Podcasts about Maggid

Originates from the Baal Shem Tov, The Maggid & The Alter RebbeThe background and facts about this auspicious Nigun

התוכן ישנה תורה מהרב המגיד עה"פ בסיום חמישי דפ' אחרי "ושמרתם את חוקותי.. אשר יעשה אותם האדם וחי בהם! ע"ד משל ציצית, כשהם דוממים אין בהם חיות וכשיהודי עושה בהם מצוה אזי "וחי בהם"‏ – ‏הוא ממשיך בהם חיות שיהיו "לעבעדיקע ציצית", וע"ד מה שמסופר על הבעש"ט שפעם הסתכלו עליו וראו כי הציצית מתנענעות אצלו כדבר חי! הם נהיו בפועל ובגשמיות דבר חי! הביאור בתורה זו בחסידות: החיות שנמשך ע"י עשיית המצוות של האדם (התחתון) הוא חיות אלקי שלמע' מסדר ההשתלשלות, ועי"ז גם "עושים" כביכול את הציור דאדם העליון ("ועשיתם אַתם") וכו'.משיחת אור לי"ב ניסן ה'תשמ"א ל"הנחה פרטית" או התרגום ללה"ק של השיחה: https://thedailysicha.com/?date=05-05-2025 Synopsis The verse states (at the end of chamishi of parashas Acharei), “You shall observe My statutes…which a man shall do and live by them.” The Maggid explains this with the analogy of tzitzis: first the tzizis are an inanimate object, but when a Jew uses them for a mitzvah, the tzizis “lives by them” – the Jew draws life into them and turns them into “living tzitzis,” like the story of the Baal Shem Tov, whose tzitzis were seen moving like a living being – they literally and physically became alive. The explanation of this teaching in Chassidus is as follows: the vitality drawn down by the physical man is Divine life that transcends seder hishtalshelus – and it also “makes” the Supernal Man, so to speak (as the verse says, “and you shall do them” – spelled ועשיתם אַתם – “and you shall make”) etc.Excerpt from sichah of Wednesday night, 12 Nissan 5741 For a transcript in English of the Sicha: https://thedailysicha.com/?date=05-05-2025

Welcome to Daily Bitachon . We are now up to the section of the Hagadah which talks about the story in short, with four Pesukim excerpted from Devarim 26 ,5 and on , in the context of Bikkurim which is relevant for us now, as Shavuot is the time that we bring Bikkurim . As we march from Pesach to Shavuot, we are in a time of Hakarat HaTov and appreciation. The outcome of Yetziat Mitzrayim is supposed to be Hakarat HaTov , gratitude and appreciation for God. That is why these four Pesukim , which we base our Hagadah on, were said with the baskets of fruit in hand overflowing, thanking God. The first pasuk they said was: אֲרַמִּי֙ אֹבֵ֣ד אָבִ֔י וַיֵּ֣רֶד מִצְרַ֔יְמָה Arami oved avi vayered Mitzraima . ( A man called) Lavan HaArami tried to destroy ( or destroyed) my father… Rashi says that God considered what Lavan wanted to do as if he did it. But before we proceed with the rest of the pesukim , we have to stop and ask: Why are we mentioning Lavan here? And what does this have to do with the basket of fruit? If you want to tell me we went to Mitzrayim and now we got the land, I got it. Vayevienu el hamakom hazeh , it says and He brought us to this place after the four Pesukim , we're saying God brought us here . But that was 250 years after we entered the land and way after the story of Lavan and Yaakov. The answer is, as Yaakov and Lavan were going through this story, it was not very clear what was going on. It started with Lavan swindling Yaakov , and making him work twice as long as he needed, not seven but 14 years. But if not for that swindling, he would have just walked out with Rachel. No Leah, no Bilhah or Zilpah. Who knows how many children would not have been born? Rachel gave him only two children. With the four wives he ended up with 12. Additionally, Yaakov Avinu also walked in as a man with no money, but he walked out a very wealthy man. And let's go into the story of Egypt: We grew even more due to the oppression. We left with tremendous wealth, became purified and refined, and were ready to receive the Torah . But, it only became clear after the story was over. You can't understand a book if you only read the middle chapter. One of my favorite mashals told by the Chafetz Chaim is that of a man who visited a town for the weekend. He was a Gabbai (or Misader) in his hometown shul, and gave out the Aliyot and the other honors in the shul , like who gets to open the Heichal, who gets the first Aliyah , who gets Shlishi or Shishi (which is important depending on what your customs are.) who gets Maftir and so on. So there he was in the new shul, looking around, imagining that he was back home, deciding whom he would give each Aliyah to. 'Oh, that guy looks important, I'd give him this. That guy I think looks I'd give him that….' But in the end, nothing went the way he thought it should go. A fellow that looked like he couldn't read even got the Maftir ! He couldn't understand what was going on. He approached the man in charge and asked, " Could you please explain what's going on here? I run the shul back in my hometown, and I wouldn't have done it this way." The man in charge responded, " How long have you been here?" The guest answered, " I'm here for the weekend." The gabbai then said, " Well, if you've only been here for the weekend, you can't really question what I'm doing. You weren't here last week; you don't know what's going to happen next week. The fellow that got Maftir, who looked like he couldn't read, has his father's Yahrzeit this week. The fellow that you think should have gotten an Aliyah got one last week, and the other one is getting it next week. You can't comment when you're only here for a weekend!" So too, says the Chafetz Chaim , in life, we're only here for a short period of time. We don't see the whole story, and therefore we can't question. God wanted to teach us an important, short history lesson. He knew we were going to enter into future exiles. He wanted us to read this lesson and apply it to life in general. That's why the real message of the night of the Seder is Matchil bignut umesayem beshevach . Start with the negative and end with the positive. Rabbenu Manoac h , one of the Rishonim , in his commentary on the Rambam on the laws of Chametz U'Matzah , chapter seven, Halacha 6 , says something fascinating: With this remembering, Tihiyeh yirat Hashem al panav tamid / The fear of God will be on his face continuousl y, When he sees Hashem's supervision, And you'll never forget about Hashem . With this story of Yetziat Mitzrayim, you will see Hashem is watching you. You'll be on His mind and He'll be on your mind. And even if its times are very difficult, Yiftach b'Hashem, he'll still rely on God, Mikveh Yisrael, the One the Jewish people hope to, Moshio b'eit tzara, the One that saves us in time of difficulty . And just like the difficulty of the exile of Mitzrayim, Hayta sibah l'heitiv lahem b'achritam/Was a cause to end up doing better for them in the end, Ken kol tzarot hagalut hazeh / So too with all of these difficulties in our exile, hem sibah l'Yisrael / They will be a cause for the Jewish people, l'hoshi'am t'shuat olamim, an everlasting saving- Which is the rule we call Ma'aseh Avot Siman L'banim . The actions of the father are a sign for the future. That's our opening lesson for Maggid, the story of the Hagadah shel Pesach . And as we said, it's not just for the night of Pesach , it's every day of our lives. We have to remember Yetziat Mitzrayim . This is one of the underlying messages of Yetziat Mitzrayim , says Rabbeinu Manoach , is that it ain't over 'til it's over.

What hidden layers of meaning lie within the traditions of the Pesach Seder? Join us on the Everyday Judaism Podcast to unpack the rich tapestry of Jewish customs and rituals. From the special blessings recited over Matzah to the challenges of keeping a log cabin warm on Shabbat without kindling a fire, we explore the practical and spiritual dimensions of these observances. We offer profound insights into the significance of the Kittel—a garment symbolizing mortality—and the reasons behind wearing white during sacred times like Pesach, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur. Plus, discover why red wine is chosen over white at the Seder as a tribute to royalty and remembrance, adding depth to your holiday experience.We also dive into the importance of engaging with the story of the Maggid during the Seder, highlighting the value of connection and understanding beyond mere recitation. We address insightful community questions, inviting listeners to submit their queries for future episodes, fostering an interactive and enriching dialogue. As we wrap up, we express our gratitude for your participation and encourage continued engagement. Our commitment to producing quality Jewish content is unwavering, and your support plays a vital role in this journey. Don't miss this opportunity for a week filled with learning and inspiration.In this episode of Ask Away we address these various topics:Pesach Seder Customs and Traditions: Blessing over Matzah, Shabbat fire prohibitions, Kittel garment, Red wine symbolism, Mah Nishtana and engaging with the Maggid story during the Seder.Other Community Q&A: The importance of language in human interaction and its connection to environment and perception.And much more ... Please submit your questions at askaway@torchweb.org_____________The Everyday Judaism Podcast is dedicated to learning, understanding and appreciating the greatness of Jewish heritage and the Torah through the simplified, concise study of Halacha, Jewish Law, thereby enhancing our understanding of how Hashem wants us to live our daily lives in a Jewish way._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by Marshall & Doreen LernerDownload & Print the Everyday Judaism Halacha Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RL-PideM42B_LFn6pbrk8MMU5-zqlLG5This episode (Ep. #34) of the Everyday Judaism Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH is dedicated to my dearest friends, Marshall & Doreen Lerner! May Hashem bless you and always lovingly accept your prayer for good health, success and true happiness!!!Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studio (B) to a live audience on  March 30, 2025, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on April 27, 2025_____________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!_____________SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at https://www.TORCHpodcasts.com_____________EMAIL your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Please visit www.torchweb.org to see a full listing of our outreach and educational resources available in the Greater Houston area!_____________#AskAway, #Halacha, #Jewishlaw, #Jewishtraditions, #PesachSeder, #matzah, #kittel, #mortality, #RoshHashanah, #YomKippur, #white, #redwine ★ Support this podcast ★

What hidden layers of meaning lie within the traditions of the Pesach Seder? Join us on the Everyday Judaism Podcast to unpack the rich tapestry of Jewish customs and rituals. From the special blessings recited over Matzah to the challenges of keeping a log cabin warm on Shabbat without kindling a fire, we explore the practical and spiritual dimensions of these observances. We offer profound insights into the significance of the Kittel—a garment symbolizing mortality—and the reasons behind wearing white during sacred times like Pesach, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur. Plus, discover why red wine is chosen over white at the Seder as a tribute to royalty and remembrance, adding depth to your holiday experience.We also dive into the importance of engaging with the story of the Maggid during the Seder, highlighting the value of connection and understanding beyond mere recitation. We address insightful community questions, inviting listeners to submit their queries for future episodes, fostering an interactive and enriching dialogue. As we wrap up, we express our gratitude for your participation and encourage continued engagement. Our commitment to producing quality Jewish content is unwavering, and your support plays a vital role in this journey. Don't miss this opportunity for a week filled with learning and inspiration.In this episode of Ask Away we address these various topics:Pesach Seder Customs and Traditions: Blessing over Matzah, Shabbat fire prohibitions, Kittel garment, Red wine symbolism, Mah Nishtana and engaging with the Maggid story during the Seder.Other Community Q&A: The importance of language in human interaction and its connection to environment and perception.And much more ... Please submit your questions at askaway@torchweb.org_____________The Everyday Judaism Podcast is dedicated to learning, understanding and appreciating the greatness of Jewish heritage and the Torah through the simplified, concise study of Halacha, Jewish Law, thereby enhancing our understanding of how Hashem wants us to live our daily lives in a Jewish way._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by Marshall & Doreen LernerDownload & Print the Everyday Judaism Halacha Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RL-PideM42B_LFn6pbrk8MMU5-zqlLG5This episode (Ep. #34) of the Everyday Judaism Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH is dedicated to my dearest friends, Marshall & Doreen Lerner! May Hashem bless you and always lovingly accept your prayer for good health, success and true happiness!!!Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studio (B) to a live audience on  March 30, 2025, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on April 27, 2025_____________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!_____________SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at https://www.TORCHpodcasts.com_____________EMAIL your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Please visit www.torchweb.org to see a full listing of our outreach and educational resources available in the Greater Houston area!_____________#AskAway, #Halacha, #Jewishlaw, #Jewishtraditions, #PesachSeder, #matzah, #kittel, #mortality, #RoshHashanah, #YomKippur, #white, #redwine ★ Support this podcast ★

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

**Today's Halacha is dedicated f or the refuah and haslacha of Ronnie, Sharon, Eli and all the children of CARE** The first cup of wine drunk at the Seder is the cup of Kiddush, and the second is drunk at the conclusion of Maggid, after reciting the Beracha of "Asher Ge'alanu Ve'ga'al Et Abotenu." However, despite the fact that the second cup is not drunk until the end of Maggid, Hacham Ovadia Yosef rules that the cup should be poured right before Ma Nishtana, when the children ask their questions. One of the ways we arouse the children's curiosity is by pouring the second cup of wine before beginning the meal. The children do not ask about the first cup, since they are accustomed to beginning the meal with Kiddush, but they are then perplexed when we pour a second cup of wine before proceeding to the meal. It is thus appropriate to pour the second cup before Ma Nishtana as part of the effort to arouse the children' curiosity. According to the strict Halacha, one does not have to wash the cup before pouring the second cup of wine. One may simply pour wine into the cup or, as is customary, have somebody else pour for him. According to the Zohar, however, one should rinse the cup before pouring each time at the Seder. And thus although one is certainly allowed to add wine to the cup without first rinsing it, it would be preferable to first rinse the cup to follow the teaching of the Zohar. One should preferably use red wine at the Seder, even if one has white wine which is higher quality than his red wine. Hacham Ovadia rules that one who has difficulty drinking wine may use grape juice at the Seder. One may also use wine for some of the cups and grape juice for the others. There are those who use wine for the first cup – which is the most important, as it also serves the function of Kiddush – and for the last cup, since they will soon be going to sleep so it would not matter if the wine makes them tired. In any event, grape juice is perfectly acceptable for use at the Seder for any or all the cups if one finds it difficult to drink wine. If, for whatever reason, a person will not be drinking the second cup of wine, he nevertheless recites the Beracha of "Asher Ge'alanu," as the Beracha does not depend upon the Misva of the second cup. Some people have the custom that only the head of the household recites the Beracha of "Asher Ge'alanu" while everybody else fulfills their requirement by listening. This practice is perfectly acceptable, and may even be preferable. If this practice is followed, those listening must ensure not to answer "Baruch Hu U'baruch Shemo." If, however, the head of the household does not clearly enunciate all the words, or if he does not have in mind that the others are fulfilling their obligation through his recitation, then everyone should recite the Beracha himself or herself, as they cannot rely on the head of the household's recitation. All the four cups at the Seder must be drunk while leaning to the left, and one who drinks without leaning must drink the cup again while leaning. If one drank the second cup without leaning, he does not repeat the Beracha of "Asher Ge'alanu" when drinking again. It is advisable for the head of the household to announce before the recitation of "Asher Ge'alanu" that everyone should drink while leaning to the left after the recitation.

