Emuna Beams

After our review of the first four parts of Torah 24, we learn that "Keter" is the crown of the ten spheres. It not only illuminates the intellect, but it serves as the regulator, or spiritual limiter, of the Divine light that reaches the brain.

King David repeatedly tells us that the Almighty is our Guardian. But is He close by? Just as your shadow never leaves you, Hashem is right there with you, as close as your shadow…

Every person has a basic human intellect. Yet, when he or she performs the Torah's commandments with a high level of joy, they merit a higher brain. This stems from the Divine intellect that a person attains by way of emuna.

King David describes the times in life when a person must leave the comfort zone. Emergencies are times for action. Determination means paying whatever price the action requires.

A steady flow of IDF soldiers stationed in the area of Gaza use Kibbutz Be'eri's synagogue as their shtiebel. This is a center for prayer gatherings around the clock. On the way to the combat zone, or on the way back, many of the soldiers are inspired to put on tefillin. Yet, for a variety of reasons, their tefillin are not with them or they lack tefillin altogether. Seeing the need for tefillin in the Kibbutz Be'eri synagogue, Emuna Beams financed, prepared and donated two exquisite brand new pairs of tefillin for anyone's use.

Blessings flow from the hands. One of the most important blessings that the hands bestow is intellect. Yet, the blessing of intellect can never be effective unless it comes with emuna.

Traversing life on this earth is like walking on a treacherous mountain path at night. Every single step is prone to injury or even worse. King David describes the only proven way to illuminate one's path.

To maintain our emotional and spiritual health, we must look for opportunities to practice daily soul-searching and self-assessment. That way, we open a window to our souls. Let's look inside and ask ourselves why we're not happy...

Events in Israel today are the continuation of a perpetual war that began 22 centuries ago with the war between the Greeks and the Maccabees. Intrinsically, this is the war between human intellect and emuna, between assimilation and loyalty to Torah.

Political correctness and social convention can only prevail when people act like sheep and cast aside truth and morality for the sake of convenience. This is how entire societies succumb to evil. Only the courageous - like the Maccabees - are willing to stand up for what's right, with no fear.

In the academic world, ancient Greek philosophy is society's archetype of intellectual prowess. Spiritually, though, it leads to darkness and confusion. In stark contrast, the light of Torah and its commandments illuminate the soul and bring happiness to the heart. This is the Chanukah juxtaposition of Greek and Maccabee, light and darkness...

A wayfarer encounters an encampment of tents. He immediately knows that these are the tents of the righteous. How? The sound of jubilant music and singing echoes across the valley…