Torah Links Daily: Recent Episodes
Mayer Freedman
The daily podcast for Torah Links of Middlesex County. Each week features, Story Sundays - a short inspirational story, Mystical Mondays - a practical idea from Kabbalah or Chassidus, Pot Luck Tuesdays - a Torah thought from different community members, Wondering Wednesdays - a question on the weekly Torah portion, Thoughtful Thursdays - an answer to Wednesday's question and Finally Fridays - a thought on the weekly Torah portion to head into Shabbos with.
Noted lecturer and educator, Mrs. Miriam Jaffe, discusses antisemitism and what our response should be.
- At Torah Links of Middlesex County
Rabbi Freedman shares an answer to this mornings question about why we burn the candle used for Bedikas Chametz.
Rabbi Freedman shares a question about the candle that we use for Bedikas Chametz.
Whatsapp/text answers to Rabbi Freedman at 404-951-1026.
Rabbi Freedman discusses Mordechai's decision to have the Jews fast on Pesach and how that shows us the uniqueness of the seder night.
Rabbi Gross discusses the significance of the number 15 and shares why we find that number in the seder and in different places within Judaism.
Rabbi Freedman discusses how in Egypt we were able to have a strong faith in G-d and yet, still be on a super low spiritual level.
Rabbi Dovid Gross also discusses the donation of the Nesiim - the tribal leaders and explains the mistake that they made in the way that they donated.
Rabbi Mayer Freedman shares an answer to yesterday's question and discusses how the mishkan was supposed to be built 'in a panic'.
Rabbi Mayer Freedman asks a question about the donation strategy of the nisi'im - the tribal leaders - to the capital campaign for the Mishkan - Tabernacle. We'd love to hear any thoughts or ideas you may have about it. You can WhatsApp or text Rabbi Freedman at 404-951-1026. Happy wondering!
Rabbi Mayer Freedman shares a story about a mini-Purim that is celebrated in many Sephardic communities due to a miracle that happened in the city of Saragossa 500 years ago.
Rabbi Dovid Gross discusses a way to figure out the underlying motivations for decisions that we make in our day-to-day life and shares a story about Reb Chaim Volozhiner. Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Mayer Freedman shares an answer to yesterday's question and discusses the common human pitfall of chasing after the new item.
Rabbi Mayer Freedman discusses the explanation of the Ramban - Nachmanides about the motivation of the Jewish people to build the golden calf and asks a question regarding their choice of a leader. We'd love to hear any thoughts or ideas you may have about it. You can WhatsApp or text Rabbi Freedman at 404-951-1026. Happy wondering!
Shmuel Dovid Grayman gives the background story to Aaron's decision to build the golden calf and a lesson about judging others favorably.
Rabbi Mayer Freedman relates a story that happened in San Diego at Superbowl XXXII between the Packers and the Broncos.
Rabbi Dovid Gross discusses the clothing of the kohein gadol - the high priest and how all of the technical details involved in creating the clothing of the kohanim have important life lessons. Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Mayer Freedman shares an answer to Wednesday's question and talks about the ability to forge forward after making a mistake.
Rabbi Mayer Freedman discusses the chronological order of the parshas - the weekly Torah portions that we are currently reading and asks a question on Rashi's explanation. We'd love to hear any thoughts or ideas you may have about it. You can WhatsApp or text Rabbi Freedman at 404-951-1025. Happy wondering!
Pinchas Madnick shares a thought on the journey and travails of the Jews in the desert and the implication it has had throughout our history and in 2022.
Rabbi Mayer Freedman shares a story about two court cases that came before the Beit Din in the city of Brisk in the early 1900s.
Rabbi Dovid Gross shares a thought on the parsha about our relationship to the Torah and consequentially, God's relationship to us.
In answering yesterday's question, Rabbi Mayer Freedman shares an insight into how to grow spiritually and how to make our prayers as impactful as possible.
