inspiration
Vayishlach – Keep the fire burning
How does one hold onto spiritual inspiration? How can one face the resistance of others, and oneself, when one is seeking that inspiration? What is the lesson of Yakov in his interaction with Esav? Find out in this week’s Parsha Podcast. Running time: 18:44
Read MoreKeep the fire burning
One of my earliest memories as a child is awakening suddenly in the middle of the night, being brought by my parents out of the house, waiting in the car, and watching as the fire engines pulled up to our home. The scare was short-lived as the firemen discovered the source of the smoke in…
Read MoreThe mon and parnassah
A friend shared with me the following thought, which I found to be very powerful. Rav Binyamin Goldstein (son of the Rosh Yeshiva of Sharei Yosher in Jerusalem) asked the following question. In regards to the mon, we learn that the tzadikim would find it outside their homes, and the reshaim would have to go…
Read MoreSeeing the Light
Guest post by Daniel I’ve been learning Mishna Berura yomi. I did not expect to find mystical lessons in halacha. However, I clearly had a misunderstanding for how deep Torah truly is. With enough halacha, you start to see patterns about the nature of the world. Below is what I have discovered so far about…
Read MoreHelp fight this war
In the daf yomi today (בבא קמא דף ג) the Gemara brings the passuk in Yeshaya (21:12): אמר שומר אתא בוקר וגם לילה אם תבעיון בעיו שבו אתיו – The watchman said that the morning has come, and also night, if you would ask, then come again. Rashi on the passuk is powerful. He says…
Read MoreHelp your brother
Guest post by Daniel A few nights ago I had the privilege to hear the following story from Rav Shemtov. Rav Shemtov is a paragon of Ahavas Yisrael. At our table sat a young man who is beginning to wrap tefillin. Rav Shemtov grasped the young baal teshuva’s hand, kissed it, and beamed at the…
Read MoreHashem will not forsake us
Ki Lo Yitosh was composed by Elli Kranzler and sung by Mordechai Ben David on his album Hineni. The words are כי לא יטוש ה’ עמו ונחלתו לא יעזוב. השם הושיעה המלך יעננו ביום קראנו – Hashem will not push away His nation, and He will not leave His inheritance. Hashem the Savior and King…
Read MorePride Kills
Twenty five people were killed yesterday in a road accident here in Israel. The news reports that the two drivers were ‘racing’ right before the fatal nightmare. The driver had a record of driving incidents. This tragedy holds a profound lesson for us. On occasion I have a simcha that I will sing in Jerusalem…
Read MoreThinking ahead
This story starts off rather normal. But a discerning ear will hear greatness here. Last night, the wife of an old friend of mine called. Her in-laws will be in town and staying in my area and she heard that I may be out for Shabbos Chanukah for a simcha. I confirmed that I would…
Read MoreOpen your heart
This song was composed by Rav Shmuel Brazil, and the words are attributed to Sefer Charedim. The words are בלבבי משכן אבנה להדר כבודו ולמשכן מזבח אשים לקרני הודו ולנר תמיד אקח לי את אש העקידה ולקרבן אקריב לו את נפשי היחידה – In my heart, I will build a sanctuary to praise His glory,…
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