Emuna Beams

Zealous Hate

Our sages have a concept of "zealous hate." They say that the zealot is willing to have one of his own eyes gouged out, just as long as the person he hates has both of his eyes gouged out. This concept is ever so evident in the aftermath of last night's terrorist attack in Tel Aviv...

We Were There

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...

Power of Focus

We all want to succeed but success requires concentrated effort. We define our goal and then focus on it. First, let’s learn how to avoid the pitfalls along your road to success. Second, here’s how to maximize your ability to be a top achiever in your chosen endeavor.

Hidden Lights

Superficial, exterior looks at people, things or events are always misleading and very inaccurate. The essence of any creation is the Divine wisdom that is inherent in that creation. Once we connect to that Divine wisdom, we connect to the Creator. That way, our insight, intellect and potential rises to a much higher level. We attain fulfillment, success and happiness.

Wars of Emuna

Here's a look at current affairs through eyes of emuna. Emuna wins wars, while lack of it loses wars, both for nations and individuals.

Ordeal and Real Deal

To paraphrase the tire manufacturers, "where the rubber meets the road" is the nit and grit of life. This world is no picnic. The test of our "spiritual tires" is how well we hold up under the challenging conditions of real life. Today's lesson shows how to avoid negative emotions and to maintain a healthy emotional equilibrium.
 

Rich Man, Poor Man

The Chassidic Movement began in the Ukraine, founded by the holy Baal Shem Tov (1698-1760). Many of the Chassidic Masters came from the Ukraine, such as the Maggid of Mezeritch, Rebbe Nachman of Breslev, Rebbe Zusha of Annipoli and many more. Both my teacher and I are also Ukrainian Jews. We have a rich past of total dedication to the Almighty and His Torah, even in the face of the most dire persecution throughout the ages. But we have a very rich folklore, with poignant stories that teach us life's true values. This is one I cherish, which shows what true riches are.

Purim and the Mitzva of Netillas Yada’im

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.

From Carolina to Kedusha

Avraham Bell didn't let his second-class status in the segregated U.S. South of the sixties to extinguish his dreams. He grew up with a spiritual hunger. He excelled as an athlete and as a musician. He was an honor student in microbiology at Ohio State and went on to do an MBA at Arizona. Avraham is also an exquisite artist. He now pours his power and passion into Torah scholarship and Divine service. Having moved to Israel with his remarkable wife Yehudit, he now raises children and grandchildren in the way of emuna. As phenomenal a human being he is, that's how humble he is. Meet Avraham - you'll love him as much as we do.

Megilla, 2022: Understanding the Madness

The one consolation for all the madness in the world is that our sages foresaw everything. We are now in the birth pangs of Redemption, or Geula. Today's events are simply pieces of the Geula puzzle. Meanwhile, everything is unfolding just as the Torah, Midrash, Zohar and Gemara told us they would. This is the Megilla of today, the story of Hashem setting the stage for Moshiach.

Rockin’ Rebbetzen

Dynamo is an understatement when talking about the "Rockin' Rebbetzen", Naama Berger. She was Israel's #1 rock drummer in the mid 1990's. She broke the record for Israeli Women's powerlifting when she lifted three-times her bodyweight. She was the 48kg lifter on Israel's Olympic Weightlifting team. And today, as a Chassidic rebbetzen, she's still rockin', full speed. Meet this amazing woman...

A Father’s Caress

Ponder these four important characteristics of a loving parent, as follows:
The loving parent favors his/her child more than anything else in this world.
The loving parent focuses on his/her child's good points.
The loving parent is forgiving.
The loving parent attends to all the necessary needs of his/her child.
How many parents do you know who can objectively and honestly say that they fulfill the above four criteria? We can't possibly know, but one fact we do know. No parent on earth fulfills the above four criteria so completely as our Father in Heaven does. Let's see how: