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"72 juveniles is 28% of the current population of sunflower stars under human care in California. More than a quarter of them are at our facility. If you had asked us that question about a year and a half ago. The answer would be zero at our facility, and the answer across California would be six total." - Andrew Lee In 2013, one of the largest marine disease outbreaks on record, sea star wasting syndrome swept through echinoderm populations, laying waste to sunflower stars across their historic range. Once common in California, sunflower stars are now functionally extinct there. This devastating population crash is one of the leading drivers of the 96% decline in kelp forest cover in Northern California in the last decade, as sunflower stars are no longer prowling rocky reefs and scaring purple urchins, who graze on kelp. Sunflower Star Laboratory was founded by a group of concerned citizens who watched California's kelp disappear before their eyes and were inspired to take action. This conversation is with Reuven Banks and Andrew Lee from Sunflower Star Laboratory, where they are actively growing sunflower stars with the aim to bring the stars and the kelp forests back to the ocean.
Men's Midweek at the Orlando International Christian Church on June 4th, 2025. Join Us At 11AM Every Sunday. For locations & more information, visit www.OrlandoICC.org.
The genealogy of Reuven contains many classic theological features of Divrei Hayamim. We bring these into focus.
This episode features "Proxima One" written by Caryanna Reuven and translated by Sue Burke. Published in the May 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/reuven_05_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?
When You Feel that Hashem Sees and Records Every Word with Love, You Change HistoryThis class was presented on Tuesday, 29 Iyar, 5785, May 27, 2025, Parshas Bamidbar, at a new location, The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY.View Source Sheets: http://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9697
We know that the essence of a person is his Neshama . The body is merely a casing, and death simply means that the person comes out of that casing and continues to live — just in a better place. There isn't even one split second when a person is not fully alive. The moment of death is only the moment when the casing is removed. Sometimes, we are privileged to see clearly — even in this world — the eternity of the Neshama. A rabbi once related that many years ago, he was hired by a shul to give a series of classes, for which he was promised $2,000 upon completion. He gave the shiurim, but the payment never arrived. The president of the shul told him that the check would come in the mail, but apparently, it slipped his mind — because it never did. About a year later, the rabbi happened to meet the shul's treasurer. They made small talk, and during the conversation, it came to light that the rabbi had never been paid. The treasurer was horrified and told the rabbi that he would personally take care of it and get reimbursed by the shul. He then took $1,000 out of his own pocket and handed it to the rabbi. Before parting, he said, "I personally guarantee you will get the second $1,000 as well." Just a few days later, the treasurer became very sick. He was hospitalized and, tragically, passed away within two weeks. Some time afterward, the rabbi of that same shul called the original rabbi to his office. As soon as he arrived, the rabbi handed him an envelope with $1,000. "This," he said, "is from the treasurer who recently passed away." Puzzled, the rabbi asked, "How did you know about the treasurer's promise? No one else knew — only he and I." The rabbi replied, "My wife had a dream. The treasurer appeared to her and told her he wasn't allowed into Gan Eden because of an unpaid promise. He asked that the money be given right away to fulfill his word." There was no way anyone could have known about that promise — except if the treasurer had truly come back from the next world to make things right. When a person passes away, his life does not end. He simply relocates — to a far better place. A man shared the following story that he heard firsthand from someone named Reuven. Reuven said that in Poland, during the Holocaust, a man lost his wife and was left raising their only son alone. At one point, they were separated, and the father was forced to flee for his life. He was almost certain that his three-year-old son had not survived. Four years later, one night, the man's wife appeared to him in a dream. She told him that their son was still alive and he must go find him. At first, he dismissed it as just a dream. But then it happened again. The father returned to his hometown and discovered that a righteous gentile had rescued several Jewish children during the war. He tracked this man down, entered his home — and there he saw his seven-year-old son. He recognized him immediately. ברוך ה׳ , he was able to raise his son in Torah and mitzvot, and eventually, the boy grew into a man who built a beautiful Torah family. Reuven concluded, "I know this story is true — because I was that seven-year-old boy. It was my mother who came to my father in a dream and told him I was still alive." The next world is very real. As it says in קהלת : וְיָשֹׁב הֶעָפָר עַל הָאָרֶץ כְּשֶׁהָיָה וְהָרוּחַ תָּשׁוּב אֶל הָאֱלֹקים אֲשֶׁר נְתָנָהּ — "And the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it." If a person fulfills his mission in this world, he will experience the greatest bliss — for all eternity