When it comes to the Haggadah read on Seder Night, Maggid is the longest section encompassing many important and inspiring depths and wonders about Yetziat Mitzrayim. Join Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Brovender as he explores telling the Passover story, as presented in the Haggadah.

Tonight, our final in a series on the Maggid portion of the Haggadah, we will explore the notion how a Voice carries lifeforce to its listeners, and how the Voice is cut into expressions of sounds, letters and speech, dibbur, that transfer meanings to a person's inner being. These meanings trigger memories that activate feelings that prompt actions.All of this communication is to bring us to express our deepest truth, and Rebbe Nachman says most people don't believe in their prayers.  How does this tie into the famous advice of many teachers, "To teach Torah we believe in what we say."  So too the Maggid, and so too every  Jew in prayer.

When it comes to the Haggadah read on Seder Night, Maggid is the longest section encompassing many important and inspiring depths and wonders about Yetziat Mitzrayim. Join Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Brovender as he explores telling the Passover story, as presented in the Haggadah.

On the first night of Pesach, we begin the Arbit prayer with the recitation of the 107 th chapter of Tehillim. This chapter opens with the exclamation, "Hodu L'Hashem Ki Tob, Ki Le'olam Hasdo" – "Thank G-d, for He is good, for His kindness is eternal." The selection of this chapter as the introduction to the night of the seder is very significant, because it encapsulates the essence of this night. The seder is what we might call the Jewish "thanksgiving dinner," as it revolves around the theme of gratitude, thanking Hashem for all He has done for us. In fact, this chapter of Tehillim proceeds to describe the four situations which require a person to bring a Korban Toda – a thanksgiving sacrifice in the Bet Ha'mikdash, or, nowadays, to recite Birkat Ha'gomel, thanking Hashem for saving him. These four situations are a sea voyage, a trip through the desert, imprisonment, and serious illness. A person who emerges from any of these four perilous situations is required to bring a Korban Toda to express his gratitude to Hashem. Our ancestors experienced all four situations. They were released from bondage, from their "imprisonment" in Egypt, and the Sages teach that when they departed Egypt, all their physical ailments from which they suffered as a result of slavery were cured. They then crossed the sea and the desert. This is one of the reasons given for the obligation to drink four cups of wine at the seder. We drink one cup to express gratitude for each of these dangerous conditions from which our forefathers were rescued. Appropriately, therefore, we begin the Arbit service on this night with the chapter of Tehillim that speaks of the obligation to express gratitude to Hashem for these four forms of redemption, all of which are celebrated on the night of the seder. The Maharal of Prague (Rav Yehuda Loew, 1512-1609) asserted that this theme of the seder explains why we refer to the text read on this night with the term "Haggadah." The source of this term, the Maharal writes, is a Misva which has a surprising connection to the seder experience – the Misva of Bikkurim, which requires a farmer to bring the first of his orchard's fruits that ripen to the Bet Ha'mikdash and give them to a Kohen. When he arrived in the Bet Ha'mikdash, the farmer was to pronounce a special text dictated in the Torah (Debarim 26), a text commonly referred to as "Mikra Bikkurim." In this proclamation, the farmer would briefly recall his ancestors' period of slavery in Egypt, how they cried to Hashem, and how He miraculously brought them to freedom. The four verses of Mikra Bikkurim comprise the text that we use at the seder as the focal point of our discussion of Yesiat Misrayim (the Exodus from Egypt). Rather than go through the entire narrative of the Egyptian bondage and the Exodus, we go through the brief account of Mikra Bikkurim, carefully analyzing each phrase of this short text. The Maharal notes that the first words the Torah requires the farmer to declare upon arriving in the Bet Ha'mikdash with his fruits are "Higadeti Hayom L'Hashem Elokecha." The Aramaic Targum Yerushalmi translation of the Torah renders this verse as, "I give thanks and praise to Hashem your G-d." It thus turns out that the word "Higadeti," which we would normally translate as "I have told," actually means expressing praise and gratitude. And it is for this reason, the Maharal writes, that we refer to the text of the Pesach seder as the "Haggadah" – because this is the text we use to express our gratitude to Hashem, which is what the seder experience is all about. In the introduction to the Maggid section of the Haggadah, we announce, "Ve'chol Ha'marbeh Hareh Zeh Meshubah" – the more one speaks about Yesiat Misrayim on this night, the more praiseworthy he is. The Maharal writes that when it comes to expressing gratitude, the more the better. Saying "thank you" to someone who did us a favor might be enough to discharge our obligation, but we can and should do better than that. When expressing appreciation, we should be detailed and specific, and not hold back. The more gratitude we show, the better. There is so much negativity and cynicism all around us. There are so many people who criticize and complain about everything, who focus on what's wrong and then constantly talk about it. Let us counter this negativity with positivity, by indulging in gratitude, in appreciation, by regularly praising and being thankful for all the good there is. Of course, we live in an imperfect world, where there is always something to complain about. But we also live in a wonderful world with so much to be grateful for. And this should be our focus. May the upcoming night of gratitude motivate us to always see and direct our attention toward the goodness all around us and all that is right in our world, so we will live with joy and contentment even as we do our small part to address the world's imperfections in an effort to correct them.

When it comes to the Haggadah read on Seder Night, Maggid is the longest section encompassing many important and inspiring depths and wonders about Yetziat Mitzrayim. Join Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Brovender as he explores telling the Passover story, as presented in the Haggadah.

We will look further into the patterns and paradigms of Maggid,  the recitation of the Haggada on Leil haSeder.  We have seen many allusions to the ideas of contraction and expansion in the story of the Jewish people, and its significance for the individual.  Tonight we will look for the allusions that lead us to the Unity, the receiving the Torah and becoming a nation.  Surprises are always on the way.

When it comes to the Haggadah read on Seder Night, Maggid is the longest section encompassing many important and inspiring depths and wonders about Yetziat Mitzrayim. Join Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Brovender as he explores telling the Passover story, as presented in the Haggadah.

Tonight on our exploration of Maggid, the recitation of the Hagadah on the Night of Passover, we will begin with a deep story of the Baal Shem Tom, and try to understand the connection of the story to the nature and essence of Matzah, and its place in the history of Jewish people.  This is a story that never ends.

When it comes to the Haggadah read on Seder Night, Maggid is the longest section encompassing many important and inspiring depths and wonders about Yetziat Mitzrayim. Join Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Brovender as he explores telling the Passover story, as presented in the Haggadah.

Pesach Seder

Welcome to our erev Pesach zman of casses, focusing on the ‘Maggid' of the Hagadah of Peasach.  Each week we will explore the nature of this role, this effort and expresion woven by the Sages into a multi-layered experience of ritual guidance, historical perspective, family interactive and group praise of Hashem.The simple surface of the story the Maggid tells is anything but simple.

Pesach |  From Disgrace to Praise: A Reassessment, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom What is the purpose of the texts between "Avadim Hayyinu" until "Arami Oved Avi"?  The "Maggid" section of our Haggada has two central components - the first of which is the Midrash on "Arami Oved Avi" and the other is Rabban Gamliel's explanation of the foods. However, our Haggadot have quite a bit of text between the "quick answer" given in response to "Mah Nishtanah" - and these passages don't seem to conform to the aims of the evening. We reassess the rabbinic dictum מתחיל בגנות ומסיים בשבח - "begin with disgrace and end with praise" and propose an understanding of these four words and their location within the Mishna to offer a reassessment of these opening sections of Maggid. Source sheet >>

**Today's Halacha is dedicated f or the refuah and haslacha of Ronnie, Sharon, Eli and all the children of CARE** The thirteenth of Adar – the day before Purim – is observed as a fast called Ta'anit Ester. This fast commemorates the fast that the Jews observed during the time of Mordechai and Ester on the day they waged war to defend themselves against those in the Persian Empire who sought to annihilate them. By commemorating that fast, we remind ourselves that God listens to our prayers and accepts our repentance during times of distress and saves us from calamity. The Maggid (angel) who taught Torah to Rabbi Yosef Karo revealed to him another aspect of Ta'anit Ester. Our indulgence in food, drink and merriment on Purim could potentially lead us to sin. We therefore observe a fast day which is a Segula against sin, to help ensure that the Satan will not have the power to cause us to sin during the Purim festivities. Ta'anit Ester is thus a crucial part of the Purim celebration, as it helps guarantee that our observance will be pure. Furthermore, by observing a fast before Purim we demonstrate that we eat and drink on Purim not to satisfy our physical drives, but rather for the sacred purpose of fulfilling God's will. The work Kav Ha'yashar (chapter 99; listen to audio recording for precise citation) writes that the day of Ta'anit Ester is an especially auspicious time for our prayers to gain acceptance in the merit of Ester and Mordechai. The Kav Ha'yashar therefore advises those in need of divine compassion to set aside some time on Ta'anit Ester and recite the 22nd chapter of Tehillim ("Lamenase'ah Al Ayelet Ha'shahar"), followed by a prayer for whatever it is that they need. In this prayer one should explicitly invoke the merit of Mordechai and Ester. Ta'anit Ester has been accepted by the Jewish people as an obligatory fast day, and, as such, one does not have to declare a formal acceptance the previous day. Although some people have the practice to refrain from bathing on a public fast day (as mentioned by the Mishna Berura, in the laws of Ta'anit Sibur), all agree that bathing is allowed on Ta'anit Ester. Since Ta'anit Ester does not commemorate any tragic event and is not observed in response to a dangerous situation, it is not an unhappy day, and bathing is entirely permissible according to all views. The fast begins at Amud Ha'shahar, or approximately 72 minutes before sunrise, and it concludes at Set Ha'kochavim, which occurs anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes after sunset (one should consult with his Rabbi for personal guidance in this regard). In truth, the precise time of Set Ha'kochavim with regard to Ta'anit Ester is generally irrelevant, since the fast in any event is observed until after the nighttime Megila reading, which ends after the latest possible time for Set Ha'kochavim. According to the Shulhan Aruch, it is permissible to stipulate before going to sleep the night before Ta'anit Ester that one wishes to eat and drink before the onset of the fast. This stipulation must be made verbally, and one cannot rely on a stipulation made before a previous fast day. But if a verbal declaration is made before one goes to sleep, one may, according to the Shulhan Aruch, eat and drink if he wakes up before Amud Ha'shahar. The Arizal (Rabbi Yishak Luria of Safed, 1534-1572), however, based on the Zohar, maintained that once one goes to sleep the night before a fast, he may no longer eat, even if he made a verbal stipulation. He may, however, drink, even according to the Arizal's view. Therefore, it is certainly permissible to wake up early before the fast begins to drink a cup of coffee, for example, as long as one made a verbal declaration before he went to sleep. One who is not well, or feels that he will be unable to complete the fast if he does not eat in the morning before the fast begins, may rely on the Shulhan Aruch's ruling and make a stipulation before going to sleep. The Ben Ish Hai (Rav Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 1833-1909), in Ateret Tiferet (198), writes that it is proper to immerse thirteen times on any fast day and in times of crisis. These thirteen immersions correspond to the thirteen divine attributes of mercy. If possible, one should recite the corresponding attribute each time he immerses, while he is in the water. (Obviously, this assumes that the conditions allow for reciting matters of sanctity.) Summary: Ta'anit Ester is a very meaningful occasion and an auspicious time for having one's prayers answered. The fast begins 72 minutes before sunrise, and ends after the nighttime Megila reading. If necessary, one may verbally stipulate before going to sleep the night before the fast that he plans on eating and drinking before the fast begins. Preferably, though, this stipulation should be made only for drinking, but not for eating. It is permissible to bathe on Ta'anit Ester, even according to the custom to refrain from bathing on other fasts. There is a custom to immerse thirteen times in a Mikveh on every fast day.

