Podcasts about rabbi shimon bar yochai

Unlock the secrets of Jewish customs and practices and see your spiritual understanding blossom. We promise you'll gain insights into the Shema prayer's profound rituals, as we uncover the significance behind reciting its first verse aloud and the cherished custom of covering the eyes. Join us as we explore the Sephardic tradition of forming Hebrew letters with one's fingers, enriching your appreciation of these age-old practices and encouraging a deeper personal connection to your faith.As we navigate the turbulent waters of moral and theological quandaries, we reflect on prayer's role in times of conflict, especially in light of recent historical events involving Hamas. Through thoughtful discussions on scriptural interpretations and the balance between human judgment and divine will, we confront the ethical dilemmas of mercy and justice. Our conversations don't shy away from the difficult questions, examining how historical precedents guide us in dealing with malevolent forces and seeking peace.Finally, we reflect on the resilience of Jewish identity in the shadow of the Holocaust, celebrating the resurgence of Jewish life and the importance of quality in observance over sheer numbers. Hear stories of unwavering commitment, even under societal pressure, and absorb the power of communal prayer and shared traditions. Join us for an engaging Q&A session, where thought-provoking questions and heartfelt answers bring the episode to a thoughtful close. Join us and strengthen your bond with Jewish traditions and community.In this episode of Ask Away we address these various topics:Understanding Jewish Customs and Practices : Shema prayer customs include reciting aloud, covering eyes, and using specific finger placements, emphasizing personal understanding and connection.The Nature of Prayer and Evil: Examining moral and theological considerations in visualizing and praying for conflict resolution, including concepts of absolute evil, mercy, and human judgment.Understanding Mourning and Spiritual Meaning: Maintaining sanity in a chaotic world through prayer, Omer traditions, Lag B'Omer celebrations, and spiritual insights of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai.Lessons From the Holocaust: The Holocaust's impact on Jewish identity and observance, the resurgence of Jewish life and Torah study, and the importance of active participation in traditions.Quality Over Quantity in Jewish Observance: Jewish immigrants face challenges in maintaining religious observance, Holocaust's impact on demographics, and importance of genuine faith and observance.Importance of Prayer and Community: Communal prayer and Kedusha are significant in Jewish practice, with a minyan enhancing prayer and individual devotion valued.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. #39) 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 May 4, 2025, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on June 4, 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, #JewishCustoms, #HebrewLetters, #Prayer, #Evil, #Conflict, #Hamas, #Holocaust, #Assimilation, #Shabbat, #Commitment, #Conversion, #Minyan, #Kedusha, #Synagogue, #Community, #Q&A ★ Support this podcast ★

Unlock the secrets of Jewish customs and practices and see your spiritual understanding blossom. We promise you'll gain insights into the Shema prayer's profound rituals, as we uncover the significance behind reciting its first verse aloud and the cherished custom of covering the eyes. Join us as we explore the Sephardic tradition of forming Hebrew letters with one's fingers, enriching your appreciation of these age-old practices and encouraging a deeper personal connection to your faith.As we navigate the turbulent waters of moral and theological quandaries, we reflect on prayer's role in times of conflict, especially in light of recent historical events involving Hamas. Through thoughtful discussions on scriptural interpretations and the balance between human judgment and divine will, we confront the ethical dilemmas of mercy and justice. Our conversations don't shy away from the difficult questions, examining how historical precedents guide us in dealing with malevolent forces and seeking peace.Finally, we reflect on the resilience of Jewish identity in the shadow of the Holocaust, celebrating the resurgence of Jewish life and the importance of quality in observance over sheer numbers. Hear stories of unwavering commitment, even under societal pressure, and absorb the power of communal prayer and shared traditions. Join us for an engaging Q&A session, where thought-provoking questions and heartfelt answers bring the episode to a thoughtful close. Join us and strengthen your bond with Jewish traditions and community.In this episode of Ask Away we address these various topics:Understanding Jewish Customs and Practices : Shema prayer customs include reciting aloud, covering eyes, and using specific finger placements, emphasizing personal understanding and connection.The Nature of Prayer and Evil: Examining moral and theological considerations in visualizing and praying for conflict resolution, including concepts of absolute evil, mercy, and human judgment.Understanding Mourning and Spiritual Meaning: Maintaining sanity in a chaotic world through prayer, Omer traditions, Lag B'Omer celebrations, and spiritual insights of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai.Lessons From the Holocaust: The Holocaust's impact on Jewish identity and observance, the resurgence of Jewish life and Torah study, and the importance of active participation in traditions.Quality Over Quantity in Jewish Observance: Jewish immigrants face challenges in maintaining religious observance, Holocaust's impact on demographics, and importance of genuine faith and observance.Importance of Prayer and Community: Communal prayer and Kedusha are significant in Jewish practice, with a minyan enhancing prayer and individual devotion valued.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. #39) 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 May 4, 2025, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on June 4, 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, #JewishCustoms, #HebrewLetters, #Prayer, #Evil, #Conflict, #Hamas, #Holocaust, #Assimilation, #Shabbat, #Commitment, #Conversion, #Minyan, #Kedusha, #Synagogue, #Community, #Q&A ★ Support this podcast ★

How and why proper "self-love" is not just healthy but also the path to true emunah in Hashem.

Although widely accepted nowadays, the Zohar's acceptance came along with more controversy than you might expect.

