POPULARITY
Introduction to the Fundamentals of Emunah Welcome to our daily Bitachon class. As a continuation of our topic on Sha'ar HaBechinah (The Gate of Reflection), we are now going to discuss the fundamentals of Emunah —the ways in which we attain a clear recognition of God. To begin, there are three fundamental paths through which we recognize God. The first—in no specific order—is through creation, which we explored during our six months studying Sha'ar HaBechinah . The Chovot HaLevavot teaches us that the most direct and simplest way to understand God's Yichud (His oneness and exclusivity) is by delving into creation. This is why Sha'ar HaBechinah is placed as the second gate of the book. The first gate, Sha'ar HaYichud , is highly philosophical and is not commonly learned today; the Chovot HaLevavot itself suggests that we focus our attention on Bechinah instead. The second path through which we find God is through His Torah. God revealed His will and His desires for the world through the Torah. Recognizing His will allows us to fulfill the dictate of Vehallachta Bedrachav —to walk in His ways, which are the ways of the Torah. The third path is through His involvement in the world. We can look at this dimension through various lenses: Hashgacha Pratit (Divine providence), Sechar VeOnesh (reward and punishment), or open miracles. Whether hidden or revealed, seeing God's hand guiding the world is a powerful way to recognize Him. Our goal going forward is to build a structured understanding of how we observe God within these dimensions. The Two Tracks of Recognition In Darkei HaAvodah , Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman explains that there are actually two fundamental tracks for attaining recognition of God and coming to serve Him. The first track is Yetziat Mitzrayim (the Exodus from Egypt), which represents the very first statement God made to us as a nation: אנוכי השם אלוקיך אשר הוצאתיך מארץ מצרים "I am Hashem your God who took you out of the land of Egypt." The second track consists of Torah and Beriah (creation). For simplicity's sake, we can categorize these as Track 1 ( Yetziat Mitzrayim , which is God's direct revelation to us), Track 2-A (delving into the Torah), and Track 2-B (delving into creation). Rav Bergman points to the Rambam in Sefer HaMitzvot (Positive Commandment #3). When the Rambam defines what it means to fulfill the commandment to love God, he explains that we must contemplate and understand His commandments, His words, and His actions. How does this intellectual understanding lead to love? Once you internalize the concept of Hashem Echad and truly recognize God ( Nassigehu ), you naturally experience a profound, ultimate pleasure from that realization ( נהנה בהשגתו בתכלית הנאה ). Love is always dependent on connection; you enjoy a person's presence and yearn to be close to them. Similarly, when we perceive the greatness of God in creation or in the Torah, it sparks a deep connection and a yearning to be close to Him. The Structure of Our Daily Prayers To anchor this with a practical, daily takeaway, we can look at our prayers. The central moment where we focus on Hashem Echad is, of course, the Kriat Shema . The Kriat Shema consists of three paragraphs ( parshiot ). The first two ( V'ahavta and Ve-hayah im shamoa ) focus heavily on loving Hashem, which, as we established, comes through studying His Torah and creation. The third paragraph ( Vayomer ) concludes with the remembrance of the Exodus: אנוכי השם אלוקיכם אשר הוצאתי אתכם מארץ מצרים "I am Hashem your God who took you out of the land of Egypt." Thus, our daily Kriat Shema explicitly encapsulates all three of these foundational points. Furthermore, if we pay close attention to the blessings surrounding the Shema ( Birkot Kriat Shema ), we see this exact structure beautifully highlighted: Before Shema (Creation): The first blessing is Yotzer Or V'choshekh , which praises God for the natural world and concludes with Yotzer HaMe'orot (Creator of the luminaries). This corresponds to looking into creation. Before Shema (Torah): The second blessing is Ahavat Olam , which details God's love for us. The entire blessing revolves around the fact that He chose us and taught us the Torah ( וקרבתנו מלכנו לשמך הגדול ). In it, we ask Hashem for the ability to understand His Torah. After Shema ( Yetziat Mitzrayim ): After declaring Hashem Elokeichem Emet , we transition into V'yatziv Venachon , where we recount the Exodus, sing Mi Chamocha , and recall Az Yashir right before transitioning into the Amidah . Conclusion As Rav Wolbe writes, the single best way to strengthen our philosophical ideals is to focus on them during prayer, because the text of our liturgy contains the secrets to everything. Every single day, from Barechu until the Amidah , our prayers guide us through a deliberate spiritual sequence: we contemplate God in creation, we contemplate God in the Torah, and then—having reached a clear recognition through those two avenues—we declare Hashem Echad . From there, we move through the Shema , invoke the reality of Yetziat Mitzrayim , and emerge with a clear, fortified Emunah . Only then are we truly ready to stand before Him and pray. As we transition away from Sha'ar HaBechinah , this is the fundamental takeaway we must carry with us: strengthening our Emunah is a dynamic process that relies on all three of these powerful avenues.
Using the Exodus story as a powerful metaphor, Rabbi Steve Berkson beautifully guides us through the journey from slavery to freedom. This message encourages us to believe in the possibility of change and deliverance, inspired by the Israelites' escape from Egypt. It reminds us that real deliverance involves personal growth, not just external help. Rabbi Berkson, referencing Ephesians chapter two, highlights the significance of grasping its core message: to overcome hostility and accept the grace available to everyone through Messiah Yeshua by following the path that Elohim has laid out in His Torah.• Intro/Review• Yahweh's Role in the Process - Step 3• Ephesians 2:1-2 Authority over nothing?• Ephesians 2:3 The battle for your mind• Ephesians 2:4-7 Favor equals graciousness• Ephesians 2:8 If we act in belief…• Ephesians 2:9 What kind of moron…?• Something funny about Ephesians 2:5• Back to zero• Ephesians 2:10 We should walk in these… • Ephesians 2:11 Two groups of people• Ephesians 2:12 Having no expectation and without Elohim• Ephesians 2:13-15 Messiah abolished what? • Ephesians 2:16 Restored to favor• Ephesians 2:17-22 No longer strangers, but fellow citizens Learn more about MTOI:https://mtoi.orgThe MTOI App https://mtoi.org/download-the-mtoi-appFollow MTOI:https://www.facebook.com/mtoiworldwide https://www.instagram.com/mtoi_worldwidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@mtoi_worldwide Contact MTOI:
The Wisdom of Abundance: Physical and Spiritual Necessity Welcome to our daily Bitachon Shaar Bechinah series. This is a very important lesson from the Chovot Halevavot , teaching us about the wisdom of God: whatever we need for our survival can be found in abundance, and whatever is a luxury is less available. Again, this is from the wisdom of God. If the world were haphazard, you wouldn't see this pattern. This design is one of the greatest signs of God's creation. The Hierarchy of Physical Needs Air: Air is breathable, and you cannot survive without it for even a moment. Therefore, God made it so that air is everywhere; there is no place where you cannot get it. Imagine if you had to buy air in bottles—you would constantly be running out. Water: Water is next on the list. While not as immediate as air, dehydration is still a serious issue. Therefore, water is everywhere. It covers the oceans, and while you sometimes have to pay for it—in the old days to a water carrier, or today for a bottle of Poland Spring—it is highly available. Food: You can last longer without food than you can without water. Consequently, food is available, but it is a little harder to get; you have to work harder for it. Clothing: You can survive without clothing for a quite long time. It is important, so our sources for clothing (like wool) are readily available, but it requires effort. Luxuries: When it comes to expensive jewelry, gold, silver, and luxury goods, these are commodities we don't actually need. The only reason luxury goods have any value is because humanity collectively agreed to it. Inherently, a diamond has no real value—it is not like a medicine. It's just that everyone said, "Hey, diamonds look nice." Because it has no inherent value, it is not abundant. In fact, if it were abundant, it would lose all its value because everyone would have it. God created luxury goods to be less available precisely because they are not necessary. Look at how God turns the wheels of creation! The author of the Chovot Halevavot expresses his sheer amazement at this larger picture of divine wisdom, exclaiming: ישתבח הבורא החכם החומל המרחם על עבדיו אשר עינו עליהם לטובה בכל מה שהם בו תקנתם אין אלוה מבלעדיו "Praised is the Creator, the wise, compassionate, and merciful One, Who watches over His servants for good, providing everything necessary for their well-being. There is none besides Him." He then quotes a pasuk (verse) from Yonah, where God corrects the prophet: "You, Yonah, cared about a transient plant that you didn't work for or develop, which was here today and gone tomorrow. Should I then not have compassion on Nineveh, the great city?" God is saying: I care about creation; I care about the world. As David HaMelech (King David) says: טוב ה׳ לכל ורחמיו על כל מעשיו ( "Hashem is good to all, and His mercy is upon all His works" ). The Spiritual Parallel: Emuna is Our Air The Alter (Elder) of Kelm takes this principle a step further. If this rule is true in the physical world—that whatever you need most is most available—surely it applies to the spiritual world as well. Whatever my neshama (soul) needs most must be the most accessible. For example, the mitzvah of sending away a mother bird ( Shiluch HaKen ) is obviously not as vital for daily spiritual survival, otherwise it would be more accessible. Of course, all mitzvot are necessary, but that one is not a daily requirement. Mitzvot that are more vital are easily available. If I need tzitzit , I can make them easily, just like clothing. But what is the absolute spiritual necessity? What is our spiritual air? Our air is emuna (faith). As the verse says, צדיק באמונתו יחיה ( "The righteous person lives by his faith" ). We live on this air. Therefore, Hashem gives us opportunities at every single step to strengthen our emuna —whether it is by looking at creation, recognizing God's hashgacha (divine providence), or engaging with His Torah. The opportunities for emuna are endless. The Element of Choice There is only one difference between physical air and the "air" of emuna . Because God cares about us so much, He did not want to leave physical breathing up to our conscious choice; if we had to actively decide to breathe, we might forget one day and die. When it comes to emuna , however, God made it highly accessible, but it requires our attention. If you don't think about it and pay attention to it, you won't see it. We can easily ignore miracles if we choose not to contemplate them. Recognizing the Signs Consider the examples we have spoken about recently: The Survival of the Jewish People: The Jewish people exist to this day simply because Hashem made a promise to Avraham Avinu, and that promise is being fulfilled right now. Eretz Yisrael: God promised that the Land of Israel belongs to us forever. What other being could make a promise like that and sustain it, if not the Creator? Job writes in the pasuk : מבשרי אחזה אלוה ( "From my flesh I see God" , Iyov 19:26). God made it so that you can see Him right from your own body, placing the opportunity for awareness right in front of you. Because remembering Yetzias Mitzrayim (the Exodus from Egypt) is so critical, God surrounds us with it every single day through Tefillin , Tzitzit , and the Mezuzah . This shows the wonder of our caring, preparing God. Ultimately, this principle goes both ways: How do you know something is important? By how much of it exists. The fact that Yetzias Mitzrayim and emuna are emphasized so heavily throughout the Torah—and that we recite Kriyas Shema twice a day—proves just how vital they truly are. Working on our Emuna and Bitachon is our greatest necessity, and that is exactly what we are here doing.
