Emuna Beams

Noahide Prayer: The Intimate Bond

A Noahide's prayers are not written in any prayer book. They are written on the walls of the Noahide heart.

Etz Chaim: The Tree of Life

On Sabbath Day after the Torah reading, we return the Torah scroll to the ark and sing "Etz Chaim", two moving passages from Proverbs 3:17-18. This is King Solomon's metaphor that the Torah is a Tree of Life. Here is an original melody that came to me during hitbodedut (personal prayer) under the starry sky of one beautiful Sabbath evening here in the south of Israel. This recording features Guy Tzvi Mintz on guitar and vocal with yours truly on Native Israel flutes and background vocal. I hope you enjoy it, for it's a piece of my soul that I'd like to share with you. Feel free to download as you like, courtesy of Emuna Beams.
To enable you to sing along, here are the lyrics, by King Solomon, in Hebrew, English transliteration and English translation.
עֵץ-חַיִּים הִיא, לַמַּחֲזִיקִים בָּהּ;    וְתֹמְכֶיהָ מְאֻשָּׁר
דְּרָכֶיהָ דַרְכֵי-נֹעַם;    וְכָל-נְתִיבוֹתֶיהָ שָׁלוֹם
Etz chaim he, lamachazikim ba; v'tomcheha m'ushar.
Dracheha darchei noam; v'kol netivoteha shalom.
She is a tree of life to those who cling to her; her ways are ways of pleasantry and all her paths are peace.

The Life of a Leaf

This is a parable about our true source of vitality. A leaf thought that the other creatures who had no connection to the tree had a better life than she did. She wanted to be free and to fly in the wind. She decided to sever herself from the tree. Here's what happened:

Likutei Moharan 1:4 - The Battle of Malchut

The forces of light and holiness engage in a constant fierce battle with the forces of darkness and evil. The moon symbolizes this battle, which is also the individual struggle of each one of us.

Noahide Laws 6 & 7: Kindness to Animals, Judiciary

The 6th and 7th Noahide Laws are easy to uphold. The 6th is the prohibition of eating the flesh of a live animal. This law also encompasses the laws of kindness to animals, which is the main focus of today's lesson. The 7th is a law that is a societal obligation, that of forming of judicial system. Today's lesson also includes the additional commandments of Torah that a Noahide may observe on an elective basis. 

All For the Best

We often see things that seem outrageous, either grossly unfair or extremely negative. Yet, we don't understand the Divine wisdom that's behind life's unpleasant moments. So, as soon as understanding kicks out, emuna must kick in. Even if something seems bad, emuna tells us that it’s really good. How? We have a loving Father in Heaven Who does everything for the very best. So put a smile on your face, listen to this 6-minute podcast and be happy...

Likutei Moharan 1:3 - The Sun, the Moon and Divine Wisdom

The light of inherent Divine wisdom is so dazzling bright and intense that it requires preparing a suitable vessel to merit it. Rebbe Nachman teaches how. 

The 5th Noahide Law: The Prohibition of Theft

The prohibition of theft has a profound impact on maintaining a harmonious society. Buying, selling, service-providing and exchanging goods play such a significant role in our daily lives. The prohibition of theft is therefore designed to protect people's property and assets. In the absence of such a prohibition, chaos prevails. Beware: the evil inclination first gets a person to do some slight misdemeanor. Then, the road is to financial felony is much shorter...

Likutei Moharan 1:2 - Connecting to the Wisdom

The Almighty instilled in every creation its own unique inherent wisdom. This wisdom is the Divine illumination within that creation, which gives it its vitality and enables it to fulfill its potential and function on earth. Humans are no exception. To know yourself or anything else, you must connect to the inherent wisdom. Rebbe Nachman teaches how.

The 4th Noahide Law: The Prohibition of Adultery

To understand the severity of adultery, look at liberal American law. To this day, treason remains the highest crime, punishable by the highest penalty. Even in the state of Michigan, where capital punishment is outlawed, a person who commits treason may be put to death. Is not adultery domestic treason?

Likutei Moharan 1:1 - People of Charm

It's a pleasure to answer the request of a charming person, especially when his or her requests are full of charm. Where does one attain that charm?

The 3rd Noahide Law: The Prohibition of Murder

Our souls are tiny sparks of the Creator. We call Him "Father in Heaven" because we all inherit His spiritual DNA. Each of us has the potential of greatness and righteousness. Snuffing out a human soul is tantamount to destroying an entire universe. It's as if the murderer extinguishes a spark of Godliness, Heaven forbid.