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 1.5 pagesLength of audio: 5 minutes 55 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1.5-page article I wrote and published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 5/15/25, titled: Lag ba'Omer PSA: The Falsehood of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai's Yahrzeit. Mark Twain said, “Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.” Rumors of Rashbi's death on Lag ba'Omer have been greatly exaggerated. They trace back to a misprint from 1802.Note: This is a corrected and expanded version of this morning's WITATM post. I decided to issue it as a free article today because tomorrow, on Lag ba'Omer, I'm planning to post a paid subscriber article about the Zohar that'll probably get me crucified, and I wanted to get this PSA out before I die.-----SPECIAL OFFER: I'm planning to write more on my Substack this summer than I have in the past few years, including a ton of paid subscriber posts I've been eager to publish. From now until Shavuos, for every week of content you sponsor, I'll add a full month of paid subscription access. If you're interested in sponsoring, let me know!-----If you've gained from what you've learned here, please consider contributing to my Patreon at www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss. Alternatively, if you would like to make a direct contribution to the "Rabbi Schneeweiss Torah Content Fund," my Venmo is @Matt-Schneeweiss, and my Zelle and PayPal are mattschneeweiss at gmail. Even a small contribution goes a long way to covering the costs of my podcasts, and will provide me with the financial freedom to produce even more Torah content for you.If you would like to sponsor a day's or a week's worth of content, or if you are interested in enlisting my services as a teacher or tutor, you can reach me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail. Thank you to my listeners for listening, thank you to my readers for reading, and thank you to my supporters for supporting my efforts to make Torah ideas available and accessible to everyone.-----Substack: rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/Patreon: patreon.com/rabbischneeweissYouTube Channel: youtube.com/rabbischneeweissInstagram: instagram.com/rabbischneeweiss/"The Stoic Jew" Podcast: thestoicjew.buzzsprout.com"Machshavah Lab" Podcast: machshavahlab.buzzsprout.com"The Mishlei Podcast": mishlei.buzzsprout.com"Rambam Bekius" Podcast: rambambekius.buzzsprout.com"The Tefilah Podcast": tefilah.buzzsprout.comOld Blog: kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/WhatsApp Content Hub (where I post all my content and announce my public classes): https://chat.whatsapp.com/GEB1EPIAarsELfHWuI2k0HAmazon Wishlist: amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/Y72CSP86S24W?ref_=wl_sharel

Tonight is Lag BaOmer. There is a minhag to hold a festive meal in honor of the holy Tanna, Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. The Maharil writes in a teshuvah that a seudah made in honor of a talmid chacham has the status of a seudat mitzvah, because it is like eating in the radiance of the Shechinah. Therefore, a meal in honor of Rabbi Shimon carries has status of a seudat mitzvah(for certain halachot). It is also a minhag to light bonfires on Lag BaOmer, and the Bnei Yissaschar explains the reason based on the teachings of the Zohar. On the day Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai passed away—Lag BaOmer—he would not allow the sun to set before he finished revealing the deep secrets of the Torah to his students. Hashem had already decreed that Rashbi would pass away on that very day, but the Torah he wished to transmit was too vast to finish in time. Miraculously, he was able to stop the sun until he had completed his teachings. The special light that radiated from the Torah he was teaching outshone even the light of the sun. It was in the merit of this spiritual light—drawn from the hidden light, the Or HaGanuz—that the day was miraculously lengthened. This is the deeper reason why we light bonfires on this holy day. The Siddur of the Yaavetz notes that Lag BaOmer is considered a holiday instituted by the Chachamim. In the Sefirat HaOmer, Lag BaOmer corresponds to Hod shebeHod, which represents the strictest form of judgment. Yet, it is known that if a Sanhedrin unanimously rules someone guilty, he is actually exonerated. So too, on this day, harsh judgments are sweetened, and Hashem showers His chesed upon us. The Chatam Sofer writes in his derashot on the Omer that Lag BaOmer has the power of Yom Kippur within it. Throughout the generations, many people have experienced yeshuot on this day in the merit of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. Sincere tefillah is always powerful—but on a holy day like this, it is even more so. A man named Yosef shared a story. One night, after finishing his learning in the beit midrash as usual, a man approached him and urged him to come to his car. The man explained that every Monday night, a local bakery gives him all of the day's leftovers, which he distributes to others. He had noticed Yosef's dedication to learning and wanted to offer some baked goods to him. Though the offer seemed unusual, Yosef went along with it. The bakery indeed had many delicious leftovers, and Yosef happily brought them home to his family. He hoped to surprise his children, but to his surprise, they asked him, "Did you bring home any baguettes?" Yosef, amazed, asked how they knew. They told him they had prayed to Hashem for it. Eagerly interrupting one another, the children shared the full story. Yosef's daughter, who was learning photography, had a project in which she wanted to photograph a baby holding a baguette. Normally, Yosef would never buy a baguette just for a photo. So instead, his daughter gathered all her siblings and asked them to pray to Hashem to send them a baguette—without having to buy it. It was a genuine tefillah, full of emunah that Hashem listens to every prayer. A few hours later, their father walked through the door with exactly what they had asked for—and even more. This story is a reminder that tefillah is powerful, even the simplest prayers for the simplest things. Let us tap into the koach of tefillah on this great day of Lag BaOmer. With the help of Hashem, may we all see blessings and yeshuot.

Shiur given by Rabbi Bezalel Rudinsky on Parshas Emor and Lag BaOmer. Shiur recorded in Yeshivas Ohr Reuven, Monsey, NY.

What's with the bonfires, bows and arrows, and mystical vibes of Lag Ba'Omer? In this episode, Noam sits down with Yael Dworkin, a Judaic studies teacher in Jerusalem, to uncover the spiritual depths of one of Judaism's most mysterious holidays. Together, they explore the teachings of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, the meaning of the Zohar, and why today's generation is craving deeper, more soulful expressions of Jewish life. Whether you grew up with Lag Ba'Omer or are just Jewish-curious, this is the Lag Ba'Omer episode you never knew you needed. You can discover more about Yael and her yeshiva at ysstorah.org. And please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram! instagram.com/wonderingjews Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. ------------ This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media. For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: ⁠⁠Jewish History Nerds⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold 

In the classic song of Bar Yochai there is a line which translates to "when Hashem thought to make Man, he envisioned you (Rebbi Shimon)"—what was it about Rebbi Shimon Bar Yochai which made him worthy of such a compliment?

Shmuel Luger started drinking at nine and things only got worse from there. He felt totally disconnected from Judaism, spiraling through heavy addictions, anxiety, and a deep sense of emptiness. Then a trip to Israel and one honest conversation flipped his world upside down. He didn't just get sober, he built a yeshiva for guys who don't fit the system, who are floating and forgotten. Today he has a beautiful family, he's a Rosh Yeshiva and is working on groundbreaking curriculums.His Yeshiva: https://veshachanti.com/✬ SPONSORS OF THE EPISODE ✬► Ohr Naava: Save a Young Woman. Save a World.For just $1 a day, you can help Ohr Naava provide schooling, support and chizuk to thousands of Jewish women and girls annually.Yaakov Langer here, please help...it's literally a $1 a day→ https://bit.ly/3GofiN2► BitBean: Smart Custom SoftwareReally great way to take your business to the next level.Contact Bitbean today for a FREE CONSULTATIONReach Out Here → https://bitbean.link/MeEBlY► PZ DEALS: Never Pay Full Price AgainAn epic app that tracks deals for you.Download here → https://app.pz.deals/install/iftn► Wheels To Lease: Trust Me Get Your Car With ThemFor over 35 years, Wheels To Lease has offered stress-free car buying with upfront pricing, no hidden fees, and door-to-door delivery. Call today!→ CALL/TEXT: 718-871-8715→ EMAIL: inspire@wheelstolease.com→ WEB: https://bit.ly/41lnzYU→ WHATSAPP: https://wa.link/0w46ce► Feldheim: The Top Books of The MonthUse code INSPIRE for 10% any of these books on Feldheim.com→ Common GroundIn a time when Israel needs unity more than ever, Common Ground by Rabbi Arieh Friedner is a powerful guide to deepening connection with Hashem and each other, hailed as a “beacon of light” by Rav Yitzchak Breitowitz.GET HERE: https://bit.ly/4jBdkY6→ Let Me Join Your NationExperience the timeless story of Ruth like never before in this Shavuos-ready edition from the classic Let My Nation series, featuring Rabbi Deutsch's masterful storytelling and a full Hebrew-English Megillas Ruth.GET HERE: https://bit.ly/4jBTnAu→ The Story of Rabbi Shimon Bar YochaiDiscover the inspiring story of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, who found refuge in a cave and lit up the world with the Zohar, in this beautifully illustrated book for all ages (Kids LOVE this).GET HERE: https://bit.ly/3ER10EaJoin the Lchaim Book Club→ https://bit.ly/3YsHoMp✬ IN MEMORY OF ✬This episode is in memory of:• Shimon Dovid ben Yaakov Shloima• Miriam Sarah bas Yaakov Moshe✬ Donate and Inspire Millions (Tax-Deductible) ✬Your generous donation enables us at Living Lchaim to share uplifting messages globally, enrich lives, and foster positive change worldwide! Thank you!https://www.LivingLchaim.com/donateOur free call-in-to-listen feature is here:• USA: (605) 477-2100• UK: 0333-366-0154• ISRAEL: 079-579-5088Have a specific question? email us hi@livinglchaim.comWhatsApp us feedback and get first access to episodes: 914-222-5513Lchaim!

LISTEN!!!

WOW!!!

Looking to advertise your business? Maybe you want to sponsor something SUPER AWESOME for a special occasion?

For a 20% discount on Rabbi Ashear's new book on Parnassah click the link below and enter Promo Code - Emunah20 https://www.artscroll.com/ Books/9781422640708.html Some people say they can't pick up a siddur to pray with. They feel betrayed. They had invested hundreds of tefillot, day and night, crying out to Hashem for help, but never got what they were asking for. They weren't asking for luxuries, and they knew it was so easy for Hashem to give it to them. They don't think that they are so bad that they shouldn't deserve what they were asking for. The only conclusion they have is that prayer doesn't really work, at least not for them, so why should they bother continuing with it. It is certainly not easy to deal with disappointment, but we must know this is one of our main jobs in this world. For someone like this to say, “I trust you, Hashem. I know You hear every word that I say, and I know You love my prayers,” and he continues to pray, it would elevate him so much. The prayers from a person who has so many reasons to turn away are so valuable. Every tefila is a mitzvah in its own right, and will earn a person eternal life, especially when it's so hard for him to do. Every tefila is heard, and every tefila counts. A businessman in Yerushalayim needed $300,000 to take his business to the next level, and went to the bank to apply for a loan. The bank dragged their feet and did not give him an answer for two months. During that time, he prayed so hard for heavenly help. He went to Meron to pray by the kever of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. He went to the Kotel numerous times. The day they finally called back, he was in the car, and immediately recognized the number of the bank manager lighting up on his phone. The first words he heard was, “I'm sorry, I hate to disappoint you, but we can't approve your loan.” To him, this loan was his entire future. His head started to ache, and he felt dizzy. He couldn't continue driving, so he pulled over to the side of the road. He thought of all the heartfelt tefilot that he had made. He said to himself, “ Ribono Shel Olam , what happened to all my prayers? Weren't they worth anything?” He was ready to give up on prayer altogether, but then he stopped himself, and he reminded himself of the basic principles of emunah. He said to himself, if Hashem decided not to give me this loan, that means it was the best possible outcome. He sat there for ten minutes, giving himself chizuk in emunah, and then he was ready to continue driving. As he was going to pull away, an elderly man knocked on his window, asking him for a ride. When the man got in the car, he asked if he could relate a short devar Torah . He then went on to give a mashal of how every tefila we make is heard by Hashem and connects us to Hashem. The man was floored. Exactly when he needed that chizuk , a man came into his car and asked him if he could relate that chiddush to him. That evening, he went back to the Kotel to pray, this time with deep-rooted emunah. He accepted Hashem's decision about the bank, and then he asked Hashem to give him the money in a different way. The very next morning, his accountant called and told him, he just found out that the government is giving financial backing to small businesses, but there are two conditions to get it. Number one, he had to have all the papers ready in two days. And number two, only someone with no outside financial backing qualified for the offer. Since he had just applied for the loan, he had all the papers ready, and because he was denied for that loan, he qualified for this much better offer. Nobody knows what we need better than Hashem. Sometimes all we need is just to keep praying more.

