה פרטית" או התרגום ללה"ק של השיחה: https://thedailysicha.com/?date=05-08-2025 Synopsis The Aseres HaDibros (in revi'i of parashas Va'eschanan) begin with “I am Hashem your G-d” and conclude with “You shall not desire…anything that belongs to your fellow,” and they are specifically stated in detail and clearly, in six hundred and twenty letters, corresponding to the 613 Biblical mitzvos and the seven Rabbinic mitzvos. The clear lesson is that just as one must be careful to fulfill Hashem's command in matters that are between man and G-d (“I am Hashem your G-d”), so must one be equally careful with all of the Aseres HaDibros, including those that are seemingly matters between man and his fellow. This applies not only when it comes to another Jew's soul or body, but even when it comes to his possessions, and even unvaluable possessions – “…and anything that belongs to your fellow.” By increasing in our fulfillment of this directive, we hasten the fulfillment of Moshe's request to enter Eretz Yisroel, “Va'eschanan (‘I entreated Hashem at that time')…,” with the true and complete Redemption literally right now.Sichah from Wednesday, parashas Va'eschanan, 13 Menachem-Av 5751. For a transcript in English of the Sicha: https://thedailysicha.com/?date=05-08-2025 לע”נ הרה"ח ר' ראובן ב"ר תנחום וזוגתו מרת רבקה בת ר' יחיאל זלמן ע"ה דונין ליום היארצייט שלהם י"א מנחם-אב. ‏ת.נ.צ.ב.ה.נדבת בני משפחתם שיחיו*לע”נ מרת לונה בת ר' אברהם הכהן ע"ה אבן חיים ליום היארצייט שלה י"א מנחם-אב. ת.נ.צ.ב.ה.נדבת בנה ר' אברהם שי' אבן חיים

We all want to live long. But how long is a long life? Centenarians are still rare. Global life expectancy is around 70 years old. In healthier, richer countries, maybe 80. But when you open up Scripture, you find ages an order of magnitude larger. Adam lived to 930. Methuselah to 969. How do we understand the radical difference in the ages of the ancients? What changed from then till now? Why did God shrink the average life expectancy? This question intrigued many of our sages, and in this very fun and interesting podcast, we explore some of the ideas that they shared.– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –DONATE: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletterrabbiwolbe.com/newsletter– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe's PodcastsThe Parsha PodcastThe Jewish History PodcastThe Mitzvah Podcast This Jewish LifeThe Ethics PodcastTORAH 101 ★ Support this podcast ★

This week's parsha continues Moshe's monologue to the nation in the weeks preceding his passing. He begins by recounting his repeated efforts in trying to convince God to rescind His decree that Moshe not enter the Land; Moshe then begins the retelling of the Torah; and we read many warnings and predictions about proper behavior and the consequences of abandoning Torah and mitzvos. This is a parsha replete with iconic verses and big themes!– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletterrabbiwolbe.com/newsletter– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe's PodcastsThe Parsha PodcastThe Jewish History PodcastThe Mitzvah Podcast This Jewish LifeThe Ethics PodcastTORAH 101 ★ Support this podcast ★