Rabbi Mayer Freedman compares the Torah Links menorah to the menorah in the Tabernacle and Temple and asks a question based upon how the Tabernacle/Temple menorah was made. We'd love to hear any thoughts or ideas you may have about it. You can WhatsApp or text Rabbi Freedman at 404-951-1025. Happy wondering!
Rabbi Mayer Freedman discusses what it means to build God a sanctuary and what being holy means in the context of Judaism.
Rabbi Mayer Freedman shares a story about a flight from Baton Rouge toward Wichita and uses the message of that story to answer Wednesday's question.
Rabbi Dovid Gross shares a thought on the meaning of the Hebrew word - oz and what true strength is all about.
Rabbi Mayer Freedman discusses the background of the word Totafos which the Torah uses to refer to the tefillin that we wear on our heads and asks a question about Rashi's explanation of the word. We'd love to hear any thoughts or ideas and we have about it. You can WhatsApp or text Rabbi Freedman at 404-951-1025. Happy wondering!
Rabbi Dovid Gross shares a message about Moses and Aaron in this week's parshah and living up to one's potential.
In answering yesterday's question, Rabbi Mayer Freedman shares an important message about facing frustrations.
The second plague was the plague of frogs. Rabbi Mayer Freedman shares Rashi's explanation of how the plague began and ask a question about the response of Pharaoh's guards to the beginning of the plague. We'd love to hear any thoughts or ideas and we have about it. You can WhatsApp or text Rabbi Freedman at 404-951-1026. Happy wondering!
Rabbi Ahron Lipman shares a message from the Mesilas Yesharim about standing in front of God and an amazing story about a young man who spoke to God.
Rabbi Lipman teaches in a Jewish day-school in Norfolk, VA and is married to East Brunswick native, Sara Zelka Lipman.
Rabbi Dovid Gross discusses the many names of Moses and the lasting power of self-sacrifice.
Rabbi Mayer Freedman shares an answer to yesterday's question and discusses the negative side of tolerance.
We begin the book of Exodus this week, discussing the slavery of the Jews in Egypt. Rabbi Mayer Freedman asks a question about the nature of the suffering of the Jews. We'd love to hear any thoughts you may have on it! You can text or Whatsapp answers or ideas to Rabbi Freedman at 404-951-1026. Happy wondering!
David Weisfelner discusses the three advisors that Pharaoh consulted with concerning enslaving the Jews.
Rabbi Dovid Gross discusses the background of cholent and how it was the first 'protest food'.
In answering yesterday's question, Rabbi Mayer Freedman discusses the uniqueness of the relationship between Manasseh and Ephraim.
Jacob blesses his grandchildren, Ephraim and Manasseh that for eternity Jews will bless their sons to follow in the footsteps of Ephraim and Manasseh. Rabbi Mayer Freedman asks a famous question about this blessing. We'd love to hear any thoughts you may have on it! You can text or Whatsapp answers or ideas to Rabbi Freedman at 404-951-1026. Happy wondering!
Shmuel Dovid Grayman shares a story about a man who joined a search party to look for...himself!
Rabbi Dovid Gross discusses how Torah study is the lifeblood of the Jewish people and shares a story about a volume of Talmud that was printed in the DP camps. Have a wonderful Shabbos!
Rabbi Mayer Freedman gives a partial answer to yesterday's question focusing on the power of Torah study.
The brothers took leave of Joseph to head to Canaan to bring back their father, Jacob. Joseph gave them one last piece of advice before they headed out, "Don't become agitated on the way." Rabbi Mayer Freedman shares a question about Rashi's explanation of what Joseph's advice to them really was about. We'd love to hear any thoughts you may have on it! You can text or Whatsapp answers or ideas to Rabbi Freedman at 404-951-1026. Happy wondering!
Rabbi Dovid Gross discusses a lesser known reason that we celebrate Chanukah and an important message about the effort we put into our accomplishments. Have a wonderful Shabbos and a Happy Chanukah!