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:MyLife 500 campaign  What does Lag B'Omer teach us today?  How does Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai help us deal with our challenges?  Why is this day so special?  What is the source that Lag B'Omer is the day of Rashbi's Hilula?  Why can we listen to music and make weddings on Lag B'Omer?  Did the Rebbe suggest that we visit the Ohel on this day?  Is there an alternative for someone who can't go to the Ohel?  Why don't we celebrate with a parade on other special days of the year?  Why is there a custom to light bonfires on Lag B'Omer?  How could the students of Rabbi Akiva defy their teacher's cardinal rule about loving another?  Why did the students of Rabbi Akiva die in an epidemic – does not respecting another warrant the death penalty?  Why do we say Lag B'Omer, but don't say Tu B'Av?  Should we be relying on the segulos associated with Lag B'Omer?  Segulos don't seem to work for me. What should I do differently?  What can we learn from Rashbi living 12 years in a cave?  Is there a connection between Lag B'Omer and Moshiach?  Is it connected to the Zohar?  And if so, how does it relate to Chassidus?  Who was Moses de Leon, and what role did he play in disseminating the Zohar?  What do we learn from this parsha?  What is the connection between this parsha and Lag B'Omer?  Why are engraved letters higher than written ones?  What is the significance of the month of Iyar and the general time between Pesach and Shavuos? Follow-up  If Sinai teaches us the lesson of humility, why was the Torah given on a mountain altogether?  Why are we not gathering daily and holding prayer vigils and public reciting of Torah and Tehillim and tzedakah beseeching heaven to free the hostages and end this evil war?  Where are our leaders?  Bechukosei Iyar Sinai Why did the Rebbe not go to Israel? Follow-up War with Hamas 

Many people don't understand what Kabbalah and the Zohar are, and those who think they do are often mistaken. The Mashgiach sets the record straight.

wow!!!

The mishna in Pirkeh Avot says, in the name of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, that if three people sit down and eat at a table and nobody says a word of Torah, it's considered as if they ate from food that was used in the service of an idol. This is an astonishing statement. This means even if the people ate without speaking one word of lashon hara and no other forbidden speech, even if they just sat there quietly the entire meal, it's considered as if they ate the worst kind of tumah, impurity. What could be worse than idol worship? But the mishna continues, If they do speak words of Torah, then it's considered as if they ate at the table of Hashem Himself, the holiest form of eating possible. This means that to transform a meal from avoda zara to sitting with Hashem, what does it take? Someone to say one word of Torah. Rabbi Yaakov Sofer pointed out from here how powerful a word of Torah is. Sometimes people feel that they learn and learn, but they don't see any change in themselves. This mishna is coming to give them chizuk. We are inside of a physical body, and it's hard for us to feel the spiritual growth that we gain from Torah and mitzvot. But it's a reality. One word of Torah could elevate the worst form of tumah into the greatest kedusha. How much more so does it have an effect on our neshamot that are already in the holiest of realms! We don't have the eyes to see, but everything we do spiritually brings about kedusha and even physically changes things for the better. The mishnah says, every mitzvah we do creates a heavenly advocate for ourselves. If a person says a beracha properly on his food, he creates an angel. If he had spiritual eyes, he would see the angel appear right in front of him and then fly up to shamayim to be an advocate for him now and after 120. Rabbi Zamir Cohen said a study was done in Israel about the physical effects that a beracha has on a cup of water. They took seeds and put them in the same environment. Some of them were watered with water from the tap, and the others were watered with water that had a beracha said upon it. Two weeks later, they saw a major difference in the two, with the water that had a beracha clearly producing much more growth than the other one. So if the water which had a beracha said upon it affects the growth of a plant, how much more so does it do to the body of the person who said the beracha on it? If a person is, let's say, walking in the street and sees an acquaintance of his who looks sad, and he says a couple of words to cheer him up, he just created an angel who is going to help him for all eternity. The same applies to every single mitzvah that we do. The more difficult the mitzvah is, the more powerful the angel is. If a person says divrei torah at his table all the time and uses his table properly, the table itself will go up to shamayim and stand for him in his judgment after 120. Rabbi Yehuda Tzadka said on the words of the pasuk: זה השולחן אשר לפני ה ', the table itself will stand in front of Hashem to testify on the person's behalf. Everything we do matters. We may not see it now, but the effects are there and we will see them in the future. If a person utilizes his time here and learns Torah and does mitzvot, he is benefiting himself both in this world and the next.