Welcome to our humility series. What was the reason Moshe Rabbenu was the greatest of prophets? What made him so special? The Nefesh HaChaim (gate 1, chapter 15) says that only Moshe Rabbenu merited that his full Neshama entered his body with all of its power and influence. That's why in Devarim 33:1, Moshe Rabbenu was called Ish HaElohim /a man of God. Rav Yaakov Hillel, in his commentary Nishmat HaYam on Nefesh HaChaim, connects this to what the Nefesh HaChaim writes in his third gate (chapters 13& 14), that Moshe Rabbenu stood out in the area of humility. It says in Bamidbar 12,3 וְהָאִ֥ישׁ מֹשֶׁ֖ה עָנָ֣ו מְאֹ֑ד מִכֹּל֙ הָֽאָדָ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל־פְּנֵ֥י הָאֲדָמָֽה׃ Moshe Rabbenu was the most humble of men. Furthermore, in Shemot 16,7 Moshe Rabbenu said about himself, ונחנו מה / What are we? Avraham Avinu said, I am dirt and dust , but even dirt and dust are something . It's not a lot, but it's something. However, Moshe Rabbenu said I am nothing . That's why, says Rav Yaakov Hillel, he was able to connect to Hashem on such a high level and reach such a high level of Holiness to the extent that the Shechina spoke through Moshe Rabbenu's throat, as it says, Moshe Rabbenu was different than all of the prophets . All other the prophets said Zeh Davar Hashem / this is the word of God. But Moshe Rabbenu said Ko Amar Hashem/ this is exactly what God says. It came from his throat as if God was talking through him. Why was this? Because he humbled himself to the extreme, and that humility purified his physicality to a point that no other person ever reached. Rav Chaim Volozhin, in his sefer Ruach Chaim Pirkei Avot (chapter 1, mishna 1) uses this to explain the Mishna that Moshe Kibel Torah M'Sinai/ Moshe accepted the Torah from Sinai in the zechut of his humility, more than any other prophet. That's why he was able to see with what's called a shiny window. Windows have different levels of clarity. Certain windows are tinted and you can't see through them well. The better or clearer the window, the better you can see through it. Since what separates us from God is our physicality, our holding of ourselves as a something (what's what we mean by physicality) interferes. But because Moshe's humility was so high, there was nothing to interfere with his connection to Hashem. The Baal Shem Tov has an interesting commentary on, אנכי עומד בין ה׳ וביניכם I am standing between you and your God. The simple meaning is that Moshe Rabbenu is the intermediary, but the Hasidim read it as, a person's Anochi , his egoism is what stands between him and God . Thus the interference between us and God is our egos. Since Moshe Rabbenu had no ego, there was no separation between him and God. This is a very interesting chiddush because the Rambam, in his Shmonei Perakim , where he talks about this concept of the clear glass and the unclear glass, says that every Middah creates an interference. And we see from here that the all/ powerful Middah that, so to say, cleans away all the dirt and grime from a person's soul, is the trait of humility. That was Moshe Rabbenu's greatness. The same Ruach HaChaim says that when it says, "Avraham, Avraham" in the Torah, there's a break between the two, like a line between the two Avrahams. But when is says Moshe Moshe , it doesn't have that. Why is that? Because one of the Avrahams is the Avraham down here, and the other Avraham is the Avraham above- the soul, or the source. His body and Neshama had some kind of separation, so there wasn't an exact connection (of course we talking about Avraham Avinu, so it was only the slightest little bit, but there was still some difference). Moshe Rabbenu reached even higher level. I saw in Rav Yisrael Eliyahu Weintraub's commentary on Nefesh HaChaim that he askshow we can make it sound like Moshe was greater than the Avot ? He explains that this is a concept we talked about before, of the Nanas/ the dwarf, Al Gaveh Anak standing on top of giants, which means Moshe (who, of course was not a dwarf) was building on what the Avot saw. The Avot were able to see Hashem. They used the term Elohim for Hashem. Rashi says, in the beginning of Vaera , that God appeared to the Avot with the name Elohim . But when He appeared to Moshe, it was with Hashem's Divine name of Yud and Heh and Vav and Heh . What's the difference? Elohim means God is in control of all forces. God's able to change nature. Avraham Avinu went into fire and the fire didn't burn him. That's changing nature. But Moshe Rabbenu was on a higher level. It was not like just changing the fire that it wouldn't burn. When he made the miracle of turning water into blood, and blood into water, that was a new creation. When God opened up the earth for Korach, it was a new creation. That higher level of there is no existence but God, which we call En Od Milevado, happened when Rabbenu gave us the Torah. Moshe Rabbenu reached that level and that connection, and his humility caused him to have that high level of understanding of God (Nefesh HaChaim Shaar 3,perek 13 where he discusses this difference between the two names of Hashem and how that impacted Moshe Rabbenu versus the Avot). Going back to our story of ego and I separating us from God, let's get more practical. We're not talking about levels of prophecy between us and Moshe and the Avot. Many political critics keep track of how many times a president or presidential candidate say I in their speeches. I did this and I did that. And I and I and I. That's the feeling of I am doing. That's the Anochi , the I , the ego . There's a beautiful to story told of Rav Shneur Zalman of Liadi who eventually became the famous Baal HaTanya. He was studying under the Hasidish Rebbe Rav Dov Ber, who's known as the Maggid of Mezerich. Late one night, young Zalman knocked on his Rebbe's door to ask him a question. The Rebbe called out, " Who's there ?" And the young boy responded, " It's me ," confident that he would be recognized. The Rabbi repeated, " Who's there ?" and again, he said, " It's me." After the third time that the Rebbe asked Who's there ? the young student finally said, " It's Zalman." The Rebbe then opened the door and said, " My dear Zalman, the time has come for you to have a self-imposed exile. When you return, we will analyze your experience together." In those days, great people went into exile and for some reason, at this point, it was his time. So he went to a certain inn and that very night, thieves broke in and stole the silverware of the innkeeper. The next morning, the innkeeper was suspicious of this young stranger, Zalman, accused him of stealing the the silver and demanded that he confess. Zalman cried, "It was not me! It was not me!" The innkeeper grabbed him by the neck and accused him again. And again he cried, " It's not me, it's not me!" He then pulled himself out of the innkeeper's grip and fled back to Mezerich. He told the Maggid the story and the Maggid said, " This, my dear Zaman, is a lesson which you should never forget. Do you see how many times you were forced to shout, "Not me, not me?"That was in order to undo the effect of calling out proudly, "It's me!" Yes, of course this is the high level training of a great Hasidic Rebbe who eventually started a great dynasty. But the point for us is that the greater the person is, the less the I is there. Moshe Rabbenu did not possess an I and therefore he reached the greatest of levels. And the opposite, the greater the I, the bigger the interference between the person and God.

Welcome to our class on humility. We continue with the topic of accepting suffering with humility. David Hamelech, in chapter 23 of Tehilim says the famous pasuk גַּ֤ם כִּֽי־אֵלֵ֨ךְ בְּגֵ֪יא צַלְמָ֡וֶת לֹא־אִ֘ירָ֤א רָ֗ע כִּי־אַתָּ֥ה עִמָּדִ֑י שִׁבְטְךָ֥ וּ֝מִשְׁעַנְתֶּ֗ךָ הֵ֣מָּה יְנַֽחֲמֻֽנִי׃ / Even though I go in the valley of death, I do not fear evil, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they will give me comfort. The word shevet / rod is something to hit with. Like the pasuk says, וּפָקַדְתִּ֣י בְשֵׁ֣בֶט פִּשְׁעָ֑ם / I will remember them with a staff for their sins וּ֝מִשְׁעַנְתֶּ֗ךָ is something you lean on, something you get support from. Like we say, Mishan U'Mivtach L'Sadikim The word Mishan is like a cane that you lean on. Hema Ynahamuni/They give me comfort. Rashi says, Shivtecha refers to the suffering , and Mishan means I feel guaranteed in your kindness. Right now I'm going through Din/justice but with that din and justice, I am relying on You that it will turn around. I know that the suffering will cause my sins to be forgiven and therefore I am Batuach/guaranteed that I will go back to my kingdom. David Hamelech said this when he was on the run. So yes, there's a shevet / rod. David Hamelech realizes that he just got whacked, but he knows that ultimately this whack will bring him the good. The Tomar Devorah adds another point, when discussing Nachum Ish Gamzu , who famously said, Gam Zu L'Tova / This is also for the good This also , that looks like it's coming from the bad and looks like justice, is good . He would try to take the bad and say it's going to turn around to the good. Gam zu L'Tova. Rav Shlomo Kluger, in his commentary on the siddur says, It says Hodu L'Olam Ki Tov, we thank Hashem that it's good. Ki L'Olam Hasdo/ His kindness is forever. The Jewish people have to say, Ki L'Olam Hasdo. And if you say it and work on realizing that this difficult situation is for the good, that will turn it into the good. But it starts by accepting that it's difficult, acknowledging that It's hard but I'm going to accept it, although it's difficult. That Emunah, and working through it will turn it around. There's a sefer Rav Yeveh Al HaTorah , by Rav Yaakov Yosef ben Yehuda (1738- 1790) one of the students of the Maggid of Mezrich (who sent his students to hear from Rav Zusha how to make a blessing on the bad and good in the same way). He says because Nahum Ish Gamzu believed (he didn't feel it, but he believed) that everything is Hessed and Rachamim , he was able to take the din , which was justice and turn around. That's what happened when he bought gold and jewels to give to the king as a present. But an innkeeper stole the gold and precious items and replaced them with dust. When Nachum Ish Gamzu got to the king, he discovered that the chest was full of dust and said Gam Zu LTova, and Hashem made a miracle that the dust turned into miraculous dust like the dust of Abraham Avinu. When they threw it at the enemy, it turned into arrows and spears. That it turned into dirt was calamity, and I don't know what Nachum was thinking, but he turned it around. It was justice, he says, but it turned out to good. He offers a nice explanation of the pasuk , " VaYomer Elokim Vayehi Or/God (of justice) says, let there be light." What does that mean? When a person is in a situation of Elokim/ Middat HaDin and he says ' Yehi Or/let this judgment that's happening to me turn into a light ,' then yehi Or/ it will turn into light . I once saw a beautiful quote by Rabbi Moshe Wilson z'l via email ( I don't have the source in a book) when he was still alive. It quoted him as saying that the Mekubalim teach that המתקת הדינים בשקדים which means justice/din is sweetened at its source . What does that mean? He explains that justice emanates from a spiritual world that demands that no spark be left behind, no soul will be lost and that we all must do teshuva. Similarly, Rav Wolbe used to always say that Middat HaDin is Tovea Shelemut/God's justice is demanding perfection. It's not this big mean, angry Middat HaDin . No Middat HaDin is the teacher that says, " Come on Abie, you can do better. I think you could get a higher mark. Take the test again. Study harder, you'll do better. I want more than an 83. I want a 90." That's Middat HaDin It's demanding perfection. In Shemuel 2, 14:14 it says, לְבִלְתִּ֛י יִדַּ֥ח מִמֶּ֖נּוּ נִדָּֽח׃ / So that nobody is pushed away, which is a kabbalistic concept that Hashem works the world that the end everyone will come back. So now the verdict says " Such and such person has to return." They want this soul back. Being way up there in Shamayim , can there anything be sweeter than that? But then when the justice goes out from its root and enters our world, it might be implemented harshly, maybe has v'shalom with an illness, a financial loss or other calamity to pull this Neshama out of its bond with evil and bad character traits etc.. the court decided that's what he needs and the verdict goes forth. But what happens if instead of the judgment coming out of its source and reaching us, we go back to the source of the justice on our own? What if we ourselves realize that since we will anyways be forced to return to our source through suffering, we'll do the work of teshuva and avoid all the pain. Once you take that attitude, everything turns around. That's why it says, If one sees suffering is coming his way. Why doesn't it say When he's suffering ? The Ben Ish Chai in his sefer Ben Yoyada on that Gemara says that Hashem, in His mercy, doesn't bring things on a person immediately. First there are little telltale signs. The financial climate is not good. You get a little scare and you have to go take a test… He sees it coming, but it hasn't come yet. And then he says, " Oh no! I'm humbled. I realize, I have things to fix," and he returns to Hashem- and that's it! It goes away because we fulfilled the purpose and then the justice becomes sweet, because even if the Teshuva demands that we break our ego (that's what it's all about. That's why we're talking about humility) when we do so on our own, even if the process isn't easy, it's very sweet . That's why we say Shana Tova U'Metuka, a sweet new year . The Chafetz Chaim once said , Everything is good, but some things are sweet and some things are bitter. When we say something is evil, it's because it's bitter. Of course it's ultimately good, Gam Zu L'Tova . But I don't want it just to be L'Tova . I don't want to have the bitter that's going to get sweet. I want to have the sweet . And it's sweet when you go back to the source and you say, Hashem, I know why it's happening. I know you want me back. I'm gonna come back on my own. I once an explanation of why we read Maftir Yona on Yom Kippur Mincha. It's because Yona tried to run away from God. Hashem brought a whale. He went under and he came up and he was spit out and the whole story until eventually he goes and does what he has to do. And the lesson is, You're going to get there anyway. Do it willingly . Hashem wants what's best for us. He's trying to get us there. And everything that happens around us is to humble us, accept His will and go further. That's the Jewish outlook on when things are challenging and why it's happening- ultimately, for humility.