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In this episode of the Parsha Review Podcast, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe introduces Parshas Va'eschanan, which follows Tisha B'Av, a day of mourning for the destruction of the two Temples and other tragedies in Jewish history. The episode focuses on Moses' heartfelt pleas—515 prayers—to enter the Land of Israel, which God ultimately denies, commanding him to stop to avoid compelling divine acquiescence. Rabbi Wolbe is joined by his nephew, Avram Blackman, a seventh-grader from Toronto, who shares a profound insight on the parsha. Avram highlights Moses' resilience, noting that despite his unanswered prayers, Moses continued to teach and strengthen the Jewish people, delivering the Shema and Torah without complaint. Avram connects this to a personal story about his rebbe, who, unable to speak due to a medical procedure, wrote personalized, heartfelt letters to each student on the last day of school, pouring his love and pride into words that carried lasting impact. Avram compares this to the Torah itself, likening it to a divine letter from Hashem, written to endure beyond spoken words, ensuring an eternal connection. He addresses the question of why Moses prayed 515 times if his request was denied, explaining that prayer is about building a relationship with God, not just achieving desires. Each prayer brought Moses closer to Hashem, just as his rebbe's letters deepened the bond with his students. Rabbi Wolbe reinforces this, emphasizing that prayer elevates us spiritually, regardless of the outcome, and encourages listeners to see every prayer as a step toward divine closeness. The episode concludes with a blessing for fulfilled prayers and a meaningful Shabbos._____________This episode (Ep 7.41) of the Parsha Review Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe on Parshas Va'eschanan is dedicated in honor of our Holy Soldiers in the Battlefield and our Torah Scholars in the Study Halls who are fighting for the safety of our nation!Download & Print the Parsha Review Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ncaRyoH5iJmGGoMZs9y82Hz2ofViVouv?usp=sharingRecorded at TORCH Studios (C) to an online TORCHzoom.com audience on August 4, 2025, in Passaic, New Jersey.Released as Podcast on August 4, 2025_____________Subscribe: Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/parsha-review-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1651930083)Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/22lv1kXJob5ZNLaAl6CHTQ) to stay inspired! Share your questions at awolbe@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: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Subscribe and Listen to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer 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:#Torah, #Parsha, #Deuteronomy, #Prayer, #Moshe, #Va'esHanan, #Rebbe, #Torah, #Leadership, #Love, #Connection, #Spiritual, #God, #Relationship ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of the Parsha Review Podcast, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe introduces Parshas Va'eschanan, which follows Tisha B'Av, a day of mourning for the destruction of the two Temples and other tragedies in Jewish history. The episode focuses on Moses' heartfelt pleas—515 prayers—to enter the Land of Israel, which God ultimately denies, commanding him to stop to avoid compelling divine acquiescence. Rabbi Wolbe is joined by his nephew, Avram Blackman, a seventh-grader from Toronto, who shares a profound insight on the parsha. Avram highlights Moses' resilience, noting that despite his unanswered prayers, Moses continued to teach and strengthen the Jewish people, delivering the Shema and Torah without complaint. Avram connects this to a personal story about his rebbe, who, unable to speak due to a medical procedure, wrote personalized, heartfelt letters to each student on the last day of school, pouring his love and pride into words that carried lasting impact. Avram compares this to the Torah itself, likening it to a divine letter from Hashem, written to endure beyond spoken words, ensuring an eternal connection. He addresses the question of why Moses prayed 515 times if his request was denied, explaining that prayer is about building a relationship with God, not just achieving desires. Each prayer brought Moses closer to Hashem, just as his rebbe's letters deepened the bond with his students. Rabbi Wolbe reinforces this, emphasizing that prayer elevates us spiritually, regardless of the outcome, and encourages listeners to see every prayer as a step toward divine closeness. The episode concludes with a blessing for fulfilled prayers and a meaningful Shabbos._____________This episode (Ep 7.41) of the Parsha Review Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe on Parshas Va'eschanan is dedicated in honor of our Holy Soldiers in the Battlefield and our Torah Scholars in the Study Halls who are fighting for the safety of our nation!Download & Print the Parsha Review Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ncaRyoH5iJmGGoMZs9y82Hz2ofViVouv?usp=sharingRecorded at TORCH Studios (C) to an online TORCHzoom.com audience on August 4, 2025, in Passaic, New Jersey.Released as Podcast on August 4, 2025_____________Subscribe: Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/parsha-review-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1651930083)Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/22lv1kXJob5ZNLaAl6CHTQ) to stay inspired! Share your questions at awolbe@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: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Subscribe and Listen to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer 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:#Torah, #Parsha, #Deuteronomy, #Prayer, #Moshe, #Va'esHanan, #Rebbe, #Torah, #Leadership, #Love, #Connection, #Spiritual, #God, #Relationship ★ Support this podcast ★

Yud Menachem Av (19:24)