Weekly Women's Class: This class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Behar, 13 Iyar, 5784, May 21, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. The Midrash recounts that in the second century, in the famous seaport town of Sidon, on the coast of Lebanon, there lived a married couple blessed with wealth and an honored position in the community. There was, however, a great void in their lives. Although they were married for ten years, they had no children. The couple decided to get divorced. They turned to the great Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai for advice. He looked at the couple for a long time, and then he said to them, “I ask only one thing of you both: If you must part, then just as you wed with celebration, so should you part from each other with celebration.” They took his advice and arranged a great feast. During the evening, the husband raised his cup and said to his wife, who would soon leave, “True, this is the last meal we shall share. Before you go, look around at the treasures of this house, choose the most precious jewel your heart desires, and take it back with you to your parents' house.” The wife did not respond to his offer. Instead, she mixed and spiced the wine, and they drank a lot. The candles burned low in the room, and the husband fell asleep, overcome by heavy drowsiness. While he was asleep, the wife told her servants to lift him on a bed and carry him to her parents' house. As dawn broke, the husband opened his eyes in a daze and discovered he was in unfamiliar surroundings. Astonished, he asked, “Where am I?” “In the house of my parents,” she said. “Why?” he asked. “This is where you asked to be taken. Did you not say to me last night, ‘Take with you the most precious thing your heart desires?' To me, dear husband, there is nothing in the world more precious than you. They had found each other again. They now fully realized how strongly they loved each other. The next day, the couple of Sidon appeared again before Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. He prayed for the couple, and after a joyful year, they were blessed with a child. What is the message of this story? And why didn't Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai pray for them in the first place? The story of the couple of Sidon, says the Alter Rebbe, is not only about them; it tells an eternal truth about every marriage and the enduring power of love. When the couple first came to Bar Yochai, their love for each other was conditional and goal-oriented. If the marriage was not producing a child, there was ultimately no point in it. But then as they were about to part, they discovered how deeply they loved each other. They began to celebrate the intrinsic value of love. So, the couple returned to visit the rabbi, not because they had a solution, but because they knew they wanted to be together. Paradoxically, when the couple began to understand the purity of love that has no ulterior motive, their relationship bore fruit. The class explores how our first marriages must morph into second marriages, even with the same partner, and how the setbacks and betrayals we experience are often cries of the soul for a deeper, more authentic, and more vulnerable relationship. We can grow from a superficial relationship to one in which the very relationship means more than anything else. The same is true also in our relationship with Hashem. We tell a story of the Lubavitcher Rebbe saving a marriage, even after divorce, when the husband discovered he was not a Kohen.

Lag Baomer The Gift of Mysticism Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai passed away on Lag B'Omer, and is buried in Meron. Why is he so ‘famous'? What earned Rashbi this notoriety almost unique among his contemporaries? In this class, we will discuss two ideas about the contributions of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. The first deals with redemption from the guilt of sin, which can otherwise burden and weigh down one's connection with Hashem. Then, we will delve into the secretive world that Rabbi Shimon opened for us all through the Book of the Zohar, and reveal the ladder that leads to the higher worlds. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mendy-goldberg/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mendy-goldberg/support

Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and the Cave

WOW!!!

The Connection Between Rabbi Akiva's Students Ceasing to Die and the Hilulah Yahrzeit of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai on Lag B'omer

Walking through the ancient streets of Jerusalem, one can't help but feel a connection to the past, a thread weaving through the fabric of time. On this podcast, we're joined by Rabbi Tzvi Blachman, who brings that sensation to life as he recounts his journey from a child of Holocaust survivors to a beacon of wisdom for Israeli and American students. Amidst the city's evolving skyline, Rabbi Blachman shares how the pursuit of material achievements must be balanced with a commitment to spiritual growth and the values that have sustained Jewish culture through the ages. His stories serve as powerful reminders that in a world racing towards tomorrow, our roots need to be firmly planted in tradition.There's a moment in everyone's life that defines their path, and for Rabbi Blachman, that moment came when teaching Torah became more than a passion—it became a calling. The Rabbi's narrative takes us to the heart of his decision to dedicate his life to the sacred texts, revealing the profound influence of his early experiences and role models on his love for Torah study. He discusses the challenges that many Jewish youths face, including the seductive pull of modern Western society and the resulting struggle to maintain a strong Jewish identity. The anecdotes he shares, like the transformative encounter with a religious boy dating outside the faith, underscore the urgency of his mission to guide the next generation towards a deep-seated pride in their heritage.Our conversation shifts from the personal to the universal as Rabbi Blachman reflects on the indelible impact of the Holocaust on collective Jewish memory and the spiritual resonance of traditions like the shul balconies. We traverse the heartbreaking notion of a "spiritual Holocaust" in our time, with countless Jews drifting away from their ancestral bonds. The Rabbi also invites us to reimagine the celebration of Shabbat, not merely as a weekly pause but as the pinnacle of our spiritual week. As Rabbi Blachman recounts unexpected Torah study sessions and the teachings of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, he paints a picture of a culture where acts of kindness and devotion to study are not the exception, but the fabric of everyday life. Join us for this profound exploration of faith, identity, and the timeless lessons that guard the soul of a people.This Jewish Inspiration Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH (Ep. #271) is dedicated to our dearest friends, Rabbi Ari & Sami Winkler!!Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Studio B to a live audience on May 29, 2023, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on January 28, 2023_____________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! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Walking through the ancient streets of Jerusalem, one can't help but feel a connection to the past, a thread weaving through the fabric of time. On this podcast, we're joined by Rabbi Tzvi Blachman, who brings that sensation to life as he recounts his journey from a child of Holocaust survivors to a beacon of wisdom for Israeli and American students. Amidst the city's evolving skyline, Rabbi Blachman shares how the pursuit of material achievements must be balanced with a commitment to spiritual growth and the values that have sustained Jewish culture through the ages. His stories serve as powerful reminders that in a world racing towards tomorrow, our roots need to be firmly planted in tradition.There's a moment in everyone's life that defines their path, and for Rabbi Blachman, that moment came when teaching Torah became more than a passion—it became a calling. The Rabbi's narrative takes us to the heart of his decision to dedicate his life to the sacred texts, revealing the profound influence of his early experiences and role models on his love for Torah study. He discusses the challenges that many Jewish youths face, including the seductive pull of modern Western society and the resulting struggle to maintain a strong Jewish identity. The anecdotes he shares, like the transformative encounter with a religious boy dating outside the faith, underscore the urgency of his mission to guide the next generation towards a deep-seated pride in their heritage.Our conversation shifts from the personal to the universal as Rabbi Blachman reflects on the indelible impact of the Holocaust on collective Jewish memory and the spiritual resonance of traditions like the shul balconies. We traverse the heartbreaking notion of a "spiritual Holocaust" in our time, with countless Jews drifting away from their ancestral bonds. The Rabbi also invites us to reimagine the celebration of Shabbat, not merely as a weekly pause but as the pinnacle of our spiritual week. As Rabbi Blachman recounts unexpected Torah study sessions and the teachings of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, he paints a picture of a culture where acts of kindness and devotion to study are not the exception, but the fabric of everyday life. Join us for this profound exploration of faith, identity, and the timeless lessons that guard the soul of a people.This Jewish Inspiration Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH (Ep. #271) is dedicated to our dearest friends, Rabbi Ari & Sami Winkler!!Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Studio B to a live audience on May 29, 2023, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on January 28, 2023_____________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! ★ Support this podcast ★

