Emuna Beams
Jewish Holidays
Episodes
Thursday Mar 23, 2023
Thursday Mar 23, 2023
When Moses relayed Hashem's message of "Let My people go" to Pharaoh, the Egyptian monarch snarled back, "Who is Hashem that I should listen to Him? Besides, I've never heard of Hashem before" (Exodus 5:2). With such unprecedented insolence, Pharaoh was begging for punishment. The punishment came quickly. There were ten different plagues. Each one was a precise measure-for-measure response to the suffering that Pharaoh and the Egyptians meted out to the Israelites, as we see in today's lesson.
Thursday Mar 16, 2023
Thursday Mar 16, 2023
How did a fierce, proud and independent people like the Israelites fall into slavery in Egypt? Why did they have to suffer unspeakable atrocities? Here, in first of our 3-Part "Story of Passover," we gain a deeper appreciation of the Passover holiday and of true freedom.
Sunday Mar 05, 2023
Sunday Mar 05, 2023
The Book of Esther tells the story of Purim, when the Jews faced threat of annihilation. History is repeating itself right now. This behooves us to learn the lessons of Purim 25 centuries ago and apply them immediately. It takes a true leader to rise above sectorial interests and unify a divided nation.
Thursday Mar 02, 2023
Thursday Mar 02, 2023
Rabbi Lazer Brody tells the complete story of Purim in a manner that anyone can understand and appreciate. We see here how the Book of Esther transpires a timespan of thirteen years. This historically precise story is actually the template for the Geula, the full and final redemption.
Thursday Dec 15, 2022
Thursday Dec 15, 2022
Since Abraham, the first monotheist, the war against emuna has been never-ending. There are times in history when the vast majority of Jews succumbed to political correctness and assimilation at the expense of their faith. One such time was nearly 2300 years ago, when the Seleucid monarch Antiochus IV tried to Hellenize all of Judea. He nearly succeeded, but the Maccabees foiled his plan. Today's Emuna Hour scans the War of Emuna and tells the story of Chanukah. This story continues to this day.
Sunday Sep 18, 2022
Sunday Sep 18, 2022
In this special preparatory lesson for Rosh Hashanah, we learn that one should avoid judging others altogether, especially during the month of Elul. What's more, when we forgive those who harmed us, we invoke Divine forgiveness for our own wrongdoings.
Wednesday Apr 13, 2022
Wednesday Apr 13, 2022
The account of the four sons in the Passover Haggadah is like a kaleidoscope where we see many different images. We see how four general types of people relate to emuna. What's more, we learn about four facets that are in each of us. As such, the Passover Seder and the story of the Exodus are as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago.
Thursday Apr 07, 2022
Thursday Apr 07, 2022
The Seder night is when we tell the story of our Exodus from Egypt. This is one of the Torah's 613 commandments that one can fulfill only once a year on the first night of Passover. The Zohar and the Gemara laud the amazing attributes of this mitzvah. It strengthens emuna and solidifies the family. In addition, it enhances one's inner joy, especially when we tell of the Exodus as if we were there...
Wednesday Mar 16, 2022
Wednesday Mar 16, 2022
Washing hands in prescribed ritual manner is called netillas yada'im. It seems like an insignificant mitzva, but the exact opposite is true. There is an amazing connection between netillas yada'im and Purim. What's more, this mitzva is very conducive for strengthening emuna and personal holiness. Our sages promise that those who observe this mitzva will never lack an adequate income.
Thursday Nov 18, 2021
Thursday Nov 18, 2021
During Chanukah, we recite daily the "Al Hanisim" prayer, which offers our thanks to the Almighty. We say, "And [we thank You] for the miracles, for the redemption, for the mighty deeds, for the saving acts, and for the wonders which You have wrought for our ancestors in those days, at this time." As we learn today, this prayer alludes to the fact that Chanukah was not a lone miracle that happened 2300 years ago. Chanukah is still with us, every generation and every year.
Sunday Sep 19, 2021
Sunday Sep 19, 2021
Today's 8-minute podcast is a 4-in-1:
1. It's a preparation for Succoth, telling about the significance of the Four Species;
2. It tells a traditional story, well known to Iraqi Jewry;
3. It's an ethics lesson, and -
4. It has a special message about rescinding the harsh decree of the Corona-virus pandemic.
Enjoy it, and feel free to share and download it at no charge, thanks to our wonderful supporters.
Monday Sep 13, 2021
Monday Sep 13, 2021
The mere idea of Yom Kippur is enough to raise the anxiety level of many people; that's because no one ever explained to them how Yom Kippur is the happiest day in the Jewish calendar. For real? Hear this.