Parshas Korach
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Korach was a cousin of Moshe Rabbeinu, a Levite who carried the Holy Ark when the Israelites traveled in the desert. Chazal tell us that the quarrel he had with Moshe Rabbeinu reached the deepest part of Torah- hear why he was punished so unusually…
The book of Tehillim chronicles the life of King Dovid. History repeats itself, Hashem re-teaches humans lessons until we finally understand. The kingdom of Dovid, and the life of Dovid Hamelech repeatedly was threatened- how does he react? Tehillim 120 is the first of the 15 Perakim of Shir Hamaalos and deals with the tragic results of lies, slander and gossip. A special look at the last two Pesukim, which sound as if they were written just this week, as a response to the threatening speech of the president of the USA…
Awesome Torah
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The deepest part of a Jew- what precisely is it? Where do we make our biggest errors, and our biggest conquests? And how did Aharon Hakohein manage to love every Jew and bring them back to their soul-point? Listen here!
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Much of Tehillim is heartwarming and strengthening! Dovid Hamelech was not much of a complainer, and shares his Emuna with us in the pages of Tehillim. Yet, there are some Perakim of Tehillim that surprise us with their sharpness. Here are two- which go through Jewish history. Nevertheless, their is a dose of sweetening to take us closer into goodness and repair.
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Lag BaOmer 5769
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Blessings for an elevated and successful Lag Baomer …
The first two shiurim below are from the Sunday morning class on the Sefer Da Et Atzmecha. They touch on the idea of finally intergrating all we have learned so that we can begin to enter the gates of deep joy in connecting to Hashem and His People and eventually, His creation.
These 2 classes are given to the merit of the mother of our precious Shaina Rubin. Her mother, Malka Bas Eliezer passed away last week and merited to be buried here in holy Yerushalayim. At the Shiva, Shaina described her mother as a woman who lived with Hashem near her at all times. The other women in the group were amazed- the description of Malka Bas Eliezer was so close and similar to the midos we had just finished learning in our class a few hours earlier.May she find rest and nachas in her place and may Shaina and her sister Sara and their father be comforted mong the mourners of Tziyon and Yerushalayim.
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The shiur in Tehillim is a continuation from last week, and we cover the first 3 pesukim in Perek 23
Saving the best for last, here is a teaching on Lag Baomer- from many great Tzaddikim- and even if you hear this after Lag Baomer itself, it is still so important to understanding the power we have as Jews to Daven, to dance and to understand!
Its wonderful to hear feedback from the listeners of this site- dont hesitate to email, call, or just say hi in the gym ( thanks Leah!)
Blessings from Yerushalayim IHK
MIZMOR LETODAH- A SONG OF THANKS
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TEHILLIM TIDBITS
Mizmor LeTodah Tehillim 100
The Zohar gives Dovid Hamelech the unique title of Dovid Malka Meshicha, indicating that the soul of the original King Dovid will return in the final redeemer. Since, according to virtually every Torah authority, we are in the era immediately preceding the revelation of Mashiach, it is understandable that the need and desire to say and study Tehillim has increased. The words, emotions, attitudes and teachings of Dovid Hamelech will guide us to recognize, understand, love and identify with Mashiach Tzidkeinu.
Tehillim is a beloved book. It is a powerful book. It is almost universally venerated and more than half the world’s inhabitants find comfort and Godliness in its words. Ashreinu, fortunate are we to have the keys to unlock the truths hidden in Tehillim. Read more
Tehillim Tidbits – Monday
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TEHILLIM TIDBITS MONDAY, YOM SHEINI
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The second day of the week represents Gevura, the second of the seven sefiros. Gevura means strength. The Mishna in Avos reminds us that the Jewish concept of strength is not about gyms and working out. It is the ability to hold back, to restrain an impulse, or to redirect an impulse. It is about self control, with its prerequisite clear definition of what is right and what is not. Gevura is measured, well thought out, precise, organized and practical.
In the Chesed-Gevura relationship, which is the basic paradigm of creative energy, Chesed provides the raw energy, be it an idea, a feeling, or an inspiration. Gevura then takes over and makes that idea happen in the real world. Gevura gives focus and consequently power to the unbounded, dynamic Chesed energy.