In this week's parashah Vayechi , Yaakov Avinu blesses his children before he passed away. When he got to Yehudah, he said, “ יהודה אתה יודוך אחיך ” One explanation of this beracha is that Yaakov was telling Yehudah, because you admitted when you were wrong, your brothers are going to admit to you that you will be their king. Another explanation given by Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai is, יהיו כל אחיך נקראים על שמך - the Jewish people will be called by your name. We are not Re'uvenim or Shimonim . Rather, we are Yehudim . Because the purpose of every Jew is to reveal the glory of Hashem's Kingship in this world, by admitting that He is behind everything, and then thanking Him for everything He does. The word מודה means to admit and to thank. The Rishonim tell us, there is a positive commandment from the Torah that we can fulfill any time we want. It is called remembering the kindnesses of Hashem – זכרון חסדי ה ' . Rabbenu Yonah in the Sha'areh Teshuvah lists this mitzvah amongst the ten reasons why man was created. All it requires of us is to recognize that any chesed we get comes from Hashem, and then thank Him for it. Before we say the Birkot HaShahar in the morning, we should have in mind that we are recalling the great chasadim of Hashem. And besides saying the berachot , we will also be fulfilling many positive commandments from the Torah. Before we say Modim in the Amidah , we should have in mind we are fulfilling the positive commandment of זכרון חסדי ה ' . The sefer K'asher Tziva Hashem writes, it was the practice of Rav Shmuel Huminer to keep a record of every kindness that Hashem did for him, in fulfillment of this great mitzvah. Some of the things he wrote were, Hashem gave me a certain amount of money, הודו לה' כי טוב . Something collapsed and fell at my doorway, and nobody was harmed, הודו לה' כי טוב . Hashem healed the infection in my mother's hand, הודו לה' כי טוב . A shard of glass was removed from my daughter's mouth, הודו לה' כי טוב . I was standing outside and a flaming rocket flew over my head and I wasn't harmed, הודו לה' כי טוב . Every year the Rabbi would make a Seudat Hodaah in which he would reflect on all the miracles that Hashem did for him that year. There are so many kindnesses that Hashem gives every single person. If we take a moment to pause and recognize them, we could fulfill this great mitzvah numerous times. I saw a video of an Israeli soldier who had been away fighting in Gaza for more than two months. He walked into a room in which his father was learning and surprised him there. His father was so excited to see him healthy and alive. He got up and hugged him with all of his might. And then, with tears in his eyes, he said, שמע ישראל ה' אלוקינו ה' אחד . He channeled all his feelings of love towards heartfelt thanks to Hashem for giving him the pleasure of being able to hug his son. He learned this lesson from Yaakov Avinu, when he saw Yosef after thinking he was dead for 22 years. The chasadim of Hashem are endless. We have so many opportunities to fulfill this great mitzvah. It could be thanking Hashem for something so small. Whatever brings us any type of enjoyment is a reason to thank Him. It is our ability to recognize that the chasadim come from Hashem and then thank Him for them that makes us who we are, Yehudim . Shabbat Shalom.

Join Shlomo and Zevi in conversation exploring shared themes across the world's mystical traditions, the Zohar, Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai and Lag Be'omer, the dangers of mysticism, mysticism and messianism and the urgency of intimacy for the mystics. Check out Shlomo's podcast here: Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/empowered-jewish-living-with-rabbi-shlomo-buxbaum/id1537507236 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1WpjEGMISVv8Sv1tIFXQCr?si=681351231e174d04 Website: RabbiShlomo.com Instagram: @shlomobuxbaum YouTube:  @levexperience  00:00 Excerpt 00:49 What is Seekers of Unity? 05:51 What are the shared themes across mystical traditions? 11:22 Mysticism outside of Judaism? 15:32 Lag Be'omer, Rashbi, Zohar 26:16 Is there shared theology? 37:06 Dangers of Mysticism 40:38 Mysticism and Messianism 49:33 The Divine Lovers Books mentioned in this episode: Hasidism Incarnate, Shaul Magid, 2014 How Jesus Became God, Bart Ehrman, 2014 Messianic Mystics, Moshe Idel, 1992 Join us: https://discord.gg/EQtjK2FWsmhttps://facebook.com/seekersofunityhttps://instagram.com/seekersofunityhttps://www.twitter.com/seekersofuhttps://www.seekersofunity.com Thank you to our beloved Patrons: Frederique, Laurie, Joshua, Spacecowboy, Cliffton, Steve, Billy, Jackie, Andrew, Josh, Glenn, Zv, George, Ivana, Keenan, Gab, John, Victoria, Casey, Joseph, Brad, Benjamin, Arin, jXaviErre, Margo, Gale, Eny, Kim, Michael, Kirk, Ron, Seth, Daniel, Raphael, Daniel, Jason, Sergio, Leila, Wael, Simona, Francis, Etty, Stephen, Arash, William, Michael, Matija, Timony, Vilijami, Stoney, El techo, Stephen, Ross, Ahmed, Alexander, Diceman, Hannah, Julian, Leo, Sim, Sultan, John, Joshua, Igor, Chezi, Jorge, Andrew, Alexandra, Füsun, Lucas, Andrew, Stian, Ivana, Aédàn, Darjeeling, Astarte, Declan, Gregory, Alex, Charlie, Anonymous, Joshua, Arin, Sage, Marcel, Ahawk, Yehuda, Kevin, Evan, Shahin, Al Alami, Dale, Ethan, Gerr, Effy, Noam, Ron, Shtus, Mendel, Jared, Tim, Mystic Experiment, MM, Lenny, Justin, Joshua, Jorge, Wayne, Jason, Caroline, Yaakov, Daniel, Wodenborn, Steve, Collin, Justin, Mariana, Vic, Shaw, Carlos, Nico, Isaac, Frederick, David, Ben, Rodney, Charley, Jonathan, Chelsea, Curly Joe, Adam and Andre. Join them in supporting us: patreon: https://www.patreon.com/seekers paypal: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=RKCYGQSMJFDRU

