Your inner reservoir
“Hashem said to Moses and Aaron: Because you did not believe in Me to sanctify Me in the presence of the Children of Israel; therefore, you will not bring this congregation into the land that I have given them” (Numbers 20:12) The story of Moses striking the rock to produce water for the thirsty nation […]
Low profile
“When sugar dissolves completely into water, it sweetens it. So too, a person who lives humbly and inconspicuously can sweeten the lives of others.” (Rebbe Yitzchak of Vorke)
The art of seeing
As Moses was about to lead the Jewish people into the Promised Land, they requested to first send an advance party of spies. G-d consented, and Moses directed the 12 chosen spies to determine the strength of Canaan’s inhabitants and the quality of the land. After 40 days, the spies returned, and ten of them […]
How to truly see
Sometimes, you have to lie down in the lowest ditch to be able to see the brightest stars. (Chassidic saying)
New class: The Binding of Isaac
We have just completed our study of the Iggeret HaRamban – the Letter of Nachmanides to his son dealing with character perfection. Videos of entire series of 26 sessions are available to all TorahPaths subscribers. Beginning on Wednesday evening, June 2, we will begin an in-depth study of Genesis 22 – the story of the […]
Nothing there
Rebbe Nachman of Breslov used to say, “The Yetzer Hara (inner adversay/evil inclination) is like a person circulating among a crowd with his fist clenched and asking each person what they think is inside his clenched fist. Each one believes that what’s inside is exactly what he wants and craves in life. Finally, the Yetzer […]
Smug
R’ Nachum of Chernobyl would say, “I’m more disturbed by my good deeds that please me than by my bad deeds that repel me,”
Your stronger hand…
“Our rabbis have taught: This is the way you should act towards people – though sometimes you may have to push them away with your left hand, draw them closer with your right.” (Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 107b)
Inner light
“Each of us must know that a candle burns within us. A unique candle with its own distinct light. Each of us must understand that we must strive to reveal the light from within and combine our lights into a great flame that will illuminate the world.” (Rav Kook)
Opening our hand
The merit of Tzedaka is so great that I am happy to give to 100 beggars even if only one might actually be needy. Some people, however, act as if they are exempt from giving charity to 100 beggars if one of them might be a fraud.(The Sanzer Rebbe)