Welcome to our class on humility. One aspect of humility is that when things don't go right, we see it as coming from Hashem, Who is in charge. We accept it with humility, without demands or complaints. We humbly accept the will of God. There is a Mishna that says, A person has a responsibility to say a blessing on the evil, the same as he says a blessing on the good. The Gemara in Berachot 60B, comments on that and says, Does that mean you say the exact same blessing? That's not true. When something good happens, there's a blessing HaTov V'HaMetiv/God is good and bequeaths good and Has V'shalom when something bad happens, we say a blessing of Dayan HaEmet God is the true Judge. So it's not the same text. So how could you say that you have to make the blessing in the same way? The Gemara answers that it means you have to accept them the same way. Just like when something good happens you accept it with happiness without any complaints, so too, has v'shalom , you accept when something doesn't go right b'simcha . Does that mean that in your mind it's exactly the same? That you don't flinch when a bad thing happens because Hey , it's good? Well, obviously not because we make two different blessings. There is a famous line in the Gemara in Pesachim 50A, In the future. Hashem will be king on the land and on that day, יהיה ה' אחד ושמו אחד /He will be one and His name will be One The Gemara asks, Does that mean today His name is not One? To which the Gemara answers that this world is a little different than the next world. In this world we make two different blessings. On good things, we say HaTov VHaMetiv. On bad things, has v'shalom, we say, Dayan Emet. But in the World to Come, everything is HaTov HaMetiv. That means that in this current world, we don't perceive difficult things as good. When they're difficult, they're difficult and we have to be aware that they're difficult. We can't delude ourselves into saying it's good. It's obviously not good. You want to change it, it's not so good. Rav Avraham Grodzinski the great Mashgiach of Slobodka, in his sefer Torat Avraham, has a whole unit that discusses accepting Yissurim . He quotes a very interesting Tosafot in Sotah 31A, which quotes from the Yerushalmi in the 9 th perek of Berachot , a slightly different version of a story that we all know. The story is of Rabbi Akiva who was one of the 10 martyrs and died Al Kiddush Hashem. As he was tortured, he said Shema . His students were standing there, and we know what they asked him, but lthe wicked king Turnus Rufus, the one who ordered this horrible execution was also there. He saw Rabbi Akiva saying Shema , and not only was he saying it, but he was smiling. So this wicked man said, " Saba, saba/Old man, old man. You're either a fool or you're a Meva'et B'Yissurim, you're someone that's kicking at Yissurim. You're being defiant. It's like if you hit a kid and the kid says, " Ha ha, you can't hurt me ." Rabbi Akiva responded, "I am not a fool and I'm not defiant. My whole life I waited to say this pasuk with all my heart, and now I'm saying it. I'm going to say it with a smile. On that Rav Grodzenski says, We see from here it's possible when someone is suffering, that there are two ways to interpret his happiness. It could be a happiness of accepting suffering with love or it could be defiance. ( His understanding is that the defiance isn't directed toward the torturer, like someone being tortured by a Nazi won't give him the pleasure of screaming). This defiance is to God. How so? He quotes the Gemara that we just mentioned, that one does not make the same blessing on good and bad. And therefore he says, " The person has to feel the bad, that this is Dayan HaEmet." God is invoking truth; God is not invoking kindness now. This is judgment, not mercy. That's what the Dayan Emet blessing is. With all that being said, he has to accept it b'simcha , that he's happy on the justice. He feels the suffering, but at the same time he accepts the suffering. That's what it means to accept Yissurim B'Ahava. Accepting Yissurim B'Ahava doesn't mean that the person is apathetic. It's not like he took Novocaine and doesn't feel anything. No, something is hurting, and I accept the pain, but I accept it happily. Just like someone getting a root canal doesn't punch the dentist. He doesn't like the root canal. It's painful. But he accepts it with happiness. He's not delusional, he doesn't say " It's great, it's terrific that this is happening. It's the best thing!" It is painful, it is hard. It takes processing to get there. Rav Avraham Grodzinski practiced what he preached. He was a Baal Yissurim . He was the father-in-law of Rav Wolbe and he died in the Warsaw ghetto. When he first became Mashgiach of Slobodka, his wife passed away. He was taking care of eight children, the youngest of them one and two years old. It was a terrible tragedy. Halacha says to say, Dayan HaEmet - has v'shalom, mourners have to make a beracha. But he did not want make this beracha out of habit (This is brought down the introduction to one of his Sefarim, written by his sons) You have to accept it b'simcha . It took him two days until he said Dayan HaEmet, until he was ready to say it. He didn't just say it, he wanted to be ready to say it. I heard this from Rav Wolbe besides it being in the book. What greatness. He wasn't trying to fool people by saying immediately that it was great. He was being honest. No, it's not great. He lost his wife. He had eight orphans. He was not instantly ready to say it. A Gadol B'Yisrael, a giant of people once came to our house in Monsey to visit my father. He had recently lost a child, lo alenu, and he said something that, to this day, hits me to the core. He said, " I don't understand. There are three partners, man, his wife, and God. How could Hashem take something away without asking the other two partners permission?" I was like, Whoa. How can he say that? But the answer is he was dealing with it. It's a process. There are internal struggles that we have. You can't just take a shot Novocaine and ignore everything that's going on. The definition of the word רע is evil , but the root of the word רע comes from a pasuk in Tehilim 2,9 תְּ֭רֹעֵם בְּשֵׁ֣בֶט בַּרְזֶ֑ל כִּכְלִ֖י יוֹצֵ֣ר תְּנַפְּצֵֽם׃ Break them with the iron staff. And Rav Moshe Shapiro says the root of the word תרעם is רע / broken , because רע is a just piece of the picture. On its own, it's evil, but in the larger picture, it is something that is good. The root canal is not great, but now you can eat without pain. So in the larger picture, it's good. Some might ask, about the Maggid of Mezritch, who was asked by his students, how it could be humanly possible for anyone to reach the level that the Gemara describes, where a person is required to bless Hashem for the bad, just as he blesses Hashem for the good. Great question. The Maggid of Mezritch told them, " Go and ask my student the holy Reb Zusha." So they went to Rev Zusha's home, which was a shambles. His clothes were torn and faded, he seemed to be in physical pain and his family situation wasn't great. They asked him the question, How could it be that a person makes a beracha on the bad the same as he does on the good. They told him the Maggid of Mezritch sent them to him for the answer to the question. Rav Zusha answered, " You've come to the wrong place. I never experienced anything bad in my life, so how could I answer you?" When they heard his answer, they understood. That story makes it seem like Rav Zusha didn't have any feelings, and just thought everything was great. But that's a rare exception. This is an important rule. There's the rule and there is the exception. Rav Ades said, " We don't live our lives on stories." You have to go and learn the topic. The Leshem, Rav Elyashiv's grandfather, in is sefer HaDe'ah (vol 2, derush 5, chapter 30), asks the famous question. " How could it be that if you rely on Hashem, He comes through, if He didn't come through for many great people? His answer is that some of them were on the level of Mekablei Yissurim B'Ahava. They wanted to accept suffering with love like Rabbi Akiva, and the rare example of the 10 martyrs. And yes, of course Rabbi Akiva could have gotten out of it with his bitachon, but he didn't want to, he wanted to be Mekabel Yissurim B'Ahava.. And further, he didn't want to bother his Creator. He didn't want to bother his Creator?? Rav Bloch, in his sefer Igeret Al HaBitachon page 72 says, asks, What do you mean you don't want to bother your Creator? There is a mitzvah of Bitachon. How can it be a bother? He answers based on the Gemara in Pesachim 50A that we quoted above, that Olam Haba is only HaTov HaMetiv. In the future, we will recognize that everything is good; that everything that happened to us is Tov Mamash- not just for the good, but good . There are some people that can reach that level in this world. It's like I have vanilla ice cream with sprinkles, but I say, " Could you give me that vanilla ice cream with sprinkles," even though I have the same thing. It was all the same for them, and therefore it was a bother to ask God to change it. There are people that reach that level. Rav Zusha was one of those people. But that doesn't mean that we are on that level or that we should now suddenly bypass the situation and say, " It's all good ." It's not all good, it's all for the good . Ehen something happens to us, we have to feel it. Then we have to humble ourselves and accept it, even though it's difficult and we don't like it. We have to humble ourselves to will of God. There are two ways to do it. If you say, " Nothing happened, it's great," you're not humbling yourself to will of God. You're reframing that this is good when you don't really feel it's good, but you're trying to make yourself feel that it's good. But even the greatest of greats aren't necessarily there, and for us to even think that we're there is almost presumptuous.

התוכן כ"ק מו"ח אדמו"ר סיפר פעם ע"ד המאמר שנאמר ע"י הבעש"ט, ובהוספות של הרב המגיד וכו', עה"פ [רביעי דפ' בשלח] "וישב הים לפנות בוקר לאיתנו" "אל תיקרי לאיתנו אלא לתנאו" – שבשעה שאמר הקב"ה המאמר (לבריאת הים) התנה שיקרע הים לישראל, ואם לאו "לא היו נמצאים הימים ולא נבראו במקום הזה, כי יתבטלו ממציאות הבריאה וכו'". ובזה יובן מארז"ל צדיקים עושים רצונו של מקום וכו'. ובזה יובן גם מ"ש רבי פינחס בן יאיר לגינאי נהרא "פלוג מימיך שאני הולך לדבר מצוה וכו' אם אין אתה חולק מימיך גוזרני עליך שלא יעברו בך מים לעולם", שהתנה הקב"ה עם מעשה בראשית שיעשו רצון הצדיקים אף שאינם בטבעם וכו'. וההוראה: יש לדעת שישנו תנאי משי"ב שבנוגע לעניני תומ"צ צריך ההעלם וההסתר שבעולם להבקע! אלא שהבקיעה בפועל היא ע"י מס"נ (קפיצת נחשון לים). וכמו בסיפור של רפב"י נבקע הנהר בפועל גם עבור בני לוי' שלו וגם עבור חמורו, ועד"ז בנוגע אלינו שמבלי הבט על המעמד ומצב שלנו, הרי "בני לוי'" אנו, שהולכים יחד עם נשיא הדור, ונבקעים כל ההעלמות וההסתרים גם עבורנו!ב' חלקים משיחת יו"ד שבט ה'תשי"ז ל"הנחה פרטית" או התרגום ללה"ק של השיחה: https://thedailysicha.com/?date=04-02-2025 Synopsis My father-in-law the Rebbe once told a story regarding the maamar of the Baal Shem Tov, with the additions of the Maggid etc., on the verse (in revi'i of Parashas Beshalach), “The sea reverted to its former strength,” and the teaching of our Sages, “ “Do not read it as ‘to its former strength (l'eisano)' but as ‘to its condition (l'tna'o),'” because when Hashem created the sea, He stipulated with it that it would split for the Jewish people – the Baal Shem Tov explains that if the sea would not split, “the seas would not exist and would not have been created in this place, for they will cease to exist in creation etc.” Based on this, we can understand the expression of our Sages that the Tzaddikim “perform the will of the Omnipresent etc.” This also explains what Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair told the Ginai River, “Ginai, part your water for me” for I am going to do a mitzvah, and “If you do not part, I decree upon you that water will never flow through you again” – because Hashem stipulated with the created beings that they would fulfill the will of the Tzaddikim, even if it defies their nature etc. The lesson is that one must know that all the hiddenness and concealment in the world is subject to a condition since the Six Days of Creation that it must split for the sake of Torah and mitzvos. Just that for the actual splitting to occur, one must jump into the sea with mesiras-nefesh like Nachshon. And just like in the story of Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair, the river split not only for him, but also for those accompanying him and even for his donkey – so, too, the hiddenness and concealment must split for us, regardless of our personal state, because we are accompanying the Nasi of the generation.Two excerpts from sichah of 10 Shevat 5717 For a transcript in English of the Sicha: https://thedailysicha.com/?date=04-02-2025

The God of Israel or Elokei HaElokim? | Torat HaChassidut (16) https://youtu.be/_k_yXopMM5E We've all dealt with the shul talkers and know its forbidden to speak in shul. Rebbe Elimelech of Lezhenk's Tzetel Katan takes it a step further, and with the help of the Zohar, Ben Ish Chai, Maggid of Mezrich and our Prophets, we delve back into the Synagogue topic that affects us all. In the process, we will also find out why HaShem is called the God of Israel sometimes, and Elokei HaElokim other times. Learn, Share, Enjoy and Be Holy. #shul #Synagogue #God #GodofIsrael #Nations #Judaism #Jewish #RabbiYaronReuven #RabbiElimelech #HaShem

With timeless poetry and stunning imagery, the prophet Amos of Tekoa, a simple herdsman from the Judean mountains, stands in front of a stubborn, antagonistic audience of Israelite royalty and aristocracy and he rebukes them for their many abuses of power. But he offers them a better vision of themselves by lifting them to the heavens on wings of lyrical brilliance. Join us as we speak with Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom about his recent commentary, Amos: The Genius of Prophetic Rhetoric (Maggid, 2024). Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom has been a dynamic and inspiring master educator in Los Angeles since 1984. He received his semicha from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, and lectures annually at the prestigious Tanakh Study Days at Herzog College. Etshalom has also written the highly acclaimed series Between the Lines. Michael Morales is Professor of Biblical Studies at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and the author of The Tabernacle Pre-Figured: Cosmic Mountain Ideology in Genesis and Exodus (Peeters, 2012), Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord?: A Biblical Theology of Leviticus (IVP Academic, 2015), and Exodus Old and New: A Biblical Theology of Redemption (IVP Academic, 2020), and a recent 2 volume commentary on Numbers. He can be reached at mmorales@gpts.edu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

With timeless poetry and stunning imagery, the prophet Amos of Tekoa, a simple herdsman from the Judean mountains, stands in front of a stubborn, antagonistic audience of Israelite royalty and aristocracy and he rebukes them for their many abuses of power. But he offers them a better vision of themselves by lifting them to the heavens on wings of lyrical brilliance. Join us as we speak with Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom about his recent commentary, Amos: The Genius of Prophetic Rhetoric (Maggid, 2024). Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom has been a dynamic and inspiring master educator in Los Angeles since 1984. He received his semicha from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, and lectures annually at the prestigious Tanakh Study Days at Herzog College. Etshalom has also written the highly acclaimed series Between the Lines. Michael Morales is Professor of Biblical Studies at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and the author of The Tabernacle Pre-Figured: Cosmic Mountain Ideology in Genesis and Exodus (Peeters, 2012), Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord?: A Biblical Theology of Leviticus (IVP Academic, 2015), and Exodus Old and New: A Biblical Theology of Redemption (IVP Academic, 2020), and a recent 2 volume commentary on Numbers. He can be reached at mmorales@gpts.edu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/jewish-studies

With timeless poetry and stunning imagery, the prophet Amos of Tekoa, a simple herdsman from the Judean mountains, stands in front of a stubborn, antagonistic audience of Israelite royalty and aristocracy and he rebukes them for their many abuses of power. But he offers them a better vision of themselves by lifting them to the heavens on wings of lyrical brilliance. Join us as we speak with Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom about his recent commentary, Amos: The Genius of Prophetic Rhetoric (Maggid, 2024). Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom has been a dynamic and inspiring master educator in Los Angeles since 1984. He received his semicha from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, and lectures annually at the prestigious Tanakh Study Days at Herzog College. Etshalom has also written the highly acclaimed series Between the Lines. Michael Morales is Professor of Biblical Studies at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and the author of The Tabernacle Pre-Figured: Cosmic Mountain Ideology in Genesis and Exodus (Peeters, 2012), Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord?: A Biblical Theology of Leviticus (IVP Academic, 2015), and Exodus Old and New: A Biblical Theology of Redemption (IVP Academic, 2020), and a recent 2 volume commentary on Numbers. He can be reached at mmorales@gpts.edu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/israel-studies

With timeless poetry and stunning imagery, the prophet Amos of Tekoa, a simple herdsman from the Judean mountains, stands in front of a stubborn, antagonistic audience of Israelite royalty and aristocracy and he rebukes them for their many abuses of power. But he offers them a better vision of themselves by lifting them to the heavens on wings of lyrical brilliance. Join us as we speak with Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom about his recent commentary, Amos: The Genius of Prophetic Rhetoric (Maggid, 2024). Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom has been a dynamic and inspiring master educator in Los Angeles since 1984. He received his semicha from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, and lectures annually at the prestigious Tanakh Study Days at Herzog College. Etshalom has also written the highly acclaimed series Between the Lines. Michael Morales is Professor of Biblical Studies at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and the author of The Tabernacle Pre-Figured: Cosmic Mountain Ideology in Genesis and Exodus (Peeters, 2012), Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord?: A Biblical Theology of Leviticus (IVP Academic, 2015), and Exodus Old and New: A Biblical Theology of Redemption (IVP Academic, 2020), and a recent 2 volume commentary on Numbers. He can be reached at mmorales@gpts.edu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/poetry

With timeless poetry and stunning imagery, the prophet Amos of Tekoa, a simple herdsman from the Judean mountains, stands in front of a stubborn, antagonistic audience of Israelite royalty and aristocracy and he rebukes them for their many abuses of power. But he offers them a better vision of themselves by lifting them to the heavens on wings of lyrical brilliance. Join us as we speak with Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom about his recent commentary, Amos: The Genius of Prophetic Rhetoric (Maggid, 2024). Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom has been a dynamic and inspiring master educator in Los Angeles since 1984. He received his semicha from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, and lectures annually at the prestigious Tanakh Study Days at Herzog College. Etshalom has also written the highly acclaimed series Between the Lines. Michael Morales is Professor of Biblical Studies at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and the author of The Tabernacle Pre-Figured: Cosmic Mountain Ideology in Genesis and Exodus (Peeters, 2012), Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord?: A Biblical Theology of Leviticus (IVP Academic, 2015), and Exodus Old and New: A Biblical Theology of Redemption (IVP Academic, 2020), and a recent 2 volume commentary on Numbers. He can be reached at mmorales@gpts.edu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/religion

With timeless poetry and stunning imagery, the prophet Amos of Tekoa, a simple herdsman from the Judean mountains, stands in front of a stubborn, antagonistic audience of Israelite royalty and aristocracy and he rebukes them for their many abuses of power. But he offers them a better vision of themselves by lifting them to the heavens on wings of lyrical brilliance. Join us as we speak with Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom about his recent commentary, Amos: The Genius of Prophetic Rhetoric (Maggid, 2024). Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom has been a dynamic and inspiring master educator in Los Angeles since 1984. He received his semicha from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, and lectures annually at the prestigious Tanakh Study Days at Herzog College. Etshalom has also written the highly acclaimed series Between the Lines. Michael Morales is Professor of Biblical Studies at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and the author of The Tabernacle Pre-Figured: Cosmic Mountain Ideology in Genesis and Exodus (Peeters, 2012), Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord?: A Biblical Theology of Leviticus (IVP Academic, 2015), and Exodus Old and New: A Biblical Theology of Redemption (IVP Academic, 2020), and a recent 2 volume commentary on Numbers. He can be reached at mmorales@gpts.edu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/biblical-studies

We return in learning in Lessons in Tanya to chapter 28 as this foundational teaching needing internalization. Our G-dly Soul a portion within us all awakens The Highest Level of Mercy from Hashem like a father to a son in the most intimate way. We then begin Chapter 29 with this advice to help us turn Wokeness into Brokeness to transform darkness into light like an olive aka zayit, we shall continue... Cover pic my 2 middle sons During Chanukah by Rebbe Zusia and his Rebbe the Maggid of Mezritch zya... United Souls - Extracts from New Book Section 2 - by Eli Goldsmith - 49 - Joy of Living in Chaos, Flood of Truth, Love & Kindness, Hardest of Tests, Even in London… Keep Going, Subdue & Transform! https://eligoldsmith.substack.com/p/united-souls-extracts-from-new-book-0e4 #unitedsouls #truth #love #war #london #keepgoing #transform #chanukah #2024 #2025...

התוכן איתא בגמ' שלעת"ל "כל אחד ואחד נכוה מחופתו של חבירו" (שגם אז יהי' לכל צדיק "ש"י עולמות" בפ"ע, ועד ש"נכוה" משל חבירו). ויש לבאר ענין זה "למעליותא" עפ"י מ"ש בפ' השבוע (פ' וישב) "ויקנאו בו אחיו". דלכאו' כיצד יתכן בבני יעקב ענין של קנאה?! אלא שזהו ע"ד הענין ד"ותקנא רחל באחותה" ופרש"י "קנאה במעשי' הטובים, אמרה אילולי שצדקה ממני לא זכתה לבנים", וכפי שמבאר הצ"צ שקנאה זו ענינה "קנאת סופרים תרבה חכמה", וע"ד הענין שהתורה נקנית ע"י "פלפול התלמידים", שזהו"ע של "קנאה" – הלה אומר סברא והוא מפריכה ונותן תירוץ אחר וכו' עד שמגיעים לתירוץ האמיתי, ועי"ז דוקא "תרבה חכמה"; יחס המיוחד של הרב המגיד לתלמידו אדה"ז הי' באופן ד"ויקנאו בו אחיו" עד ש"אביו שמר את הדבר" וכו', שהרב המגיד אמר לו "י"ט כסלו איז אונזער יו"ט" [כמו שהתברר שי"ט כסלו הוא יום ההילולא של הרב המגיד ויום הגאולה של אדה"ז].משיחת יום ה' פ' וישב, י"ט כסלו ה'תשמ"ה ל"הנחה פרטית" או התרגום ללה"ק של השיחה: https://thedailysicha.com/?date=16-12-2024 Synopsis The Gemara says that in the future era, “Each and every one will be burned by the canopy of his fellow” (even then, every tzaddik will have “310 worlds” of their own, to the point that they will be “burned” by their fellow's). This can be explained in a positive sense based on the verse in Parashas Vayeishev, “His brothers were jealous of him….” Seemingly, how is it possible that sons of Yaakov could feel jealousy? Rather, it is similar to Rachel's being “jealous of her sister”; as Rashi explains, she was “jealous of her good deeds. She said, ‘Were it not that she is more righteous than I, she would not have merited children.'” As the Tzemach Tzedek explains, this is like “the jealousy of scholars, which increases wisdom,” akin to the idea that Torah is acquired through the “debate of the students” – a form of “jealousy” where one presents an idea, another refutes it and offers an alternative explanation, and so forth until they arrive at the true resolution. It is specifically through this process that “wisdom is increased.” This dynamic was also reflected in the special relationship between the Maggid of Mezritch and his disciple, the Alter Rebbe, which was in the manner of “And his brothers were jealous of him,” to the point that “his father awaited the matter” etc.: the Maggid told the Alter Rebbe: “Yud-Tes Kislev is our Yom Tov” (and it later emerged that Yud-Tes Kislev was the yahrtzeit of the Maggid and the day of liberation of the Alter Rebbe).Excerpt from sichah of Thursday, Parashas Vayeshev, 19 Kislev 5745 For a transcript in English of the Sicha: https://thedailysicha.com/?date=16-12-2024 לזכות מנחם מענדל הכהן בן רוזה חנה שי' ליום ההולדת שלו ט"ו כסלו – לשנת ברכה והצלחה, ואריכות ימים ושנים טובותנדבת אביו ‏ר' אברהם הכהן שי'‏

התוכן פתיחה בברכת "א גוט חודש"; חודש כסלו הוא חודש חסידי, כמובן אפי' לילד שנתחנך בבית חסידי ‏–‏ בו יום הסתלקות של הרב המגיד, חג הגאולה י"ט כסלו, חנוכה הקשור עם נס השמן הקשור עם "פנימיות התורה" וכו'. הוראה למעשה בפועל ‏–‏ להוסיף בלימוד פנימיות התורה בכל ימי חודש כסלו, וכדאי שזה יכלול גם "אַ וואָרט" מתורתם של שלשה אבות החסידות: הבעש"ט, המגיד ואדה"ז, ומי שיש ביכלתו ‏–‏ ילמוד גם מתורתם של שאר הנשיאים, ותבוא עליו ברכה כשימסור לחבירו ויעוררו על הוספה זו, ולעשות כן בכל מקום ששומעים, או שימסרו, דברים אלו!ב' חלקים משיחת יום ד' פ' תולדות, אור לראש חודש כסלו ה'תשמ"ט ל"הנחה פרטית" או התרגום ללה"ק של השיחה: https://thedailysicha.com/?date=02-12-2024 Synopsis Kislev is a Chassidishe month, as understood even to a child raised in a Chassidishe home; it contains the passing of the Maggid, the holiday of redemption 19 Kislev, Chanukah which is associated with the miracle of the oil, which is associated with the inner dimension of Torah etc. The practical lesson is to increase in studying the inner dimension of Torah throughout the month, and it is worthwhile to include something from each of the three Avos of Chassidus: the Baal Shem Tov, the Magid, and the Alter Rebbe, and whoever is able, should also learn something from the other Nesi'im as well. And one should inspire his friend to do the same.2 excerpts from sichah of Wednesday, Parashas Toldos, Rosh Chodesh Kislev 5749 For a transcript in English of the Sicha: https://thedailysicha.com/?date=02-12-2024 נדבת הרוצה בעילום שמו לחיזוק ההתקשרות*לע"נ מרת לאה יהודית בת חיים אשר ע"ה שיינער ליום היארצייט שלה א' כסלו. ת.נ.צ.ב.ה.

התוכן החיד"א מביא ממדרש, שג' האבות, אברהם יצחק ויעקב, היו ביחד 15 שנה, [תקופה בפ' תולדות], שהרי אברהם נסתלק כשיעקב הי' בן 15 שנה. והרי גם ג' אבות החסידות, הבעש"ט המגיד ואדה"ז היו ביחד 15 שנה, שהרי אדה"ז נולד בשנת קה"ת והבעש"ט נסתלק בשנת תק"כ! וזה מ"ש שם שבאותו זמן למדו ביחד (רק) 15 שעה ביום, ה"ז כיון ששאר היום הי' בשביל צרכי הגוף, ואי"ז זמן מתאים ללימוד התורה שצ"ל "באימה ביראה ברתת ובזיעה", אבל פשוט שכל היום, גם בעניניהם הגשמיים, היו בבחי' "מרכבה" לאלקות. וזהו גם מה שחסידות תובעת שצ"ל העבודה גם עם ענינים הגשמיים.ב' חלקים משיחת י"ט כסלו ה'תשכ"ב ל"הנחה פרטית" או התרגום ללה"ק של השיחה: https://thedailysicha.com/?date=26-11-2024 Synopsis The Chida cites the Midrash stating that there were fifteen years when all three Avos were alive at the same time (Avraham passed away when Yaakov was 15 years old). Similarly, there were fifteen years when the three Avos of Chassidus – the Baal Shem Tov, the Maggid, and the Alter Rebbe – were alive at the same time. (The Alter Rebbe was born in 5505 (1745), and the Baal Shem Tov passed away in 5520 (1760).) It further says that during that time, the Avos spent (only) 15 hours a day learning Torah together, with the remaining hours of the day designated for their physical needs. (The time used for physical needs wasn't suitable for Torah study, which must be done “with reverence and fear and trembling and sweat.”) But obviously, they still served as a “chariot” for G-dliness the entire day, even when they were involved in physical matters. Likewise, Chassidus demands that a Jew serve Hashem with his physical matters as well.2 excerpts from sichah of 19 Kislev 5722 For a transcript in English of the Sicha: https://thedailysicha.com/?date=26-11-2024 לע"נ מרת שרה שפרה ע"ה - בת יבלחט"א ר' בנימין זאב הלוי שי' - צירקוס ליום היארצייט שלה כ"ה מרחשון. ת.נ.צ.ב.ה.

We All Have Seven Types of Thoughts and They Are Begging for Healing and Alignment - Weekly Women's Class: This class was presented on Tuesday, 4 Cheshvan, 5784, November 5, 2024, Parshas Lech Lecha, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. This text-based class on Maor Einayim, by Rabbi Nachum of Chornobyl, a student of the Baal Shem Tov and the Maggid of Mezrich, explores the enigmatic story of Avraham and Sarah traveling to Egypt. He asks her to declare that she is his sister. Why is this the first episode about the first Jewish couple in history?View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9469

The Midrash (Midrash Tehillim, 92) relates that Adam and Hava committed their sin of partaking from the forbidden tree late on Ereb Shabbat, and then, when Shabbat began, G-d was going to punish them. He had warned Adam when He first placed him in Gan Eden that eating the forbidden fruit would be punishable by death (Bereshit 2:17), and so now that Adam violated this command, G-d was prepared to kill him. But then Shabbat came before Hashem to advocate on Adam's behalf. Shabbat pleaded, "Master of the world! During the six days of the week, no person in the world was punished. And You're going to begin [punishing] with me? This is my sanctity?! This is my rest?!" Hashem accepted Shabbat's plea, and let Adam and Hava live. The Midrash concludes that once Adam realized that his life was saved because of Shabbat, he composed a special song for Shabbat. This song is known to us as "Mizmor Shir Le'yom Ha'Shabbat," the 92 nd chapter of Tehillim, which we – and many communities – have the custom of reciting at the onset of Shabbat. Just as Shabbat served as Adam's advocate, saving his life, it serves as our greatest advocate, as well. The Maggid of Duvna (Rav Yaakov Kranz, 1741-1804) drew an analogy to a king who had a brilliant, beautiful daughter whom he loved and cherished more than anything in the world. He held her in very high esteem, and would occasionally consult with her on important matters. He treated her like a queen. One day, she got married and moved away. Sometime later, the king went to visit his daughter. He was stunned to see her face bruised and scarred. He realized that her husband had been beating her. The king turned to her husband and reminded him of his criminal past. He explained that he had decided to pardon him for his past misdeeds because he trusted that he would care for the king's beloved daughter. But now that he was mistreating the princess, he lost the king's favor. Shabbat, the Maggid of Duvna explained, is Hashem's beloved "princess." As long as we properly treat the princess, and observe Shabbat the way it is meant to be observed, we earn Hashem's favor and grace. Although we might occasionally err and stumble, Shabbat will advocate on our behalf before G-d, and save us from punishment. How does this work? Why does Shabbat serve as our advocate? One explanation emerges from a fascinating teaching in the Gemara (Shabbat 119b) about the recitation of the verses of "Va'yechulu" on Friday night. These verses tell of the conclusion of the world's creation after six days, and the designation of Shabbat as a special, sacred day (Bereshit 2:1-3). The Gemara states that one who recites these verses as part of his prayers on Friday "becomes G-d's partner in the creation of the world." Through the proper observance of Shabbat, we become Hashem's "partners." We might suggest a comparison to a fellow who opens and runs a store, but needs a partner to promote the store and bring in customers. A store won't be profitable without customers, and so both partners are indispensable to the success of the enterprise. Likewise, Hashem created and runs the world, but nobody knows about it. We become His partners by observing Shabbat, through which we announce that He created the world, we publicize Hashem's "enterprise," so-to-speak. And once we've become Hashem's partners, we become indispensable. Shabbat advocates on our behalf because through our commitment to Shabbat, we show that we are needed in order to disseminate the faith in Hashem throughout the world. Just as Shabbat protected Adam and Hava, it can protect us, as well. By reaffirming our devotion to proper Shabbat observance, by treating it with the respect and reverence that it deserves, we become worthy of Hashem's special care and grace, and elevate ourselves to the status of His partners.

Join Geoffrey Stern and Rabbi Adam Mintz recorded in front of a live audience on Clubhouse. Moses warns the Israelites that if they do not live up to God's expectations, they will be vilified as a caricature of evil. The world will use the Jew to personify failure and depravity. We discuss the use of the Jew as metaphor in our texts and literature. Sefaria Source Sheet: www.sefaria.org/sheets/591169  Transcript on episode web page: https://madlik.com/2024/09/18/jew-as-metaphor/ 

