Parables

The Ben Ish Chai tells a story about two Jewish merchants from Turkey who were aboard a ship in the Mediterranean. A terrible storm hit the ship at sea and wrecked it. The ship's crew scrambled to the life boats, but the two Jews, Reuven and Shimon, were left behind. This poignant story helps us in our preparation for Passover, and for life.

A disgruntled husband went to his rabbi for an urgent consultation. "Rabbi, I want to divorce my wife," he said gravely, "I can't stand her anymore."
The rabbi prescribed a special type of medication - a happiness pill...

Here is a formula for success on Yom Kippur, success that will influence a person's entire year for the very best –
EMUNA – believe in Yom Kippur's power of atonement and believe that Hashem will forgive you of all your sins
EFFORT – asssess yourself, make teshuva and return to Hashem
EXPECTATIONS – a clean bill of spiritual health: not only forgiveness for all your sins, but purification of the soul which is a magnificent gift from Hashem, with the following 10 benefits:
1) inner peace, 2) happiness, 3) patience, 4) no anger, 5) forgiveness, 6) prayers answered, 7) spiritual awareness, 8) understanding of Torah, 9) no outstanding judgments, 10) no fear
Gmar Chatima Tova and much love from the Land of Emuna, LB

This old Jewish parable helps us prepare for a wonderful New Year, with advice that's good for all of us, no matter who we are.

If you don't think that our Talmudic sages saw far into the future with their crystal-clear spiritual vision, then hear today's podcast, which shows just how the holy Raba bar Bar Chana saw what would happen in our generation in general, and with the upheaval of COVID-19 in particular.

Many of us want to change, yet we expect it to happen automatically, with no effort on our part. Life doesn't work that way. An old Hebrew expression says, "Even a journey of a thousand kilometers begins with a first step." What does that have to do with Moshiach, Geula? Do we really want them, or do we want to continue with exile, Diaspora and fasting on Tisha B'av?

Today's podcast is dedicated to the loving memory of Jack R. Cohen, Yaakov Yisrael ben Chaviva A"H
There is a terrible phenomenon, even within "religious" circles, of scoffing at baalei teshuva, converts and Noahides because of their pure and innocent desire to strengthen faith and get closer to Hashem. And even within many "religious" communities, people scoff at those who strive past group norms of mediocrity. Today's podcast is a message of encouragement to the victims of the scoffers, who like King Solomon says, will have the last laugh at the scoffers.

Gratitude is the very best insurance policy on earth. The best way to maintain health, income and every other blessing in life is to thank the Almighty daily and profusely for everything we have, taking nothing for granted. Today's podcast tells is a parable from the "Ben Ish Chai", the holy Rabbi Yosef Chaim of Baghdad osb"m, to help us understand.

Here's a delightful parable I heard from the renown Novardoker Maggid, Rabbi Yankel'e Galinski, of saintly and blessed memory, about a group of drunkards. This is something to keep in mind not only while preparing for Shavuot, but all year long.

Why are so many good and upright people dying in the Corona pandemic? Is there anything one can do to protect himself from severe judgments? How could a person be his own worst enemy? Today's podcast could potentially save people from disaster.

There's a classic historical pattern whenever Antisemitism exploded in full force; it was always preceded by plague or economic crises. The same pattern is repeating itself right now. What can we do about it?

A parable about the power of loving your fellow human being...