This is another awesome example of scripture that testifies of Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus the Messiah, Jesus the Christ. We will study the event of the Golden Calf and God will teach us in His TORAH, His instructions, that He had a plan for Israel. He had an awesome purpose for His treasured possession (Exod. 19:5) It all relates to John 3:16 and the love the Lord has for all, the whole world. But, the Hebrews failed and chose another god, a god of gold, a bull calf. They didn't give up on the one true God, they just disobeyed Him in making an animal to represent the one God, the only God, יהוה Yahvay (I pronounce His name Yahvay and not Yahway since Hebrew has no W sound so it is an error to say Yahway for His name). Yahvay put this in His Ten Statements, His Ten Commandments, that we are not to make an image to represent the Lord. The Hebrews did. And they did not follow His commands and went their own way. Once again, I brought up the likelihood that the Hebrews had assimilated into the Egyptian culture. The Hebrews cried out in Exod. 2:23. But, it is more than cried out. The Hebrew word is za'aka זעק H2199 which is shriek or scream in deep anguish or terror. On top of that the Hebrews cried out to no one! In Exod. 2:23 they cried out - to who? God heard them but they did not cry out, shriek in deep pain, to the Lord. Later, at the sea before they crossed over, one they were reintroduced to the God of Abraham, we read in Exod. 14:10 that Israel cried out TO THE LORD. We miss that. We think they cried out to the Lord in Exod. 2:23. That is putting words in the Bible that aren't there. They didn't know the God of their fathers anymore. What happened? What's going on? The answer - they had assimilated into the Egyptian culture. The Bible proves it yet we missed it. All they knew were the gods of Egypt. It is easy to get Israel out of Egypt but it is nigh impossible to get Egypt out of Israel. The Hebrews after hundreds of years were deeply imbedded into the Egyptian culture and ways. Here's the link to study that the Hebrews assimilated into Egypt – https://halakhaoftheday.org/2023/03/29/from-propsperty-to-assimilationn/ Here' a link to lesson 4 part 2 in this series where we study this idea. It is seemingly proven from the very word of God. Here's the link - https://youtu.be/9tY5N0mAJ2I?si=BQ2ID2W8eVXZT1xb I did an “AI” search (artificial intelligence) of the Apis Bull in ancient Egypt. I came up with the following. I know a lot about the Apis Bull from my days traveling and doing research in Egypt plus my own personal study. The “AI” material is right on. So here it is in its entirety. I do this just in case you want to expand your study to learn more about the Apis Bull and ancient Egypt. AI SEARCH ON THE APIS BULL – MAY 2026 The Apis bull was a sacred animal in ancient Egypt, serving as a living manifestation of the god Ptah and, during its life, a powerful symbol of the pharaoh's vitality, strength, and divine right to rule. As a direct connection between the gods and the kingdom, the Apis bull reinforced the legitimacy of the monarch and was frequently referred to as the "strong bull" in royal inscriptions. [1, 2, 3, 4] Connection to the Pharaoh Symbol of Power: The Apis bull directly symbolized the fertility, power, and vitality of the pharaoh. "Strong Bull" Titles: Pharaohs often used titles such as "Strong Bull of His Mother" to equate themselves with the sacred animal. Ritual Union: During the Sed festival (rejuvenation ceremony), the pharaoh participated in rituals with the bull to absorb its divine power, often described as running or walking with the Apis. Divine Manifestation: The bull was considered an earthly avatar of Ptah (creator god) and, upon death, united with Osiris to become Osiris-Apis. [1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7] Worship and Life Selection: Priests selected the bull based on strict, specific markings, including a black coat, a white triangle on the forehead, an eagle-shaped mark on the back, and a beetle-shaped mark under the tongue. Royal Treatment: Once selected, the Apis lived in a specialized "House of Apis" in Memphis, treating the bull with the same reverence and luxury as a pharaoh. Afterlife: When the Apis died, it was mummified and buried with immense fanfare in a dedicated cemetery known as the Serapeum at Saqqara. [2, 8, 9, 10] [1] https://www.ancientegyptblog.com/?p=3313 [2] https://www.facebook.com/Egypt.Culture/posts/the-sacred-bull-apis-was-one-of-the-greatest-religious-symbols-in-ancient-egypt-/930050865826543/ [3] https://www.magellantv.com/articles/by-the-horns-of-apis-ancient-egypts-noble-bullgod [4] https://egyptatours.com/what-is-apis-bull/ [5] https://australian.museum/learn/cultures/international-collection/ancient-egyptian/bull-apis-e39829/ [6] https://templeofathena.blog/2016/08/18/god-of-the-month-club-apis-the-living-bull-god-of-egypt/ [7] https://www.livius.org/articles/religion/apis/ [8] https://www.facebook.com/Tresuresofancientegypt/posts/a-sacred-bull-apis-egypt-with-ahmed-graeco-roman-museum-of-alexandria/833234285657958/ [9] https://egypt-museum.com/cows-bulls-in-ancient-egypt/ [10] https://x.com/archeohistories/status/1939677557500293212 In this lesson the Bible supports the idea that Aaron was complicit in the event of the Golden Bull Calf. Orthodix Jewish Rabbis, however, stick up for Aaron and try to argue he is totally innocent with regards to the Golden Bull Calf incident. Their views are merely opinion not based upon God's word and in fact are dismissive of the word when it says that Aaron is guilty and the Lord will destroy him along with all Israel. Their views are totally unacceptable and in great error. Aaron may not have participated in the worship of the Golden Bull Calf, but he made the molten image and thus got all Israel to sin grievously against the Lord. That Aaron was found guilty is clear in the very words of God Himself and God wanted to destroy all Israel and AARON!! "The LORD spoke further to me, saying, 'I have seen this people, and indeed, it is a stubborn people. 'Let Me alone, that I may destroy them and blot out their name from under heaven; and I will make of you a nation mightier and greater than they.' "(Deu 9:13-14) "The LORD was angry enough with Aaron to destroy him; so I also prayed for Aaron at the same time." (Deu 9:20) Here's some links that will add to your study with regards to Aaron's guilt in this terrible event of the Golden Bull Calf. ARTICLE ON AARON'S GUILT FROM CHABAD – AN ORTHODIX JEWISH SITE - https://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/860977/jewish/Why-Did-Aaron-Make-the-Golden-Calf.htm ARTICLE ON AARON'S GUILT FROM www.GotQuestions.org - https://www.gotquestions.org/Aaron-golden-calf.html In this lesson we hear God say, "They have quickly turned aside from the way which I commanded them ..." (Exo 32:8) What is God's WAY that He wanted the Hebrews to follow? The Hebrew word for the word WAY is derekh (דֶּרֶךְ). It is the word used in Genesis 3 when the Lord shows the WAY back to the Garden was closed and guarded by two mighty Khrooveem (not cherubs). The WAY to the Father was blocked. Now in Exodus 32 God talks about His WAY, His derekh (דֶּרֶךְ) He wants the Hebrews to follow. Later, the Lord comes to us and He says in John 14 that, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." (Joh 14:6) So, what might he Lord be getting at? What is the lesson? I suggest it seems to be summed up in the first verses of Psalm 119. How blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walk in the law of the LORD. How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, Who seek Him with all their heart. They also do no unrighteousness; They walk in His ways. You have ordained Your precepts, That we should keep them diligently. Oh that my ways may be established To keep Your statutes! (Psa 119:1-6) In TORAH the Lord gives us His intruction to live as His people, His chosen ones. We are to liv in such a way that our lives show we are lovng the Lord God and serving Him by living as per His word, the Written Word. But then He came to us. Yeshua. He is the Living Word. In John 14 we read that Yeshua says if we are His true disciples He is in us and we in Him. We abide together. And as true branches of the "true vine" that is Yeshua we are to be fruitful so that our work in Yeshua keeps until the final harvest of the Vinedresser, the Father, and show ourselves to be His disciples. We live to be His People of THE WAY, derekh (דֶּרֶךְ). Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? (Ferret - somewhere on the Jordan River in northern Galilee) What's his background? Why should I listen to him? Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0
Welcome to Day 2865 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2865 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 125:1-6 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2865 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2865 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The title for today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Blessed Hearth – Cultivating Cosmic Peace in the Home In our previous episode on this ancient pilgrim path, we climbed through the eighth Song of Ascent, Psalm One Hundred Twenty-Seven. That profound psalm, written by King Solomon, delivered a striking warning about the total futility of human ambition. We learned that unless the Lord builds the house, and unless the Lord guards the city, our frantic, anxious, early-morning-to-late-night labor is completely wasted. We explored the beautiful martial metaphor of children being shaped like arrows in the hands of a warrior, designed to be launched directly into the cultural battlefield to push back the darkness. We resolved to surrender our personal blueprints to the Divine Architect, resting securely in His sovereign provision. Today, we take our next rhythmic, joyful steps up the trail toward the Holy City. We are immersing ourselves in the ninth Song of Ascent: Psalm One Hundred Twenty-Eight, verses one through six, in the New Living Translation. This psalm serves as the perfect, beautiful twin to the one we just left behind. If Psalm One Hundred Twenty-Seven warned us against the dangerous traps of building an autonomous empire, Psalm One Hundred Twenty-Eight shows us the breathtaking, positive reality of what happens when a household is properly aligned with the cosmic order of the Creator. We are moving from the construction site, and the battlefield, directly into the warmth of the family hearth. Let us step onto the trail, and discover the true anatomy of a blessed life. The first segment is: The True Anatomy of Joy and Uncorrupted Labor Psalm One Hundred Twenty-Eight: verses one and two. How joyful are those who fear the Lord— all who follow his ways! You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be! The psalm opens with a resounding, universal declaration of flourishing. “How joyful are those who fear the Lord—all who follow his ways!” The Hebrew word used here for “joyful,” or “blessed,” is Ashrei. As we have discovered on our long trek through the Psalter, Ashrei is not a fleeting, superficial happiness. It is not an emotional high based on good luck, or comfortable circumstances. Ashrei is a state of deep, structural well-being. It is the profound satisfaction of a human life that is working exactly the way the Designer intended it to work. And how do you achieve this state of cosmic alignment? The psalmist gives a dual-sided answer: by fearing the Lord, and by following His ways. The “fear of the Lord” is not the cowering, paralyzed terror of a slave shrinking from a cruel tyrant. It is the deep, trembling reverence of a creature who recognizes the supreme, unrivaled majesty of the Creator. We must view this through the lens of the Ancient Israelite worldview, specifically regarding the Divine Council theology taught by Dr. Michael S. Heiser. The surrounding pagan nations lived in constant, anxious terror of their localized deities. The rebel gods of Canaan, Babylon, and Egypt were capricious, demanding, and unpredictable. The pagans had to constantly manipulate these spiritual forces through frantic sacrifices, just to avoid their wrath. But Yahweh is entirely different. He is the Holy, Righteous Sovereign. To fear Him means to recognize His ultimate authority, to reject the deceptive claims of the rebel principalities, and to lock your loyalty exclusively onto His covenant. This internal reverence naturally manifests in external action: you follow His ways. You map your daily footsteps according to the cosmic blueprint of His Torah. When your life is properly aligned with the King, the blessing immediately overflows into your daily work. Verse two promises, “You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be!” This is a profound, beautiful reversal of the ancient curse of Genesis Chapter Three. After the rebellion in Eden, human labor was corrupted. The ground was cursed, yielding thorns and thistles, and humanity was condemned to eat their food through anxious, sweat-soaked sorrow. Furthermore, in a chaotic world ruled by rebel spirits, a farmer could work hard all season, only to have a hostile foreign army raid his fields and steal his entire harvest right before his eyes. But under the protective, sovereign guard of Yahweh, the curse is neutralized. The pilgrim who fears the Lord is granted a rare, magnificent privilege: he actually gets to sit down, rest, and enjoy the direct fruit of his own hard work. Your labor is no longer an exercise in futility. It becomes meaningful, productive, and deeply satisfying. You become prosperous, not necessarily in the shallow, materialistic sense of amassing millions in gold, but in the true, biblical sense of having more than enough to sustain a joyful, flourishing life. The second segment is: The Living Metaphors of the Fruitful Hearth Psalm One Hundred Twenty-Eight: verses three and four. Your wife will be like a fruitful grapevine, flourishing within your home. Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees as they sit around your table. That is the Lord's blessing for those who fear him. The psalmist moves from the public sphere of the fields and the marketplace, and walks right into the private sanctuary of the home. He uses two of the most powerful, evocative agricultural metaphors in the entire ancient Near East to describe the inner circle of the family. First, he declares, “Your wife will be like a fruitful grapevine, flourishing within your home.” In the ancient Mediterranean world, the grapevine was the ultimate symbol of joy, celebration, and abundant life. Wine was not just a beverage; it was the essential element that gladdened the human heart during feasts and covenant celebrations. A grapevine required careful, long-term cultivation, pruning, and protection. By comparing a wife to a fruitful grapevine flourishing within the innermost parts of the home, the psalmist is painting a picture of deep intimacy, security, and intoxicating joy. She is not a slave, or a piece of property, as women often were in the surrounding pagan empires. She is the very source of life, beauty, and relational warmth at the center of the household. Her presence fills the domestic sanctuary with a rich, nourishing vitality that causes the entire family structure to blossom. Second, he looks down at the next generation: “Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees as they sit around your table.” Think about the unique nature of the olive tree. In ancient Israel, the olive tree was the absolute cornerstone of the economy. Olive oil was used for cooking, for fueling the lamps that pushed back the darkness, and for anointing priests and kings. But an olive tree is an exercise in extreme, multi-generational patience. A newly planted olive shoot can take anywhere from ten to fifteen years before it begins to bear a significant harvest of fruit. However, once that tree matures, its root system becomes virtually indestructible. It can live, flourish, and produce rich, valuable oil for centuries. When the psalmist looks at the children sitting around the family dinner table, and calls them “vigorous young olive shoots,” he is looking far past the present moment. He is describing a generational investment. These children are currently small, requiring constant watering, protection, and pruning according to the wisdom of God's Word. They are the arrows we learned about in Psalm One Hundred Twenty-Seven. But because they are being raised within the secure perimeter of a household that fears Yahweh, they are developing deep, unshakeable spiritual roots. They are being prepared to stand firm against the chaotic storms of the culture, ensuring that long after the parents have returned to the dust, the family legacy will continue to produce the rich oil of truth, light, and righteousness in a dark world. The psalmist pauses to secure this domestic imagery with a final, sealing declaration in verse four: “That is the Lord's blessing for those who fear him.” He wants to make sure we do not miss the connection. This beautiful, flourishing picture of a joyful wife and vigorous children is not an accident. It is not a stroke of good luck. It is the direct, intentional, and covenantal reward...
How fortunate we are to be the children of Hashem. He is there to help us twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and He loves each and every one of us more than a parent could ever love a child. We should feel proud to merit being the ones who follow His Torah. The pasuk says: כִּי הִיא חָכְמַתְכֶם וּבִינַתְכֶם לְעֵינֵי הָעַמִּים . When we live our lives according to the Torah, we are showing the world what true wisdom is. The Torah makes us a nation of kings and queens, and it is our greatest privilege to serve Hashem. Therefore, we should never be embarrassed to follow any mitzvah. If a gentile buyer asks a person to go to a non-kosher establishment, he should not say, "I'm not in the mood for that kind of food right now." Rather, he should say, "I'm sure the food is great, but my religion only permits me to eat in kosher establishments." If an executive asks for a meeting at a time that would cause a person to miss his set time for learning Torah, he should not be embarrassed to say, "I set aside time every day to learn and cannot miss it." All success comes from Hashem, and when we stand up for His honor and follow His Torah, He sends His blessings. The pessukim tell us about Daniel, who was taken as a young man to serve in the palace of Nebuchadnezzar. An official in charge told him he had to eat the finest foods from the royal table—rich meat and wine—so that he would appear strong and refined for service. Daniel said he wanted only grains and water, for kashrut reasons. The official explained that he would get in trouble if Daniel did not look robust like the other servants. Daniel suggested a ten-day test: give him grains and water and compare him to the others. At the end of the ten days, Daniel looked healthier, stronger, and more vibrant than the servants who ate the king's finest delicacies. Health and appearance come from Hashem, and He is the only One who needs to be impressed. Chazal tell us that because Daniel kept kashrut under duress, he merited protection later, even when he was thrown into the lion's den. Anyone who knows who the real Boss is will never compromise any level of Torah for any reason, especially in business. On the contrary, he will keep Torah even more carefully, knowing that success comes only from Hashem. Once a year, the largest retailer in the world, Walmart, holds a massive gathering for its top 1,500 suppliers, including Apple, General Mills, Frito-Lay, Procter & Gamble, and many more. They give awards for the best suppliers in each category, culminating in the Vendor of the Year award. At the last gathering, there were many Jews in attendance but an overwhelming majority of gentiles. The top award went to a religious Jew who keeps all halachot meticulously. On stage were many executives, including women, who normally extend their hands to congratulate winners—but in this case, they were instructed by the executive vice president to respect his religion and not do so. When he spoke, he did not praise his product or his skill. Instead, he said, "I attribute all of our company's success to the One Above." Later, other gentile vendors expressed how impressed they were that he publicly recognized G-d. This man does not own a smartphone. He appeared on that stage with a full Omer beard and does not compromise his Torah learning for work. Over the decades, many people have felt pressure to compromise standards to impress companies like Walmart—but this is unnecessary. Companies will respect Torah principles. In this instance, Walmart was more concerned with respecting his religion than he was with impressing them. All success comes from Hashem. If we are proud to be His people, we should also be proud to follow His Torah. True success comes not from pleasing people, but from standing strong in Hashem's Torah—He will make all things prosper.