In answering yesterday's question, Rabbi Mayer Freedman discusses one of the ways that ox horns were used in the time of Chanukah and the implication it had in the way that the Greeks tried influencing the Jewish educational system.
The Greeks enacted many decrees against Jewish practice. Rabbi Mayer Freedman shares a question about the harshness of the decree that the Jews had to write on the horns of their oxen "We have no relationship with the God of Israel". We'd love to hear any thoughts you may have on it! You can text or Whatsapp answers or ideas to Rabbi Freedman at 404-951-1026. Happy wondering!
Rabbi Dovid Gross discusses how Chanukah can be looked at as the original Thanksgiving. Have a wonderful Shabbos!
In answering yesterday's question, Rabbi Mayer Freedman discusses how to grab on to inspiration and make sure it has an impact on us.
Mrs. Potiphar tried seducing Joseph and then falsely accused him of trying to assault her. Rabbi Mayer Freedman shares a question about Joseph's inaction in ensuring that she didn't have any evidence of the alleged assault. We'd love to hear any thoughts you may have on it! You can text or Whatsapp answers or ideas to Rabbi Freedman at 404-951-1026. Happy wondering! Make sure to sign up for the Chanukah Extravaganza at: https://www.middlesextorahlinks.org/chanukah! More info and to sign up for the Top Cholent Chef Cookoff is at: https://www.middlesextorahlinks.org/cholent.
Rabbi Dovid Gross discusses how all of our mitvos and Torah learning are supposed to be 'united' at their core.
Rabbi Mayer Freedman shares a story about a young man in the Slabodka Yeshiva whose engagement was broken off du to lashon hara.
Rabbi Dovid Gross contrasts the verbiage of Jacob and Esau in describing their financial success and the lesson Jacob was trying to instill in his children with regards to material belongings. Have a wonderful Shabbos!
In answering yesterday's question, Rabbi Mayer Freedman discusses a way in which to make our prayers so much more powerful.
Jacob is about to have a showdown with his brother Esau and prays to God to take care of him. Rabbi Mayer Freedman shares a question about the nature of Jacob's prayer. We'd love to hear any thoughts you may have on it! You can text or Whatsapp answers or ideas to Rabbi Freedman at 404-951-1026. Happy wondering!
David Klein gives a synopsis on this week's parshah - Parshas Vayishlach and shares some practical ideas that we can learn from it as well as a deeper understanding of the mitzvah to not eat the gid hanasheh - the sciatic nerve and its surrounding tissue.
In defining what it means to be close to God, Rabbi Dovid Gross first explores what we do not mean when we talk about developing a connection with God.
Rabbi Mayer Freedman shares a story about Rabbi Chaim Sanzer and two different types of angels.
Rabbi Dovid Gross discusses the stones that were used by Jacob as a pillow and the ability to infuse spirituality into the physical world. Have a wonderful Shabbos!
In answering yesterday's question, Rabbi Mayer Freedman discusses the power of motivation.
Jacob single-handedly removed an extremely heavy stone from the mouth of the well. Rabbi Mayer Freedman shares a question about the message of this story and the fact that it is mentioned in our prayers. We'd love to hear any thoughts you may have on it! You can text or Whatsapp answers or ideas to Rabbi Freedman at 404-951-1026. Happy wondering!
Harvey Pava discusses the angels that went up and down the ladder in Jacob's dream and how to perform the balancing act of living in the physical world with heavenly goals.
Rabbi Dovid Gross discusses how the 613 mitzvos are 613 different ways to connect to God.
Rabbi Dovid Gross discusses Esau's childish outlook on life and shares a story about Rabbi Matisyahu Salomon and Rabbi Elazar Menachem Shach. Have a wonderful Shabbos!
In answering yesterday's question, Rabbi Mayer Freedman discusses how to really enjoy olam hazeh - the physical world.
Jacob wore Esau's coat as he went into Isaac. Rabbi Mayer Freedman shares a question about Esau's adulthood. We'd love to hear any thoughts you may have on it! You can text or Whatsapp answers or ideas to Rabbi Freedman at 404-951-1026. Happy wondering!
