Rabbi Zev Leff is Rav of Moshav Matisyahu, and a renowned lecturer and educator. He is the author of Shiurei Bina - Outlooks & Insights on the Weekly Torah Portion, and most recently, Shemoneh Esrei: The Depth and Beauty of Our Daily Tefillah, published by Targum Press. Visit his website online at www.rabbileff.net.
Moving to Eretz Yisrael means a lot more than adapting to a new language and culture. The influence of the Holy Land has been a source of mystery since time immemorial. Rabbi Leff sorts out the changes in life style and thought needed for a smoother adjustment.
Rabbi Leff opens by explaining how it behooves us to understand the world - and behave accordingly. He shows from Hashem Himself how to bridge the gap between our ideals and the reality of applying them to chinuch. Hear how hard it is to hold back from pushing them to live up to our expectations, and how hard it is to accept them for who they are. Also discussed is anticipating chinuch problems before they occur, and dealing with a child's spiritual falls.
Hear a beautiful talk describing the facets that a vibrant Jewish home is built upon. Rabbi Leff compares the Jewish home to the pillars of the Beit HaMikdash. Hear how truly pivotal the role of a Jewish woman is in firmly establishing the sanctity of her home, and how her diligence in this task is a prerequisite in setting the stage for the rebuilding Jerusalem's Holy Temple.
What components go into building a healthy home? Rabbi Leff explains how the different sectors of a home enhance the physical quality of our lives. By overlaying the spiritual needs of a Jewish home, we can better visualize the spirit of Torah, self-esteem, and unity needed for a Jewish family to flourish.
If the Torah was designed to be studied primarily by men, why did God first reveal the Torah to the Jewish women? Rabbi Leff explains the essential Torah roles for men and women and how, when conscientiously fulfilled, naturally complement each other for a customized model Jewish home.
Why did God reveal the Torah to the Jewish women before the Jewish men - especially considering that it was designed to be studied primarily by men? To answer this question, Rabbi Leff explains the essential roles God intended for men and women. When these roles are fastidiously fulfilled, they complement each other to create the true Jewish home, allowing God's presence to join them.
Why did God reveal the Torah to the Jewish women before the Jewish men - especially considering that it was designed to be studied primarily by men? To answer this question, Rabbi Leff explains the essential roles God intended for men and women. When these roles are fastidiously fulfilled, they complement each other to create the true Jewish home, allowing God's presence to join them.
Contrary to popular belief, tznius is not intended to separate us from the physical world in order to gain access to the spiritual realm - it is to protect that which is intrinsically precious to your soul. Rabbi Leff uses a brilliant comparison between the Mishkan and talmidei chachamim to explain the balance and interaction between the body and soul. This talk is considered a classic exposition on the topic.
Rabbi Leff's class on earning a living shows us how to perceive normal life situations in ways that clearly point to Hashem's helping hand pushing us to turn to Him. Hear how even a small attitude shift can be so life changing as to help you earn things you would otherwise have never dreamed possible.
Since Hashem can give us whatever He wants, why does He make our earning a living so difficult? If working is to help us reach the goal of being fully alive, how is the lesson learned from our need to make ends meet, and the emotional challenge of having more reliance on the tests and dispensations that He's constantly sending our way?