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Why does Rashi tell us a completely different reason for Aharon's death — that Bnei Yisrael drew close to Eisav's nation — when the pasuk itself says it was Mei Merivah? Rabbi Prisman opens the Sfas Emes to reveal how divine judgment accounts for every life touched by a person. And there's a bonus: how did Aharon's legendary peacemaking between man and wife actually work — if you knew you were at fault, how could you believe Aharon when he said the other side feels terrible and wants to reconcile? Through the unforgettable story of Mrs. Hershkowitz's "insurance policy," we see why being truly needed by others may be the deepest security a person can build.
The first spies saw Eretz Yisrael and collapsed into fear, but Yehoshua's spies entered Yericho and came back protected. Why were they sent in the disguise of kli cheres, plain pottery vessels with no real value beyond what they carry? Rabbi Prisman follows the Sfas Emes into a sharp question about mitzvos, motives, and the quiet danger of bringing your own agenda into Hashem's mission. And when a Shayetet 13 candidate stops in the water to put on tefillin, the idea suddenly becomes very real. What protection does a person find when he is willing to become only the vessel?
Rav Zave Rudman is a senior educator and prolific author whose work draws deeply from ancient Jewish wisdom as well as the teachings of the Rav Tzadok HaKohen, the Sfas Emes, and the Maharal of Prague. He is the author of And Hashem Remembered Them (Mosaica Press), Awakening the Heart, and The Eight Days, and is known for making profound Torah ideas accessible and relevant to contemporary life.He has taught in a wide range of institutions in Israel on a wide-range of topics ranging from Talmud, to mysticism, to Jewish business law, and the interface between Torah and science. The Hidden Meaning of the Shavuot Customs and the Kabbalah of Dairy-Making the Shavuot customs meaningful: From practical to mystical-Please rate and review the Empowered Jewish Living podcast on whatever platform you stream it. Please follow Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum and the Lev Experience on the following channels:Facebook: @shlomobuxbaumInstagram: @shlomobuxbaumYouTube: TheLevExperienceOrder Rabbi Shlomo' books: The Four Elements of an Empowered Life: A Guidebook to Discovering Your Inner World and Unique Purpose-The Four Elements of Inner Freedom: The Exodus Story as a Model for Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Personal Breakthroughs You can order a copy on Amazon or in your local Jewish bookstore.
In this week's episode Rabbi Kohn discusses ideas from Parshas Achrei Mos and Kedoshim. First he discusses how we need to get to a place were the mitzvos are "within us". How it is not enough to just do the mitzvos. We need to do them with enthusiasm. He also brings down a thought from the Sfas Emes on how to give rebuke. If we saw a sin being comitted that means their a small part of that sin being manifested in us. When we searcg for that and do Teshuva the other fellow see that our rebuke is sincere and returns as well. Lastly, he brings down a thought on how the mitzvah of loving our neighbor is not enough to have a loving feeling but to act on those feelings to do postive things. Subscribe to The Practical Parsha Podcast. For questions or comments please email RabbiShlomoKohn@gmail.com. To listen to Rabbi Kohn's other podcast use this link- the-pirkei-avos-podcast.castos.com/ TO SUPPORT THE BENSALEM JEWISH OUTREACH CENTER AND HELP RABBI KOHN REACH HIS GOAL USE THIS SECURE LINK DONATE HERE If you would like to support this podcast please use this secure link to donate: SUPPORT THE PODCAST Chapters (00:00:00) - Practical Parsha Podcast: Thank You!(00:02:29) - Parshas Kedoshim(00:05:41) - Go In My Laws and Protect My Decrees(00:10:58) - The Mitzvah of One Day(00:15:02) - The Mitzvah of Rebuker (Parasha K(00:21:07) - The Mitzvah of Vahafta Lereich
This week I have two stories for you. The first is about a young Jewish man in Leon France who was determined to marry the love of his life and the second about a Jew that came to the Sfas Emes for a blessing to get out of the Czar's army. If you're enjoying these Chassidic stories, please take a quick moment to buy me a coffee. https://ko-fi.com/barakhullman Thank you! I deeply appreciate your support! Also available at https://soundcloud.com/barak-hullman/like-your-life-depends-on-it To become a part of this project or sponsor an episode please go to https://hasidicstory.com/be-a-supporter. Hear all of the stories at https://hasidicstory.com. Go here to hear my other podcast https://jewishpeopleideas.com or https://soundcloud.com/jewishpeopleideas. Find my books, Figure It Out When You Get There: A Memoir of Stories About Living Life First and Watching How Everything Falls Into Place and A Shtikel Sholom: A Student, His Mentor and Their Unconventional Conversations on Amazon by going to https://bit.ly/barakhullman. My classes in Breslov Chassidus, Likutey Moharan, can be found here https://www.youtube.com/@barakhullman/videos I also have a YouTube channel of ceramics which can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/@thejerusalempotter
