This old Jewish parable helps us prepare for a wonderful New Year, with advice that's good for all of us, no matter who we are.

If you don't think that our Talmudic sages saw far into the future with their crystal-clear spiritual vision, then hear today's podcast, which shows just how the holy Raba bar Bar Chana saw what would happen in our generation in general, and with the upheaval of COVID-19 in particular.

Many of us want to change, yet we expect it to happen automatically, with no effort on our part. Life doesn't work that way. An old Hebrew expression says, "Even a journey of a thousand kilometers begins with a first step." What does that have to do with Moshiach, Geula? Do we really want them, or do we want to continue with exile, Diaspora and fasting on Tisha B'av?

Today's podcast is dedicated to the loving memory of Jack R. Cohen, Yaakov Yisrael ben Chaviva A"H
There is a terrible phenomenon, even within "religious" circles, of scoffing at baalei teshuva, converts and Noahides because of their pure and innocent desire to strengthen faith and get closer to Hashem. And even within many "religious" communities, people scoff at those who strive past group norms of mediocrity. Today's podcast is a message of encouragement to the victims of the scoffers, who like King Solomon says, will have the last laugh at the scoffers.

Gratitude is the very best insurance policy on earth. The best way to maintain health, income and every other blessing in life is to thank the Almighty daily and profusely for everything we have, taking nothing for granted. Today's podcast tells is a parable from the "Ben Ish Chai", the holy Rabbi Yosef Chaim of Baghdad osb"m, to help us understand.

Why are so many good and upright people dying in the Corona pandemic? Is there anything one can do to protect himself from severe judgments? How could a person be his own worst enemy? Today's podcast could potentially save people from disaster.

There's a classic historical pattern whenever Antisemitism exploded in full force; it was always preceded by plague or economic crises. The same pattern is repeating itself right now. What can we do about it?

A parable about the power of loving your fellow human being...

There was a tight-knit Jewish community built around the local Yeshiva. One of the children of the community was killed in a tragic accident, hit by a speeding truck while crossing the street. The community was shocked. The young men of the Yeshiva were so shaken at the child's funeral that for days afterward, they couldn't concentrate on their Gemara learning. To encourage them and ease their grief, the Rosh Yeshiva told them the parable about the captain of the ship...

Some people look at themselves in a negative light and think that they're unworthy of serving the Almighty, maybe because they've been in such low places and done such kinky things that they think Hashem doesn't want anything to do with them at all. Or, maybe they were born into an observant family and at some point fell off the path, and they think that the Almighty is angry at them; they fear that their Father in Heaven will reject them. Both groups are utterly wrong, as Rabbi Lazer explains in today's podcast with one of his original parables.

The five brothers sat down together for dinner. Five minutes into the meal, the walls of the condo trembled and a blood-curdling roar thundered from the entrance foyer. Suddenly, a fierce lion charged into the room...
What do you do when a lion suddenly enters your life, scaring the wits out of you? Listen to today's surprising podcast, which is designed for the whole family:

Could you believe that a brilliant investment banker would be gullible enough to sell his twenty million-dollar mansion in Beverly Hills for a mere thousendth of its value? Listen to today's podcast, which exposes the sly methods of the Yetzer Hara, the evil inclination, who is capable of getting any unsuspecting person to sell his or her priceless soul for a pittance...