In this episode of the Jewish Inspiration Podcast, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe discusses the significance of Tisha B'Av, the ninth of Av, a day of mourning in the Jewish calendar commemorating the destruction of both Temples and other tragedies. He explains that during the month of Av, joy is minimized but not eliminated, as the obligation to remain joyful persists. The episode delves into the historical context of the spies' negative report about the Land of Israel, which led to the Jewish people's unwarranted crying, prompting God to decree future suffering on this date. Rabbi Wolbe emphasizes that Tisha B'Av is a time to feel the pain of the Almighty and the Jewish people, reflecting on the loss of the Temple as a means to connect with God, who resides within us, not merely in a physical structure.Rabbi Wolbe connects historical tragedies to modern pain, such as the ongoing hostage crisis in Gaza and the loss of nearly 900 soldiers, urging listeners to empathize with others' suffering and God's “homelessness” due to the Temple's absence. He cites the Talmud's teaching that a generation without a rebuilt Temple is as if it destroyed it, calling for small, intentional steps to bring godliness into daily life—through mitzvahs, Torah study, or kindness—to rebuild the spiritual Temple. The episode concludes with a prayer that this Tisha B'Av be the last, hoping for a rebuilt Temple and a renewed connection to God for all Jews seeking their heritage.Recorded at TORCH Studios (C) to an online TORCHzoom.com audience on July 18, 2025, in Passaic, New Jersey.Released as Podcast on August 3, 2025_____________Listen, Subscribe & Share: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jewish-inspiration-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1476610783Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4r0KfjMzmCNQbiNaZBCSU7) to stay inspired! Share 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:Our Mission is Connecting Jews & Judaism. Help us spread Judaism globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org.Your support makes a HUGE difference!_____________Listen MoreOther podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer 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:#TishaB'Av, #Joy, #Mourning, #Consequences, #Tragedies, #Fasting, #Reflection, #Connection, #Temple, #Empathy, #Sorrow, #Hope, #Prayer, #Community, #SacredTime ★ Support this podcast ★

This explains the concept of צידוק הדין - to recognize that what is happening to us if from Hashem, and accept it.

In this transformative episode, part two of our seven-part Merkavah series, Rabbi Meisel explores Yitzchak as the embodiment of Gevurah, the divine quality of discipline, restraint, and the power to transform potential into reality. Building on the foundation of Avraham's Chesed, we uncover how Yitzchak's very existence, and especially the Akeidah, reveals a spiritual blueprint for personal growth, resilience, and the miracle of becoming. Through deep Torah insights, metaphors of birth and laughter, and the cosmic resonance of the shofar, this conversation draws a powerful connection between Gevurah and the hidden strength in navigating life's challenges.Join the Conversation! Be part of our growing community—join the Shema Podcast for the Perplexed WhatsApp group to share feedback, discuss episodes, and suggest future topics. Click here to sign up.Want to keep going deeper? Explore Revealing the Hidden with Rabbi Gershon Meisel—uncovering the depth behind Torah, life, and the spiritual reality beneath it all.

Conversation # 4 of the seriesIn this conversation, Zev and I analyze the first step of the prophetic path to Da'as Hashem – its logic, practice, and universal relevance.5:00 The four-step discipline of the prophets for reaching Da'as Hashem13:00 The doctrine of Da'as Hashem is universally intelligible and meaningful even without accepting Torah or Judaism16:45 The universality of Da'as Hashem as opposed to the particularism of the Torah22:30 The secret society of Da'as Hashem 24:30 Live demonstration of the first step of the Path43:25 Purifying the soul and serving Hashem circumvents the need for having a developed philosophy of morals 48:45 The connection between tefillah and Da'as Hashem52:00 The Jewish national experience as the training ground for achieving Da'as Hashem57:30 Why pure Da'as Hashem is impossible in exile1:01:45 Why Rabbi Chiya never had kavanah during davening1:06:30 Questions on the first step1:14:15 The stark difference between those who know and those who don't: https://x.com/shnayor/status/1950646482291347817

On this erev Shabbos Chazon, the Mashgiach delivers a powerful and moving schmooze on how to approach Tisha B'Av 5785. Rabbi Stark is currently giving the daily Hachzek mussar shiur. To access, click the link below: Hachzek.com. WhatsApp Chat. Free Sefer. Hachzek App (Apple). Hachzek App (Google).