The Shmuz

Of course we appreciate our parents. Of course we respect them. Isnt that only natural? Doesnt everyone? And yet we dont. We live in a society that doesnt seem to know the meaning of the word respect. There is no respect for authority, no respect for institutions, no respect for elders, and even no respect for ourselves. Unfortunately, we are affected by this, and this lack of respect goes so far...

The Shadchan says, "So tell me, what are you looking for?" And, out comes the laundry list."I need someone who is extroverted, funny, and outgoing.""I need a woman who is very frum, good, kind, tolerant, and funny.""I need a guy who is tall, a take-charge type, strong but not headstrong."And unwittingly, many people make the first mistake of the dating game - they aren't looking for their Bashert-...

After all is said and done, what was so great about the Akeidah? Throughout history many people have been called upon and have made great sacrifices. Yet this single act echoes through the millennia. What was so unique about what Avrahom did? What was so special about the way he did it? And more pointedly, what relevance does it have for us some 3,700 years later?    See acast.com/privacy for priv...

  We all daven, and on some level we know that Davening works. But do we really understand it? Do we really understand that our prayers have an effect on our lives? Do we really understand that my davening can change the circumstances of my life? This Shmuz helps us understand the profound effect that tefilah can have on situations and settings that directly affect our lives.  See acast.com/privac...

By all accounts Noach was a Tzadik. Yet he didnt go into the teivah until the water forced him in. Rashi tells us the reason was that Noach Believed and he didnt believe. Whilst he knew that Hashem was going to bring a mabul, he still doubted it. What seems perplexing is that Hashem spoke to Noach telling him there would be a flood. Not only that, but Noach had spent the last 120 years building a...

It is very difficult for us human beings to accept that we do things that are wrong, and so we rationalize. We create illusions and fanciful stories that we ourselves dont believe. And so, you will find intelligent, otherwise rational people saying things like, Of course I wouldnt steal, stealing is dishonest, but this isnt stealing .Its shtick. We mach shtick. We mach Shtick with the tickets, mac...

Of course loshon horah is forbidden. We know it was the prime cause of the destruction of the Bais HaMikdash, and of course we know that we arent supposed to speak it--yet we do. A big part of the reason is that we dont really see it as wrong, we dont see it as damaging, and we certainly dont see the act of speaking as something that will cost us in the future. This Shmuz is a powerful introductio...

Over the course of history, it seems that there has been no shortage of anti-Semites, people who truly hate Jews and would do anything in their power to put an end to the Jewish Problem. Yet it also seems that if you ask the common anti-Semite, why is it that you hate the Jew? Likely, he wouldnt be able to answer. I know that you dream about their demise- but why? What is it about them that bother...

  While this may be philosophys greatest question, isnt it something that any thinking person must answer: What is my purpose in existence? Drawing from The Path of the Just, this Shmuz focuses us on finding the true meaning and purpose of our life. What is my purpose in life? What are my true core values? What does it mean after death I will live on? I will be dead!    See acast.com/privacy for p...

It almost seems as if some people are born with a silver spoon in their mouth, while others are destined to suffer. Why is it is that some people are born with amazing capacity, and others are created so simple? Why is there autism in the world? Why Down Syndrome? If in fact God is just, why not mete out talents and abilities in an equal manner to all people? Using the backdrop of a famous event b...

To many of us the issue of belief in the Creator boils down to logic against faith. As if from a purely rational, intellectual point of view it would appear that the world evolved, and we who believe have to hold on to our faith against the onslaught of logic and scientific discoveries. In this Shmuz we are asked to look at matters from a very different vantage point, namely: that which passes in...

It is clear that Hashem wants man to work for a living. But is there a particular profession that I should I be doing to make a living? Does the Torah have a formula for me to figure out exactly what line of work I should pursue? Using the system explained by the Chovos Halevovos we are given clear directions towards finding the right way for me to earn my living. (Essential hashkafa for a person...

Of course we daven. Three times a day. Everyday. The question is how real our davening is, and to whom are we davening. It often seems that our davening is more talking to the walls than talking to Hashem. This Shmuz helps us focus on some of the most basic principles in Judaism, things we always knew, yet take for granted, and are so critical for our growth as religious Jews and thinking people. ...

