Emuna Beams

It's a pleasure to answer the request of a charming person, especially when his or her requests are full of charm. Where does one attain that charm?

Our souls are tiny sparks of the Creator. We call Him "Father in Heaven" because we all inherit His spiritual DNA. Each of us has the potential of greatness and righteousness. Snuffing out a human soul is tantamount to destroying an entire universe. It's as if the murderer extinguishes a spark of Godliness, Heaven forbid.

Torch and Emuna Beams are delighted to invite you to a brand new and stimulating podcast on "Likutei Moharan", the classic teachings of Rebbe Nachman of Breslev. Beginning Thursday, June 1, 2023, the podcast will be broadcast live on Torch Podcasts at Torchzoom.com at 10 PM Israel, 8 PM London, 3 PM NYC, 2PM Chicago and 12 noon LA. The replay will appear on the Emuna Beams Podcast at www.emunabeams.com - looking forward to seeing you!

In today's false world of shidduchim (matchmaking) with these ridiculous resumes that people demand, an Avraham Avinu or a Rebbe Akiva wouldn't have a chance. How many people today would refuse a shidduch with King David, because his great-grandmother was a convert? How many people today would refuse a shidduch with King Solomon, because his mother his mother was a divorcee? If you're looking for a soulmate for yourself or for your children, here is some vital food for thought.

Maybe you're thinking that this commandment is superfluous. A decent person asks himself, "Who in his right mind would blaspheme? Who could possibly be so blatantly insolent that they'd curse the Almighty?" You'd be surprised...

The twelfth of our Thirteen Principles of Emuna requires us all to eagerly anticipate Moshiach. I don't think that there's anyone, religious or not, who doesn't want Moshiach, so where is he? Let's find out.

Since emuna and idolatry are mutually exclusive, the first Noahide Law that prohibits idolatry is actually a law that obligates emuna. Without emuna, a person is vulnerable to all types of idolatry, some in very subtle forms. In spirituality, there is no vacuum; where there's no emuna, idolatry fills the void.

A wagon master had a faithful donkey who worked hard and never complained. He decided to take his donkey on vacation, so he took it to the luxurious Hilton Hotel by the beach... A parable about life in the Land of Israel.

The photo you see are not fireworks; they're the recent missile attacks on the south of Israel where I live. Here's what I was thinking during the barrage this past Shabbat, These are the three words that we must engrave on our hearts, for they will always rescue us in times of trouble. You're never alone.

The first 32 days of the Omer obligate us to curtail joy and joyous occasions. Then comes the 33rd day, 18 Iyar, the anniversary (yahrtzeit) of Rebbe Shimon Bar Yochai's departure from the physical world. Everything turns completely around with singing, dancing, rejoicing and festive meals. What's behind all this? Today's podcast comes from a talk that Rabbi Lazer gave at a Lag B'omer celebration at the Briarwood Synagogue in Queens, NY earlier this week.   

A flat tire is definitely not the end of the race. You can change it! Rebbe Nachman of Breslev says that if you believe you can ruin something, then believe that you can rectify it. This is not just a pleasant expression, but a signed promise in the Torah and a fact of life. The second chance we all get is a much more effective way to beautify and overhaul ourselves than plastic surgery, and a whole lot cheaper...

Today's lesson teaches how emuna deeply permeates each of the 7 Noahide Laws. Were it not for emuna, the pure and complete belief in the Almighty, one's observance of the Noahide Laws would be ever so weak, vulnerable to persuasion and political correctness.