Daily Halacha Podcast - Daily Halacha By Rabbi Eli J. Mansour
Yir'at Shamayim – the awareness that Hashem is watching us at all times, and sees everything we do – does not come naturally. Since we do not directly perceive Hashem with our senses, it is difficult to live with this awareness. This is something that requires work and a conscious effort. One of the important things we can do to help ourselves develop Yir'at Shamayim is to pray for it. The Gemara (Shabbat 156b) relates that Rav Nahman Bar Yishak's mother was informed by astrologers that her child would grow to become a criminal. She immediately ensured that he would never go about bareheaded, and she instructed him to regularly pray to be saved from the Yeser Ha'ra (evil inclination). Sure enough, the Gemara in Masechet Sota (49b) cites Rav Nahman Bar Yishak as testifying about himself that he possessed Yir'at Shamayim. This was, undoubtedly, due at least in part to his impassioned prayers for Yir'at Shamayim. The Maharsha (1555-1631) explains that although the Talmud (Berachot 33b) teaches, "Everything is in G-d's hands, except for the fear of G-d," implying that G-d does not help us fear Him, nevertheless, one who sincerely strives for Yir'at Shamayim can certainly pray for Hashem's assistance. If Hashem sees that a person has made the decision to try to live with Yir'at Shamayim, and beseeches Him for help, then He will assist that person. Indeed, we pray in Birkat Ha'mazon, "Ha'Rahaman Hu Yita Torato Ve'ahabato Be'libenu Ve'tiheyeh Yir'ato Al Panenu Le'bilti Neheta" – "The Merciful One shall plant in our hearts the love of His Torah and the love of Him, and the fear of Him shall be upon our faces so that we do not sin." At several points during the prayer service, too, we ask Hashem to help us in our quest for Yir'at Shamayim so we conduct ourselves properly at all times. It is also critically important to pray for one's children to have Yir'at Shamayim. Rav Haim Soloveitchik of Brisk (1853-1918) said that a boy's level of Torah learning depends on how often his father studies Torah with him, and his level of Yir'at Shamayim depends on how many tears his mother sheds while praying for his Yir'at Shamayim during candle lighting on Friday evening. Additionally, many great Rabbis gave us "tips" and strategies for developing our fear of G-d. The Yafeh La'leb (Rav Rahamim Nissim Yishak Palachi, Turkey, 1813-1907) writes that we can help engender Yir'at Shamayim within ourselves by regularly saying "Be'ezrat Hashem" – "with G-d's help" – before we proceed to do something. The more we remind ourselves that nothing we try to do can succeed without Hashem's assistance, that He is with us at all times helping us to do all that we need to do, even simple tasks, the more aware we will be of His continuous presence. Rav Yisrael Bitan cites from a wide range of sources fifteen "Segulot" that help one attain Yir'at Shamayim: 1) Looking up to the sky, to heighten our awareness of Hashem. 2) Looking at one's Sisit. 3) Reciting the verses in the Book of Debarim about Yir'at Shamayim (10:12-13) while wearing Tefillin Rabbenu Tam. 4) Learning Torah while wearing Tefillin Rabbenu Tam. 5) Spending a good deal of time in the synagogue. 6) Exercising care to avoid all kinds of forbidden speech. 7) Always seeking peace and promoting peace, while avoiding conflict and fights. 8) Ensuring to fulfill the Misva of standing in honor of the elderly and of Torah scholars. The Arizal noted that right after the Torah commands us to stand to honor the elderly and the scholars, it adds, "Ve'yareta Me'Elokecha" – "You shall fear your G-d" (Vayikra 19:32), indicating that fulfilling this Misva helps one develop Yir'at Shamayim. The Gemara (Berachot 28a) tells that when Rabbi Zera grew tired, and was unable to learn Torah, he would stand by the entrance to the study hall, explaining that when the Rabbis would pass by, he would stand in their honor and thereby receive reward. The Hida (Rav Haim Yosef David Azulai, 1724-1806) explained that Rabbi Zera certainly did not fulfill Misvot for the sake of earning reward. However, he was saying that by fulfilling the Misva to honor the Torah scholars, he would be rewarded with Yir'at Shamayim, and this is how he could continue developing himself spiritually when he lacked the strength to learn Torah. 9) Picturing in one's mind the Name of "Havaya" punctuated with the vowels of the word "Yir'a." 10) Regularly studying Torah. 11) Conducting oneself with humility at all times. 12) Having the works of the Rambam in one's home. 13) Regularly studying the Tur, the Bet Yosef, and the Shulhan Aruch. 14) Eating Shabbat meals with the specific intention of giving honor to the Shabbat. 15) Speaking sparingly, and spending periods of time in silence. When we are with great people, we feel somewhat uncomfortable and therefore speak little, afraid that we might say something inappropriate or foolish. Therefore, we should accustom ourselves to avoid excessive speech, sensing that we are in the presence of the Almighty. I would humbly add another piece of advice – to study the works of the Ben Ish Hai (Rav Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 1833-1909). His works are written in a very unique style, in a way that engenders a great deal of excitement for every topic he writes about. Regularly studying these precious books can help inspire us and inject us with Yir'at Shamayim. It is told that Rav Nahman of Breslav (Ukraine, 1772-1810) would spend some time each day outdoors, alone, speaking to Hashem, thanking Him for all his blessings, expressing all his needs, concerns and wishes, and asking for His assistance. This, too, is a very effective way to develop Yir'at Shamayim – taking some time each day to speak to Hashem in our own words, without a fixed text, as though He is right in front of us, expressing our feelings of gratitude as well as our fears, our needs and our wishes. These regular "meetings" help us remain conscious of His ongoing presence in our lives. One of the most important strategies for developing and maintaining Yir'at Shamayim is ensuring to be in good company, with likeminded individuals who share our religious values and our religious commitment. We are profoundly influenced by our surroundings, and so the more time we spend with G-d-fearing people, the more likely we are to be G-d-fearing ourselves. Furthermore, Rav Chaim Soloveitchik would advise people to have a close peer, a confidant, with whom to discuss matters related to Yir'at Shamayim and work together to think of practical measures to help them live with genuine fear of Hashem.
7 key takeaways from this study The world reeks of death, but God creates a distinct aroma of life. The unique incense in the Mishkan/Temple and the “soothing aroma” of burnt offerings contrast with the stench of death from sin (beginning in Genesis 3, developed in Romans 5). God's presence and appointed patterns (incense, offerings, festivals) mark out a different “smell” in the world. The Tabernacle is a beachhead of Heaven on earth. Like D‑Day or Incheon, God establishes a beachhead in history through Avraham, Israel, and the Mishkan, then breaks out into the nations. Israel is not an accidental or failed project; it is God's chosen instrument to bring life and blessing to all nations. Redemption is a cycle and a journey, not a one‑off event. The seven festivals (Pesach, Matzot, Shavuot, Yom Teruah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret) form a yearly pattern of ransom, reform, and regeneration. Israel's journey from Egypt to the Land pictures our own journey from bondage to freedom, from old life to being “born again” as a new people. Yeshua is both the Pesach Lamb and the fragrance of life. His blood on the “doorposts” blocks the destroyer and the wrath against the kingdom of oppression. In 2Corinthians 2, believers become the “fragrance of Messiah” — to some, an aroma of life; to others, an aroma from death to death. The “ministry of death” and the “ministry of the Spirit” are connected, not enemies. The Torah engraved on stone exposes sin and death (ministry of death/condemnation), but within it is also the pattern of reconciliation (sacrifices, priesthood, appointments). In Messiah and by the Spirit, that same pattern reaches its fullness: the Word written on hearts, not just on stone (2Corinthians 3; Romans 7–8). Believers are now the living Mishkan and a letter from Messiah. We are living stones (1Peter 2) and living sacrifices (Romans 12), a spiritual house and royal priesthood. Our lives function as a letter and as incense — visible and fragrant testimony of whom we've been with and who indwells us. True tikkun olam (renewing of the world) begins from the inside out. Material help (food, housing, etc.) is vital but incomplete if the inner “hole” in people is never addressed. God planted Israel — and now the enlarged people of God — to bring inner transformation (by the Spirit, through the Word and Messiah), not just external patching of problems. The rock song “That Smell” has a refrain common to reflections about the interplay between self-destruction and death: “Can’t you smell that smell? … The smell of death surrounds you.” Scripture similarly uses the senses to contrast the smell of death versus the aroma of life. This picture is rooted first in Gan Eden, the Garden of Eden. When Adam and Chavah (Eve) chose the tree of the knowledge of good and evil as their source of wisdom, sin entered and death spread to all humanity (Genesis 3; Romans 5:12). Since then, the world has carried a spiritual stench. Decay, corruption, and suffering permeate human history. Humanity tries to mask that smell. Medieval plague doctors stuffed their beak-like masks with flowers and herbs to cover the odor of death. Modern professionals who deal with death use ointments and tricks of the trade to do the same. In the same way, people attempt to paper over spiritual death — pleasure, distraction, ideology, even religion without transformation. Yet Scripture presents a different kind of aroma. Not a mask, but a change at the root. God introduces קָרְבָּנוֹת korbanot (things that “draw near,” offerings) and קְטֹרֶת ketóret (incense) in the מִשְׁכָּן Mishkan, (“dwelling place,” Tabernacle). These are not mere rituals. They become signs of Heaven's answer to the smell of death. Unique aromas in the Mishkan The Torah gives a precise, non-copyable recipe for the incense on the golden altar in the Holy Place (Exodus 30:34–38). That fragrance must never become a common household scent. It belongs exclusively to the presence of God. When someone smells that aroma, there should be only one association: the dwelling place of the Holy One, blessed be He. In the Heichal (Holy Place), just before the פָּרֹכֶת paróchet (veil) that guards the קֹדֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁים Kódesh HaKodashim (Holy of Holies), the golden altar sends up a continual column of smoke. This is not about air freshening. It is a constant symbol of heavenward attention, prayer, and worship. Outside, in the courtyard, another aroma rises from the מִזְבֵּחַ הָעוֹלָה mizbeach ha’olam (altar of burnt offering), the bronze altar. The Torah calls those offerings a רֵיחַ נִיחוֹחַ reach nichóach (“soothing aroma to the LORD,” Leviticus 1:9, 13, 17). From a human nose's point of view, burning animal flesh, hide, and hooves is not soothing. Yet in God's economy, it is the people's total gift — coming in, going up in smoke — that pleases Him. Therefore, two key aromas emerge: The bronze altar: the whole burnt offering, life laid down. The golden altar of incense: continual fragrance of worship and intercession. Both speak to the same reality. The smell of death fills the world, but God establishes particular, holy aromas that signal reconciliation and life. The Mishkan as a demonstration of life The Mishkan is not just a religious structure. It is a visible, mobile demonstration of life. It is the dwelling place of the Creator of heaven and earth, the One who gives and restores life. The people bring offerings. They draw near. They receive cleansing and communion. The presence of God in their midst redefines the camp. Later, King David longs for a more permanent resting place for the Divine Name. He notes the mismatch: he lives in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains under tent curtains (2Samuel 7:2). Eventually, the בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ Beit HaMikdash (“House of the Dwelling,” the Temple) in Jerusalem becomes that resting place. Even then, Scripture insists that no building can truly contain God. Solomon prays: “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You, how much less this house which I have built!” 1Kings 8:27 NASB95 Still, God chooses to cause His Name to dwell there. 1Kings 8 describes the cloud of glory filling the house, echoing the cloud that once filled the Mishkan (Exodus 40:34–35). The Temple becomes a focal point for all nations. Solomon prays that foreigners who come and pray toward this house would be heard in heaven, so that “all the peoples of the earth may know Your name” (1Kings 8:41–43). This is already the blueprint for a “house of prayer for all nations” (Isaiah 56:7; cited in Matthew 21:13). Israel's sanctuary is never meant to be a private club. It is the visible evidence that Heaven is taking up residence on earth. Israel as God's beachhead On D‑Day, Allied forces established a beachhead in Normandy, France, to free Europe from Nazi Germany. It was not enough to land. They had to break out or be crushed on the shore. Similarly, in the Korean War, U.N. forces nearly lost the peninsula, pushed back to Busan. The landing at Incheon became a new beachhead, which allowed a breakout that trapped the enemy. Israel is Heaven's beachhead on earth. God calls Avraham out of Ur, promises him a land, seed, and blessing for all families of the earth (Genesis 12:1–3). That calling grows into a nation, enslaved in מִצְרַיִם Mitzrayim (Egypt), then redeemed at Pesach (Passover, Exodus 12). Pesach marks the beginning of months (Exodus 12:1–2). It is the start of a journey from bondage to freedom, from one kingdom to another. Yet, before Israel can enter the Land, the first generation must die in the wilderness. The second generation enters. In that sense, Israel must be “born again” before entering the rest of the Land (cf. Numbers 14; Deuteronomy 1–2). From this angle, the cycle of the מוֹעֲדִים mo'adim (appointed times) — Pesach, Chag HaMatzot (Unleavened Bread), Shavuot (Pentecost), Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles), and Shemini Atzeret — traces a pattern of ransom, reforming and regeneration. Heaven is not just visiting. Heaven is establishing a front line. That beachhead pushes outward until it fills the earth. Ministry of death and the ministry of the Spirit Paul in 2Corinthians 2–3 writes that God “manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place” (2Corinthians 2:14, NASB95). Believers become a fragrance of מָשִׁיחַ, Mashiach (Messiah, Christ) to God (2Corinthians 2:15–16): To those being saved, an aroma from life to life. To those perishing, an aroma from death to death. This is the same theme as the Mishkan. The same incense that delights God may expose death in those who reject Him. Paul contrasts two kinds of “letter” using Greek terms: γράμμα grámma: the written letter, that which is engraved or inscribed. ἐπιστολή epistolḗ: a letter or epistle, a communication sent. In 2Corinthians 3, he speaks of “the letter” (grámma) that kills, but “the Spirit” that gives life (2Corinthians 3:6). He points to the “ministry of death, in letters engraved on stones” — the tablets given to Moshe (Moses, 2Corinthians 3:7). This ministry came with glory. Israel could not stare at Moshe's shining face (Exodus 34:29–35). Yet Paul does not pit Torah against the Spirit. Instead, he uses a classic Hebrew קַל וְחֹמֶר kal va-chomér (light and heavy) argument. If the ministry that condemns comes with glory, how much more will the ministry of the Spirit overflow with glory (2Corinthians 3:8–9). The תּוֹרָה Torah (instruction) on stone reveals sin and pronounces death. It says, “Here is life, here is death. Choose life!” (Deuteronomy 30:19). At the same time, embedded in the Torah are the patterns for reconciliation — offerings, priesthood, the Day of Atonement. The “ministry of death” exposes the need. The “ministry of the Spirit” accomplishes the inward change. Paul says: Not that we are adequate in ourselves… but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. 