Rabbi E in 3

Here are a few reflections on the tragedy in Israel last night that has left the whole Jewish people, all over the world, in shock and grief. I also share a few ideas on how we can respond by elevating and improving our own lives--both for our benefit, and as an eternal merit for the departed. May the souls of those who lost their lives be bound up in the bond of eternal Life, and may their memory forever be for a blessing. (And may their loved ones somehow find consolation and comfort.)

What do YOU do if you think someone wronged you? Hate, plot revenge, hold a grudge, spread destructive gossip? There is a better way! The Torah gives us amazing, wholesome, sensible and practical advice, in one small section of the Book of Vayikra (Leviticus), while cautioning us against the possible (and lethal) reactions mentioned above. Don't hate, investigate....Tune in as I explain, and share an original poem with you on the topic as well! And if you notice the sound quality is NOT quite what it should be...judge me favorably, as I discuss in the episode!!!!

One of the most notorious financial wrongdoers and fraudsters in history, Bernie Madoff, died this week. I admit that it shook me, Rabbi E, as I thought about what he did in this world...AND what he might be facing now in the "olam ha'emes," the world of truth. (I can only hope he repented--did teshuva--in some measure before the end.) In this episode, I discuss how by reflecting on his regrettably poor example, we can strengthen ourselves to live in the opposite fashion...and fulfill the true purpose of our creation as human beings.

Once a year, we have a beautiful opportunity to say a blessing over a fruit tree...even if we can (and should!) ENJOY the trees and their luscious fruits year round. I was able to say that blessing just this week, and I want to share with you the BEAUTY of its words, and more broadly, of the Jewish vision of a world filled with GENUINE gifts presented to us personally and purposefully by G-d...to ENJOY! It's a goal worth striving for: living our lives making, and feeling surrounded by, blessings.

Pesach has a total of four different names, or designations, in the Torah and in our prayers: Pesach (passover); Festival of Matzot; Month of Springtime; time of our freedom. Together, they all express different aspects of the liberation--physical and spiritual--that we Jewish people were granted so many thousand of years ago....and that each and every one of us can personally re-experience during this elevated (and unleavened) festival!

While waiting (nervously) the required 30 minutes after receiving my first dose of Covid-19 vaccine, I "just happened" (nothing is random) to come across a passage in a Torah commentary that related precisely to the experience...and connected it to a most expansive and inspiring overview of ALL of the Torah's commandments. I hope you enjoy!

What is the motivation behind our actions in this world? Are we merely seeking to gratify our ego...or trying to actualize our true potential as human beings, and make the world a better place in the process? The question can be asked regarding the production of this very podcast itself! And that is exactly what Rabbi E tackles head-on in this episode, as he (fearlessly?) examines the purity of his own intentions! You won't want to miss this episode!

Purim is often mistakenly thought of as just silliness, costumes, fun and games, hamentaschen, (and, of course, imbibing). It's really so much more than that: it can lead us to uncover profound levels of joy and HOLINESS, in our selves and in the whole world! Tune in to this episode, and enJOY!

We go through life on autopilot so much of the time. The Torah teaches that embracing our true human power and potential basically comes down to courageously embracing, and actively living by, TWO WORDS. Tune in to discover the two words that can change your life.

The world seems different on Shabbos. On the one hand, it's the SAME world...but it seems transformed, elevated, more vivid. Richer and more delicious. What's different? MORE SOUL. Rabbi E shares his personal feelings and experiences of observing the Sabbath.