Something Spiritual: Recent Episodes
Rabbi Yehuda Stern
Something SpiritShul - short inspirational insights into theweekly Torah portion and Jewish festivals.
Something SpiritShul - short inspirational insights into theweekly Torah portion and Jewish festivals.
Something SpiritShul - short inspirational insights into theweekly Torah portion and Jewish festivals.
Something SpiritShul - short inspirational insights into theweekly Torah portion and Jewish festivals.
Something SpiritShul - short inspirational insights into theweekly Torah portion and Jewish festivals.
Something Spiritual - short inspirational insights into the weekly Torah portion and Jewish festivals.
It is natural to be worried and anxious at challenging times like these. Negativity can be felt all around and it over-takes us to the point that we start thinking negatively too. However, our thoughts are our own, and the way we respond to these times is totally up to us. The phrase 'wood choppers' in the beginning of this week's portion can also be interpreted to mean 'cut down the negativity'. An appropriate message for the beginning of the year.
How focused are we when our spouse is speaking to us? I consider myself a Jew, but what does that actually mean? Torah teaches us not to suffice with a superficial lifestyle, but rather to be mindful and fully absorbed in our relationships and what we are doing. We learn this from the opening of this week's portion: "When you will come into the Land of Israel." What do the words "when you will come" actually mean?
What's more important - the first half of the Ten Commandments or the second set? Many think that the first half is more significant, because it deals with our relationship with G-d and the second set deals with our relationship with man. However, It is precisely for this reason that the second set could take precedence. The Mitzvah of sending away the mother bird before taking away the chicks or eggs from the nest, leaves us with an important lesson. G-d wants us to be sensitive to others, even when working on holy projects.
As a young child grows up he explores the world, finding new insights and opportunities every day. But who is the child's mentor and guide? Often parents feel that children should investigate t life for themselves, and in the process figure out right from wrong. However, we can learn from the tree that this is not the ideal way. A mark made in a small sapling can have a life-time effect, and so it is with a child. What happens to a child in his young age, can have a long-lasting effect for many years to come.
The opportunities of world we live in today are so enticing. We get totally absorbed in the fashions and fads of the modern world, to the point that we lose focus of the important things, like Torah and Judaism. However, the Sukkah reminds us that all of that is temporary; it won't remain with us when we move on from this physical world. What will remain with us permanently and eternally, is our more meaningful activities and our good deeds. So, why waste time with the unimportant stuff?!
How did G-d create the world? 'And He said', states the Torah, meaning, G-d created the world using His speech. Often, we use our words superficially. We think one thing, and we do another. However, being created in the image of G-d, means that our words are as powerful as His. Just as his words created the world, so too our words can create worlds. The way we speak to our spouse, children, and anyone else, can literally change their lives forever.
The Sinai Experience took place over 3333 years ago, when we heard the Ten Commandments from the Almighty. The miraculous quality of the Torah and G-dly wisdom is that it is equally relevant today as it was then. The nations of the world know that our wisdom is based on G-dly wisdom and that the Torah is our guiding light... even the Japanese want to study the same texts that we do!
Which is more powerful: to hear the word of G-d or the word of man? Naturally we would say that the word of G-d is more powerful as it comes from the Almighty Himself. However, the Chassidic Masters have taught that the entire purpose of creation was for the word of G-d to permeate the world. G-d wanted humankind to be infused with the inspiration of G-dliness and Judaism. And so, there is something powerful in the word of man that is not found in the word of G-d.
Freedom of Speech is one of the freedoms of the modern world, but is it always positive? What if one's speech is hurtful and harmful, is it still a positive 'freedom'? As with many of the privileges of the modern world, there needs to be guidelines in place in order for our words, writings or social media posts to be constructive and beneficial to society. In the journeys of the Jewish people, we learn about a place where Freedom of Speech was a form of idol worship.
Have you noticed that when pointing a finger to someone else, there are actually three fingers pointing back at yourself? G-d wants us to improve ourselves all the time, and one way of doing He assists us is by highlighting someone else's wrongdoing. It's not necessarily to sort them out, but rather for us to reflect on ourselves to see how we can improve. Balaam did not realise this when hitting his donkey as he was travelling to curse the nation.
