Some Divine decrees were given, but how come reasons were not given for the rational mitzvot? Are we really expected to do things we don't understand? Hear an interesting discussion on this thorny issue plus other insights from the weekly parsha - such as when the wandering Jews encountered the greatest non-Jewish prophet, Bilaam, and his multiple attempts to curse them in the desert.
What sense does it make that Pinchas, a zealot who kills two adulterers, is given a covenant of peace? The act he did may have been correct, but it’s certainly demonstrates actions of war, not peace. Rabbi Milstein explains the test and need for upholding morality in a world that is trashing out so many life giving moral standards.
The power of the spoken word is progressively losing its strength. Join Rabbi Milstein for an eye-opening talk on how articulation can carry you to great spiritual heights. Comprehending the strength of the tongue may very well impress upon the heart to refrain from slander, swearing, or profanity.
In his weekly Parsha talk on Devarim, Rabbi Milstein culls the words of Moses on how to attain greater sensitivity when attending to the spiritual growth of others. He itemizes the specific merits needed to speed up the final salvation, and how to 'show' others the sweeter side of our rich heritage.
This week's Torah portion repeats five times how good behavior can earn us more life. So one time isn't enough? Rabbi Milstein parallels each repetition to the ascending levels of Free Will. Hear how understanding the moving parts of this precious gift can spark more awareness and the stronger feeling of directing your future.
Don't be a zombie and don't be a puppet. Rabbi Milstein explains how these states of being are very different, and how the human psyche can view reality more clearly. Heighten your awareness of the ever present free-will choices you are constantly faced with in life.
The Torah consents to a soldier in war taking a female prisoner as a wife. But how can the Torah sanction such a moral travesty against its higher standards? To the contrary, we know that most societies in history treated women as slaves, in this episode we also address the high value Judaism has for its women. This discussion also examines ways to conquer lust.
In the puzzling ritual of Bikkurim, Jewish farmers presented their hard-earned first fruits to God, and then recited the story of Lavan's attempt to destroy our nation. What does one thing have to do with the other? Rabbi Milstein probes the significant happiness you can give another by reaching out, or the terrible effect it can have by giving from half a heart.
As we stood before Moses at Mount Sinai it was fully understood that as a nation we would rise or fall together. Rabbi Milstein reviews those times the Jewish nation was unified and the success they reaped. Reestablishing the glory of our unity and the communal bonds we long for is within reach - even after so many hard years.
This landmark day of receiving the Torah changed the entire course of world history. What important factor did we possess back then that we must reacquire for receiving His golden instructions for Living once again?