 What does God really want from us? Our soulWe might not always live up to that level of commitment to G-d, but that is our target. Secret of faith: Agree to do before you hear God's demandsUnderstanding Torah and mitzvot is important, but must never be thought of as a condition. Sometimes the obvious is a real miracle for each of usTu B'Shvat and Shabbat bid us to appreciate all of G-d's many miracles - the obvious open ones, and the subtle, hidden ones. Sanctity of time: The uniqueness of the People of IsraelKiddush HaChodesh is the mitzva that G-d commanded to make us His junior partners in the sanctity of time. Signs along the way: Our special connection with G-dOur belief in G-d does not depend upon the splitting of a sea or the sun and moon standing still. When G-d's plan is exploited by manPeople can not use 'this was G-d's intention' as an excuse for what they do. The unexpected leader of the Jewish peopleA leader is one who, though he may stumble and fall, arises more honest, humble and courageous than he was before. The biggest gift of the Israeli nationLong after we pack the Chanukiyot for another year, the messages and results of the Chanuka victories and miracles continue. Learning from the past: The importance of Thanksgiving to GodThe meaning of the past, the lessons for the future: We must be grateful for every positive step on our way. How are we supposed to react to Evangelical support of Israel?We must never let our guard down. We must never be totally complacent with the turn of events. Follow the lesson of previous generationsIt isn't always black and white, but we need to use the deeds of our ancestors - both good and bad - to discern what we should do. The way to learn the TorahWe believe that the Written Word and Oral Law combine to show us what G-d wants of us. How do they call you? Not a simple questionThe question of who a particular person is, gets different answers from different people. Which of them defines it more correctly? It's hard to be a Jew, but very rewardingParting advice: Remain faithful to Hashem, let that faith and trust keep growing. When Robert De Niro connects with our ancestor AbrahamWho wants you for lifelong commitment? Covenant: God's commitment to man. Is there a contradiction between being Jewish and being human?We believe that we are chosen and challenged for a spiritual quest like no others. But we need to remember that we are humans and Jews. When it all starts: The beginning of the worldCan we understand everything involved in creation? No. But we should try to understand it, appreciate it, and emulate it in a productive way What is the foundation of our existence?This conveys to us the responsibility that every single person has towards the global concern for beneficial rain. The day that blends all the Joy of the cycle of the Jewish yearPut the joy of the Yamim Nora'im into Sukkot, Wonderful opportunity to do T'shuva Mei'Ahava. When the sons turn to the father and ask for mercyOn the way to perfection: To be worthy of being sons of the Creator of the world. T'shuva: We can know a lot, but not everythingWe don't know why G-d created the world, nor why He gave us free will, but we can hopefully see and understand the gift of T'shuva. The power of the Jewish joyThere are Jews who do keep the mitzvot, but they do not do that with joy. They need to be shown the beauties of a Torah way of life. Love and rapprochement: When the king goes out into the fieldElul is a special month for drawing closer to HaShem. come in to see why. The basis for any stable regime: Judges and policemenThe gentle path to walk according to the Jewish laws and tradition.What does God want from us?We learn a lot about the commandments - but what is really behind them? The power of speech: How words can determine destiniesThis is the main goal of Parshat Eikev: Hear what your mouth is talking about. The unique concerns of an extraordinary leaderRaise eyes heavenward and worship the sun or the moon or the stars - not to replace G-d, but to serve Him by honoring his creations. Asking ourselves: What did we do to bring redemption closer?How many Jews today, Torah observant Jews, do more than pay lip-service to the building of the Third Beit HaMikdash? No excuses: You must come to IsraelWe did a great job of creating vibrant Jewish communities all over the world. But now we should be living in Eretz Yisrael.Divine command: To keep the routineIt is every day and forever. It was made at Har Sinai, but it is daily and constant. Sad ironic message for the Jewish peopleWe need to ask and answer the question: In which direction are we headed? It's all about the Jewish lawWhat's the meaning of the enigmatic mitzvot? How does it affect us? The divisions in the Jewish world: History is repeating itselfThe 'story' of the Meraglim and the 'story' of Korach's rebellion are not just once-upon-a-time a long time ago stories. The sin of the spies is alive and well in our own timeHow do we correct a sin that affects an entire people? Independence of the people of Israel: A different spiritWe can chose to reject the words of the majority who would rather remain in the Midbar and rally to the side of Yehoshua and Kalev. After 40 years in the desert, we returned to JerusalemWe are at a symbolic crossroad with Bamidbar and Yom Yerushalayim being one right after the other. When God instructs follow me, there is no room for doubtOur challenge, as has been the challenge of every generation since Nationhood, is to improve as individual Jews and as part of Klal Yisrael. There is no doubt: Redemption is on the wayWe have seen the hand of G-d in giving us a major push in the direction of the Geula Sh'leima. Israel: The State for all JewsThe State of Israel opens the door to any and all Jews who want to come here. Covid Ha’atzmaut: The Shofar in our heartsThe State of Israel, and Yom Ha’atzmaut, may need a lot of rethinking, and their relationship to Covid-19 demands careful reflection. A Jew who stops to look back will always come forwardA look back on Pesach and ahead to Yom HaAtzmaut. The basic meaning of Sefirat HaOmer: The way to redemptionPesach and Shavuot: Between the Festival of “Physical Redemption” and the Festival of “Spiritual Redemption.” The secret that accompanies us throughout PassoverMatzot and mitzvot have more in common than spelling. Is it so hard to say 'thank you'?We can relive the slavery in Egypt and the Exodus which was the first step of our nationhood, and be able to see where we are headed. Ironic thing on the Torah - and its messageAn interesting calendar irony. To be Jewish - in the smallest thingsOur partnership with G-d in setting up the calendar. The Jewish perspective in the face of the worldOur perspective is so different from other nations. Zachor: Why do we really need to remember these days?Torah Tidbits Audio featuring 7 Adar, Moshe’s birthday and yahrzeit, the absence of his name from T’tzaveh. What is the ultimate goal of the nation of Israel?Let's not forget the heartfelt longing of the actual building of the Beit HaMikdash. What does God really want from us? Our soulWe might not always live up to that level of commitment to G-d, but that is our target.Secret of faith: Agree to do before you hear God's demandsUnderstanding Torah and mitzvot is important, but must never be thought of as a condition. The simple and clear knowledge: This is what G-d asks of youOur knowledge of what G-d did for us - and continues to do for us - is extremely crucial to our lives as Torah Jews. Past, present, future - that's how everything connectsA look at the close connection between our calendar and our partnership with God. Prophecy is alive and well in our timeMaybe we don't have new prophecy today, but we certainly have prophecy in our time. The power of Jewish women that affects all generationsA tribute to the amazing women of the Jewish people. Been there, done that? Not quiteDo we really accept that the ways of Torah are pleasant and that we can improve keeping the Torah for ourselves and for our fellow Jews? Celebrating and mourning go with yearning for the GeulaMessage and ramifications of Vayigash, especially in light of the Hanukkah story and the fast-approaching fast day. |
