Meditation

Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai hid from the Romans in a cave for thirteen years. When he left the cave and came to a town, he did not say, “Let me enlighten you with the inner light of Torah, the light that has been hidden since the six days of creation.” For he was surely qualified to enlighten.Instead he asked, “What is there in your town that I can fix?” Whatever knowledge a human being is given in this world, whatever wisdom, enlightenment or inspiration, it is all only and exclusively for … [Read more...] about Why Am I Here?

James (Ya’akov) 3:2-10   (2) Because we frequently offend, every one of us. If anyone does not offend in what he says, this one is a perfect man and is able also to hold in check the whole body. (3) Remember, we put bits into horses' mouths in order that they may obey us, and we direct their entire bodies. (4) Consider also that ships, being so large, and being driven by strong winds, are turned about by a very small rudder, wherever the will of the one who is steering may decide. (5) In the … [Read more...] about Sharp Tongue

They asked the Baal Shem Tov, “The Talmud tells us that for everything G d forbade, He provided us something permissible of the same sort. If so, what did He permit that corresponds to the sin of heresy?” The Baal Shem Tov replied, “Acts of kindness.” Because when you see a person suffering, you don’t say, “G d runs the universe. G d will take care. G d knows what is best.” You do everything in your power to relieve that suffering as though there is no G d. You become a heretic in G d’s name. … [Read more...] about Kindness vs Heresy

"Avraham stood over them under the tree and they ate." (Genesis 18:8) What more spiritual activity could there be than eating, when it is done not only with the mouth, but with the mind? When a human being eats what is defined as ‘proper’ and his mind and soul are engaged, he separates the good from the bad, the divine from the mundane. The food rises to a higher realm For, in mindful eating, the human soul reaches beyond the entire order of being. Avinu created plants and animals to produce … [Read more...] about Why Food?

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. (Ge 3:15) He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. (Lu 1:54-55 ) ** What do you think about a scenario where the only “beings” on the earth are Avinu, Yeshua and the “seed of Avraham”? … [Read more...] about Avraham’s Seed

A sinful or ritually unclean person cannot exist in the “presence” of AVINU . When a human’s sin or uncleanness is exposed, immediate death results. There must always be a “covering” (kippur - Atonement) between AVINU and man. Here are some examples of different “coverings” that were used in Scripture: Exodus 30:15 The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when [they] give an offering unto Avinu, to make an atonement for your souls. 16 And thou shalt … [Read more...] about Coverings