Jewish tradition believes that the world is regulated by a loving, just and compassionate God. If so, how do we reconcile all the pain, sickness, and death that surrounds us? Rabbi Blech explores the classical literature along with a few noted philosophers including the Rambam, Rabbi Soloveitchik, and other contemporary scholars. Your participation in this 11-part investigation will lead to a deeper synthesis of one's ever-questioning mind to its ever-believing soul.
What elements does a 'prayer' need to be considered a complete prayer? If God always knows what we are thinking, why pray in the first place? Are there specific guidelines for how to request, and what types of things we have a better chance of asking for? Hear great answers to these questions, plus how God arranges to send His messages to us.
Looking back on September 11th may resurface feelings we'd prefer not to experience again. However, there is something very important that we as women must correct in order to help rectify the damage that was unleashed into our world. A powerful and inspiring talk.
Appreciating the complex Divine intricacy of the human eye points to His involvement and how we perceive our destiny. How can we as human beings develop a stronger belief in Hashem's master plan to help us see how all is indeed inherently good. A wise way to spare us all the ups and downs of life.
Rabbi Dessler's understanding of Divine Providence, the ever present hand of God in our lives, reveals so much about events which we usually dismiss as coincidence, and at times even as unjust. Can we learn to perceive God's response to our positive intentions, and also to appreciate the 'unfair' events that unexpectedly happen which stymie some of our well intended actions?
Since every human being is created with an innate knowledge that there is a God, the mitzvah of emunah is not to know that there is a God, but to positively acknowledge it. Through stories and humor, Rabbi Leff helps us understand how we can strengthen our emunah to such a degree as to feel it with all of our senses.
There are two stages of avodas Hashem (serving God): the first is the initial uplifting exhilaration and inspiration. The second stage is internalizing, concretizing and recreating this upward movement. Rabbi Orlowek points out that we all experience moments of inspiration, but it is only by learning to integrate these events and emotions that we can progress and elevate our avodas Hashem.
We often tell ourselves 'if I haven't developed myself enough I may end up hurting those I'm trying to help.' On the other hand we also say 'if I only focus on my growth, maybe I'll never get past my own self-centeredness!' Rav Perlow describes the middle ground between the two and explains how all your personal work can also be applied to serving the Klal.
If we were to view Hashem as our best friend, how different would our lives be? And why is it so hard to trust Him? Don't we intuitively realize that if He's around, shouldn't He be super reliable? And what pushes us to ask 'If I only knew why I was given this test at this time?' Rebbetzin Weinberg also explains how to give Hashem the benefit of the doubt - especially when things seem their bleakest. An important talk.
Why has 'self-esteem' become such an issue in our generation? Our grandparents and all those before them never considered it one of their top ten. Rav Weinberg posits that this concept is not all that it seems, and offers a surprising alternative for self-definition and measuring ones success.
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