Rebbetzin Heller is a senior lecturer at Neve Yerushalayim College in Jerusalem. Amongst her many areas of expertise are the role of women in Judaism and analysis of the lives of women in the Bible. Rebbetzin Heller herself is an example of a woman who has managed to balance her responsibilities as the mother of a large family with her roles as international speaker and author.
Rebbetzin Heller examines the sensitive topic of mourning for close relatives according to Jewish law. Hear how the practices customarily followed during the first week, the first thirty days, and the first year reflect the mourner's personal values of human life. Also dealt with is a painful question - how does one mourn for those who have deeply hurt them?
Just who are we mourning after death? Isn’t the deceased now in a better place? Rebbetzin Heller examines levels of truth for overcoming whatever hurt we may have received at the hands of those we love, and how to view their negative choices. She moves on to discuss the laws of the mourner and the healthy and supportive environment that is created around them, and how this affects the soul of the individual who passed away.
In truth, life couldn't be any better than it already is for each individual. Hashem gives each of us the specific tools and tests we need to fulfill our individual mission. When we can grasp the profundity of this concept then we will realize how even a 'special' neshama is truly living in their best of all possible worlds.
Why did Maimonidies find it necessary to write a new set of books on the Jewish view of everything, knowing that the Talmud and Mishnah already has it all? From the first volume, The Book of Knowledge, hear a fascinating discussion on the core foundations of Torah, and how we can know for sure God exists - despite all claims to the contrary.
Feeling that God is like a brick wall to our supplications only points out how wide the gap between us really is. Tragically, our distance from God is so great that we also no longer feel the pain of the separation. Rebbetzin Heller's analysis of how to rebuild the relationship is psychologically astute, and practical in application.
Rebbitzen Heller looks at two very eager forces that masquerade within our character - anger and pride. Listen in to what their source is, how they manifest, and how we should deal with them.
There are a number of elevated Godly traits woven deep in the fiber of our being. Choosing to use these traits during our interactions with others will also help to develop a stronger sense of morality. What are these traits, and how do we get in touch with them? Included is Rebbetzin Heller's introduction on what prayer is and how it builds our relationship with God. Hear the two main blocks faced in prayer and ways to overcome them.
When Jewish prayer was canonized into the siddur we use today, which seems to have removed much of the spontaneity from it. Rebbetzin Heller maps out the order of importance of our daily prayers, when to stand and when to bow, plus the keys for knowing where the minyan is up to. She takes a look at how the beginning blessings of the amidah relate to your life.
Rebbetzin Heller focuses on the end of the amidah. Which blessing was added due to dire religious and political circumstances? And where is the hot spot in this powerful prayer can you add in your own personal requests, in you own language? And what are the components of peace as Judaism defines it, and where can we ask for it in our lives?