Emuna Beams

Is There Really Free Choice? Parshat Bo

The Principles of Emuna guarantee free choice for each one of us. Without free choice, there can be no context for reward and punishment. With that in mind, how could the Almighty strip Pharoah of his free choice? Also, what would have happened if the Ten Plagues and the confrontation between Moses and Pharaoh were current events? How would Biden, Blinken and the rest of the world react?

Why All the Blessings?

We say over one hundred blessings every day. There's a blessing for waking up in the morning. We recite another blessing before going to sleep at night. Everything we eat and drink requires a blessing. Then, there are additional blessings when we finish eating. After answering the call of nature, there is a required blessing. We haven't yet scratched the surface. What's the purpose of so many blessings? 

Voice from Above: Likutei Moharan II, Torah 2, Part 4

In our concluding lesson of Torah 2, we learn the connection between the purity of speech and personal happiness. Both are connected to the Sabbath and to the notion of gratitude. We also learn how to attain all four levels of upright speech.

My Rock: Psalm 18

King David had one main preparation for battle – Psalm 18. And, when the battle was over, he had one mode of debriefing – Psalm 18. In fact, Psalm 18 was his secret weapon. It worked for King David and it can work for all of us.

The Depth of Gratitude: Parshat Va’era

Gratitude is one of the most vital - if not the most vital - character trait a person could have. It's the key to happiness and to faith. So much so, that the Almighty personally taught Moses how very profound gratitude is. We see this lesson in this week's Torah portion, Va'era.

Emuna in the Dark

When we say the "Shema" prayer - our declaration of faith in Hashem, we cover our eyes. But why? What's the significance? Since we're not robots, we should understand what we're doing and why. Let's therefore get some answers...

Perfect Speech: Likutei Moharan II, Torah 2, Part 3

Expressing gratitude reveals the light of truth, for gratitude is truth. Going a step further, Rebbe Nachman teaches us that truth perfects our speech. In that respect, gratitude leads to perfect speech.

The Holy Mountain: Psalms 14-17

What do you do when your heart is breaking? How do you cope when you feel all alone and no one understands what you're up against? Pick up King David's Psalms. King David dealt with the same challenges you deal with now. He has the right words for you, especially in Psalms 14 – 17.

Spiritual Cardiology - Likutei Moharan II, Torah 2, Part 2

We all know that when a person encounters danger, his or her heart pounds. One can easily identify physical parameters of the cardiovascular system, such as pulse and blood pressure. But spiritually, what's going on inside the heart and the blood stream? Rebbe Nachman explains…

Vanished Nations: Psalms 10-13

The four highly dramatic Psalms 10, 11, 12 and 13 were King David's cries from the depth of his soul. He felt all alone. He couldn't understand why the evil people were succeeding on all sides and the righteous were downtrodden. His heart ached at the success of the tyrants at the expense of the meek and the helpless. He couldn't understand why Hashem seemed to be closing a blind eye to evil, crime and blasphemy. Then, when all seems lost, King David makes his comback. We can all relate to these four Psalms. Reciting them is a ticket to salvation.

A Taste of Paradise: Likutei Moharan II - Torah 2

Rebbe Nachman teaches that a people are capable of uplifting themselves from the pits of depression with no outside help. What's more, they can even taste paradise. We learn today how to bask in the light of the World to Come already in this world. This is a level of happiness that no one can attain by material means. It's attainable too.

The Baby’s Prayer: Psalms 7 - 9

King David reveals deep secrets of the soul in the Book of Psalms. In today's lesson, we learn how unborn babies and newborn babies have the ability to communicate with the Almighty in prayer. These prayers are so powerful that they generate Divine salvation. As in every other aspect of emuna, we must put logic and intellect aside. Emuna defies logic.