We Learnfrom the Fruit of the Earth to Reinvent Ourselves in the Month of Elul so thatWe Will Be New Creatures at Rosh HaShanah Based onShvilei Pinchas – Rav Pinchas Friedman I canstart with the story Can aperson be reborn? Lastnight Chantelle took me along to an Emunah Dinner. I say Chantelle took mebecause if she didn't make me come out, I wouldn't. She lights the fire. Herfriends Liz Gindea and Fran Hirmes have been very involved with and generouslysupportive of the organization for years. Emunah funds a number of children'shomes in Israel, along with schools, an arts college, daycare services andthese days many mental health programs. My son in law, Daniel's brother Michaelthrough his organization Kol HaNearim also works with these children'shomes. Chantelleand all of my kids have volunteered and worked in some of these homes over theyears especially with Yehuda Kohen of Bet Elazraki. At thedinner, a young lady spoke and shared her very moving story. She grewup in the north of Israel in no mans land. Her mother did nothing and herfather raised goats. She was one of ten siblings. They had no rules, nodiscipline, no money, sometimes no food and ran amok. The kids sometimes foughtand often got in trouble. When shewas ten, social services showed up. After investigating, they took some of heryounger siblings to be raised outside the house. She convinced them that sheshould stay. But her situation went from bad to worse and a few months laterthey came back and took her as well. She wasplaced into one of Emunah's homes and was angry with her situation and everyonearound her. She was angry that she had been taken from home. She was angry thather parents had not provided a real home. She was angry to be told when to wakeup and when to go to sleep. She was angry to be sent to school. She was angryto be pressed to do homework. She was angry that she was subject to structureand in her mind lost her freedom. She was depressed and alone in the world. Ateleven years old, she had reached rock bottom. Butwithin a few weeks, things started to change. The people at the Emunah homemade her feel loved and wanted. She made friends in the home and at school. Thesocial workers and teachers encouraged her and in a short time she began tosoar as a phoenix rising from the ashes. She wasencouraged to pursue drama studies and loved it. In 2013 she joined the armyand became a combat paramedic assisting injured soldiers and people in thefield, sometimes under fire. When she completed her army duty, she continuedher studies focusing on drama. She eventually went to work for channel 12 newsin Israel. She currently heads their social media team and pursues feel goodstories to help lift people. Emunahbecame her family. Her goal is to raise her own family and break the cycle. Her storywas very moving. Chantelle noted that she wished she could have her share herstory with our own community children in school. She would surely touch someand encourage others. Some might be lifted and others might consider assistingin the homes one summer. Perhaps we can get a video from Emunah and share that. There isa beautiful story told of Rav Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, a renowned Hasidicmaster, who was known for his compassion and ability to find sparks of holinessin every soul. One day, a poor, troubled Jew came to him, feeling hopeless andconsumed by darkness. The rabbilistened attentively, then began to tell a story: 'In the summer, when thesun shines brightly, the grasshopper sings a beautiful song. But in the winter,when snow covers the earth, the grasshopper's song is silenced. Does this meanthe grasshopper has lost its ability to sing?' The manshook his head. 'Ofcourse not!' the rabbi exclaimed. 'The grasshopper's song is stillwithin, waiting to emerge when the seasons change.' The rabbilooked deeply into the man's eyes: 'Similarly, within you, there is aspark of divine light, a song waiting to be sung. Though darkness may surroundyou now, it's temporary, like winter's snow. Your task is to find that innerlight, nurture it, and let it shine forth.' The man'sface lit up with newfound hope. In thisseason of Elul, we hope to be born again. We canimagine ourselves as caterpillars, hoping to shed our cocoons and emerge asbutterflies. Sometimesthough we think that success is based on achieving perfection. But isthat really what Hashem demands or even wants from us. There isa story, I heard from Rabbi Joey Haber, of a man seeking perfection in his ownlife. His rabbiasks his profession He is anartist, Hisfavorite painting is of sunset. Histeacher suggests taking a picture of a sunset and that will be a perfectreproduction. theartist explains the painting has imperfections and thats what makes it special. Theteacher explains, same with us Angelsmay be perfect, but our imperfection makes us special. imperfectionsadd uniqueness and value, both in art and in life. Thisweek's parsha is Ki Tavo. Based onthe teaching of the Shvilei Pinchas, Rabbi Pinchas Friedman, I would like toshare with you a connection of our efforts in Elul and the mitzvah of“bikkurim,” bringing the first fruits, which we open the perasha with The SefatEmet quotes the Chiddushei HaRim, zy”a. Heexplains why the month designated for teshuvah is named Elul based on thepassuk (ibid. 100, 3 דְּע֗וּ כִּֽי־ ה֮ ה֤וּא אֱלֹ֫קים הֽוּא־עָ֭שָׂנוּ (ולא) [וְל֣וֹ]אֲנַ֑חְנוּ עַ֝מּ֗וֹ וְצֹ֣אן מַרְעִיתֽוֹ׃ If onelooks in the book of Tehilim the word Loh is spelled Lamed alef or No But inthe siddur when we read this psalm each morning as Paslm 100 Miszor LeDavid wechange the aleph to a vav —know thatHashem, He is G-d; it is He Who made us and we are His—His nation and the sheepof His pasture. Traditionteaches us that the word “v'lo” in this passuk is written as ' ולא ',with an “aleph”; yet, it is read as ולו' ', with a “vav.” With an“aleph,” the passuk suggests that we are unworthy and inadequate to be Hispeople; with a “vav,” it means that we merit being close to Him. Heexplains that in reality both the way “v'lo” is written and the way it is readcomplement each other and achieve the same goal. By recognizing our lowlystature and the fact that we have sinned and failed to serve Hashemadequately--' ולא אנחנו עמו ' (the way the passuk is written)—we aremotivated to draw closer to Hashem by means of sincere teshuvah and attain thestatus of-- ולו אנחנו עמו' ' (the way the passuk is read) again. Bothprocesses enable us to achieve the goal of being ' עמו ', HKB”H'speople. This is alluded to by the name אלו'ל ; it combines thetwo spellings of the word “lo”-- ל'א and ל'ו . This teaches us thatour goal during the month of Elul is to combine these two processes, to correctall of our wrongdoings by means of complete teshuvah and to regain the statusof ' .'עמו Lets turnto the Gemara (Makkot 24a): 'וכברהיה רבן גמליאל ורבי אלעזר בן עזריה ורבי יהושע ורבי עקיבא מהלכין בדרך...The first story tells about the Goyim. Then the gemara continues Now Iimagine these stories take place following the rebellion of Bar Kochba and theedicts of Hadrian Yimach Shemo שׁוּב פַּעַםאַחַת הָיוּ עוֹלִין לִירוּשָׁלַיִם, כֵּיוָן שֶׁהִגִּיעוּ לְהַר הַצּוֹפִים קָרְעוּבִּגְדֵיהֶם, כֵּיוָן שֶׁהִגִּיעוּ לְהַר הַבַּיִת רָאוּ שׁוּעָל שֶׁיָּצָא מִבֵּיתקׇדְשֵׁי הַקֳּדָשִׁים, הִתְחִילוּ הֵן בּוֹכִין וְרַבִּי עֲקִיבָא מְצַחֵק. אָמְרוּלוֹ: מִפְּנֵי מָה אַתָּה מְצַחֵק? אָמַר לָהֶם: מִפְּנֵי מָה אַתֶּם בּוֹכִים? אָמְרוּלוֹ: מָקוֹם שֶׁכָּתוּב בּוֹ ״וְהַזָּר הַקָּרֵב יוּמָת״, וְעַכְשָׁיו שׁוּעָלִים הִלְּכוּבּוֹ, וְלֹא נִבְכֶּה?! אָמַר לָהֶן:לְכָךְ אֲנִי מְצַחֵק, דִּכְתִיב: ״וְאָעִידָה לִּי עֵדִים נֶאֱמָנִים אֵת אוּרִיָּההַכֹּהֵן וְאֶת זְכַרְיָה בֶּן יְבֶרֶכְיָהוּ״ – וְכִי מָה עִנְיַן אוּרִיָּה אֵצֶלזְכַרְיָה? אוּרִיָּה בְּמִקְדָּשׁ רִאשׁוֹן, וּזְכַרְיָה בְּמִקְדָּשׁ שֵׁנִי! אֶלָּא:תָּלָה הַכָּתוּב נְבוּאָתוֹ שֶׁל זְכַרְיָה בִּנְבוּאָתוֹ שֶׁל אוּרִיָּה. בְּאוּרִיָּהכְּתִיב ״לָכֵן בִּגְלַלְכֶם צִיּוֹן שָׂדֶה תֵחָרֵשׁ״, בִּזְכַרְיָה כְּתִיב ״עוֹדיֵשְׁבוּ זְקֵנִים וּזְקֵנוֹת בִּרְחֹבוֹת יְרוּשָׁלִָם״. עַד שֶׁלֹּא נִתְקַיְּימָהנְבוּאָתוֹ שֶׁל אוּרִיָּה הָיִיתִי מִתְיָירֵא שֶׁלֹּא תִּתְקַיֵּים נְבוּאָתוֹ שֶׁלזְכַרְיָה, עַכְשָׁיו שֶׁנִּתְקַיְּימָה נְבוּאָתוֹ שֶׁל אוּרִיָּה – בְּיָדוּעַ שֶׁנְּבוּאָתוֹשֶׁל זְכַרְיָה מִתְקַיֶּימֶת. בַּלָּשׁוֹן הַזֶּה אָמְרוּ לוֹ: עֲקִיבָא נִיחַמְתָּנוּ,עֲקִיבָא נִיחַמְתָּנוּ. Once,Rabban Gamliel, Rabbi Elazar ben Azariah, Rabbi Yehoshua and Rabbi Akiva weretraveling on the road . . . When they reached Har HaTzofim, they tore theirgarments. When they came to Har HaBayis, they saw a fox emerging from KodeshHaKodashim, and they began to cry; however, Rabbi Akiva smiled. They said tohim, “Why are you smiling?” He responded to them, “Why are you crying?” Theyanswered him, “A place about which it is written (Bamidbar 1, 51): ‘Thenon-kohen who comes close shall be put to death,' and now (Eichah 5, 18) ‘foxesare walking about there,' should we not cry?” He saidto them, “This is why I am smiling . . . In the prophecy of Uriah, it iswritten (Michah 3, 12): ‘Therefore, because of you, Tziyon will be plowed likea field etc.' In the prophecy of Zechariah, it is written (Zechariah 8, 4):‘Old men and old women will yet sit in the streets of Yerushalayim.' As longas the nevuah of Uriah had not been fulfilled, I feared that the nevuah ofZechariah would not be fulfilled. Now, that the nevuah of Uriah has beenfulfilled, it is apparent that the nevuah of Zechariah will be fulfilled.” Theyresponded to him in these words, “Akiva, you have consoled us; Akiva, you haveconsoled us!” Itbehooves us to analyze Rabbi Akiva's reactions described above. Why did helaugh and smile upon seeing proof of Zechariah's nevuah related to the futuregeulah? Without a doubt, the other sages also believed wholeheartedly in theveracity of the prophecies concerning the future geulah. Nevertheless, whenconfronted with the extent of the churban—witnessing a fox exiting from theKodesh HaKodashim—they were overcome with grief and cried. So, what possessedRabbi Akiva to react so differently to the same disturbing sight? Additionally,why did he require seeing the fulfillment of Uriah's nevuah concerning theextent of the churban in order to substantiate that Zechariah's nevuahconcerning the geulah would be fulfilled? Toexplain the matter, the Maharal teaches us a basic principle. HKB”H created theworld such that there is always void and nullification prior to renewal.Furthermore, the degree of renewal relates to the degree of absence and divineconcealment. In other words, the greater the absence and void, the greater therenewal will be. TheMaharal asserts that HKB”H revealed this phenomenon to us at the beginning ofthe Torah (Bereishis 1, 1): 'בראשית ברא אלקים את השמיםואת הארץ, והארץ היתה תוהו ובוהו וחושך על פני תהום ורוח אלקיםמרחפת על פני המים, ויאמר אלקים יהי אור ויהי אור'. theMaharal interprets Rabbi Akiva's profound message. Uponseeing the fox emerge from the chamber of the Kodesh HaKodashim, he smiled. Hehad no doubt that the nevuah of Zechariah would come to pass—that old men andwomen would sit in the streets of Yerushalayim. However, he had no idea howgreat or grand the revival and renewal of Yerushalayim would be. The foxemerging from the Kodesh HaKodashim represented an extreme degree of “hesterpanim”—divine concealment. Therefore, he had cause to rejoice. For, heunderstood that the degree of churban and absence of the divine presencereflected on the commensurate greatness and glory of the renewal ofYerushalayim at the time of the geulah. InNetzach Yisrael (Chapter 30), the Maharal applies this incredible principle toexplain the galut in Mitzrayim that preceded Yisrael's entry into Eretz Yisraeland, for that matter, all the exiles that have preceded the future geulah. Theyall represent the void that precedes the new state of existence, like thedarkness of night that precedes the light of day. Therefore, HKB”H subjectedYisrael to the galut in Mitzrayim—which constituted a process ofnullification—prior to taking them into Eretz Yisrael. Thisexplains very nicely the following passuk related to the galuts in Mitzrayim(Shemos 1, 12): 'וכאשר יענו אותו כן ירבה וכן יפרוץ'—but as much as they afflict it, so it will increase and so it will burst forth. Here theTorah teaches us that the suffering and affliction in Mitzrayim constituted thevoid that gave rise to Yisrael's renewal and rebirth. After the exodus, theyreceived the Torah at Har Sinai and entered Eretz Yisrael. That demonstratesfor us magnificently how all of the galuyot constitute the absence and voidthat is destined to produce the incredible renewal of the future geulah. Its difficult to read this and not think of the Holocaust andthe miracles of 1948 and 1967 RabbiPinchas of Koretz—defines the state of nullification and void as ' אַיִן', which always precedes the state of renewal, referred to as '.'יֵשׁ.' Hecompares this concept to seeds of wheat or other fruit and vegetation that isplanted in the ground. Their growth only starts after the seed decays intoalmost nothingness -אַיִן'- '. Only then, from this state of nearnothingness, the seed begins to grow and sprout and renew itself. As he writes in Imrei Pinchas (Tishah B'Av 384): When grainis planted in the ground, it cannot grow unless it first decays and actuallybecomes nothing. In that void, remains a tremendous potential that can producean entire stalk. This is a type of metamorphosis. At the precise moment that itis virtually nothing, it immediately takes shape. There is a Hasidic story of a couple who come to their Rebbefor a blessing for a child. He asks for an exorbitant pidyon. They return,unable to raise it. He tells them that he can't help. They leave dejected andoutside his home they realize they can only turn to hashem. When the rebbehears that he calls them in and tells them they will be blessed with a child. We havelearned an important principle in the Mishnah (Avos 6, כלמה שברא הקב'ה בעולמו לא בראו אלא לכבודו' :( 11 '—everything that HKB”H created in His world, He created solely for His honor.That being the case, why did HKB”H create the world in such a way that nothingcan be renewed or revitalized without first undergoing a process of void andnullification? How does this enhance His honor? RabbiYisrael of Ruzhin, zy”a, explains regarding the following statement from DavidHaMelech (Tehillim 13, 2): 'עד אנה תסתיר את פניך ממני,עד אנה אשית עצות בנפשי' —how long will You hide Your countenance from me?How long will I continue to seek counsel within my own spirit? Heexplains that David HaMelech wished to teach us a vital lesson regarding ouremunah and trust in Hashem. When a Jew wants to receive salvation from Hashem,he must first understand that he is totally helpless on his own; his salvationdepends solely on Hashem. As long as he believes that he has a solution of hisown, his emunah and trust in Hashem are lacking. So, DavidHaMelech asks: How long will You continue to conceal Your presence from Me? Heanswers his own question: So long as I delude myself into thinking that I amcapable of resolving dilemmas with my own counsel and devices, the “hesterpanim”—divine concealment—will continue; however, as soon as I recognize withcertainty that I in fact lack any such wisdom or ability, the “hester panim”will cease, and Hashem's salvation will arrive instantaneously. Only whenI accept that I don't have all the answers Thus, it appears that this explains why HKB”H created theworld such that every renewal—situation of ' יש '–must be preceded bya state of void and nullification—situation of אין' '. It is becausesuch a difficult transformation causes man to understand that he does not havethe wisdom or resources to emerge from the darkness and void alone withoutHashem's assistance. As soon as he says to himself: “How long will I continueto seek counsel within my own spirit?”—he will succeed in emerging from thevoid to a state of renewal. In perekShirah Everythingin nature has a song And thesong sung by the wheat in Perek Shirah (Chapter 3): 'שיבולת חיטים אומרת שירהמעלות ממעמקים קראתיך ה'' —the stalk of wheat says (Tehillim 130, 1):“From the depths, I call to You, Hashem.” It isimportant to recognize that the term “lechem”—bread—encompasses all of man'sfood and nourishment. This is evident from the prayer of Yaakov Avinu(Bereishis 28, 20): 'ונתן לי לחם לאכול'—and He will give me bread to eat. Similarly, another passuk says (ibid. 47,12): 'ויכלכל יוסף את אביו ואת אחיו ואת כל בית אביו לחם לפי הטף'—Yosef provided his father and his brother and all of his father's householdwith food (“lechem”) according to the children. It is precisely for this reasonthat the berachah “hamotzi,” which is recited over bread, covers all the foodthat one consumes during a meal; it is because all other food is consideredsecondary to the bread. Weexplained above, that we learn from the growth of the wheat, from which breadis made, the vital principle that nothing can grow or be renewed without firstundergoing a stage of nullification—i.e. nullification of its current state.Therefore, only after the seeds of wheat decay and achieve a virtual state ofnothingness--' אין '—do they begin to grow and develop into a newentity. At that very moment, when they are in the ground and achieve the stateof » אין «, they pray to Hashem from the depths of the earth not to decaycompletely, to survive and grow into a new stalk of grain in the field above. We cannow appreciate and comprehend the song of the stalk of wheat. It recalls thechesed Hashem performed on its behalf whilst it was still deep in the ground ina state of decay. To express its gratitude to Hashem, it sings: 'שיר המעלותממעמקים קראתיך ה'' —thanking Hashem for hearing and responding to its pleafrom the depths of the earth. This iswhy David HaMelech instituted this psalm; so that we would join the stalk ofwheat in expressing gratitude to Hashem. For, we recognize all the kindness Heperforms on our behalf when we are in states of nothingness and helplessness.For instance, after every night of sleep, He returns our neshamos to usrevitalized. Itappears that we can suggest another reason that every situation of renewalrequires a prior state of nothingness. TheYosher Divrei Emet cites his Rav, the Maggid of Mezritsch, zy”a. He explainsthat this principle applies to spiritual matters as well. A person who wants torenew and revitalize his service of Hashem must first nullify his presentcircumstances—his ' יש '. This is accomplished by recognizing how farhe still has to go to serve Hashem properly. Through humility, submission andrecognition of his unworthiness, he will succeed in serving Hashem on a muchhigher level. Until he acknowledges his shortcomings in the service of Hashem,he will be unable to renew his spiritual self. We nowhave cause to rejoice! This illuminates for us the insight provided by theChiddushei HaRim, zy”a, concerning the name אלו'ל . As explained, itcombines the two spellings of the word “lo”-- ל'א and ל'ו . Thus, thename Elul reminds us that we must recognize that we have acted improperly andare not truly worthy of being Hashem's people--' .'ולא אנחנו עמו As aresult of this recognition and by mending our ways and attitudescorrespondingly, we will once again be deserving of the status of ' ולו אנחנועמו '. Let us explain this process in terms of our current discussion. Atthe end of the year, during the month of Elul, it is incumbent upon us to pushour personal reset buttons, so to speak. In order to create ourselves anewprior to Rosh HaShanah, we must nullify our old selves during the month ofElul. By recognizing that we are unworthy to be called His people--' ולא אנחנועמו '—we will succeed in transforming ourselves and taking on a newpersona in the new year consistent with the depiction--' .'ולו אנחנו עמו Followingthis glorious path, let us now address the opening pesukim of this week'sparsha discussing the mitzvah of bikkurim: “It will be when you enter the landthat Hashem, your G-d, gives you as an inheritance, and you take possession ofit, and dwell in it, that you shall take of the first of every fruit of theearth that you bring in from your land that Hashem, your G-d, gives you, andyou shall put it in a basket and go to the place that Hashem, your G-d, willchoose, to make His name rest there.” The KliYakar provides a rationale for this mitzvah. After conquering the new land,Yisrael were liable to become arrogant and attribute the conquest to their ownpowers and strategies. In particular, after working the land and growingvarious produce and fruit, they might think to themselves (Devarim 8, 17):' כוחי ועוצם ידי עשה לי את החיל הזה '—my strength and the might of myhand have generated this wealth for me. To eliminate this false belief, HKB”Hcommanded Yisrael to take the first of every fruit of the land, to take it upto the kohen in Yerushalayim and to recite an explicit expression of gratitudeto Hashem for giving us this land. This procedure was designed to fortify ouremunah in Hashem. Let usinterject a spicy tidbit. It is written (Tehillim 37, 11): וענוים יירשו ארץ''—the humble will inherit the earth. This passuk clearly implies that thequality of humility is propitious for inheriting Eretz Yisrael. For, we knowthat the kedushah of Eretz Yisrael is due to the presence of the Shechinah.This was especially true when the Beis HaMikdash was extant and operational. Asit is written (Shemos 25, 8): 'ועשו לי מקדש ושכנתי בתוכם' —they shallmake Me a sanctuary (Mikdash), so that I may dwell among them. Now, weknow that a prerequisite for the presence of the Shechinah is the midah ofhumility. In the words of the Gemara (Sotah 5a): 'לעולם ילמד אדם מדעת קונו,שהרי הקב'ה הניח כל הרים וגבעות והשרה שכינתו על הר סיני' —a personshould always learn from the good sense of his Creator—for behold, when HKB”Hgave the Torah, He abandoned all the great mountains and hills and insteadrested His Shechinah on Har Sinai (a lowly, unimpressive mountain). Additionally,they taught (ibid.): 'כל אדם שיש בו גסות הרוח, אמר הקב'ה אין אני והוא יכולים לדורבעולם' —concerning any person who possesses a haughtiness of spirit, HKB”Hsays: I and he cannot dwell together in the world. Therefore, HKB”H commandedthat upon entering the land, Yisrael would bring the bikkurim “to the placethat Hashem, your G-d, will choose, to make His name rest there.” This wouldinculcate in them the knowledge that HKB”H only rests His name in Eretz Yisraelin the merit of the midah of humility. Asexplained, the mitzvah of bikkurim is designed to shatter the klipah of “mystrength and the might of my hand have generated this wealth for me.” We willnow endeavor to explain why HKB”H used this mitzvah to hint to us theimportance of the midah of humility; for, this is the vital lesson we aresupposed to learn from the first fruit if we want to enter the land, keep itand endure in it. וְהָיָה֙ כִּֽי־תָב֣וֹאאֶל־הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁר֙ ה אֱלֹקיךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לְךָ֖ נַחֲלָ֑ה וִֽירִשְׁתָּ֖הּ וְיָשַׁ֥בְתָּבָּֽהּ׃ וְלָקַחְתָּ֞מֵרֵאשִׁ֣ית ׀ כׇּל־פְּרִ֣י הָאֲדָמָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר תָּבִ֧יא מֵֽאַרְצְךָ֛ אֲשֶׁ֨ר יְהֹוָ֧האֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לָ֖ךְ וְשַׂמְתָּ֣ בַטֶּ֑נֶא וְהָֽלַכְתָּ֙ אֶל־הַמָּק֔וֹם אֲשֶׁ֤ריִבְחַר֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ לְשַׁכֵּ֥ן שְׁמ֖וֹ שָֽׁם׃ “It willbe when you enter the land that Hashem, your G-d, gives you as an inheritance,and you take possession of it, and dwell in it, that you shall take of thefirst of every fruit of the earth that you bring in from your land that Hashem,your G-d, gives you, and you shall put it in a basket and go to the place thatHashem, your G-d, will choose, to make His name rest there.” HKB”Hinstructs Yisrael: 'ולקחת מראשית כל פרי האדמה אשר תביא מארצך' . Letus expound: ' ולקחת '—you must learn a vital lesson— “lekach”—fromthe “first” yield of “every fruit of the earth.” When those fruits were yetseeds deep in the earth; they could not grow or sprout until they decayed intoa state of virtual nothingness— ״אין״ . In similar fashion, if you wish toremain in EretzYisrael, you must constantly humble yourselves, which is a type ofnullification and expression of nothingness. You must acknowledge how far youare still from serving Hashem properly. Only then will you be able to startanew, serving Hashem properly in His royal palace in Eretz Yisrael. Let usadd a valuable detail. When Moshe Rabeinu sent the meraglim to survey the land,he said to them (Bamidbar 13, 20): והתחזקתם ולקחתם מפרי הארץ' '—youshall strengthen yourselves and take from the fruit of the land. According tothe Zohar hakadosh (Shelach 158a), the meraglim did not want to enter the land,because they perceived that they would not maintain their elite status asprinces and leaders in Eretz Yisrael. This motivated them to speak ill of EretzYisrael, so that they would maintain thestatus of princes that they held in the midbar. In other words, the meraglim'sfailure is attributable to the klipah of arrogance— “ga'avah”; they feared thatthey would lose their prominence. Thus, itseems that this is what Moshe was hinting to the meraglim: ' והתחזקתם'—fortify yourselves against the yetzer of “ga'avah” that instills in youthe fear of losing authority and control; ' ולקחתם '—learn a vitallesson (“lekach”); ' —'מפרי הארץ from the fruit whose seeds cannotgrow and produce within the depths of the earth until they decay and achieve astate of nothingness. You, too,must fortify yourselves by achieving a state of virtual nothingness by totallyrelinquishing your prominent status as princes. By doing so, you will achieveyour complete tikun in Olam HaZeh and rise higher and higher in the service ofHashem. We cannow suggest the following. After the original generation of the midbar alldied—who were influenced by the meraglim, failing to learn the lessonconcerning the midah of humility from the fruit of the land—Moshe announced totheir children who were about to enter the land: “It will be when you enter theland that Hashem, your G-d, gives you as an inheritance, and you takepossession of it, and dwell in it.” He waswarning them that if they intend to enter the land and to prosper and survivein it, and not to suffer the fate of their fathers, who were not allowed toenter the land: 'ולקחת מראשית כל פרי האדמה' —be sure to learn thislesson (“lekach”) from the first yields of the fruits of the land—in contrastto their fathers who neglected to heed Moshe's warning: 'והתחזקתם ולקחתם מפריהארץ' —fortify yourselves and take (learn a lesson) from the fruit of theland. Thelesson relates to the avodah of the month of אלו'ל , whose name is formedby the two spellings of the word “lo”-- ל'א and ל'ו . As wehave explained, it is incumbent upon us to achieve a state of nothingnessthrough the midah of humility; we must acknowledge that due to our behavior, weare the embodiment of ' ולא אנחנו עמו '—we do not truly deserve to beHis people. Yet, withthis acknowledgment, we are able to renew ourselves through total teshuvah andreclaim the status of ' ולו אנחנו עמו '. In this merit, we willfinally deserve to be redeemed from the trials and tribulations of galus; aswe've learned, galus is the void and nothingness that must precede theflourishing growth of the future geulah—swiftly, in our times! Amen.

Questions, comments, feedback? Send us a message.#303> > This mini-series is sponsored by Maggid Books, a division of Koren Jerusalem, who is  the proud publisher of several works by Rav Kook including a commentary on the siddur compiled by Rabbi Bezalel Naor, and the newly translated Hadarav: In his inner chamber – a collection of Rav Kooks most intimate writings found in his personal notebooks from throughout his career.> Get 10% off all Koren and Maggid books with code SeforimChatter – click here for a list of the Rav Kook titles published by Maggid > This episode > To purchase Prof. Mirsky's biography "Rav Kook: Mystic in a Time of Revoloution" click here.> To purchase Prof. Mirsky's book about the first part of Rav Kook's life "Towards the Mystical Experience of Modernity: The Making of Rav Kook, 1865 - 1904" click here.> To join the SeforimChatter WhatsApp community click here.>  To support the podcast or to sponsor an episode follow this link or email seforimchatter@gmail.com (Zelle/QP this email address)

Questions, comments, feedback? Send us a message.#302> > This mini-series is sponsored by Maggid Books, a division of Koren Jerusalem, who is  the proud publisher of several works by Rav Kook including a commentary on the siddur compiled by Rabbi Bezalel Naor, and the newly translated Hadarav: In his inner chamber – a collection of Rav Kooks most intimate writings found in his personal notebooks from throughout his career.> Get 10% off all Koren and Maggid books with code SeforimChatter – click here for a list of the Rav Kook titles published by Maggid. > This episode picks up where episode 1 left off, and discusses Rav Kook's life during his first stay in the land of Israel and ends with his return as the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem after spending WWI in Europe. > To purchase Prof. Mirsky's biography "Rav Kook: Mystic in a Time of Revoloution" click here.> To purchase Prof. Mirsky's book about the first part of Rav Kook's life "Towards the Mystical Experience of Modernity: The Making of Rav Kook, 1865 - 1904" click here.> To join the SeforimChatter WhatsApp community click here.>  To support the podcast or to sponsor an episode follow this link or email seforimchatter@gmail.com (Zelle/QP this email address)

Questions, comments, feedback? Send us a message.#301> This mini-series is sponsored by Maggid Books, a division of Koren Jerusalem, who is  the proud publisher of several works by Rav Kook including a commentary on the siddur compiled by Rabbi Bezalel Naor, and the newly translated Hadarav: In his inner chamber – a collection of Rav Kooks most intimate writings found in his personal notebooks from throughout his career. > Get 10% off all Koren and Maggid books with code SeforimChatter – click here for a list of the Rav Kook titles published by Maggid  > This 1st episode is also sponsored  by Simon and Danielle Springer in honor of the Midwest Torah Center and its Kollel Zakeinim, entering its second year. in South Bend, Indiana.In a town where you can live like a mensch, in a Kollel geared towards giving the opportunity for all levels to transition into learning part or full time, Midwest Torah Center's Kollel Zakeinim  has become a huge hit, drawing new members locally and from all over the United States, to South Bend.Visit the website for more information about the Shul and the Kollel Zakeinim, as well as Parnas HaYom, HaShavua, and HaChodesh options.> This episode focused on the first part of Rav Kook's life until becoming Rabbi of Jaffa in then-Palestine and his move to the land of Israel in 1904. > To purchase Prof. Mirsky's biography "Rav Kook: Mystic in a Time of Revoloution" click here.> To purchase Prof. Mirsky's book about the first part of Rav Kook's life "Towards the Mystical Experience of Modernity: The Making of Rav Kook, 1865 - 1904" click here.> To join the SeforimChatter WhatsApp community click here.>  To support the podcast or to sponsor an episode follow this link or email seforimchatter@gmail.com (Zelle/QP this email address)

Send us a Text Message.In this insightful sermon, Rabbi Yisroel Bernath delves into the human aversion to criticism through the lens of Torah teachings and Chassidic wisdom. Using the biblical narrative of Moses rebuking the tribes of Reuben and Gad, Rabbi Bernath explores why criticism is often met with resentment and how it can be transformed into a tool for personal growth. The sermon also draws on the poignant Chassidic story of the Sefas Emes and the philosophical journey of Solomon Maimon to highlight the importance of embracing criticism as a pathway to self-improvement and spiritual elevation.Takeaways:Embrace Criticism: Criticism, especially from wise and respected individuals, should be cherished as an opportunity for growth rather than a personal attack.Historical Lessons: The story of Moses rebuking Reuben and Gad teaches the value of patience and listening to criticism before reacting.Self-Esteem: Building a solid core of self-worth helps one to handle criticism gracefully and utilize it for personal development.Humility: Recognizing our own imperfections and areas for growth is essential in accepting and benefiting from criticism.Relationship Dynamics: In personal relationships, especially marriage, viewing criticism as a constructive dialogue can strengthen bonds and promote mutual understanding.Support the Show.Got your own question for Rabbi Bernath? He can be reached at rabbi@jewishndg.com or http://www.theloverabbi.comSingle? You can make a profile on www.JMontreal.com and Rabbi Bernath will help you find that special someone.Donate and support Rabbi Bernath's work http://www.jewishndg.com/donateFollow Rabbi Bernath's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/ybernathAccess Rabbi Bernath's Articles on Relationships https://medium.com/@loverabbi

Nachum welcomed renowned author and storyteller Rabbi Paysach Krohn to this morning's JM in the AM to explore his latest ArtScroll release: "From Sorrow To Celebration: Inspirational Stories and Insights from the Maggid." Always remember to use promo code RADIO24 when purchasing anything at ArtScroll.com. From the ArtScroll website: The Three Weeks. The Nine Days. Tisha B'Av. Mourning, tragedy, Churban, destruction. But then...Tu B'Av. Comfort, joy, celebration; a festival like no other. As believing Jews, we know that in the darkest, most painful moments lie the seeds of joy and rebirth. Still, it takes a genius of optimism and emunah - it takes a Rabbi Paysach Krohn - to show us how to find positivity while never minimizing the pain of the Churban. In this book - this extraordinary book - he shows us how. In From Sorrow to Celebration Rabbi Krohn shares compelling divrei Torah and - of course - dozens of poignant and uplifting stories. Stories that open new vistas of Ahavas Hashem, Ahavas HaTorah, and Ahavas Yisrael. Stories showcasing the awesome power of our prayers and our tears, the great opportunities that teshuvah offers us. We will enrich our understanding of the Three Weeks, the Nine Days, Tishah B'Av and Megillas Eichah. And then... we move From Sorrow to Celebration, with fascinating sections on the Bais HaMikdash, Ahavas Yisrael, Shabbos Nachamu, Mashiach and Geulah and (mazal tov!) the joyous day of Tu B'Av. In another unique section, Rabbi Krohn shares brief biographies and riveting stories of gedolim whose yahrzeits fall in the period of the Three Weeks until Tu B'Av, including Rashi, the Arizal, and Rav Elyashiv, adding still another level of inspiration in these sorrow-filled months. From From Sorrow to Celebration is about the cleansing of our sadness. It's about the possibility of rebuilding - both the Beis HaMikdash and also ourselves. It is about the tears... and the laughter that follows those tears.

Joel, Obadiah, and Micah all prophesied not after a calamity struck but right before a potential crisis or during the crisis itself. Facing immanent catastrophe, the Jewish people had to decide where their loyalties lay. Join us as we speak with Rav Yaakov Beasley about his book Joel, Obadiah, and Micah: Facing the Storm (Maggid, 2024). He draws from the best of traditional and contemporary scholarship to guide us through the prophets' trials and tribulations, providing historical overviews of the period, and revealing the messages and meanings of these crucial prophetic works. Rabbi Yaakov Beasley is the Tanakh Coordinator at Yeshivat Hesder Lev HaTorah and the host of the TanachTalks podcast. Michael Morales is Professor of Biblical Studies at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and the author of The Tabernacle Pre-Figured: Cosmic Mountain Ideology in Genesis and Exodus (Peeters, 2012), Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord?: A Biblical Theology of Leviticus (IVP Academic, 2015), and Exodus Old and New: A Biblical Theology of Redemption (IVP Academic, 2020), and a recent 2 volume commentary on Numbers. He can be reached at mmorales@gpts.edu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network