Torah’s Practical Wisdom

It is never too late to choose Bracha. In Parshas Re’eh, G-d mentions Hayom to inform us every day is new, every day and every moment is a new opportunity to choose bracha (blessing)

Many people think about Shabbos as being Freedom for the Body from doing work, but Shabbos also represents freedom and relief for the soul.

In Parshas Eikev, G-d Promises the Jewish People that he will guard His Covenant With the Jewish People if they heed to listen and do the commandments. Rashi says that the Jews should be careful not to trample over light commandments. The Sefas Emes elaborates further saying that everything has a light of G-d concealed in it, and that a Jew who does commandments unites the entire world in the service of Hashem and causes G-d’s word to be heard. G-d wants us to do even the routine things solely for Him and recognize that everything offers an opportunity to connect to him.

Ahavas Hinam is the cure for Sinat Hinam. It helps bring peace, and one who is trying to cure himself or fix an attribute should pursue behavior to the opposite extreme. If he is an angry person, he should strive to be very slow to anger and forgiving.

Kavana (the Hebrew word for concentration) and focus when davening to G-d and doing Mitzvot (G-d’s commandments) teaches us the importance of being present when we want to make connections with others. The Sages decreed that in certain parts of davening (prayer) like the Shema, the Amidah, Pseukei D’Zimra, and Kedusha we shouldn’t interrupt our prayers to converse with others while praying as our prayer is supposed to be a conversation with G-d. Just like people don’t like it when we get distracted and want to talk with us when they are middle of a conversation with us, we shouldn’t do the same thing with G-d.

Our actions, thoughts, and words are the garments of the G-dly soul according to the Tanya. People gain so much about us from our words, our actions, and our thoughts. Our actions aren’t meaningless, and people can decide whether to have a stronger relationship with us based on how focused we are on them. The emphasis on Kavana in prayer and Mitzvot emphasizes that when we want a connection with G-d and other people in our eyes we have to be physically and mentally present. We have to intend to want to have a connection and relationship rather than going through the motions.

We discuss the connection between Elul and the spies. Rather than searching for what is wrong in a situation, examine the situation holistically noting the things that are good and those things that can be improved. After identifying things that can improve, make a plan for how you can improve in those areas.

While tending to your business, personal, and spiritual matters is important, don’t neglect matters involving your wife and children. Matters involving your wife and children should always come first.

While we are unable to bring the Tamid offering due to not having the ashes of the red heifer and a temple, the Tamid offering teaches us the importance of having consistency in our lives, to consistently improve and grow, and keep us grounded in the right direction.

What is special about waking up early before sunrise to say Shema and its blessing? One who wakes up early demonstrates the behavior of Avraham avinu and other righteous people before us who chose to pursue the Mitzvot instead of hoping for the Mitzvot to pursue them. It cause reward, but it also instills in us the ability to rise above our nature in all aspects of life.

In this episode, we discuss the similarities between Moses, Miriam, and Aaron. They each pursued peace and teach us that the proper path is to encourage people to pursue actions that bring people together peacefully while also maintaining peace between people and G-d