2Corinthians 3:5–6, NASB95 The בְּרִית חֲדָשָׁה brit chadasháh (new covenant) promise in the Prophets includes God writing His Torah on hearts, giving a new spirit and a new heart, and cleansing from iniquity (Jeremiah 31:31–34; Ezekiel 36:25–27). This as fulfilled in Messiah Yeshua. From tablets of stone to tablets of the heart In 2Corinthians 3, Paul changes imagery. He says the believers themselves are his “letter” (epistolḗ), not written with ink but “with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts” (2Corinthians 3:3). The transformation of people becomes a visible epistle, read by all. This directly connects back to Moshe. Moses' face reflected God's glory because he spoke “face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend” (Exodus 33:11). That relationship left a visible mark. Israel asked him to veil his face because the radiance unsettled them. Paul explains that a spiritual veil still lies over many hearts when Moshe is read. Only in Messiah is it removed (2 Corinthians 3:14–16). When a person turns to the Lord: Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17 NASB95 Then, with unveiled face, believers behold the glory of the Lord “as in a mirror” and are “being transformed into the same image from glory to glory” (2Corinthians 3:18). The pattern of Moshe, whose face shone, becomes the pattern of all who walk in Messiah by the Spirit. This does not cancel Israel's calling. Instead, it fulfills it. The Torah's goal is not abolished. It reaches its τέλος télos (goal/destination) in Messiah, who embodies Israel's mission and opens it to the nations (cf. Romans 10:4; Romans 11). ‘Living sacrifice,’ ‘living stones’ Apostles Paul and Peter address this in Romans 6–12 and 1Peter 2. Romans 6 describes identification with Messiah's death and resurrection. Believers are buried with Him through immersion and raised to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3–4). Romans 7 faces the tension: the righteous standard of the Torah confronts human inability, leading to the cry, “Who will set me free from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:24). Romans 8 announces the answer in Messiah and the Spirit. Romans 9–11 then wrestles with Israel's calling. Did God plant Israel only to abandon her? Paul answers “no.” Israel is like an olive tree. Natural branches may be cut off for unbelief. Wild branches (from the nations) may be grafted in. Yet the root — God's covenantal work in Israel — supports all (Romans 11:17–24). God did not create Israel “to be nothing.” He created Israel to fill the earth with blessing. Then Romans 12 begins: Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God…. Romans 12:1 NASB95 This is Mishkan language. Instead of animal life going up in smoke, the believer becomes a living sacrifice. Life is placed on God's altar. The mind is renewed. Behavior changes (Romans 12:1–2). This is the practical outworking of Mishkan lessons in everyday discipleship. Similarly, 1Peter 2:4–10 speaks of coming to Messiah as a “living stone” rejected by men but choice and precious to God. Those who come to Him become “living stones… built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1Peter 2:4–5 NASB95). Peter applies titles from Exodus 19 — “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession” (1Peter 2:9) — to this community. This is not replacement but expansion. God takes the original calling of Israel and extends it through Messiah to Jew and Gentile together, without revoking Israel's promises (Romans 11:28–29). The Mishkan pattern is now embodied in a people, not just a building. True tikkun olam: Reformation from the inside out The modern interpretation of תיקון עולם tikkún olám (repair of the world) often focuses on social, political, or environmental repair. These are not unimportant. Feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, and protecting the vulnerable echo the Torah's concern for the widow, orphan, and stranger. However, this study stresses that if tikkun olam stays external, it never truly repairs the world. It may become a sophisticated game of “whack‑a‑mole,” hitting surface problems while deeper issues in the human heart remain untouched. Housing a person without addressing the “hole” within may leave the core problem unsolved. Likewise, nations may shift policies without healing the underlying rebellion, idolatry, and fear. Through Israel and through Messiah, God's plan is ransom, reform, and regeneration. This involves: Cleansing from sin and death (Pesach, Yom Kippur). Ongoing formation as a holy people (Torah, Shabbat, mo'edim). Final renewal of creation with new heavens and a new earth, where death and pain are no more (Isaiah 65–66; Revelation 21:1–4). This work begins in the heart, by the Spirit, through the Word. It then flows out into practical mercy, justice, and witness. Guarding the Word and avoiding counterfeits The study also warns about those who “peddle the word of God” for profit (2Corinthians 2:17). The Greek term there describes a dishonest merchant. Such teachers may start well, building trust with correct first steps, then make a subtle or dramatic leap into error. If hearers are not grounded in Scripture, they may follow. In an age of YouTube prophets and endless online content, discernment becomes essential. Believers are urged to sow to the Spirit rather than the flesh (Galatians 6:8), which includes prioritizing serious engagement with the written Word over sensational voices. The TaNaKh and New Testament together, read in context, with attention to continuity and fulfillment. The Mishkan, the festivals, the prophets, the Gospels, and the epistles form one coherent story. That story centers on Messiah Yeshua and God's desire to dwell among His people and renew the world. The aroma that remains The bronze altar of the Mishkan speaks of what goes up in smoke — old life, old bondage, old attachments. The golden altar of incense speaks of what continues — prayer, worship, intercession. Revelation portrays an altar of incense and speaks of “the prayers of the saints” rising before God like incense (Revelation 5:8; 8:3–4). Some of those saints are martyrs, killed for bearing witness behind enemy lines. Their lives were not wasted. Their aroma still rises. For those in Messiah, life in this age may still carry the smell of death all around. Yet, in the midst of that, God creates a new fragrance. The people of God, Jew and Gentile, become: Living sacrifices on the altar. Living stones in the temple. Letters written by the Spirit. Incense rising before the throne. To some, that aroma will expose death and provoke hostility. To others, it will signal life, hope, and the nearness of the Kingdom. In either case, the fragrance belongs to Him. As Paul writes: For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 2Corinthians 2:15 NASB95 In a world saturated with the smell of death, God is forming a people who carry the fragrance of life, rooted in Israel's calling, fulfilled in Messiah, and empowered by the Spirit. The post From smell of death to fragrance of life: The Gospel in Israel’s Tabernacle (Exodus 12; 2Corinthians 2–3) appeared first on Hallel Fellowship.
When Hashem praised Moshe Rabbeinu for breaking the Luchos, it revealed a profound lesson about Torah. A mitzvah is about submission—doing Hashem's will whether we understand it or not. Torah, however, requires understanding. To truly fulfill the mitzvah of learning Torah, a person must engage fully, using the mind deeply and becoming united with the Torah, like the letters engraved into the Luchos which were one with the stone.Yet Torah is Divine wisdom, infinite and beyond human limits. Therefore, to connect to its essence we must also break our ego and develop humility. That is why we say in davening, “V'nafshi k'afar la'kol tihyeh,” only then asking Hashem to open our hearts to His Torah.This is symbolized by the Aron, which contained both the whole and the broken Luchos. A Jew must be fully engaged and intellectually present in Torah, yet at the same time humble and broken. Just as the Aron both took up space and yet measured as if it did not, the essence of the neshamah allows us to hold these opposites together—being whole and broken at the same time—and through that connect to Torah on its deepest level.לקו״ש כו-ג
Join Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship for a provocative two-part look at parsha Terzaveh, Exodus 27:20-30:10. The Erev Shabbat reading gives the details, of which there are many: https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/SSM-2-27-Tetzaveh-teaching-podcast-x.mp3 The impressive level of detail is this description is certainly again one of the most memorable aspects of this parsha. And yet, as Mark reminds us in the Sabbath day midrash, one more time, there is “no idle word” in His Torah. But THIS time, we need to “Compare and Contrast.” Tetzaveh: “Is This the REAL One?” https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/WT-CooH-2-28-26-Tetzaveh-Is-this-the-Real-One-podcast-xx.mp3 The combined two-part reading and Sabbath midrash:
This week’s Torah portion from the annual cycle is a major ‘shift’ from the mainline story of the Exodus. After Moses heads up the mountain, for forty days and forty nights, the focus is now on getting ready to build something. And why? Why now? It’s almost like He knows something, before we get to that part of the story. It turns out, there’s even more to it than that. Join Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship for a provocative two-part look at parsha Terumah, Exodus chapter 25 through almost all of 27, which begins with the command from YHVH to “take for Me an OFFERING.” From a specific group of people, of a specific list of items, and for a specific purpose. The Erev Shabbat reading gives the details, of which there are many: https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/SSM-2-20-Terumah-teaching-podcast-x.mp3 The impressive level of detail is this description is certainly one of the most memorable aspects of this parsha. It’s also at the heart of what might even be called ‘controversy.’ Why so much detail about a mobile tent in the wilderness? After all, it was later replaced by the temple, twice, and destroyed, twice. Some will again even claim that it’s “Old” testament, and therefore ‘done away with’ – like those temples. We may have even heard it called “boring.” And yet, as Mark reminds us in the Sabbath day midrash, there is “no idle word” in His Torah. Teruman: “That ‘boring DETAIL’ is a Big Flashing Red HTML tag – if we see it” https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/WT-CooH-2-21-Terumah-The-ATBASH-around-Idolatry-and-the-Golden-Calf-then-and-Now-podcast-xxx.mp3 The combined two-part reading and Sabbath midrash:
On Asarah B'Tevet Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Yerushalayim, the beginning of the process that eventually led to the destruction of the First Beit HaMikdash. On this fast day, part of our avodah is introspection—looking inward and correcting the very issues that caused that destruction in the first place. The Gemara in Masechet Yoma teaches that the First Beit HaMikdash was destroyed because the people were steeped in the three cardinal aveirot. Yet the Gemara in Masechet Nedarim tells us something deeper. The Nevi'im and the Chachamim could not understand the root cause of the churban until Hashem Himself revealed it: the people had "left His Torah." And the Gemara explains that this means they did not say the berachot on the Torah before learning it. The mefarshim explain that this was not a technical oversight. If they had viewed Torah learning the way it is meant to be viewed, as something that truly warrants a berachah, then the Torah itself would have elevated them. It would have refined them spiritually and protected them from sinking to the point of committing those terrible aveirot. The Bach, in siman מז in Orach Chaim, explains the matter with great depth. Hashem's intention in commanding us to delve into Torah study is that our neshamot should become one with Him in this world. The Torah contains within it the kedushah of the One who created it. When we learn Torah with the proper intention, we become a place where Hashem can rest His Shechinah. Hashem desires to be down here with us, as close as possible. It is up to us to make ourselves into a vessel that can receive His Presence. That vessel is formed specifically through deep, sincere engagement with the holy words of Torah. But in the generation of the First Beit HaMikdash, Torah was being learned for other reasons. Some learned because it was enjoyable. Some learned only to know the halachot they needed. Some learned to demonstrate their intellectual ability. But they were not learning in order to absorb the kedushah of Hashem, to become a מקום להשראת השכינה , a place where the Shechinah could rest. Without that inner מקום , the connection to HaKadosh Baruch Hu weakened. And if there is no inner dwelling place for Hashem within the people, there is no reason for a physical dwelling place to remain standing either. The Bach concludes that when a person prepares to learn Torah and recites Birkat HaTorah, he should have in mind deep gratitude: that Hashem chose us to share His holy Torah with , and that through it He enables us to attach ourselves to Him. How fortunate we are that Hashem wants to be close to us. Because we are physical beings, it is difficult to attach ourselves to the spiritual. So Hashem gave us the Torah, which is spiritual, and through it we ourselves become elevated and spiritual, capable of clinging to Him. The deeper we immerse ourselves in Torah, the more kedushah it brings into us. But only if it is learned with the right intentions. When a person is truly connected to Hashem, he gains tremendous strength. He can overcome the tests that the yetzer hara places before him. The spiritual light of Torah provides the energy, motivation, and excitement to live a life of Torah and mitzvot. On Asarah B'Tevet, we are fasting not only for a siege that took place long ago, but for the loss of that inner connection. We are reminded that the Beit HaMikdash was destroyed not because Torah was absent, but because Torah was no longer serving its true purpose. Let us appreciate the gift of Torah and learn it as much as we can, with the intention of drawing closer to Hashem through it, and making ourselves worthy vessels for His Presence once again.
The greatest segulot are found in the 613 mitzvot that Hashem gave us. Of course, the true reward for mitzvot is paid in the next world, but they also come with side benefits in this world as well. One man told me that from the time he started saying Birkat HaMazon properly, with understanding and focus, he was able to break through with four new customers in his business. Another man told me that he suddenly received two unexpected payments totaling $25,000. Another man shared something even more striking. He had a fever for nine straight days—the longest he had ever been sick in his life. Just a few days after the fever finally broke, he became ill again, this time with another high fever. He went to the doctor, who ran a series of blood tests. The results were very troubling. His numbers were completely out of range, and his white blood cell count was extremely high, indicating a serious infection. The doctor told him further testing would be needed and that he would have to return for a chest X-ray, as pneumonia was a real concern. Meanwhile, over the previous six weeks, many unusual things had been happening to this man's children. He felt that something wasn't right and decided it was time to have his mezuzot checked. The very same day the doctor gave him the alarming news about his blood work, a sofer arrived at his home to check his mezuzot. After examining them, the sofer told him that thirteen mezuzot were invalid. The man was stunned. He begged the sofer to replace them immediately. The sofer said he would return the next day with new mezuzot. The following day, the man went to the imaging center for his chest X-ray, only to be told that he couldn't have it done without a prescription. Since his doctor's office was located in the same building, he went upstairs to get one. The doctor looked at him and said that he appeared a bit better than before and asked if he could recheck his bloodwork. Just minutes before entering the doctor's office, the sofer had called to inform him that all thirteen mezuzot had been replaced with beautiful, high-quality, kosher mezuzot. When the new blood test results came back, the doctor was astonished. Every number had returned to normal. He told the man, "Everything looks completely fine. I've never seen anything like this in my life." The very next day, the man felt one hundred percent better and resumed his normal routine. Hashem gives us mitzvot for our benefit. He doesn't need anything from us. He only wants to give to us. And the way He gives us is through the performance of mitzvot—but they must be done properly. Birkat HaMazon has extraordinary segulot, but it needs to be said with true appreciation and understanding of the words. Mezuzot protect us, but only when they are written and affixed according to halachah. It was a tremendous act of kindness from Hashem to alert this man that his mezuzot were invalid. Because the primary reason we keep mitzvot is not for the segulot. It is because they are the will of Hashem and a fulfillment of His Torah. When mitzvot are deficient, a person is missing part of his tikkun in this world. Our mission in life is to become complete in the fulfillment of mitzvot. In Hashem's great love for us, along the way, He gives us encouragement, bonuses, and gentle reminders—so that we can succeed in the purpose for which we were created.
Believers are called to be "living stones," built upon Yahshua, the precious cornerstone, showing their belonging to Yahweh by living according to His Torah and proclaiming His set-apart name.
