Torah Thought

Rabbi Lazer Brody with a special message for the Omer period from the Western Wall remnant of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

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.

Welcome to Emuna News, where you find out what's really happening in the world. Today's news update and message is, "Avalanche or Birth?" It sounds weird, but it's an exact description of current events right, where we find out the connection between COVID 19, wildfires, BLM and Yom Kippur.

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.

Here's today's emuna news: the preoccupation with Coronavirus has taken the focus away from Israel's northern border, where an acute threat of hundreds of thousands of Hizbolla and Iranian missiles are aimed at us right now. Moses saw all this in this week's Torah portion...

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?

This world is just like a restaurant - there are no free meals. Indeed, the seemingly free meals end up being the most expensive ones. Enjoy this parable about the evil inclination.

What possibly does COVID-19 have to do with Kamtza and Bar Kamtza? The key to the puzzle is Shalva Zalfreund, of blessed memory, a kindergarten teacher in Petah Tikva, passed away from coronavirus this past Friday, July 17, 2020. Shalva was an amazing teacher who educated several generations of Petah Tikva's children. Before she died, she wrote a letter to the parents of the children in her kindergarten. If you take a close look, the letter should be required reading for all of us, especially during the Three Weeks, a time when we're supposed to feel the lack and loss of our Holy Temple. Here is the letter and its mindboggling message to all of us.

A small parental deviation becomes greater and greater with each successive generation. The path a parent takes today - for better of for worse - house a profound effect on future generations.

Noam, an IDF soldier from a "hesder" tank unit, asked me: "I recall in one of your online Torah lessons, you said that if someone learns the right way, then the words of the Gemara come alive. How do you learn Torah in such a way that the holy words come alive right in front of you?" Here's your answer, Noam, which in your credit, others can benefit from also...

The Creator gave you the power to attain greatness. If you haven't yet done that, it's not because you lack talent and ability; it's simply because you haven't yet channeled your power in the right direction. Today's podcast is a must-hear for your realization of potential and personal development.

Hashem gives three wonderful gifts to Israel, all of which come with a price tag of big obstacles – the first is Torah, the second is the Land of Israel and the third is World to Come. The more something is precious, the greater the obstacles in obtaining it. To overcome those obstacles, we must have desire. Don't say you can't...