There are spiritual beings, such as angels. There are physical beings, such as animals. So where do humans fit in? Well, the humankind is a unique species in the fact that it is a combination of physical and spiritual. The body is physical, while the soul is spiritual. It is this dichotomy that we live our whole lives, as we play tug-a-war games between these two extremes on a constant basis. In fact, this challenging balance is even hinted to in the name that G-d gave the first man, Adam.
We all have many questions for G-d. Especially during a challenging time like Covid-19, we cannot understand G-d's thinking. Why would he bring such pain and suffering to the world? What is the goal and the end-result He is hoping for? This week we learn about Korach who had many questions against Moshe, and ultimately G-d, too. His questions were based on logic and he felt that his arguments were justified. Moshe replied to him that although his questions made sense logically, sometimes the ways of G-d do not make sense to us, and we still need to accept them.
Baking Challah is part of the Jewish way of life. We all long to eat the the Challah at our Friday night dinners, especially if it is homemade! Besides for the eating of the Challah, the process of preparation is also a special experience. As the dough is ready, we remove part of it and put it aside. In the days of the old we would give it to the Cohen as a representative of G-d. Today we wrap the small piece up and burn it or dispose of it. What is this practice all about? What is the deeper significance behind the ancient ritual?
Moshe was asked to use two trumpets when leading the Jewish people through the desert. But where would come from? Who would supply them? Would the community pay for them or would Moshe pay for them? The latter was true; it needed to come directly from Moshe. This small detail gives us an important lesson into leadership. A leader must lead from the front with clarity and with confidence.
We live in a fast moving world, which has an affect of our relationships too. When we greet someone, we are often saying 'hello' and 'goodbye' in the same breath. The instruction given to the Kohanim regarding the Priestly Blessings is so relevant to each one of us. The Torah is teaching us to slow down and to be mindful of the greetings and the blessings we give others. It is important to say the right things, but it is also important to say it the right way.
Does Judaism promote blind faith? Or logical analysis? These two approaches are generally opposing one another, yet they are both important. Faith alone is not enough, as man with his/her human involvement is missing. Logic alone is not sufficient, as G-d with his infinite nature is missing. Hence the need to find a balance of both.
Israel is our homeland and holds a special place in the our hearts. For the last two thousand years that Jewish communities have lived in the Diaspora, we have longed to return to the Holy Land and to be able to live with our own people. We also know that G-d's presence is felt more in Israel than in the Diaspora. So what should be our mindset so long that we are not living in Israel?
Shabbat and Yom Tov festive meals are part of the Jewish way of life. The Torah teaches us not to only cater for our own family, but to reach out and invite others to join us at our tables too. This is in fact hinted in the wording of the Kiddush made on Yom Tov day.
The Torah is so particular that we do not destroy or waste that which G-d has given us in this world. This is not just a quality which our grandmothers lived by, but it is a Jewish way of life. Yet, the High Priest on Yom Kippur every year would dispose of the garments he wore into the Holy of Holies and they would be buried in the ground. This practice requires explanation as it is in contrary to the general sensitivity Torah has towards clothing, food, etc. Herewith lies an important lesson about personal growth.
The world has changed immensely since Covid-19. The virus has created illness, chaos and confusion for the whole world. However, our rabbis have taught us that G-d does not bring pain to world for the sake of pain, but rather it is a process through which he brings cleansing and growth, similar to that of a parent disciplining their child. Challenges in life make us stronger and bring out inner strength within us that we would never have been able to tap into under normal circumstances.
From the creation of the world, the snake has been a negative force in the world. He successfully persuaded Adam and Eve to eat from the Tree of Knowledge, despite G-d's warning, and since then he clothes himself in the garb of the evil inclination who tries to entice us to sin. Thus, the Torah prohibits us from eating anything that moves on its stomach, which the rabbis understand to refer to the snake. But why did the Torah use such terminology, and not just tell us explicitly what it is referring to?
Our bodies and physical pursuits can often be a distraction to our more meaningful values. For example. our head starts to process doubts and questions, while our stomach craves for more physical pleasure. However, it does not need to be this way. These powerful parts of our body can be channeled in the correct way and used to support our spiritual pursuits and service of G-d. This is the message of the Pascal Lamb offered up in the Temple on Pesach.
Our bodies and physical pursuits can often be a distraction to our more meaningful values. For example. our head starts to process doubts and questions, while our stomach craves for more physical pleasure. However, it does not need to be this way. These powerful parts of our body can be channeled in the correct way and used to support our spiritual pursuits and service of G-d. This is the message of the Pascal Lamb offered up in the Temple on Pesach.
G-d chose Moshe to be the leader to take the Jewish people out of Egypt. The Midrash teaches that G-d saw how caring he was to a small sheep that had left the flock, and decided that he had the qualities of a leader. Interesting that we don't find in the commentary that G-d chose Moshe because of his wisdom or IQ, but rather it was his heart that made him a worthy leader. "Praised are the people who gives-a-heart", Rashi tells us. Is leadership not about intellectual and academic knowledge? Why is empathy so important?
Opening the doors to our home could be very refreshing, but it could also be a security risk. When the winds are blowing outside we generally prefer to keep the doors closed, so that we can keep safe and protected. So it is with the negative influences of the outside world; we need to make sure that our homes are safe and strong, otherwise we stand the risk of losing site of our own morals and values. A small detail in the construction of the Tabernacle leaves us with a big lesson for life.
Certain practices of today stem from ancient rituals in the times of the Temple. Washing hands in the morning as we rise is one of them, as this is something the Kohanim would do every day as they began their service in the Temple. Interestingly, the Code of Law instructs us to wash our faces too, in addition to the hands and feet. However, this details was not done by the Kohanim ... so why must we?
Living as a Jew in a non-Jewish world is not so simple. Dietary requirements, Shabbos observance etc., all get quite challenging when society around us are not keeping the above. So what should be our response? Give up? Wait until we retire and move to Israel? The story of the Megillah teaches us that we can live as observant Jews even while we are living in the Diaspora. The more confident and proud we are about our religion, the more support we will receive from the nations of the world.
What is considered Jewish observance? Most people will answer prayer, Torah study, Keeping Shabbos, etc. How about exercise or going to work? These mundane activities are generally not considered to be part of the service of G-d. However, the Mishkan (Tabernacle) in the desert taught us an important lesson. Divine service does not only include 'holy' activities, but it also includes the physical and mundane activities that we engage in.
Some parts of Judaism are logical and fit into our modern mindsets. Other parts seem to be totaly illogical and somewhat outdated. And so, we tend to pick and choose what we feel comfortable observing and what not. The truth is, however, that both types of commandments are equally important; ultimately they are both the direct word of G-d in the Torah. Sometimes we observe Jewish practices because it 'talks to us', and othertimes we observe them because G-d said so.
Sleep seems to be a superficial activity. It is merely a means to an end, to give us the necessary rest to be able to operate properly the next day. However, the mystical perspective on sleep is very different. It can actually a very spiritual experience, which explains why the Jewish people decided to go to sleep prior to the giving of the Torah.
What is the purpose of prayer? Throughout generations the Jewish people have turned to prayer at a time of crisis. We turn to G-d and ask of Him to assist us through our challenges. However, there is more to prayer. Praying to G-d gives us an opportunity to leave the physical and to connet to the Divine. Our Forefathers taught us the importance of this experience and how the moment of prayer can positively affect the rest of our day.
Rabbis over the generations have debated whether or not wealth is distraction to the service of G-d or enhances it. On face value it seems like they are opposing to one another. Wealth is physical and material, while the service of G-d is spiritual and holy, two entirely different worlds. However, G-d gives us a different perspective which goes back to the Jewish people in the land of Egypt.
Fire & Ice is not just a name of a hotel, but it was this combination that made up the plague of hail that fell upon the Egpytians. The Sages teach us that this was a miracle within a miracle. Fire represents warmth and ice represents cold. G-d was sending a message to the Egyptians which is also relevant to us today. Both are important approaches, it just depends how we use them.
What is the common denominator between Avraham, Moshe and Moshiach? Answer: They all used the same miraculous donkey to help them. This was not coincidental, but rather part of a process that the world at large has been going through and will continue to experience until the Messicanic Era.
Every Friday night father's bless their sons that they should grow up to be like Ephraim and Menashe. Interestingly, we do not mention one of the 12 tribes, but rather we skip straight to two of the grandchildren of Yaakov. Why?
Punishment was never supposed to be indefinite. It is not a means of its own, but rather it services a purpose to a bigger goal. As soon as Yaakov's punishment of not seeing his son Yosef was over, Yosef made a quick move.
Crushed olives produced the best and finest oil for the Menorah in the Temple. This teaches us a powerful lesson about ourselves too. The challenges that come our way, are not there to break us but rather to strengthen us.
Joseph and Pharoah both had dreams, but there was a major difference between the two. The Jewish people have been taught how to balance the two worlds, the physical and spiritual. This is what makes our lives so rich and meaningful.
Reuven and Shimon were two sons of Yaakov. Each of their names represents a unique approach to Jewish observance and to many other areas of life. Reuven is associated to seeing and Shimon is to hearing. What does each one represent spiritually? Once we understand this, we will understand why the source for a Bar Mitzvah comes from Shimon, rather than from his older brother Reuven.
Fathers and mothers. They both play a role in our conception. What does that the father role represent spiritually? And does the mother role represent? It is interesting to note that the forefathers were named by their fathers, whereas the twelve tribes were named by their mothers. Why the difference? Here we gain an important insight into who we are, as a member of the community and as an individual.
Digging a well is a complex job. One needs to dig through soil and sand to reveal the natural water that flows beneath ground level. This was something that our forefather Yitzchak was quite familiar with, as he dug wells to provide water for his family. However it was more than a practical thing; it was in fact part of his spiritual role in this world to expose the hidden potential that is often not seen on face value. This is an important tool for life, to never accept what appears on the outside but to always dig deeper.
Our Matriachs, Sarah and Rivkah, brought a special blessings to their homes: their Shabbos candles lit from Friday to Friday. When it was time for Shabbos, they lit new candles which brought new light to their homes and the rest of the world. Interestingly, their miraculous Shabbos candles did not light indefinitely, but rather they needed to light new candles every week. This phenomena has a powerful lesson from each one of us.
Avraham our forefather taught us the special quality of hospitality. Through food, drink and bed he welcomed in visitors into his home. There was one more detail to Avraham's hospitality that was so critical: he would escort his guests. Why was this so necessary? Ultimately he had given them what they needed, so why did he need to see them out too? There is a specific virtue behind the gesture of escorting one's guests that is the key to authentic hospitality.
Avraham our forefather had a change of name, from Avram to Avraham. In this week's Parsha, he became the forefather of the entire world. However, while catering to the entire world he did not forget about his responsibility to his own community. It is specifically through his influence on his community that he succeeded to influence the whole world.
As G-d was preparing to bring the flood to destroy the world, he instructed Noach to build an ark for him and his family. On the ark he was also to take animals, both kosher and non-kosher. But how was he going to collect all the animals into the ark? Miraculously the animals arrived on their own. This is a powerful lesson for each of us: Just build your ark and G-d will do the rest.
Adam and Eve were living blissfully in Gan Eden, until they ate of the Tree of Knowledge. The first thing they did after their sin was to cover up with clothes. Why were they comfortable seeing each other naked until they sinned? What changed with the Tree of Knowledge? The change was in the way they perceived the world. They were suddenly wearing the wrong lenses.
We are living through uncertain times which causes us to be anxious about what the future will bring. The rabbis have taught us to look into the weekly Torah portion or the upcoming Jewish festival, and this will provide us with messages of hope, positivity and inspiration. This is the goal of 'Something Spiritual', a weekly 2 minute message based on the Torah portion or Jewish festival.
We are living through interesting and challenging times. The concept of the Messianic Era is no longer a strange phenomenon. More people today are learning about the world to come than ever before. However, it is not enough just to learn about it. We need to pray for it! This is why Maimonides in his Halachic work adds in a short phrase that catches the attention of the commentaries. To learn more, listen to this week's episode of Something SpiritShul.
Books, what's their purpose? Most people see books as a source of knowledge. Once they've read a book, they pass it on to the local library or to a friend. But Torah books have another purpose too. They listen to this week's episode of Something SpiritShul.