The Rebbe Explains the Three Aspects in Which Yaakov Was Whole When He Came to Shechem: His Body, His Wealth, and His Torah
התוכן החינוך שהורים נותנים לילד (או המחנך) מבוסס על שני הפכיים: מצד אחד קובעים בנפשו עקרונות ויסודות שמהם אין לזוז בכל מקום ובכל זמן – בנוגע לבני אדם בכלל אלה הם עקרונות הצדק והיושר וכו', ובנוגע לישראל בפרט – האמונה האיתנה בה' אחד ובתורתו, ש"זאת התורה לא תהי' מוחלפת" וכו'. ומצד שני מדגישים לו שאין לעמוד במקום אחד אלא שחייבים לשגשג ולגדול, וזה גופא – שצריך להשתנות תמיד ולעלות בקודש – הוא יסוד תמידי. גם, יש להרגיל את הילד שהוא עומד על יסוד חזק – הוא בן אברהם יצחק ויעקב והיא בת שרה רבקה רחל ולאה – אותם אבות ואמהות של כל ישראל! כדי לנטוע רגש זה בילדים חייבים המחנכים להיות "דוגמא חי'" ולהתנהג בעצמם בהתאם לכך, ולזכור שהילד שם לב להכל, ושהוא לא מבין שיש הבדל בין "קלה" לחמורה" (אע"פ שנקראים כך עפ"י תורה)...ג' חלקים משיחת יום ג' פ' ברכה, וא"ו תשרי ה'תשד"מ ל"הנחה פרטית" או התרגום ללה"ק של השיחה: https://thedailysicha.com/?date=30-10-2025 Synopsis A child's education is based on two opposites: On the one hand, the child is instilled with steadfast principles and foundations from which he must never depart, such as (for humanity in general) the principles of justice and uprightness and (for Jews in particular) the steadfast faith in Hashem and His Torah, and the fact that “this Torah will not be changed” etc. On the other hand, the child is instilled with the obligation to constantly grow and ascend in holiness, which is itself a constant foundation. The child must also be trained to recognize that he stands upon a strong foundation, as a son of Avrohom, Yitzchok, and Yaakov, and daughter of Sarah, Rivkah, Rochel, and Leah – the Avos and Imahos of all Jews in all generations. To instill this feeling in children, educators must be a living example and personally conduct themselves accordingly; they must remember that a child notices everything, and does not recognize the difference between something “minor” and something “severe” (even where the Torah recognizes them as such).3 excerpts from sichah of Tuesday, parashas Vezos Habrachah, 6 Tishrei 5744 For a transcript in English of the Sicha: https://thedailysicha.com/?date=30-10-2025 לזכות ר' לוי הלוי בן לאה שי' לרפואה שלימהנדבת משפחתו שי'
Love and Torah – what's the connection? This study series is centered around the “Two Great Commands” – love Yahweh and love your neighbor. Psalm 119, verse 150, continues this teaching, where Rabbi Steve Berkson explains that those who pursue mischief have a different agenda than Yahweh and are far from His Torah. These individuals lack an intimate relationship with The Creator. They may outwardly do what is right, but their hearts are far from Him. Rabbi Berkson also explores the distinction between “mercy” and “grace/favor,” providing a clear understanding of these terms. King David, the psalmist, wrote about those who “have not sought Your Laws” and called them “the wrong ones.” Do you seek His Laws? Lashon Hara, Hebrew for “evil tongue,” is a term many people are familiar with but may be confused about its true meaning. Rabbi Berkson delves into the meaning of this term and its impact on your life and the lives of those around you. Rabbi Berkson offers some of the best life coaching available as he explores the intricate world of human relationships, including dating, marriage, and raising children. He highlights relationship attributes such as “default expectancy” and “understood expectancy,” helping you understand how these attributes can affect you. Rabbi Berkson once again dissects the words in these passages, providing a deeper understanding of what Yahweh expects of you, enabling you to fulfill His expectations and receive His blessings. Visit our website, https://mtoi.org, to learn more about MTOI. https://www.facebook.com/mtoiworldwide https://www.instagram.com/mtoi_worldwide You can reach MTOI by emailing us at admin@mtoi.org or calling 423-250-3020. Join us for Shabbat Services and Torah Study LIVE, streamed on our website, mtoi.org, YouTube, and Rumble every Saturday at 1:15 p.m., and every Friday at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time for Torah Study Live Stream.
Love and Torah – what's love got to do with it? This series explores the “Two Great Commands': love Yahweh and love your neighbor. Focusing on our hearts and minds towards the Creator and His Torah, Rabbi Steve Berkson continues our journey through King David's writings in Psalm 119. Starting at verse 145, he highlights how David links petitioning God with explaining why we seek His help and why we believe He should answer. Rabbi Berkson questions whether, when we call out to the Almighty, “Answer me,” we can honestly say, “I observe Your laws.” The Creator initially made us to receive from Him. Through faith in Messiah Yeshua and living righteously, we become a ‘new creature' that moves from earthly, basic things to heavenly ones. This ‘new creature' learns to be a ‘giver,' like the Almighty. What do Jews and Christians agree on? What does Yahweh desire from you? Rabbi Berkson again breaks down these passages to deepen your understanding of Yahweh's expectations, so you can fulfill them and receive His blessings. Visit our website, https://mtoi.org, to learn more about MTOI. https://www.facebook.com/mtoiworldwide https://www.instagram.com/mtoi_worldwide You can reach MTOI by emailing us at admin@mtoi.org or calling 423-250-3020. Join us for Shabbat Services and Torah Study LIVE, streamed on our website, mtoi.org, YouTube, and Rumble every Saturday at 1:15 p.m., and every Friday at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time for Torah Study Live Stream.
Parsha "Nitzavim" (Deuteronomy (29:9-thru chapter 30) is the parsha that Mark Call almost always says is not only a vital, undeniable, and not-yet-fulfilled, prophecy of our future, but contains the most succinct two-word summary of His Torah in the Bible. And it begins with that enigmatic introduction, "Nitzavim," or "you are standing" - all of you, THIS DAY, before YHVH your El... ...and here we are now, THIS DAY (ha yom) doing exactly that - again. The Erev Shabbat reading begins there, and the specifics, to set the stage: https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/SSM-9-19-25-Nitzavim-teaching-podcast-xxx.mp3 During the Sabbath Day midrash, Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa begins with a theme that has been on many of our minds this last week or two, and the phrase "doctrines of demons," from Paul's first letter to Timothy, 4:1. It is certainly encouraging that Charlie's execution/martyrdom has encouraged many people to look at his lifetime body of work, and his testimony for faith in the Living Elohim. No doubt many - particularly young and college-aged people - are considering a 'turn' toward the teachings of Scripture. And yet, Mark suggests, the popular reaction of just "go back to church," is but a pitiful small step in what might be the right direction. After all, many LEFT 'the church' because of it's demonstrated, Scripturally-condemned, failure to "teach my people the difference," between the holy and profane, clean and unclean. Simply returning to what already failed, and got us here, is not a real solution. And yet, Deuteronomy 30 gives us both a clear razor for Truth, and a bold promise of why we MUST turn! Warning: Some will be offended. YHVH certainly made the reason for His anger, and our continued exile, abundantly clear. But so is the Promise. Nitzavim: BOTH The Blessing AND the Curse https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/WT-CooH-9-20-25-Nitzavim-BOTH-the-Blessing-and-the-Curse-RE-turn-podcast-xxx.mp3 The combined two-part reading and Sabbath midrash:
Chapter 28 of Deuteronomy is arguably the most difficult portion in the Torah to read. Known as the Admonition, the chapter details the blessings that will be bestowed upon our nation when we adhere to the Laws of God. But it also has the curses that will befall our people in the event that we disobey the word of God and flout His Torah. The curses are bone chilling and blood curling, and unfortunately, not only academic. Over the course of our long and storied history, our Nation has experienced great highs unmatched by any other Nation, and lows of such frightening nature that they are unrivaled by any misery accounted for in the annals of human history. Every curse detailed in the Admonition has happened to our people at some point. When this section is read in the synagogues, it is read in an undertone and very rapidly. What will befall our people in such excruciating detail is highly unpleasant and something that many want to get over with quickly. In this Parsha podcast, we take the brave step of trying to study it properly, and specifically finding lessons and insights and perspectives that prove to be instructive and even insightful. We find the shimmering silver linings to the menacing and foreboding clouds. Some of the ideas may sound foreign and maybe even far-fetched, but we discover how learning even this part of the Torah can be elevating and edifying.– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –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 ★
Daily Halacha Podcast - Daily Halacha By Rabbi Eli J. Mansour
Every morning, we recite Birkot Ha'Torah – a series of blessings over Torah learning. This series consists of three different Berachot. The text of the first Beracha resembles that of other blessings recited over Misvot. We thank Hashem "Asher Kideshanu Be'misvotav Be'sivanu Al Dibre Torah" – who commanded us to study Torah. Just like we recite a Beracha over other Misvot – such as over the Misva of Sisit, the Misva of Tefillin, Netilat Yadayim, and many others – we likewise recite a Beracha over the Misva of Torah learning, which is the most important of all the Misvot that we perform. This first Beracha, then, is a standard Birkat Ha'misva – blessing recited over a Misva. In the second Beracha, we beseech Hashem to make the words of Torah "sweet" and enjoyable for us and for all Am Yisrael ("Ve'Ha'areb Na Hashem Elokenu Et Dibreh Toratecha Be'finu…"). We ask that the experience of Torah learning should be uplifting and exhilarating, and not a burdensome task that we do only because we are required to. The Rebbe of Sochatchov (Rav Avraham Borenstein, 1838-1910), in the introduction to his work Igleh Tal, laments the fact that many people mistakenly assume that enjoying Torah study undermines the sincerity of the Misva. They think if one receives enjoyment and satisfaction from the experience, then he loses the element of "Li'shmah" – learning Torah "for its sake," purely for the Misva. In their view, the highest level of Torah learning is studying without any enjoyment, without enthusiasm, learning the material solely for the sake of fulfilling the Misva. The Rebbe of Sochatchov writes that this is a grave mistake, as to the contrary, enjoyment is an integral component of the Misva of Torah learning. The Misva is not only to learn Torah – but to reach the point where learning Torah is thrilling, and a source of immense joy and satisfaction. The Rebbe of Sochatchov explains that when a person enjoys learning, then the material he learns is fully absorbed into his being, and transforms him. The Zohar teaches that when a person learns with joy and enthusiasm, this experience has the effect of empowering and emboldening his Yeser Tob (good inclination), so it can overcome his Yeser Ha'ra (evil inclination). Indeed, many stories are told of great Sages who exuded unbridled joy when learning Torah. When they arrived at a new understanding or new insight, they would erupt in song and dance to celebrate. Of course, we are required to learn even when it does not provide us with joy and satisfaction, but we must always strive to experience the joy and sweetness of Torah. Thus, in the second of the three Birkot Ha'Torah, we ask Hashem to make Torah learning enjoyable for us, so we can observe this precious Misva at the very highest level. In the third blessing of Birkot Ha'Torah, we express our gratitude to Hashem "who has chosen us from among all the nations, and has given us His Torah." Torah is the greatest of all gifts, enabling us to access the divine wisdom and connect to Hashem, and so we recite this Beracha to thank Hashem for this extraordinary gift, the privilege to study His Torah. A number of writers addressed the question of why we do not recite a Beracha after we learn Torah, just as we recite Birkat Ha'mazon or a Beracha Aharona after eating. If we recite a Beracha before we enjoy the delight of Torah learning – the way we recite a Beracha before enjoying food – then why do we not recite a Beracha afterward – the way we recite a Beracha after enjoying food? The Rashba (Rav Shlomo Ben Aderet of Barcelona, 1235-1310) answers, very simply, that the Sages did not institute the recitation of a Beracha after the performance of a Misva. They established Berachot to be recited before the observance of certain Misvot, but not afterward. There are several Misvot enacted by the Sages for which they instituted Berachot to be recited afterward – such as Megilla reading, which is followed by the Beracha of "Ha'rab Et Ribenu" – but we never find a Beracha recited after the fulfillment of a Biblical obligation. The Bet Yosef offers an additional answer, explaining that one never truly finishes learning Torah. Whenever we are not learning Torah, we are tending to our necessary affairs with the intention of returning to our Torah study as soon as possible. We don't finish learning – we only take temporary breaks and then resume our studies. Therefore, there cannot be a Beracha to be recited when one finishes learning.
The Torah is the Almighty's wisdom. Just as the Almighty is infinite, His Torah is likewise infinite. In this remarkable Mishnah, we are trained to view Torah in its proper light. We learn about the multidimensional nature of Torah, how to find answers to all of our questions in the Torah, the secrets and the […]
We like to maintain optionality and delay decisions if possible. The idea of being pigeonholed into one path irks us. But Moshe tells the nation that we must make a choice: "Behold I have placed before you today a blessing and curse." The path of blessing is the total acceptance and adherence to God and His word. The path of curse is the repudiation of God and His Torah. In this very special edition of the Parsha podcast, we argue that the choice of which path to take exists on two fronts. There are two choices of which path to take. There are two forks in the road. Neither choice is easy, but one is decidedly less easy than the other.– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –This Parsha Podcast is dedicated in the merit of a successful surgery for Moshe Ben Dalya. We hope to hear only good news from him.– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –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 ★
Hashem fashioned the entire universe and everything in it from the greatest macro to the tiniest micro in accordance to His Torah. Therefore, if the Torah would be rescinded or replaced, the world would cease to exist. Not only the blueprint of creation, the Torah is the sustenance of creation as well.
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
התוכן המשימה המיוחדת בזמננו זה היא לבטל את כללות ענין הגלות ע"י ביטול סיבת הגלות. והנה סיבת חורבן בית הראשון היא – עון ביטול תורה – "שלא ברכו בתורה תחילה", שברכת התורה "ונתן לנו את תורתו .. נותן התורה", מדגיש שלימוד התורה אינו באופן של "כחי ועוצם ידי" אלא היא חכמתו של הקב"ה. וביטול סיבת הגלות הוא ע"י לימוד התורה באופן שמודגש בו הענין ד"נותן התורה". סיבת חורבן בית השני היא – שנאת חנם. וביטול סיבה זו היא – אהבת ישראל. יש לדעת שהענין דפירוד הלבבות הוא עצת היצה"ר שרוצה להפריד בין ישראל לאביהם שבשמים ע"י שיגרום פירוד בעם ישראל, וצריכים להלחם ע"ז, ולדעת ש"התורה ניתנה לעשות שלום בעולם וכו'", וחותמו של הקב"ה הוא "אמת", ו"מותר (רק) לשנות מפני דרכי שלום" ולא "לשקר"! כמו אהרן הכהן שהי' "אוהב שלום ורודף שלום אוהב (אפי') את הבריות וכו'", שהי' הולך לכ"א מהב' בני-אדם שהיתה ביניהם מריבה ואומר שהשני מתחרט וכו', שגילה את האמת מה שכל א' רוצה בפנימיותו לקיים רצונו ית', ונק' "שינוי" מפני שחבירו חשב שכוונתו שכ"ה גם בחיצוניותו, אבל אי"ז שקר ח"ו. משיחת כ"ף מנחם-אב ה'תשמ"א ל"הנחה פרטית" או התרגום ללה"ק של השיחה: https://thedailysicha.com/?date=03-08-2025 Synopsis The mission of our times is to abolish the exile by undoing the cause of the exile. The cause of the destruction of the first Beis Hamikdash was the sin of neglecting Torah study – “they did not first recite a blessing on the Torah” – because the bracha on Torah (“Who has given us His Torah…the Giver of the Torah”) emphasizes that Torah study is not a matter of “my strength and the might of my hand” but Hashem's wisdom. Thus, we can undo the cause of the exile by studying Torah in a way that emphasizes the Giver of the Torah. The cause of the destruction of the second Beis Hamikdash was baseless hatred, which is counted with Ahavas Yisroel. One must know that discord between Jews is a scheme of the yetzer hara to sow discord between the Jewish people and their Father in Heaven. We must therefore fight discord, remembering that “The Torah was given to bring peace to the world.” One must also remember that “the seal of Hashem is truth,” and it is only permitted to “depart” from the truth for the sake of peace, but not to lie. Thus we find that Aharon HaKohen, who “loved peace and pursued peace” would go to each of the two people involved in a dispute and tell them that the other had remorse and wanted to make peace: Aharon HaKohen was merely revealing the truth, because deep down both sides really did wish to make peace (because every Jew wishes to fulfill the desire of Hashem). It is only called a “departure” from the truth because Aharon told each side that peace was the other's outward desire too, which was not yet the case, but it was not a lie chas v'shalom.Excerpt from sichah of 20 Menachem-Av 5741 For a transcript in English of the Sicha: https://thedailysicha.com/?date=03-08-2025
Love and Torah – what's love got to do with it? This study series is based on the “Two Great Commands” – love Yahweh and love your neighbor. In this episode, Rabbi Steve Berkson takes us to the book of Psalms, starting in Psalm 11. He points out the contrast between two types of people – those who are called “the wrong”, and “the upright”. Yahweh loves those who pursue righteousness, doing what He has determined is right, and He hates those who know to do right, but don't. Then, moving to Psalm 33, Rabbi Berkson shows us how Yahweh, because of His great love, created everything by the word of His mouth, His Torah. If that was not enough, He takes from His creation a group of humans and calls them His inheritance – those who love Him enough to walk in all of His ways. From there, Rabbi Berkson leads us into the 119th Psalm that was written by the man who was called the man after Yah's own heart. You can see this by the way King David wrote about the Torah of Yah and how he loved it and Him. Rabbi Berkson once again dissects the words in these passages so that you will have a deeper understanding of what Yah expects of you, so that you can do it and receive the blessings. To learn more about MTOI, visit our website, https://mtoi.org. https://www.facebook.com/mtoiworldwide https://www.instagram.com/mtoi_worldwide https://www.tiktok.com/@mtoi_worldwide You can contact MTOI by emailing us at admin@mtoi.org or calling 423-250-3020. Join us for Shabbat Services and Torah Study LIVE, streamed on our website, mtoi.org, YouTube, and Rumble every Saturday at 1:15 p.m. and every Friday for Torah Study Live Stream at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time.