What can we learn from the stories of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai?

Who Is Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai https://youtu.be/tJKmPRu0ipo Who is Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai also known as Rashbi? Everyone has heard his name in the Jewish world and even in non-Jewish world. We just celebrated his Hilula by lighting a fire and learning some Torah and enjoying some food with a great group of people. But the question that we tried to answer is a question that many people perhaps never even asked. Why do we light the fire? Why is rabbi shimon bar yochai so special and so unique that he gets the rest of klal Israel to celebrate his Hilula until this day, while his rabbi, Rabbi Akiva and even Moshe Rabienu don't? What's so special about Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai? What's so unique about him? What can we learn from him? What can we learn about him? that could affect our lives? Today, this and much more was discussed tonight in a beautiful night with beautiful people and the most extraordinary Torah of all. Enjoy it, share it and be holy.

LISTEN!!!

Lag Baomer/ Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai Thoughts

Rebbi Shimon Bar Yochai was the author of The Zohar but what is The Zohar and what even is Kabbalah?

In part 4 of the Lag Ba'Omer flash series, Charlie uncovers the life changing secret we learn from Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. When Rabbi Shimon comes out of the cave he doesn't see what ppl look like superficially. He sees infinite value, a piece of G-d, their essence, their character. He teaches us real respect. To respect someone means “I don't know why you're saying what you're saying and maybe we're different, but your essence is infinite. There's a piece of G-d in your soul!” That's the story of lag baomer- seeing beyond the physical. That's what he gave us in Kabbalah- the path to redemption. Lag baomer isn't the conclusion of the mourning. It's the beginning of the future! It's the new way forward. Today we have everything- strong army, Torah, money, knowledge stronger than ever. How come we don't have the temple? Maybe we haven't learned the lessons. Maybe we don't know how to balance “I don't agree with your views” with “your soul is beautiful, we're in essence one.” Today, take a moment and light a candle for rabbi shimon and ask him for help seeing the greatness in each other. ______ Thanks for listening, sharing, tagging, and reviewing! Share your comments with us on our social platforms- we love hearing your feedback. To join our Insider's Community, go to charlieharary.com/insiders To get this full series all in one place, go to YouTube Please make sure you're subscribed to our two podcasts, Unlocking Greatness and Timeless Lessons. Join our WhatsApp groups here

We find different practices among the Sepharadiim with regard to the custom to refrain from haircutting (and, for many, shaving) during the Omer period to commemorate the tragic death of Rabbi Akiva's 24,000 students. One practice follows the ruling of the Shulchan Aruch which permits haircutting from the 34th day of the Omer, meaning, the day following Lag Ba'omer. There is some discussion as to whether this position would allow haircutting already during the night after Lag Ba'omer, since in Halacha the new day begins at night, or if the prohibition continues until the morning of the 34th day of the Omer. The rationale underlying the second possibility is that the principle of "Miktzat Ha'yom Ke'kulo," which allows us to consider part of a day equivalent to a complete day, applies only in the daytime hours. Indeed, Halacha generally follows this second view, and thus those who observe the Shulchan Aruch's ruling may take haircuts (and shave, for those who refrain from shaving during the Omer) only from the morning of the 34th day of the Omer. (See Hazon Ovadya, Yom Tob, page 261.)Children, however, may take haircuts already on the day of Lag Ba'omer. Many follow the custom – which is indeed a proper custom to observe – to cut a boy's hair for the first time on the third Lag Ba'omer after his birth. Those who follow this custom may cut the child's hair on the third Lag Ba'omer, and need not wait until the next day.With regard to haircutting for women, the practice among the Sepharadim is to allow women to have their hair cut throughout the Omer period, even before Lag Ba'omer.The Arizal (Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, Israel, 1534-1572) advanced a much different approach, viewing the entire Omer period as a period of judgment and as a type of "Chol Ha'mo'ed" between the festivals of Pesach and Shavuot. He therefore held that one may not cut his hair or shave throughout the entire Omer period, until Erev Shavuot. Everyone should follow the practice he is accustomed to observing. (See Hazon Ovadya, Yom Tob, page 264.)As per Hacham BenSion it is permissible to recite the Beracha of She'hecheyanu – such as over a new suit – during the period of the Omer.From which point may a wedding be held during the Omer period?Chacham Ovadia Yosef rules that under extenuating circumstances, such as when the wedding cannot be held on a different day, one may get married on the night after Lag Ba'omer (the night of the 34th day of the Omer). Preferably, however, one should not get married until the night after the 34th of the Omer. This is indeed the Minhag. (See Hazon Ovadya, Yom Tob, page 254.)Lag Ba'omer is observed as a festive day to celebrate the great contribution of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai in authoring the Zohar and thereby making a profound impact upon the world. As such, even though we refrain from haircutting until after Lag Ba'omer, it is permissible to listen to music on Lag Ba'omer (assuming, of course, that the music is appropriate) only in order to celebrate the occasion. Otherwise, music is forbidden until the 34th day.Summary: Some Sephardim have the practice to refrain from haircutting and shaving throughout the Omer, until Erev Shavuot, while others permit haircutting and shaving on the day following Lag Ba'omer. Women may cut their hair even before Lag Ba'omer, and three-year-old boys may have their first haircut on Lag Ba'omer itself. One may recite She'hecheyanu during the Omer. Weddings should not be held until the day following Lag Ba'omer, though under extenuating circumstances one may get married on the night after Lag Ba'omer. One may listen to music already on Lag Ba'omer only as part of the celebration of this festive day.

