Emuna

If Netflix could reproduce even a small portion of the drama in this week's Psalms, they'd break all box-office records. No screenwriter could imagine how King David, a hostage with no dream of escape, finally made his way to freedom.

All over the world - between wars, natural disasters and political unrest - people lack a clue as to what's happening to them, especially when they are decent people living decent lives. How do we cope when something painful happens to us, especially when it hits us after we did a good deed or finished praying. What happens when we can neither see nor understand what the Creator is doing to us and why? Today's podcast answers.

A soul feels parched and stifled when it lacks Divine light. It also feels dull and unexpressive. King David provides a triple-strength remedy to rejuvenate the soul. You'll feel so good that you'll soon be singing your own new song.

What do you do when you're pinned down in a nasty crossfire? How does it feel when bombs are exploding all around you? What do you do when you look at your watch and calculate that your life expectancy is lesson than a minute? Such a picture is amazingly similar to King David's predicament when he wrote these Psalms.

Today's Emuna News broadcast includes a strategic analysis of the current Gaza war, a spiritual analysis and a forecast of what's to be expected in the coming month.

The more a person gets to know the Almighty, the more he or she wants to praise His Name. All of creation knows its Creator and incessantly sings in reverence to Him. Hashem is the ultimate good, omniscient and invincible. He is also absolute truth and justice. Nothing escapes Him, neither the slightest good deed nor the schemes of sinister people. The more we trust in Him, the happier we are.

Emuna is above nature. Prayer is also above nature and defies nature. Emuna and prayer are one entity. Miracles too are above nature. So, with emuna and prayer, miracles are natural.

When we say the "Shema" prayer - our declaration of faith in Hashem, we cover our eyes. But why? What's the significance? Since we're not robots, we should understand what we're doing and why. Let's therefore get some answers...

After last week's introduction to the Book of Psalms, we now learn the first three Psalms. King David is a role model for all of us. His soul was a kaleidoscope of all of our souls. Therefore, as Rebbe Nachman teaches, each one of us can see ourselves in the Book of Psalms. They reflect our pain and struggles. The Psalms open our hearts and enable us to express ourselves from deep down inside.

In Israel, there's no longer anyplace to hide. With missile attacks now reaching every area of the country, everyone is exposed to potential danger. Increasing threats of antisemitic violence overseas means that there's no escaping from the storm of stress and anxiety anywhere in today's world. Yet, there is one place where a person can find quiet within the storm. Open up Psalm 62...

Anxiety and even panic often occur when a surprise trouble or challenge hits the unsuspecting victim. Unfortunately, most people are unprepared when life's unpleasant surprises ambush them. Some rise to the occasion, but many others crack under the pressure or fall into despair. We don't want that to happen. In that respect, this lesson is a life-saver, literally.

What do you do when life is pitch-black darkness and the pain is unbearable? What happens when there's no apparent reason for hope or the slightest optimism? Have you been trying to escape from the emotional or physical dungeon but it's so dark that you can't find an opening? Rebbe Nachman shows the way out.