Shmuel Dovid Grayman shares a story about an Italian gentleman who recovered from Covid and his reaction at seeing the hospital bill.
Rabbi Dovid Gross discusses what it means to connect to God and how it does not include trying to remove ourselves from the physical world.
Rabbi Mayer Freedman shares a story about Rabbi Heshie Hirth, one of the builders of the Passaic Jewish community.
Rabbi Dovid Gross discusses the difference in language between one who trusts in God and one who doesn't and how to build our trust in God. Have a wonderful Shabbos!
In answering yesterday's question, Rabbi Mayer Freedman discusses the way we make spiritual decisions compared to making material/physical decisions.
Abraham sent Eliezer on a quest to find a wife for Isaac. Rabbi Mayer Freedman shares a question about Eliezer's loyalty. We'd love to hear any thoughts you may have on it! You can text or Whatsapp answers or ideas to Rabbi Freedman at 404-951-1026. Happy wondering!
Ron Greenberg discusses Abraham's journey and how failures which lead to success are counted as part of the success.
Rabbi Dovid Gross discusses building a connection and state of attachment to our creator.
Rabbi Mayer Freedman relates a story about the care Rabbi Eliezer Menachem Shach had for others. Rabbi Shach's 20th yahrtzeit was this past Friday.
Rabbi Dovid Gross discusses the Jewish spiritual DNA that Abraham implanted in his children.
In answering yesterday's question, Rabbi Mayer Freedman discusses how Abraham's servant, Eliezer was able to spiritually grow so fast.
Today's podcast is dedicated in memory of Rabbi Mayer Freedman's father, Rabbi Mendy Freedman - Reb Menachem Mendel Don ben Aryeh Leib, who's fourth yahrtzeit is today.
Abraham compares the spiritual sensitivity of his servant, Eliezer, to a the spiritual sensitivity of a donkey and yet Eliezer was able to conquer his evil inclination like Abraham! Rabbi Mayer Freedman shares a question about Eliezer's seemingly split spiritual personality. We'd love to hear any thoughts you may have on it! You can text or Whatsapp answers or ideas to Rabbi Freedman at 404-951-1026. Happy wondering!
Rabbi Mayer Freedman discusses the only conversation recorded in the Torah between Abraham and Isaac. Come to our Parsha class at Torah Links on Shabbos morning at 9am where we will be exploring the significance of that conversation!
Rabbi Dovid Gross discusses how the four elements of the soul, fire, wind, earth, and water, play out in our personality, both positively and negatively.
Rabbi Mayer Freedman relates a story about a man who discovered when he was 80 years old that the tefillin he had been putting on his whole life weren't kosher.
Rabbi Mayer Freedman shares an answer to yesterday's question about why Og was rewarded for a good deed if he had such horrible motives.
Rabbi Mayer Freedman shares a question about the ulterior motives of Og. We'd love to hear any thoughts you may have on it! You can text or Whatsapp answers or ideas to Rabbi Freedman at 404-951-1026. Happy wondering!
Mr. Josh Fogel discusses Abraham's challenge when God told him to leave his family and the lesson it holds for us in the 21st century.
Rabbi Dovid Gross explains the four ingredients that the soul is made up of and how it plays out in one's personality.
Rabbi Mayer Freedman relates a story that happened in the 70s with Rabbi Berel Wein when Rabbi Wein was inspecting a food production facility.
Rabbi Dovid Gross discusses the underlying problematic ideology of the builders of the Tower of Babylon and it's leader, King Nimrod.
Rabbi Mayer Freedman shares an answer to yesterday's question about the Tower of Babylon.
Rabbi Mayer Freedman shares a question about the Tower of Babylon. We'd love to hear any thoughts you may have on it! You can text or Whatsapp answers or ideas to Rabbi Freedman at 404-951-1026. Happy wondering!
A story about Rabbi Berel Wein's grandfather that took place in Chicago during World War II.