Hashem grants mankind the free will to do good or evil, for there can be no concept of reward and punishment outside the context of free choice. Therefore, there cannot be the slightest coercion in either direction. Simply speaking, it's your choice.

The Torah tells us that Sarah lived to the age of 127 (Genesis 23:1). Rashi, our foremost biblical commentator explains that they were all equally good years. How could that be true? Few women in history had a more difficult and apparently miserable life that our Matriarch Sarah. Her life was a never-ending saga of trials and tribulations...

Today's podcast is not only inspiring, but it gets quite a bit done in 6 minutes, as follows:

1. Takes the confusion out of our task in Elul;

2. Provides simple but effective preparation for Rosh Hashanah;

3. Guarantees good health and adequate income.

Who can refuse such a deal? Not only does it not cost you a cent, but you may download this mp3 and share it with as many people as you like, courtesy of Emuna Beams and our wonderful supporters who, with Hashem's loving help, make this happen.

Let's not be fooled when we see ourselves surrounded by injustice and falsehood. This is none other than a correction of the world and our souls in particular. Ultimately, truth always prevails so don't despair. This tale is the key to understanding our own lives.  Today's lesson reviews part 1 and presents the completion of the story. 

This is the belief in Hashem's omniscience. Since His Divine Direction determines everything, no thought, utterance or occurrence in the universe is unknown to Him. Learn all about the Divine GPS...

A good coach, whether in sports or in spirituality, can tame a tiger easier than he can motivate a pussycat. Taped in a classroom at a remedial school, I told these wonderful teenage "tigers" that the Creator gave them the power to attain greatness. If they haven't yet done that, it's not because they lack talent and ability; it's simply because they haven't yet channeled your power in the right direction. Today's podcast is a must-hear, not only for young people wih disciplinary issues but for all of us to realize our full potential.

Hashem fashioned the entire universe and everything in it from the greatest macro to the tiniest micro in accordance to His Torah. Therefore, if the Torah would be rescinded or replaced, the world would cease to exist. Not only the blueprint of creation, the Torah is the sustenance of creation as well.

The midwife switched the babies at birth. The king's son grew up as the son of the servant, and the servant's son grew up as the son of a king. The result is a story of suspense, confusion and the key to understanding our own lives.

The 7th and 8th Principles of Emuna are closely related. Whereas the 7th is our belief in the prophecy of Moses, our 8th is the belief that the Torah we have today is the same one that the Almighty gave to Moses atop Mount Sinai.

"If we knew that a rare gift was concealed within our difficulties, we could laugh; but with emuna, we start laughing even before we discover the gift." 

An old parable about a donkey in trouble gives us a different perspective on life's difficulties. Here's two-and-a-half minutes of encouragement: