Unity

Tzav – Expansion Within Constriction

Why are all of the Jewish people gathered at the entrance of the Tabernacle, and how do they all fit in such a small space? What is the significance of the fact that the first example of ‘a great amount fitting in a small space’ is during Creation when the primordial waters are gathered? What…

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Vayetze – Spiritual Transitions

Why does the ladder represent so many different things: the temple, Mount Sinai, four exiles? Why do the angels who destroyed sodom return here? Why were they out of commision for 138 years? Why are they all of a sudden returned to their post now? How could the angels say something wrong? What does it…

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Noach – Invisible Unity

Why does the Torah leave out most of the story of generation of the dispersion without even giving details about their sin? Why does the Torah leave out the beginnings of Abraham and his philosophical war with the idolators of his generation? Why does Abraham begin his preaching by smashing the idols into pieces? Why…

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Nitsavim – Rosh Hashana – Connecting to Spiritual Essence

What is the significance of the fact that we stand before Hashem ‘Today?’ What does it mean that the day is ‘sometimes dark and sometimes light?’ Why is unity the prerequisite for redemption? What is the secret for achieving unity and breaking barriers? What is the meaning of the teaching that the Jewish people existed…

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Behar – losing oneself in unity

What is the concept of the Shemitah year where one gives up ownership on one’s own land? How does this relate to what happens on Shabbos? What is the significance of the sixth and seventh aspects in this context? When is it appropriate to ‘lose oneself’ in the greater Unity of God and spirituality? What…

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Yom Kippur and Unity (Am Echad!)

Why is the concept of unity so central to Yom Kippur? Why does the High Priest bring an incense offering in the holiest of holies? What is the power of song in bringing us to repentance? Find out in this week’s parsha podcast. Running time: 10:43 And… if you haven’t seen the Am Echad video…

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Matos Masei – Vows, Humility and Unity

Why does the Torah speak only briefly about the vows of a man, and then speak at length about the vows of women? What is the deeper understanding of the Torah’s teaching that are women’s vows beholden to their father or husband? What is the greatest manifestation of Hashem in our world? How do we…

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Va'eschanan – true love

What is the concept of the Shema? Why does Rashi say that the Unity of Hashem that we are speaking of is in the future? How does one love Hashem? What are the two types of fear and love of Hashem? How does one serve Hashem with one’s evil inclination? Find out in this week’s…

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The Kosel – site of Unity, site of disparity

Last Shabbos, Parshas Vayetzei, I had the privilege to be in Yerushalayim for Shabbos. When I come to Yerushalayim, I am always drawn to the Kosel. If I am there to sing a wedding, I try to make it to the Kosel before I have to be at the hall. It’s always amusing walking down…

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Avraham and Moshiach

I got the following email from Daniel In the second aliyah. “Vayakam sde Efron”“It had an ascension in that it left the possession of a commoner for the possession of a king.” And the thought came to me:“Sde Efron ascended when Avraham avinu, a melech, acquired it. So too the entire world will ascend b’yadei…

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