Who controls a person? That is arguably the most important question there is. As Jews we are trained to adopt the Almighty God as our Master. With the Creator governing our life via His Torah, we are on the correct path to fulfill our life's duty. But the Talmud reveals that there is an impostor […]
The previous Rebbe's absolute unwavering commitment to Hashem and His Torah. LIke Chukat - engraved in his soul.
* NO BLOOD SACRIFICE FOR INTENTIONAL SINS As we saw in this lesson the sin sacrifice is only for UNINTENTIONAL SINS (Lev. 4:1); those sins committed mistakenly or in error or with no understanding by the one doing the act. The Hebrew word used is Shag-ah-ga שְׁגָגָה (H7684) which means a mistake or inadvertent transgression, and error, a act of sin done in ignorance, an act done with the "sinner" unawares, or a sinful act done unwittingly. This is not our understanding of sin as Christians. To us as Christians we have been taught that all sin, every sin is an act disobeying the Lord on purpose or INTENTIONALLY. No one teaches in the church today that in the Hebrew scriptures there are two types of sin UNINTENTIONAL and INTENTIONAL. And it is so clear, so precise, so exact that יהוה Yahvay, the LORD, our God teaches in His TORAH in Leviticus that the sin sacrifice is ONLY for UNINTENTIONAL sin. I have done a number of lessons on this and have gone more in depth. I will again come back to this again and again especially when we reach Exodus 34 and Leviticus 16. So, you may not want to wait till I get there in this podcast series. So, below are links to resources to help you dig deeper into this Torah concept of sin; that is, sin that is unintentional and intentional. You'll be able to see that Jewish theologians as far back as 100 years or so after Jesus said there was NO ritual, no sacrifice, no atonement for intentional sin. One might say the תורה Torah which brings us the NEW COVENANT at Sinai was incomplete. How is it made complete? How will it be FINISHED? Ready? Here's the links. Link 1 - a podcast on unintentional and intentional sin as it relates to the Lord's special appointed time of YOM KIPPUREEM - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/fall-feasts-of-the-lord-yom-kippureem-episode-1-it-is-finished/ Link 2 - a short 5 minute video that gets into this topic and shows the connection of the Sinai Covenant and that Yeshua completes the covenant at the cross - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/five-small-stones-episode-9-rom-104-it-is-finished/ Link 3 - this is a chapter from one of my class books that focuses on the Lord's special day of Yom Kippureem and the issue of unintentional and intentional sin - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/za1ss9s0gcmp7evzp5ops/Lsn2-Fall-Feasts-2019-31-...74.pdf?rlkey=0tt9vhgfl50joiaskt2tzjqea&st=86mkwjfd&dl=0 * ATONEMENT, FORGIVENESS, PROPITIATION, EXPIATION - Jesus and Yom Kippureem This is an appropriate place to go into the definitions of these words. I have heard sermons on these words but never did I understand what they meant. I was never taught the subtle nuances of these critical words as they relate to our salvation the very words of the Lord. In this lesson about the "mercy seat" and how it connects to Leviticus 16 and the Lord's special appointed time of Yom Kippureem, it seems appropriate to explain these words in some detail. * ATONEMENT - it is an act(s) done by the guilty party, the sinner, to appease or satisfy the one you sinned against. If I have hurt someone - whether it is unintentional or intentional - and I want to regain my relationship with that person I hurt I will atone for my "sin." I will do things that hopefully will be enough for the one I hurt to accept my actions that I do to prove I am atoning and thus make things right again. But, between us and God things are different. In the rituals of Yom Kippureem the atonement to make ourselves "right" before the LORD, the actions, are not done by the people but by Aaron the KOHEN HAGADOL כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל - High Priest. This was only for unintentional sins since God commanded the use of a bull and a goat for the sacrifices as one can read in Leviticus 16. When we consider Jesus we find He did the atonement for us. He did the act - His sacrificial death on the cross - to do what was necessary as an act of atonement for us. As Christians we do not atone for our sins, our INTENTIONAL sins. As the Hebrew Scriptures shows there is no ritual, no sacrifice, that can be used as the act to bring us back in righteousness before the Lord. It is only the act of Jesus, His death, that is the act of atonement. Yes, we should confess our sin. Yes, we should realize our guilt and bring this to the LORD in a prayer of admittance or contrition - contrition is not just a recitation of words; it's a personal act that involves both the heart and will. It expresses a sincere desire to be forgiven and to change one's behavior. And. yes, we should know that by GRACE the LORD has given us the blood sacrifice, the crucifixion of the LAMB, as the act for our atonement. * FORGIVENESS - this is an acceptance of the atonement of the sinner by the one sinned against and an act by the one sinned against to show that the sinner is once again in good standing. Atonement is done by the sinner. Forgiveness is done by the person who was sinned against. Yom Kippureem the atonement is done by Aaron the KOHEN HAGADOL כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל - High Priest. Again this is only for unintentional sins since God commanded the use of a bull and a goat for the sacrifices as one can read in Leviticus 16. And in Leviticus 4 and 16 we read the actual words of the Lord that the UNINTENTIONAL sins of Israel are cleansed, done away with, or, in other words, forgiven. But, there is NO act or acts that one can do as our personal atonement to be forgiven for our INTENTIONAL sins against the Lord in the Torah and in the New Covenant, the Sinai Covenant, we are studying. The Sinai Covenant was "incomplete" and it is FINISHED only in Jesus and this is proven in the very words of God ... Yes, the Bible teaches that sins can be forgiven through faith in Jesus Christ. Several Bible verses say that through Jesus' sacrifice, believers can receive forgiveness for their sins and be reconciled to God. [1, 2, 3, 4] Here are some key verses that support this: 1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." [2, 3, 5, 6] Acts 2:38: "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." [7] Ephesians 1:7: "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace." [8] Colossians 1:14: "in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." [4] Luke 7:48: "Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”" [1] These verses highlight that through faith in Jesus and confession of sins, believers can experience the forgiveness of God and be cleansed from unrighteousness. [2, 5] [1] https://www.biblestudytools.com/luke/7-48.html [2] https://www.jesusfilm.org/blog/forgiveness-bible-verses/ [3] https://www.openbible.info/topics/jesus_forgave_us_for_all_sins [4] https://www.truegospelofjesuschrist.org/forgiveness_verses [5] https://www.quora.com/Where-in-the-Bible-does-it-say-all-sins-are-forgiven [6] https://www.josh.org/fully-forgiven-god-sees/ [7] https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/forgiveness-bible-verses/ [8] https://www.countryliving.com/life/g32083109/bible-verses-about-forgiveness/ This brings us to an excellent question. If someone sins against another person with a sin that is also against God (sin against another person and God simultaneously), can the one who was sinned against "forgive" the sinner when the act was also against God? The Bible is clear - only God can forgive sin, sin that is INTENTIONAL. We can't. But, with a sin there is a debt that is owed, a price that needs to be paid, so that the sin can be erased, cleansed, and the "debt" paid. Perhaps in the "Lord's Prayer" this is what it means in GREEK and not in English when we say, "forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us." In Greek the word is not sin or sins but debt and debtor. Interesting. We should forgive the debt or our debtor, that which we require so that the debt of the sin is "paid." But, the actual sin, the actual guilt of the sin is only between the sinner and the LORD. Check this out in one of the lessons I did on the Lord's Prayer. Here's the link to the lesson entitled, "The Lord‘s Prayer - Lesson 8 - Debts & Sins & Debtors & Sinners" - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nuggets-14-part-8-the-lords-prayer-debts-sins-debtors-sinners/ * PROPITIATION - this is the act of appeasing the one who was sinned against. In other words it is an act that the one sinned against agrees is sufficient to erase the debt of the sin and the guilt of the sinner and restore the sinner and the one who was sinned against. So, atonement is an act done by the sinner to again be restored to the one who they sinned against. But the one who atones may not d the right thing to appease the one sinned against. The one sinned against says what the price is to be paid - the propitiation is determined by the one sinned against not the one who atones. We want to be forgiven by the LORD and so we atone. But, the propitiation is beyond our doing. The only act to appease the Lord is the death of His Son, the sacrificial death of Yeshua for us. Yeshua then takes our sin upon Himself and He does the act of atonement. His atonement results in His obedience to go to the cross and die as the act, the only act, the only blood sacrifice, or the propitiation for our sin. * EXPIATION - this definition is quite simple. It is the process which erases the guilt and the debt. One of the best explanations I have read on the difference between EXPIATION and PROPITIATION is from Ligonier Ministries. Here it is. Let‘s think about what these words mean, then, beginning with the word expiation. The prefix ex means “out of” or “from,” so expiation has to do with removing something or taking something away. In biblical terms, it has to do with taking away guilt through the payment of a penalty or the offering of an atonement. By contrast, propitiation has to do with the object of the expiation. The prefix pro means ”for,” so propitiation brings about a change in God‘s attitude, so that He moves from being at enmity with us to being for us. Through the process of propitiation, we are restored into fellowship and favor with Him. (https://learn.ligonier.org/articles/two-important-words-good-friday-expiation-and-propitiation) In this podcast lesson I mentioned that the KH ROO VEEM (in English Cherubim) are a familiar concept in the 15 century B.C. Here are some pictures of various winged creatures used to guard and prevent access to that which they are protecting ... All these images are used by permission. They are easily accessed at Wikimedia. I had mentioned that one of my resources was Dr. Craig Keener. He is a proven trustworthy source as we study the Bible in it historical context. He discusses cherubim in his writings, particularly in the context of Genesis 2-3 and Ezekiel's prophecies. He notes that cherubim, as depicted in the Bible, are powerful beings associated with God's presence and holiness. They are often depicted with multiple wings and faces, and are linked to themes of guarding and protection, as seen with the cherubim guarding the Garden of Eden. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] Ancient Near Eastern Context: Keener emphasizes that understanding cherubim requires considering their context within the ancient Near East. While some aspects of the cherubim are similar to imagery found in other temples, the cherubim in the Bible also have unique characteristics. [1, 2] Gradation of Holiness: Keener suggests that the cherubim's placement and the materials used near the ark in the tabernacle reflect a gradation of holiness, emphasizing the reverence for the divine presence. [1] [1] https://www.logos.com/grow/live-craig-keener-johannine-literature/ [2] https://craigkeener.com/gods-goodness-messed-up-genesis-2-3/ [3] http://pneumareview.com/rightly-understanding-gods-word-learning-context-part-1-by-craig-s-keener/7/ [4]
As we enter our "journey" studying the details of the Mishkan KaKodesh Yahvay, the Holy Dwelling of the LORD, known as the Tabernacle, we find just reading the details is not inspiring or exciting reading. All this detail, however, must have its purpose. We again recall Jesus' words ... "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me" (Joh 5:39) So for us, as aspiring disciples of Adonai Yeshua, would conclude these chapters related to the Holy Dwelling Place of the Lord will testify of Jesus. Just like He said. Thus, we need to pay attention to the words carefully and get help. We need access to excellent and credible Christian Bible scholars or Messianic Jewish Bible scholars to help us "see" Jesus in these texts. We need to make sure that what they present is solid and Biblically based and simply not their imagination or opinions of crazy flights of fancy. For me, I will put the Bible back into its historical context and seek the help of archaeology, geography, history, the customs and the cultures of the ancient Middle East (in the case Egypt), and even the languages of the ancient Middle East to help us see the connections between the specific aspects of the Tabernacle. I will access key scholars like Dr. John Currid or Dr. Craig Keener and his, "Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible," or such resources as the "Archaeological Study Bible" from either Zondervan or Crossway publishers. I too want to "see" Jesus but I want to do it in such as way that it makes sense and connects us with the earthly dwelling tent of the Lord and all its rituals to give us a picture so we can be better able to understand the hidden spiritual concepts of the Lord and His redemption plan. I mentioned several links I would provide. The first is a very special video podcast I did entitled, "The Chiasm of the Light." It is a Bible study of a concept called CHIASMS. It is a literary structure used again and again in the Bible. It is amazing that this literary structure seems to be used by God to show us absolutely that from Genesis 1:1 (the 1st verse in the Bible) to Revelation 22:21 (the last verse in the Bible), that it is all about Yeshua HaMaschiack, Jesus the Messiah, Jesus the Christ. Tis implies as we read on into Exodus and the details the Lord provides on His Holy Dwelling Tent, then we are trusting these verses will testify of Jesus as He said, as God said, in John 5:39. Check it out. Link - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nugget-18-the-chiasm-of-the-light/ Another fun resource is from the website "Free Bible Images." This link will provide you with amazing pictures of the Ark of the Covenant of the Dwelling Tent of Adonai (the Tabernacle). I will be using this link again and again as we focus our study on a specific item in God's Beit HaMikdash, the Holy Dwelling of the Lord. Link (pictures - look for with box on the upper right that says VIDEO LINK to also access an awesome video)) - https://www.freebibleimages.org/illustrations/bs-tabernacle-ark-covenant/ I study and rely on professional archaeological journals. One is "Bible and Spade," a publication from the Christian archaeological group called,"Associates for Bible Research." The second is the journal called, "Biblical Archaeology Review," from "The Biblical Archaeology Society." If you are serious about Bible study, if you are serious about getting the best resources available to help you go deeper, these two journals are a must. A few pastors who have attended my classes now subscribe and have told me it has changed their sermon prep immensely. In this podcast I access an awesome article from "Biblical Archaeology Review" addressing the Ark of the Covenant. It is clear tha archaeology shows us that the Lord told Moses of specific things Moses was familiar with in Egypt to use as a model or a pattern for what the Lord wanted in the Beit HaMikdash, His Holy Dwelling. In this way the people, the Hebrews would be able to easily make the connection as to God's purposes since they are seeing things that resemble things they saw in their 400 some years in Egypt. Here's the link to the article. Link - https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-artifacts/artifacts-and-the-bible/ark-of-the-covenant-in-egyptian-context/ In this podcast we dealt with CANOPIC JARS. The jars contained specific body organs of a pharaoh that are removed from the pharaoh's body before mummification. These organs are put in the canopic jars and are buried with the pharaoh in his tomb. Below is a picture of canopic jars I bought in Egypt on one of my several study and research trips. Many of us are familiar with King Tut. His actual name is Too-tank-ham-moon. Canopic jars were found in his tomb in the Valley of the Kings across from Luxor Egypt. His jars were put in a special box, a special "ark" if you will, called the chest of Annubis. This was found in King Tut's tomb along with the canopic jars. Annubis is the Egyptian god of the underworld. Annubis is to guard the four body organs of the deceased, the liver, lungs, stomach, and intestines as they are removed from the body of the deceased so the body can be mummified or preserved to meet with the gods after death. Supposedly then the four organs, the liver, lungs, stomach, and intestines will be replaced into the body when the body is resurrected to live forever with the gods. The Hebrews in the days of Exodus would have known this. They would have understood the special nature of this box, the chest of Annubis. Here is a link to an awesome video about Canopic Jars. It is made for kids but, for me, it is done so well I think you'll enjoy this wonderful scholarly video about these jars and the ancient Egyptian culture. Link to video - https://www.historyforkids.net/canopic-jars.html So archaeology and history gives us added insight into what those Hebrews coming out of Egypt probably understood. Yahvay, the Lord, God, wanted to give them something concrete, something they knew and understood, something physical that they could then be able to begin to grasp the Spiritual concepts of what God is teaching or things in the heavens. God does not need box like the Ark of the Covenant. He dies not need a tent or a Holy Dwelling Place where He is beyond the heavens and the earth. But, His people need them. Moses neds them. We need them. We'll see in this lesson the Spiritual aspects of God wanting to "camp out" with His people. He needed a "TENT," that we call a tabernacle, to give His people a concrete object to grasp that the Lord was with them. And, Yahvay used it again in John 1:14 in that He came to "camp out" with us again in His human tent. God creates physical things for us to picture those difficult Spiritual concepts or things that are in heaven, or the places above. He did this right from the get go in His Torah in the first verse of Genesis. If you haven't studied these podcast Bible study lessons now is the time before you go on in these chapters on the "Beit HaMikdash" (בית המקדש), the Holy Dwelling Place. Here's the links to these awesome lessons ... LINKS TO GENESIS LSS5 – CHOAS TO ORDER – PART 1 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/genesis-5-part-1-gen-11-2-god-creates-the-heavens-and-the-earth/ PART 2 – video - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/genesis-5-special-gen-11-2-polemic-theology-from-chaos-to-order/ Who is this guy, Rev. Ferret? Ferret someplace near the Jordan River What's his background? Why should we take time to listen to him? Here's a link to check out his background - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0