In Loving Memory of Zechariah Ben Sarah A'H and to Commemorate Sam and Zach's shared Birthday Sponsored by their Families Friends and Loved Ones Parashat Kedoshim commands us: " לא תקם ולא תטור " —do not take revenge and do not bear a grudge. The Sefer HaChinuch explains that the root of this mitzvah is to help a person internalize that whatever happens to him, even through the actions of other people, is ultimately a manifestation of Hashem's will. Similarly, the Chovot HaLevavot teaches that if someone harms us, we should not attribute it to that individual, but rather recognize it as part of Hashem's plan. Our proper response should be to give the person the benefit of the doubt, accept the hardship as atonement for our sins, and continue treating the person with kindness as if nothing happened. Although this is emotionally difficult and the desire for revenge can be powerful, trusting Hashem's commandments brings far more long-term joy than the fleeting satisfaction of retaliation. While it may take time to see, the righteous response always proves fruitful. A real estate agent named Reuven shared a personal story that illustrates this concept powerfully. He had closed a deal for an old friend, Jack, who then "forgot" to pay the agreed-upon commission. When reminded, Jack delayed, then disputed the fee, eventually avoiding Reuven entirely. Though the amount owed was significant, Reuven decided not to pursue it aggressively. Months later, Reuven prayed Mincha in a shul he didn't usually attend and unexpectedly encountered Jack. Reuven greeted him warmly and gently reminded him about the money. Jack exploded with rage, shouting and accusing Reuven of harassment in front of the entire shul. He hurled insults, and Reuven—devastated and humiliated—left in silence. Though tempted to defend himself, Reuven remained quiet. He later cried from the pain but reminded himself that he was serving Hashem by staying silent in the face of insult. That night, he took a walk and tried to follow the teachings of Chovot HaLevavot . He told Hashem he accepted the experience as a kapara for his sins, gave Jack the benefit of the doubt, and even decided to forgive him fully. Reuven even sent word to Jack that the debt was forgiven. A few months later, on Erev Yom Kippur , Jack called to apologize and offered to pay half the debt. Reuven reminded him it had already been forgiven, but Jack insisted on making partial payment to clear his conscience. Later, Jack struggled to sell his house for over a year. Because of their history, Reuven kept his distance. But when they met again, Jack confided his frustration and desperation. Reuven offered to help sell the house—and Jack, understanding full well what that entailed, agreed. With siyata dishmaya , Reuven sold the house within two weeks and earned a commission forty times greater than the original debt. Had he acted differently—harbored resentment or retaliated—he likely would have received nothing and lost the future opportunity altogether. By responding as Hashem commands, Reuven earned not only immense spiritual merit but also blessing in this world. The lesson is clear: we always win by following Hashem. No matter how difficult the test, if we trust in Him, He will guide us to reward and peace. Shabbat Shalom
00:00 - Good Morning00:13 - Omer.MDYdaf.com00:19 - R' Yeshaya ben R' Moshe Zy"a01:21 - Emails & Guests08:32 - MDYsponsor.com14:11 - Introduction16:01 - Amud Aleph44:46 - Amud Beis57:18 - Have a Wonderful Day!Quiz - http://Kahoot.MDYdaf.com----Mesechta Sponsors:Anonymous: Hatzlacha bruchnius U'vgashmius-Yisroel Cherns: In honor of my chavrisa Shmueli Unger-Szlafrok Family: In memory of their uncle, Simmy Schaer, Simcha Yisrael ben Naftali Tzvi A”H-Anonymous: May our learning bring us closer to one another and to Hashem----Monthly Sponsors:לע״נ זכריה בן משה, לע״נ חיה בת יוסף-Parnasa Birevach for Baruch Tzvi Nissim ben Shoshana Leah-Yoni Klestzick: Refuah Shelamah יהודית בריינה בת צפורה רבקה-Jeffs Gourmet Los Angeles-Moshe Aron & Miriam Landy: For the hatzlacha of all our children----Weekly Sponsors:Yosef Ezra: In loving memory of Yehosua Ben Shimon Dov----Sponsors of the Day:Moe Landy: לע"נ Reb Shaya Ben Reb MosheYudi Friedman: לז"נ ר' ישעי בן ר' משה. I will be iyh in keristir and daven for r eli and the whole MDY family ז"יעEli Shapiro: Honoring Uncle Cliff Kasden צבי אברהם הכהן בן אסתר for finishing his first masechet at age 72!Yisroel Helprin: Happy 77 Birthday Eretz Yisroel & Happy 77 Birthday to Me. Proud to celebrate together even in the USAShlomo Blumenfeld: הרה”ק ר' ישעיה בן ר' משה זיע”א מקרעסטיר TODAY IS THE YOURTZITAri Sytner: Thank you R' Eli! Finishing Makos with my 3 amazing sons, Reuven, Meyer & Akiva! B'H!Anonymous: לע״נ ר׳ ישעיה'לה בן ר' משה מקרעסטירלע"נ זלאטא חנה בת יחזקאל צבי First יאהרצייט By her son Moshe Weberman עירובין לגYanky Spitzer: לעילו נשמת רבי ישעי' בן ר' משה זצ"ל - מ'סנהדרין דף בBenny Wahrhaftig: In memory of my zaide לייב אפרים בן אהרן ע"ה on his 10 yartziet ג אייר----Coffee of the Day:Mordechai Sapoznick: Lzaicher Nishmas Rav Shaya'la of Kerestir, Rav Yeshaya ben R' Moshe zt"l Zechuso Yagen Aleinu----MDY Kids:Kidnovations: Zechus for Fishel, Elchanan, Akiva | Rivky & Mrs Stefansky----Art of the Month:Refuah Shleima for יהונתן איתן בן בת שבע ברכה-For a zechus for Reb Eli and the whole MDY staff to continue to make Torah so enjoyable for so many -In honor of Yossi Klein & Mark Ashkenazi for all the work they do----Turning of the daf:Kidnovations LLC: In honor of our sons; Kalmo (12yr) & Yisrael (9yr) for learning Sanhedrin & Makkos with Reb Eli ♥Adar Global: (Still!) Experts in International Financial ServicesAnonymous: In honor of the tzadik whose name we cannot say who shows us what is means to be a giver and tzadik_________________________________