As is well known, and is explained in the Gemara, in the dynamic of a family, the husband is the one who generally provides the majority of the resources. It is the wife who then takes these resources and transforms them into a beautiful and loving home. That is one reason why, in Halacha, a wife is actually called a man’s home.
Kabalistically, a man is said to ‘come’ from side of Chesed and a woman from the side of Gevura. Read more
TEHILLIM TIDBITS SUNDAY
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TEHILLIM TIDBITS SUNDAY
The first Passuk of the Tehillim Shel Yom, the Psalm recited by the Leviim in the Temple on this first day of the week describes the relationship of the creation to her Creator.
לה” הארץ ומלואה תבל ויושבי בה
The universe, with all its inhabitants, creatures, richness and hugeness belongs to Hashem.
The first day of the week, Yom Rishon, parallels the first of the seven Sefirot, which is Chesed. We understand that Hashem had no need to create anything. A fundamental teaching in Torah, which we sing daily in the poem Adon Olam, is that God is eternal, and exactly the same before creation as after creation. He is complete, and is the only completeness that exists. He is the Only that exists. Yet, it is His desire, His Ratzon, to create a universe and to bestow Himself to that creation.
We are His creations. Inherent in creation is the secret of free choice. In order to make this life a fair game, created beings have to have the free choice to shape their lives. We are therefore in this matrix of existence which virtually hides God’s Presence. It’s our choice to search for Him, or to believe in our own independence.
The first day of the week has the energy of Chesed, which flows almost unrestricted and unbounded. Chesed is described as unconditional love, an almost infinite and reasonless outpouring of giving. Chesed energy is unjudgemental. It resists restraint. To balance this, we need to remember that all we see, all we own, all of our thoughts, talents, hopes and plans are all rooted and connected and enlivened only by Hashem. we begin the week with many plans and schedules, but have to keep in mind who is the Master Planner, and to Whose Divine plan we must be loyal to.
When I lived in New York, Sunday was the day to unwind a bit, to catch up on housework, visit with family, shop. Only towards the end of the day would the ‘reality’ of the upcoming work week begin to annoyingly invade my relaxed thoughts and push me to begin preparing for work. This relaxed Chesed energy is a blessing, and carries in it an inherent Chesed Elyon as Hashem eases us into His workweek.
Clearly Hashem has higher expectations of me here in Israel, where the week begins on Sunday. And that too is a Chesed, and Sunday is a day not lost to silliness.
Have a loving and enjoyably productive Yom Rishon
TEHILLIM TIDBITS WEDNESDAY
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Shir Shel Yom/ Wednesday, fourth day of ShabbatTehillim TidbitsKeil Nekamos Hashem, Keil Nekamos HofeeahO God of vengeance, Hashem, O God of vengeance, Manifest Yourself! אֵ-ל-נְקָמוֹת יְהו-ָה; אֵ-ל נְקָמוֹת הוֹפִיעַ
This verse begins chapter 94 of Tehillim and it is ascribed to Moshe Rabbeinu. Most of the Perakim in Tehillim have a heading, an introductory word or phrase that explains the thrust, power and direction of the Perek, but the eleven written by Moshe Rabbeinu are mostly without such introductions.
What is vengeance? Isn’t it something base, to be avoided? Aren’t we commanded in Torah not to take revenge on our friends? How can we call Hashem who is the manifestation of pure goodness, a God of vengeance?
Of the many appellations we use to name Hashem, the one used here, Keil, always refers to mercy. And the name Havaya is used to describe the timeless love of Hashem. How is mercy and love connected to revenge?
The Talmud teaches that Hashem has patience and mercy, but for the sake of ultimate fairness and truth, He will not allow evil to exist forever, and will in the end, destroy it. The revenge is really on Himself for creating the concept of evil. Although evil exists to give us free choice, in the end of time ( which we are fast approaching), evil will be fully eradicated, and free choice will be finished.
Choose well now. When the truth is clear, for all to see, we will naturally only chose truth. But, the reward will be nil for such choices. Those who are worthy to live at the time of Mashiach will live with clear vision, but the concepts of growing, changing, accumulating ‘Mesirus Nefesh’ points will be ended.