Dealing with the idea of “Waiting, Seeking, and Being strong,” Rabbi Steve Berkson takes us to Isaiah chapter 51 to provide a glimpse of what “His world” will look like. For one thing, “His world” will include those who “pursue righteousness” (vs 1). For another, “His world” will be filled with the Light of His Torah (vs 4). To enter “His world,” we must have expectancy—a hope for all that Yah has promised to those who are His. Then, moving into the Psalms, Rabbi Berkson shows us the one verse that could solve all our fear and anxiety problems. From the Psalms, we move to Jeremiah, chapter 30, where we learn a little about the two houses, Judah and Israel, and that the doctrine of Replacement Theology has no standing in Scripture. Guard. Walk. Do. Sounds like covenant again, right? Rabbi Berkson takes us to Leviticus chapter 26 and shows us the promise of peace in His world through the words of the Creator. Then on to the prophet Micah chapter 4, as Yahweh says His mountain will be above all mountains and His house will be there, from where the Torah will go out to judge and teach all. In this section, Rabbi Berkson has a very different thought on verse 5 that you have probably never heard before. To learn more about MTOI, visit our website, https://mtoi.org. https://www.facebook.com/mtoiworldwide https://www.instagram.com/mtoi_worldwide https://www.tiktok.com/@mtoi_worldwide You can contact MTOI by emailing us at admin@mtoi.org or calling 423-250-3020. Join us for Shabbat Services and Torah Study LIVE, streamed on our website, mtoi.org, YouTube, and Rumble every Saturday at 1:15 p.m. and every Friday for Torah Study Live Stream at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time.
The descendants of Abraham once again found themselves drawn to a mountain to hear the word of the Lord. But this time, the incarnate Son of God was seated before them—audibly speaking, teaching, and sharing His Torah. Words that are commonplace in Christianity today fell like nuclear bombs, transforming the hearts and minds of the sons and daughters of Abraham gathered there.
How do the Old and New Testament commands work together? Some in Christianity teach that the Torah was fulfilled and thus done away with at the cross. Others teach that all believers in Jesus are required to keep all the commandments listed in the various Covenants listed in Scripture. As we attempt to get on MISSION with Christ we must combat our own legalistic approach to the calling. Yet the commands of God aren't legalistic, they are for life. Are the 10 commandments abolished in the New Testament, or are they upheld? As Jesus prepares to give His Torah teaching at the Sermon on the Mount what did he model and teach concerning the 10 commandments?
It is incumbent upon parents to raise their children well, but how exactly do you do that? Babies are not born clutching parenting manuals. This is especially problematic for us Jews. We must raise our children to be upstanding, productive, stable, and healthy adults like all other parents. However, we have an additional responsibility: we must raise our children to be good Jews too. We must raise our children with a deep connection with the Almighty and His Torah. We must raise them with an awareness of their Jewish identity and a sense of mission and responsibility. How do we do that? That is a question that many young parents - and even veteran parents - struggle with. In this podcast, the first of a series of two, we will offer some answers. These are not specific answers to specific parenting dilemmas, rather they are heuristics that apply across the board in parenting. This podcast not be misconstrued as a claim of expertise or any special parenting ability. I am simply sharing ideas that are very well accepted and recognized as true.– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –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 ★
Hashem speaks to us all the time. We need to be aware and keep our eyes and ears open for His messages. Sometimes a person needs a yeshuah and seeks something to improve on as a zechut . It's possible that Hashem will convey what he needs to work on in a subtle way, but he must be vigilant and on the lookout for the message. A 7th-grade rebbe shared a story about a student in his class who struggled to grasp even the basics. The more the rebbe tried to explain, the less it seemed the student understood. After Pesach last year, the class began learning a new masechet , and suddenly, the boy started understanding everything. Not only that, he retained all that he learned and quickly became one of the top students in the class. The change was astonishing, happening in such a short time. The rebbe's amazement did not go unnoticed, and the boy explained what had led to the transformation. He said, "A few weeks ago, rebbe told us about the holy tanna Matyah ben Charash, who faced a great test in guarding his eyes. He was even willing to lose his eyesight to avoid sinning. Hashem performed a miracle for him and restored his sight. "I thought to myself, I also need to safeguard my eyes. Across from the bus stop where I wait every morning is a public school, and I usually watch the students, including the girls who dress immodestly. After rebbe mentioned Matyah ben Charash, I decided to guard my eyes. Every day when they arrive, I look down and pray to Hashem to enlighten my eyes in His Torah and help me remember what I learn. Hashem answered my request. Since then, I've been able to understand and remember everything." This boy needed help with his learning, and Hashem subtly hinted to him what he needed to do to merit it—through the rebbe's words about shemirat enayim . The boy understood the message and experienced an incredible yeshuah . Sometimes Hashem gives us exactly the chizuk we need. A man shared that he became very involved in encouraging others and giving chizuk . Baruch Hashem, he was good at it and helped many people. However, recently, he began to have second thoughts. The work was consuming so much of his time, sometimes keeping him on the phone with people for over half an hour. He wondered if he should scale back and focus more on other areas of avodat Hashem , including his own learning. That very day, as he was grappling with these thoughts, he came across a piece in a book on emunah that spoke directly to his dilemma. The book quoted the Chafetz Chaim, who emphasized how much Hashem values those who bring chizuk to others. The Chafetz Chaim compared it to a father whose children are sad, saying that such a father would feel immense hakarat hatov toward anyone who brings joy to his children. The man felt reassured that he was on the right path. That night, as part of his routine, he read two halachot from the Sefer Chafetz Chaim and a paragraph of mussar from the back of the sefer . To his amazement, the very same idea he had read earlier in the book on emunah appeared in the mussar section of the Sefer Chafetz Chaim that night. It was Hashem who was showing him the same chizuk twice in one day to reinforce the message. The encouragement he needed to continue his avodat hakodesh was delivered clearly and powerfully. Hashem speaks to us all the time. If we're on the lookout, we will catch His messages.
In this podcast we return to Genesis 9 and Noah's planting a vineyard and then getting drunk. One asks why this story was highlighted in God's TORAH תּוֹרָה, His instruction? And then what about the aftermath when his son Ham sees Noah drunk and naked in the tent. What is going on? This is one of several instances where the Lord our God, Yahvay יהוה, does not give us clear precise understanding. Scholarship is all over the map in providing reasonable commentary on this event. One concludes that there is no clear answer to all this. One Jewish scholar, Leon Kass, in his Genesis commentary offers his view. Kass seems to think this is all about family. Ham brought shame upon his dad and over and over again TORAH תּוֹרָה, Yahvay's יהוה instruction, has a lot to say about family. Kass notes that in Genesis chapters 1-11 that this has nothing to do with the Hebrews or Judaism. So this event in Genesis 9 is seemingly to teach all mankind. Kass makes a superb added idea as to the purpose of this story. But, once again, there are many other ideas and opinions. Kass' opinion, however, makes a lot of sense as you will see as you join us in this study. We will also come to Genesis 10 and come face to face with the notorious Nimrod. We are taught that Nimrod was pure evil was the guy who had the Tower of Babel built. But, as we will see all this is pure fantasy. These are legends made up by the rabbis in Rabbinic Judaism. These legends then “slid easily” into the church as well and not we are teaching the Bible and pushing that legends and made up rabbinic views are truth. They are not. So, this lesson is quite important to study and consider the truth behind the word of God and the character of Nimrod and what the Bible says about him and not some rabbi who made up some fictional account since to that rabbi it seemed to fit his agenda or view. We can not and should not teach that someone's opinion or made up views are truth. That is why I focus on teaching the Torah in its historical context. We must get at what God's original intentions were when He inspired Moses to write His Torah. We need to focus on the words of our Lord and our God when He said … So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue (the Greek is MENO G3306 – it has the idea of relying or persevering) in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (Joh 8:31-32) Rev. Ferret - Who is this guy? What's his background? Why should I listen to him? Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/8qth6w4e56oub9js1w1gu/BackgrndTeacher-mar-25-2020.pdf?rlkey=f14fr2wmde5fezjmnrny8cycl&dl=0
This week, because of the Fall Holy Days, and as we near the conclusion of the Torah cycle, Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship elected to take a look at a double-parsha; first, Vayelekh (Deuteronomy chapter 31) and then Ha'azinu (chapter 32) - where Moses begins to wrap up his final instructions to 'kol Israel.' First, he reminds them about the coming conquest of the land, that Yohushua/Joshua will lead them, and to "be strong and of good courage." The Erev Shabbat reading begins there, and continues with what rabbinic Judaism calls the final (613th) 'mitzvah' in His Torah, to "write out this song," a.k.a. the second 'Song of Moses,' which is the heart of the next chapter, and parsha Ha'azinu: https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/SSM-9-27-24-Vayelekh-Ha-azinu-teaching-podcast-xx.mp3 The Sabbath Day midrash examines a contrast: Moses addressed a people who were about to get a new leader, and finally enter and then begin the battle for their long-promised land. We currently have no leader, and are evidently closer to losing a land than entering it, although there are certainly battles ahead, one way or another. Which is where that second song comes in: heaven and earth are His witnesses, and the song is as well. A witness AGAINST the 'children of Israel.' But the parallels then and now are stark, too. He has been "roused to jealousy," with a thing that He calls a 'no-god.' There's provocation from a "vile nation," and they have become a nation void of counsel, with "no understanding in them." When you compare the main news stories today, it's impossible to deny that judgment has been EARNED. But this is where the 'plot thickens.' The prophet YermeYahu, or Jeremiah, is told no less than three times, don't even pray for those people that were about to see judgment, at the hand of Nebuchadnezzar. Which certainly raises a fair question. And the choice. Regular WARNING: We are in - at best - dangerous times. Particularly so for those who walk in rebellion. This is yet another reading in the continuing series of what you will certainly NOT hear in sun-god-day school. Vayelekh and Ha'azinu: "Voided Covenant, or Re-Grafting? Either way - it is a CHOICE!" https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WT-CooH-10-5-24-Vayelekh-Ha-azinu-Covenant-is-it-VOID-or-re-grafted-It-is-a-CHOICE-regardless-podcast-xxx.mp3 The combined two-part teaching is here:
Parsha "Vaetchanan," (Devarim or Deuteronomy 3:23 - 7:11) is, very what might be called the heart of the heart of His Torah, because it includes not only the 'reiteration' of the Ten Debarim (Sayings, Words, or 'commandments') but also what the Messiah Himself called the "greatest commandment" of all. First, he Erev Shabbat reading of some of the most central commandments in the Bible: https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SSM-8-16-24-Vaetchanan-teaching-podcast-x.mp3 In the Sabbath day midrash, Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa makes the case that there is FAR more to the instruction here than many of us have been led to believe. Do even the "Ten Commandments" still apply, now that we have been exiled from the land? OR, does He mean what He says about the commandment to neither "add to," or "subtract from?" It's a 'razor' that is key to understanding how to discern His Truth from the "lies we have inherited from our fathers." And a 'church' that, all too often, attempts to turn his very Word 'upside down.' The deception He warned us about is here. But we can 'see that your are not deceived.' WARNING: This is another rather blunt message, because time draws short. "Vaetchanan: The Razor!" https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/WT-CooH-8-16-24-Vaetchanan-The-Razor-podcast-xxx.mp3 The combined two-part teaching is here:
While my guest on this episode is literally a Jewish rock star, he would still be one even if he had chosen a different profession. Listen in as we discuss how, when a Jew embraces their relationship with Hashem and His Torah, it does not change them; it simply allows them to actualize who they truly are and bring out their potential and unique creative nature to the world. When we align our spiritual selves with our physical selves, we can each achieve rock star status.To pre-order his new book, Suspended by No String: A Songwriter's Reflections on Faith, Aliveness, and Wonder click here. ★ Support this podcast ★
This week and we have passed through Feast of Shavout, you've received His covenant mantle and now individual mantles are being released. God has branded you with His covenant mantle and is now releasing angels to bring you new assignments to be carried out just like he did in the Old Testament in Exodus 25 when He gave instructions for the people to start working and bring him offerings .Then in Acts 3 when Apostles Peter and John stepped out in the mantles of Gods power and when faced with the lame man at the gate of Beautiful, Peter simply said in Acts 3:6 , “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”We have been mantled with the corporate covenant mantle, and in order for us to walk in our individual mantles we must exercise the power of the foundation of our new identity in Him through the corporate mantle in Exodus 19-20 and Acts 1-2!He gave us His Torah and Spirit as a new corporate mantle identity and now we are called to carry out our purpose in the earth from that foundation as we receive our new individual mantles of power.It is time to GO in this new power, identity and purity of being a royal nation and holy priesthood! Now, proof of this could be some enemy distraction- that's ok! The enemy is confirming the anointing on your life! Stand strong and keep moving ahead!Laugh in the face of the enemy as you remain steadfast in the covenant and faith!In John 14:21, Jesus says, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”That word commandments means to be INJOINED to Him! You have received HIM and the manifestation of Him which is His commandments!Stand firm in God's commandments and receive the power to move ahead in all God has called you to! You are making ground for the kingdom!If you have not given your Feast of Shavout, Pentecost offering as of now, it is not too late. And this week even in Exodus 25:2, “Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.”We are called to DO something with His covenant mantle.At Candice Smithyman Ministries, we partner to help children be released of sex trafficking and being put in orphanages all over the world, and we bring the message of hope to inmates in prison, and reach the world through the gospel in media ministry.You can give today here: https://candicesmithyman.com/partnership/If you have not gotten a copy of Dr. Candice's Angels of Fire : The Ministry of Angels in the End Time Revival you can find it here with MP3 download. https://candicesmithyman.com/product/preorder-angels-of-fire-autographed-cd-set/
The story of Rav Mendel of Viznitz and Rivka, who brought him tea while he was in exile, can serve as a parallel to our current situation and our relationship with Avinu Malkeinu and His Torah.
