Emuna

Today, an olive best categorizes the American Jew. We'll learn how and why in today's emuna-oriented analysis of current events in the USA.

In the Ninth of our Thirteen Principles of Emuna, we learn how the Torah is irreplaceable and unchangeable, for it comprises the Divine wisdom that Hashem used in creating the world, as we see in several amazing examples, such as the secret of immunization, which Louis Pasteur found in the Talmud.

Aliya, like everything else, only makes sense in the context of emuna. People worry about Israel's economic and military challenges as well as other difficulties when opting to remain in the Diaspora, but they rarely ask themselves the true question: what does Hashem want from me? Don't be afraid and see this:

The third Principle of Emuna, that Hashem has no physical attributes nor can a finite being comprehend Him, is one of the most difficult to learn and internalize. Today's lesson shows that four hurdles stand in our way; these four hurdles are also the key to our personal and national challenges since the beginning of time.

If we find that we don't have a smile on our face, and we don't feel happy, then we have to get back to the basics. Is our emuna what it should be. Today's talk, presented to the "Drop of Inspiration" group for women, will surely encourage you. Enjoy it!

Principle 1: I believe with complete belief that the Creator, blessed be His Name, is Creator and Director of all the creations, and He alone did, does and will do every deed.
This is the belief in the existence of the Creator and that He is the life force behind all of creation; nothing can exist without His will, from the mega-galaxies to the tiniest electron. The Creator makes everything happen and nothing can happen or exist against His will or without Him.

We're delighted to share the replay of the Emuna Hour with Rabbi Lazer Brody this past Wednesday, 4 Nov., 2020. It's called "The Search for Truth," a guide to finding joy and purpose in life.

Derech Avot, "The Way of the Forefathers," is the ancient road between Hevron and Jerusalem used to make pilgrimage to our Holy Temple from the south. On the way, there are a series of ritual baths - mikvas - that pilgrims would use to purify themselves. Rabbi Lazer Brody shows the remarkable lesson we learn here, for we're not just talking about a "way" to travel along, but a way to live our lives.

Rabbi Lazer Brody tells the story of the village of Etri in the Judean Hills from the time of the Second Temple and its heroic fall to the Romans in 135 CE; featuring special guest Menachem Herman. "Belief in Hashem, no matter what the adversity, is the greatest freedom there is."

This is our debut of Emuna Hour, our new weekly shiur on Zoom that helps us learn and internalize the principles of emuna. The mp3 is unedited, so you can hear how Nazis and hate-spammers tried to crash the shiur between minutes 17:00 and 18:30.

Ask anyone you like, Jewish or not, if they believe in God. Most people will answer in the affirmative. Now, ask one of the people who told you that they believe in God, what it means to believe in God. Few will give you a clear answer.
G-d willing, our new weekly classes on Zoom, entitled "Emuna Hour", will change all that. Join us on Zoom or own Facebook Live every Wednesday at 8:30 PM Israel Time. Here's your personal invitation:
Topic: Emuna HourTime: Wednesday, Oct 21, 2020 08:30 PM Jerusalem / 1:30 PM NYCJoin Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/86574581688?pwd=aWR0elVBYmF6K2NnV3RrWTBrNEZ5QT09
Meeting ID: 865 7458 1688Passcode: Emuna1
FB live: facebook.com/lazerbrody or facebook.com/groups/22531953392
Join us!

In times of super stress like now, where the pandemic is challenging a person's health, income and state of mind, it's so very important to set aside a weekly hour for the soul.