In this introduction to emunah, we are presented with four basic levels of belief: 1. Hashem created the world. 2. Hashem is involved in the really big picture issues - war, famine, life and death. 3. Hashem knows my inner thoughts. 4. Hashem is intimately involved in my day to day life. After outlining and defining the levels, we are given practical techniques to improve our level of belief in al...

Did you ever notice that no one does anything wrong? It seems that no matter how clear it is to you and me that this person is engaged in self destructive behavior, he doesn't admit that he is doing something wrong or harmful; rather he comes up with an entire rationale why it is good and in fact proper. To allow for Free Will, we humans had to be given this ability to rationalize away our behavio...

We spend our life trying to gain Olam Habbah. All of our learning, all of our chessesd, all of our davening, is directed towards creating what I will be forever. Yet sometimes it seems that we work harder and not smarter towards our goal. In this Shmuz, we are introduced to a simple method to dramatically increase our portion in Olam Habbah- a smarter way.    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and...

Alan Dershowitz, in his book The Vanishing Jew, describes that as part of a course he taught in Harvard Law school, one of his co-professors decided to rate G-d. They decided to sit in judgment of Hashem, to determine how good a job He did when He created this world. Their conclusion? They found much good, much wisdom and forethought, but they also found much suffering and pain, needless pain. So...

The last of the Ten Commandments is You shall not covet. Simply stated one should not be desirous of his neighbors property, possessions or any attribute that he may have. On the face of things this seems to be a very difficult mitzvah to observe. If my neighbor has something that is beautiful, he owns a magnificent home, he drives a beautiful car or has a fantastic job, isn't it human nature to f...

Chazal teach us that HASHEM would have created the entire world for one man: the sun, the moon and the stars, the planets and constellations, the oceans, the rivers and the birds -- all for one human being. The question is what exactly is so great about man? What is so fantastically meaningful and significant about one man that it was worth creating all of heaven and earth just for him? Using the...

Its true that Im not quite where I hope to be one day. Its even true that there are many thoughts that go through my head that Im not proud of. I am still selfish and self centered, and there are many things that I feel that I would be deeply ashamed of if anyone else knew about them. But its OK, because one day I will change. This Shmuz focuses us on the shocking realization that as I am at the l...

I accept that each persons life span is set before they are born. I also accept that the question is visited on Rosh Hashanah when Hashem decides who will live and who will die. All that is fine and well, until I pick up a gun and say to myself, cant I decide to end that persons life? Isnt it obvious that whether that person will live or die is now in my hands? Using the Tisha BAv Gemarah as a bac...

It seems that it should be easier now to grow than in any previous generation. We have wealth, luxuries, freedom from oppression, and we have time. We enjoy so many time saving devices and conveniences that it would surely seems that we are finally free to sit and learn. And in fact, it seems that we should be able to reach great heights - and yet it is harder than ever to serve Hashem. It seems t...

Chazal tell us that Hashem created a malach whose sole job it is to trip up man -- to get us to sin, to get us to fail, to get us to mess up. Where is he? What voice does he speak with? How can I identify him? For most of us, without direct guidance from chazal it is difficult to quantify and identify the soton. Does he speak in my head? Whose voice does he use? How can I tell? This Shmuz brings u...

At the age of 40, Akiva the shepherd went off to learn and transformed himself into the Torah giant known throughout history. We all know the basic story line, but we may not know that he promptly quit and set back home -- a failure. One event changed his life and gave him the strength and fortitude to turn back and succeed. Detailing the events of Rebbe Akivas struggle, the story of sacrifice, fa...

Elisha Ben Avuha was one of the greatest Torah scholars who ever lived--He was a tanna, a great Torah teacher, and the rebbe of Rebbe Meir -- until he became Acher, the Heretic. In that state he undid all of the good that he had accomplished, and did things that were purely evil. Yet, when he died, he wasnt allowed into Gehenom, because of the merit of Torah until his student, Rebbe Meir, begged f...