Discover how Parshat Mishpatim reveals a hidden danger in the laws that seem to "make sense" — and why treating civil laws as mere common sense undermines the Torah's divine blueprint. This week's Torah portion challenges a blind spot that affects even the most committed Jews: prioritizing one half of the luchot (tablets) over the other.Through Rav Yitzchak Huttner's profound insight on the covenant blood divided by an angel, the Sfas Emes on why rational-seeming laws are a divine gift, and the Bartenura's surprising explanation of Pirkei Avot, this episode unpacks why the Torah insists that ethical laws and ritual laws carry identical weight from Sinai.For Torah students, spiritual seekers, and anyone navigating the balance between being a good person and a committed Jew — this Torah podcast episode offers eye-opening Jewish wisdom on faith (emunah), character development (middot), and practical spiritual growth. Featuring an unforgettable true story about a $10,000 decision that transformed two lives.Weekly Torah commentary exploring Jewish spirituality, Torah teachings, and biblical insights for the modern Jewish community.
A brief history of the life of the Sfas Emes
Where do I look for direction? Is G-d just speaking the world into existence, or is G-d speaking to me through all that exists in my life?The Sfas Emes teaches that the plagues transformed the ten divine utterances of creation into the ten commandments, reflecting a clear unveiling of God's hidden creative forces.What is the difference between background speech and directed speech? How can we reinforce G-d's guidance through the ways we notice His words to us? How can we transform the concealed divine within all of creation, into a felt experience of Hashem's guidance in our lives?Source:Sfas Emes Parshas Bo 5631* * * * * * *To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at info@humanandholy.comTo support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor.Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.
Discover the profound Torah wisdom behind why spiritual growth often leads to harder times, not easier ones. In Parshas Miketz, Yosef's brothers take their first steps toward Teshuvah (repentance)—and immediately face their worst nightmare. What hidden meaning lies behind this seeming contradiction?Through the powerful insights of the Sfas Emes and Rav Gamliel Rabinowitz, this Torah podcast episode reveals how Hakadosh Baruch Hu responds when we genuinely turn toward Him. Learn why the verse "Your rod and staff comfort me" transforms our understanding of hardship and divine love.This weekly Torah portion exploration connects ancient Jewish wisdom to modern struggles with a compelling story of protection disguised as pain. For those seeking deeper Torah study, Jewish spirituality, and practical spiritual growth, discover how your difficult moments may signal spiritual upgrade rather than divine disappointment.Perfect for Orthodox Jews, Torah students, and anyone exploring Jewish philosophy and personal transformation through authentic Torah teachings.
In this week's episode Rabbi Kohn discusses three lessons from the Parsha 1) The importance of hearing the true meaning of one's words. 2)The power of living every day to the fullest 3) How we must bring out the beauty in the world around us. He teaches a powerful lesson from Sfas Emes on how the conversion of Eliezer teaches us about our mission to bring light to the world. Subscribe to The Practical Parsha Podcast. For questions or comments please email RabbiShlomoKohn@gmail.com. To listen to Rabbi Kohn's other podcast use this link- the-pirkei-avos-podcast.castos.com/ If you would like to support this podcast please use this secure link to donate: SUPPORT THE PODCAST Chapters (00:00:00) - Rabbi Shlomo Cohen hosts the Practical Parsha Podcast(00:00:29) - Parshas Chayasara(00:05:22) - The Exchange of Money(00:13:07) - Avraham Was Old, Well-On in Years(00:18:06) - The Story of Eliezer and Rivkah(00:23:25) - The Talk Between Eliezer and Rivkah
Why does Moshe repeat the Ten Commandments in Va'etchanan? Rabbi Dunner explores the hidden power of repetition—from the Sfas Emes to Rav Dessler, from Rambam's Mishneh Torah to neuroscience and Michael Jordan's relentless practice—revealing how review transforms knowledge into identity. Discover why repetition isn't redundant - it's the secret to becoming the Torah you learn and the mitzvos you observe.