The Ramak teaches that the fourth day of the original creation week saw the moon diminished. This eventually led to the concept of exile with its cycles of growing through challenges- a concept that mankind is captured into. The avenging of the moon translates into the concept of Geula, and the transformation of all enemies of the body and soul of Knesset Yisrael into either non entities, non threats, servants or colleagues.
At that time, we will see that there is no contradiction between the inherent mercy of Hashem, and His justice.
HAVE A CLEARLY EXPRESSED SUCCESSFUL DAY
TEHILLIM TIDBITS TUESDAY
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Mizmor LeAsaf; Elokim Nitzav Ba’Adas Keil, Bekerev Elohim Yishpot (82:1)
A song by Asaf; The Almighty stands in a Divine gathering, among the judges He judges.
מִזְמוֹר, לְאָסָף:
אֱלֹהִים, נִצָּב בַּעֲדַת-אֵל; בְּקֶרֶב אֱלֹהִים יִשְׁפֹּט.
.Most of the chapters in Tehillim begin with a heading- a word or phrase that introduces the reader into the mindset that maximizes our connection to the lessons of the Perek (chapter). According to Chassidut, each of the ten Sefirot is expressed in one of these introductory words.
Mizmor is from the root Zayin Mem Raish which means to prune a tree, to remove that which is harmful. This refers to the Sefira of Gevura (restraint, might). One aspect of Gevura is the ability to cut away from your mind, life and emotions all that is harmful or negative. Saying any Perek of Tehillim that begins with Mizmor can empower you to differentiate between what is healthy and life giving, and what is not. With that understanding, and with a deep and simple trust in Hashem, you can reaffirm your desire to live wholesomely, holy and happily and receive the inner strength to actualize your resolve.
Asaf was one of the descendants of Korach, and a composer of eleven chapters of Tehillim. He was from the sons of Korach who had to choose between the error of their father, and the truth of Moshe Rabbeinu. The difficulty of such a choice is clear, yet the sons of Korach had the strength and wisdom to correctly align themselves with the life force of Torah. The descendants of Korach included the prophet Shmuel, and the Leviim who served in the Bais Hamikdash.
The Talmud (Brachos 40, Sanhedrin 7) and Mishna (Avos Chapter 3) use this Passuk to prove that the Presence of Hashem is found in every synagogue, in every Jewish court of law and in every group of Jews who gather for any holy or righteous reason. The need to be honest in judgment and sincere in connecting to Hashem in shul is enhanced by our meditating on the intensity of the revelation of Hashem in these places.
Hashem judges us as we judge others. We make judgment calls all day long- we see a friend walking into an expensive store and our brain almost instantly judges whether we think the person should buy there, wondering how they have the money, chutzpa or time for such a purchase etc. We see an empty taxi passing us by just when we are in a big rush and in need of transport, and the brain rushes to criticize the driver for lack of consideration or professionalism. Our children say they are too busy to come visit, and the next thing we hear, they are running to the theatre and the brain conjures up all sorts of annoying thoughts. The list is endless.
Rebbe Nachman taught that each time we make a judgment in our mind, it is really ourselves judging ourselves. He explains that each of us does things that can be judged either favorably, or negatively. Hashem lets us be our own judge. He lets us see another person doing just as we have done, perhaps with some variations as coordinated by The Infinite Divine Imagination. And our mind judges instantly. Then, the attorneys in our mind, our conscious thoughts, begin their presentation, and in the end, we consciously judge. Be careful, cautions the Rebbe. What we finally conclude, is agreed upon by Hashem. It’s as if Hashem says, “Listen, honey, I will listen to your own morals. If you think (s)he is guilty of this crime, than according to the scales of truth, you are also guilty. Remember when you didn’t visit your parents, or give a lift to that lady standing on the rainy street corner. True, you were in a hurry, and/or needed some stress relieves. But the taxi driver could have been in the same stressed hurry. Give him the benefit of the doubt, and I will do the same for you.
We always judge. We judge others, we judge Hashem, and we judge ourselves. Hashem stands with us as we judge, and we can call on His strength, His love and His perfection to help us make the decisions we need to make.
He likes to help us. He likes us! He, The Ultimate Judge, tells us to be fair and compassionate- with others, with Him, and ( surprise!) mostly with ourselves.
HAVE A HEALTHY YOM SHLISI