The Torah in Parashat Emor introduces the Misva of the Korban Ha'omer – the special sacrifice which was offered on the 16 th of Nissan, the second day of Pesach. This sacrifice included the offering of an “Omer” of the new barley harvest, the first of the freshly-grown spring produce, and it is forbidden to partake of the season's yield before this sacrifice is offered. This sacrifice was given the name “Korban Ha'omer” – “the Omer sacrifice,” referring to the Omer – a measurement – of new grain that was offered. The Torah then commands that we count forty-nine days from the day this sacrifice is offered, a Misva which is of course known as “Sefirat Ha'omer” – “the counting of the Omer.” We must understand why the word “Omer” features so prominently in the context of these Misvot. The word “Omer” refers to a certain measurement of flour, specifically, one-tenth of an “Efa.” Why would this measurement be so significant, that this became the name of the sacrifice? Moreover, throughout the Humash, the Torah uses the term “Isaron” – “one-tenth” – in reference to this measurement, for, as mentioned, it equals one-tenth of an Efa. But when it comes to the Korban Ha'omer, the word “Omer” is used. Why? We must also understand why we refer to the nightly counting as “Sefirat Ha'omer.” Why is the “Omer” of barley offered on the 16 th of Nissan our point of focus when we count the days from Pesach to Shabuot? The answer, as developed by Rav Yosef Salant (Jerusalem, 1885-1981) in his Be'er Yosef, emerges from the comments of the Zohar here in Parashat Emor regarding the Omer sacrifice. The Zohar draws a connection between this offering and the first time the word “Omer” appears in the Torah – in the context of the manna, the heavenly food which Hashem fed Beneh Yisrael in the desert. We read in Parashat Beshalah (Shemot 16:16) that an Omer of manna was provided for each member of the nation, each day. The Zohar states that G-d commanded Beneh Yisrael to offer an Omer of grain as though they give back the Omer of manna they received in the desert. The purpose of this sacrifice is to recall and express gratitude for the manna which our ancestors received for forty years in the desert. Rav Salant explains that during the years of travel in the desert, Beneh Yisrael lived a supernatural existence, sustained miraculously by G-d. It was perfectly clear to them that their sustenance depended solely on G-d's grace and kindness. But once Beneh Yisrael entered the Land of Israel, the manna stopped falling, and they needed to till the land to produce food and sustain themselves. As they would be producing food themselves, rather than receiving food directly from the heavens, the people might lose sight of the fact that Hashem provides them with their sustenance. They might come to think that their success depends solely on their hard work and effort. They would then focus their time and energy exclusively on their farming, and neglect spirituality, studying Torah and performing Misvot. Mistakenly thinking that their hard work alone determines the success of their endeavors, they would not make any time for Hashem, for Torah and Misvot. Therefore, Rav Salant explains, the Torah commands that none of the new grain may be eaten before an Omer of new grain – symbolizing the manna – is offered on the altar. Just as an Omer of manna descended from the heavens to the earth each morning, Beneh Yisrael offer the first Omer of the food produced from the earth to Hashem, as though sending it to the heavens. They express their awareness of the fact that the food they produce, too, is like manna, as it – no less than the manna – came from the heavens, as a blessing from Hashem. Even when we work hard and exert effort to earn a livelihood, we must recognize and firmly believe that the sustenance we receive, our income, everything we have, is a blessing granted to us from Hashem. This is why we count “Sefirat Ha'omer” every night until Shabuot. Each night, when we count the Omer, we remind ourselves of the Omer sacrifice – and thus remember that everything we have is “manna” which Hashem sends us from the heavens. This is how we prepare for the holiday of Shabuot, when we celebrate our receiving the Torah. For forty-nine days, we are reminded that it is Hashem who sends us our livelihood – and this assures us that we can and must take time away from our material pursuits for the sake of Torah learning. As ultimately it is the Almighty, and not our efforts, that bring us our livelihood, we will not lose at all – and will, in fact, only gain – by devoting time each day for the service of Hashem, for the study of His Torah. We then begin Shabuot with renewed faith in Hashem's provision of all our needs – which will lead to a renewed commitment to strike the necessary balance between the work we need to invest in securing a livelihood, and our faith that it is Hashem who grants us our livelihood.
Making a Kiddush Hashem and avoiding Chillul Hashem are from the most fundamental Mitzvos we have. The more we represent Hashem and His Torah, as individuals and as a people, the greater our responsibility in this area. Discussion about our responsibilities and our potential for greatness in this area. Have a Wonderful Shabbos.
The Torah is effectively infinite. It is longer than the land and broader than the seas. God is infinite and unfathomable; He gave us His Torah in order for us to connect with Him. Torah is, in fact, accessible to us, but we never arrive at the end point of Torah. It's infinite. Moreover, the […]
The Torah is effectively infinite. It is longer than the land and broader than the seas. God is infinite and unfathomable; He gave us His Torah in order for us to connect with Him. Torah is, in fact, accessible to us, but we never arrive at the end point of Torah. It's infinite. Moreover, the deeper someone immerses themselves into the vast seas of Torah, the deeper they discover it to be. In this very special podcast, we explore some striking examples of the infinity of the Torah.– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –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 ★
On the night of the Seder we are commanded to relate the story of Yetziat Mitzrayim and thereby imbue into our families the emunah that Hashem runs the world. The Haggadah tells us we have to relate the story even if everyone at the table are חכמים . Which means, even if everyone has a wellspring of emunah that they have already learned from their parents and rabbis, they still need to hear the story. And even if everyone at the Seder are נבונים , which means they are able to see Hashem just by analyzing the world and creation and how everything works. And some texts say אפילו כולנו זקנים , even if everyone at the Seder is an elderly person who has lived a full life and has seen with his own eyes countless episodes that clearly show that Hashem is running the world. As I'm writing this lesson, a man just came over to me and said, his relative was told by a doctor that he is about to lose his eyesight in one eye, lo alenu . The man was broken and asked if there was perhaps someone who could give him chizuk . His relative made him an appointment with a big rabbi who's a dayan and a posek who he felt would give him the proper chizuk . At the meeting, the rabbi revealed to this man something he never told anyone in his community about, that he himself has only one eye that works. He proceeded to tell him how much he's able to accomplish with one eye and how everything about his life is completely normal. The man got so much chizuk from that meeting. The relative told me he had no idea that this rabbi only had one eye. What were the odds that the one person he sent his relative to for chizuk would have the same issue as him? Only Hashem can orchestrate such a meeting. The Haggadah continues and says, אפילו כולנו יודעים את התורה . Even if everyone at the Seder knows Hashem through delving into His Torah. The greatest proof of Hashem's existence is the wisdom inside of the book that He gave us. Even if someone has emunah in Hashem from all of these different sources, he still has a mitzvah on the night of the Seder to relate the story of Yetziat Mitzrayim . Once a year, we are commanded with a מצוות עשה מן התורה to gain emunah in Hashem specifically through relating the story of Yetziat Mitzrayim . That is the mitzvah of the night. A person may know with such a clarity אין עוד מלבדו - there's nothing in this world with any power besides Hashem. Yet on this night, he must strengthen his emunah by speaking about the wonders and miracles that Hashem performed in taking us out of Mitzrayim . And the better a person does this mitzvah, the more praiseworthy he becomes. The story he tells this year about Yetziat Mitzrayim will not be the same as last year. The Chatam Sofer writes, when a person yearns to do a mitzvah properly, he merits a special heavenly assistance in doing it. The greatest rabbis who ever lived, who seemingly knew the entire Torah backwards and forwards, came up with the new chiddushim every year in their sipur Yetziat Mitzrayim . The Torah is endless. The Chafetz Chaim said that after thousands of years of the greatest Torah scholars learning day and night, we haven't even scratched the surface of the Torah yet. It was known that every year the Chatam Sofer would have an entirely new approach of analyzing Yetziat Mitzrayim . Obviously, this requires preparation. To do this mitzvah properly, a person has to open books and listen to classes and be ready to teach his family about Hashem taking us out of Mitzrayim . All we have to do is make the effort and then Hashem will take over. The Panim Yafot in Parashat Bo writes, there's a great light that Hashem reveals on this night and each person, according to his level of preparation and purity, will receive benefit from this light. It's the same light that Hashem revealed on the night of Yetziat Mitzrayim, that is infinite, that can connect a person to Hashem in the deepest way. On this night, there may be a large variety of people at a person's Seder or there may be a large age gap between people anywhere from 20 to 30 to 40 years. The pasuk tells us to tell the story באזני בנך ובן בנך - in our children and grandchildren's ears. The Kol Yehudah writes, it doesn't say ears twice, to teach us that with the help of Hashem that He gives that night, we will be able to give the exact same message to everyone at the table and they'll all be able to gain in their own way from it. There's a special segula on the night of the Seder to give emunah to anyone who participates and may Hashem give us the siyata d'Shamayah to do it the best way possible.
To sign up for the new zman of VHP, click here. Proffesor Aaron Allen is Chair of Radiation Oncology at Shaare Zedek Medical Center, and Deputy Director of the American Medical Program at Tel Aviv University. He can be reached by email, Aaronal@szmc.org.il We talk about his efforts to find a deep and authentic connection with Hashem and His Torah, despite being a busy physician. Do you want more Shtark Tank in your life? Join the Shtark Tank Quiet Whatsapp Group for exclusive bonus content! If you have any sort of feedback, or just want to say hey, don't hesitate! You can reach me by email and LinkedIn
There are times during the year that we get extra siyata d'Shamaya in certain areas. On Hanukkah, we are able to access a special spiritual energy to help us get closer to Hashem. At the time of the Hanukkah miracle, the Jewish People risked their lives to fight the Greeks. What were they fighting for? Their lives were not at risk. They were fighting to be able to follow Torah and mitzvot and serve Hashem properly. When Hashem saw how much His People yearned for His Torah, that is when He performed great miracles for them, enabling them to defeat the Greek army. He continued performing more miracles for them, enabling them to light the Menorah for eight days with pure olive oil. Today when we light our Hanukkah candles, they radiate kedusha . Just looking at the flames can purify a person's eyes. While the candles are burning, it's an עת רצון to pray, especially for help with Torah and mitzvot. I read a story of a representative from a yeshiva in Yerushalayim , whom we'll call Yehuda, who traveled abroad to collect much needed funds for that yeshiva. In one particular city he didn't know anybody and didn't even know where to go. He stopped and made a tefila to Hashem, asking Him to help. A few minutes later, a horse and buggy passed by him with a distinguished gentleman inside. It was a religious man and he asked Yehuda if he needed something. Yehuda told him he was there from Israel collecting and he explained how dire the situation was. The distinguished gentleman invited Yehuda to his luxurious home and gave him a nice sum of money. While he was there, Yehuda noticed amongst very expensive gold and silver vessels on display, a broken jug that used to contain oil. He asked the man why a broken jug would be on display there. The man told him the story behind it. He said when he was younger he veered off the path of Torah and mitzvot and completely abandoned the religion. He looked and acted no different than a goy . One day, he was walking in the street and he saw a little boy crying. He asked the boy what was wrong, and the boy replied that his father gave him money to buy a jug of oil to light the menorah but it fell out of his hands and broke. They were very poor and he wouldn't have enough money to get another one. The man said he felt bad for that boy. He took out money, gave it to him and said, “Go get more.” After he parted ways with that boy, he said to himself, “A little boy cried because he was going to miss out on oil for Hanukkah and I, who have so much, don't even care that I don't do any mitzvot?” He went back and he picked up that broken jug. He took this lesson to heart and started coming back to Torah and mitzvot from it. He then said, “Baruch Hashem, today I am fully shomer Torah and mitzvot and I keep that broken jug of oil on display to remind myself of how Hashem inspired me to come back to Him.” Every Jew has a neshama that desires Torah and mitzvot and all it takes is a little spark to ignite it. A man told me, 30 years ago he had no connection to Torah and mitzvot. Aish HaTorah opened a small branch in his city and they put an ad in a newspaper saying they were offering a Lunch and Learn – a whole spread of deli and a class from a rabbi. The man said he really did not have any interest in the class, but he loved deli. And so, he left work on his lunch break to go there. The rabbi's words at the class made so much sense to him and he was excited to be invited back the following week for another Lunch and Learn. He kept going every week until he became fully observant. Today, this man has religious children and grandchildren and spends his days trying to bring other Jews closer to Hashem. Every Jew wants to be close to Hashem, even the most distant ones. We just need to bring it out of them properly. On Hanukkah, there is an extra siyata d'Shamaya to accomplish it.
Our parsha contains perhaps the most difficult Torah portion to read and digest: The Tochacha (Admonition). In it we are told the consequences of our deeds. If obey the Almighty and hearken to His commandments, He will reward us with bountiful blessings. Should we deviate from Him and repudiate His Torah, however, He promises to […]