Lag Ba'Omer marks the passing of the Torah Giant, and student of Rabbi Akiva. Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai revealed the Kabbalah (the deep secrets of the Torah) to the Jewish people.  After 12 years of hiding out from the Romans and learning all of the hidden secrets of the Torah, Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai emerged from the cave with his so. But everything he looked at got burnt from the intense holiness in his eyes! He returned to the cave for another year in order to integrate what he'd learned, and emerged again with the beautiful ability to see the good in others who are different from him! After a life of teaching, Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai shared everything he had learned with his students on the day of his death, and those teachings make up the Zohar. The day of his passing was Lag Ba'Omer. What does this story also have to do with the end of the mourning time for the deaths of the 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva and their attempt to take back the temple? Rabbi Akiva's students could not bring themselves to respect someone with different views than they had. They learned from Rabbi Akiva to “love your neighbor like yourself,” but they interpreted this to mean “you have to be like me in order for me to love you!” They couldn't respect anyone who wasn't like them! They couldn't differentiate between having respect for someone who chose to live differently from them vs. looking down and judging them. That nuance caused their destruction and the destruction of the efforts to rebuild the Holy Temple. Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai changed this. His ability to respect someone different than him made all the difference.  But there is one more secret which this holiday is all about! ______ Thanks for listening, sharing, tagging, and reviewing! Share your comments with us on our social platforms- we love hearing your feedback. To join our Insider's Community, go to charlieharary.com/insiders To get this full series all in one place, go to  Please make sure you're subscribed to our two podcasts, Unlocking Greatness and Timeless Lessons. Join our WhatsApp groups here 

LISTEN!!!

Rabbi Stark reveals the ideas behind the various middos of the days and weeks of Sefiras HaOmer and explains how they are expressions of Torah psychology.

On the conversation about Rome between Rashi, R. Yehuda, and R. Yosi

Blood. Impurity. Rome vs. Judaism. Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. Demons. Israel. Sources Discussed: - Vayikra (Leviticus) 16:14 - Talmud Meilah 17a-b - Talmud Sanhedrin 107b - M'lachim II (Kings II) 5:1

Audio, eng_t_rav_2023-02-08_lesson_rabi-shimon-bar-yochay_n2_p1. Lesson_part :: Daily_lesson 2

Video, eng_t_rav_2023-02-08_lesson_rabi-shimon-bar-yochay_n2_p1. Lesson_part :: Daily_lesson 2

Audio, eng_t_rav_2023-02-07_lesson_rabi-shimon-bar-yochay_n2_p1. Lesson_part :: Daily_lesson 2

Video, eng_t_rav_2023-02-07_lesson_rabi-shimon-bar-yochay_n2_p1. Lesson_part :: Daily_lesson 2

Audio, eng_t_rav_2023-02-06_lesson_rabi-shimon-bar-yochay_n2_p1. Lesson_part :: Daily_lesson 2

This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate

Yoshi Falber is the CEO of The Chessed Fund, and has extensive experience in fundraising and business development, having worked in both non-profit and for-profit sectors. Previously, he was VP of Sales and Marketing at the Chesed Fund.   After experiencing success in marketing for major motion pictures, and projects in the music and fashion industries, his passion and purpose became the development and success of great causes within the Jewish community. He was previously Director of Education of Southern NCSY, Director of Marketing, Alumni Affairs, and Special Projects at Ohr Somayach International, and CMO at the Chesed Fund.   Originally from New York, Yoshi has lived in 5 countries and now resides in Florida with his wife and children. ____________________________________ This episode is brought to you by Touro University! To learn more about how you can excel at Touro University, Visit Touro.edu/more ____________________________________ This episode is brought to you by Bridge Credit Solutions! If you're looking for a reputable credit repair company that can clean your credit within 6-60 days or your money back, Bridge Credit Solutions is your choice.    Serious Inquiries Only https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=12126602991&text=Hi,%20Im%20interested%20in%20more%20information.%20Saw%20on%20MM%20 ____________________________________ This episode is brought to you by "The Tannaim Series". Published by Feldheim, The Tannaim Series takes you back to the time of the Mishna where you'll meet some of the greatest scholars and teachers in Klal Yisrael, like Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, Rabbi Nachum Ish Gam Zu, Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes and more! A total of 13 books are available and 8 more are in production! Great storytelling with a lively comic book format creates a learning experience that will inform, delight, and inspire children of all ages. (Includes full Gemara sources in the back of each volume!) ON ANY ORDER OF 5 OR MORE TANNAIM SERIES BOOKS MP20 COUPON CODE AT CHECKOUT WILL TAKE OFF 20 PERCENT + FREE SHIPPING    GET YOURS TODAY!  

Lag BaOmer is the day that marks the Yahrtzeit/Hillula of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, one of the great Sages of the Mishnaic Era. In celebration and recognition of Rabbi Shimon's accomplishments and stature, the custom is to make it a mini-holiday. But of course, Rabbi Shimon was not the only transcendental Sage of that time. His teacher […]