Emuna Beams

The 210 years of exile and 116 years of slavery in Egypt ended with on the eve of the 15th of Nissan, 2448 in the Hebrew calendar. This was the year 1312 BCE. Hashem gave a most difficult command to the Israelites. Each family had to slaughter a lamb, which the Egyptians held sacred as their prime deity. This was an act of total dedication to the Almighty, where emuna had to prevail over logic and fear. Such dedication triggered the final exodus from Egypt, in a remarkable chain of events that we learn in todays lesson.

The health of a body, a soul or even a nation depends on maintaining a proper balance of left and right. The current social and political ills of Israel result from a critical imbalance. Today's podcast shows to bring back the balance.

When Moses relayed Hashem's message of "Let My people go" to Pharaoh, the Egyptian monarch snarled back, "Who is Hashem that I should listen to Him? Besides, I've never heard of Hashem before" (Exodus 5:2). With such unprecedented insolence, Pharaoh was begging for punishment. The punishment came quickly. There were ten different plagues. Each one was a precise measure-for-measure response to the suffering that Pharaoh and the Egyptians meted out to the Israelites, as we see in today's lesson.

How did  a fierce, proud and independent people like the Israelites fall into slavery in Egypt? Why did they have to suffer unspeakable atrocities? Here, in first of our 3-Part "Story of Passover," we gain a deeper appreciation of the Passover holiday and of true freedom. 

Both the growing terror in Israel and the internal strife between right and left are like wildfires that are out of control. How can we extinguish them? Here's a two-minute solution.

Rabbi Lazer Brody's new book is a guide to marital bliss line none other. Based on emuna, two soulmates are more than mates; they are two inseparable halves of one soul. This knowledge is vital in building a loving and lasting relationship. The Bond of Emuna is available online here.

Today's podcast is a parable about the rewards we often fail to see for the good we do. Indeed, not only do we fail to hear a "thank-you", but we get hit on the head. What's happening and why?

From the pristine beach of Israel's southern Mediterranean coast, Rabbi Lazer provides a basic and effective plan for personal prayer. Nothing is so gratifying as your own personal relationship with the Almighty. Relationships begin with communication...

A chassidic parable teaches us that we don't have to live a third-class life when there are available upgrades for everyone.

Here's an important and practical message about Jewish unity. "The Toothpick Test" is something that anyone can do, especially at the family Purim table. We cordially invite Prime Minister Netanyahu and opposition leaders Gantz and Lapid to join us in this test.

The Book of Esther tells the story of Purim, when the Jews faced threat of annihilation. History is repeating itself right now. This behooves us to learn the lessons of Purim 25 centuries ago and apply them immediately. It takes a true leader to rise above sectorial interests and unify a divided nation.

Rabbi Lazer Brody tells the complete story of Purim in a manner that anyone can understand and appreciate. We see here how the Book of Esther transpires a timespan of thirteen years. This historically precise story is actually the template for the Geula, the full and final redemption.