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The following is a rare audio clip just come to “light” of the Baba Sali – Rabbi Yisrael Abuchatzeira lighting the Chanukah lights. This clip was Chanukah 5744 (1983) when Baba Sali was 94 years old. It was his last Chanukah in this world. Enjoy the clip:
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Sadly, there are a lot of non-believers not interested in knowing what the Torah is. Many Jews – while Jewish by birth, lack the desire to want to know more about their Torah – their soul. As a result, many take offence in the presence of a Torah scholar. They feel that although they may not have studied Torah themselves, they are more qualified to speak about what the Torah is and their understanding of what God wants from us…
Continue reading “The Torah Crane – How to Teach Torah to a Non-Believer”
The Shulchan Aruch clearly details the laws with regards to washing one’s hands in the morning after arising. Though that be the case, Rabbi Chaim Vital brings down the same process but also adds a reason as to the way washing should be done – which is not included in the Shulchan Aruch. Naturally – the Shulchan Aruch is a book about Jewish law – Halachah. As a result, only the law is dealt with. However, Rabbi Vital is here to teach us the hidden mysteries behind the law and therefore shares a reason for the process of washing as well. He also adds another point not mentioned in the Shulchan Aruch which adds further blessing to the way the washing should be done.
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I’d like to tell you something. It’s not my way to hate. But sometimes I see news and social media posts that come across with such hatred, I often want to jump on their ugly bandwagon filled with their own cobwebs and skeletons in their own closets and shot out as loud as I can, “LET’S ALL HATE EACH OTHER!!!”
What a “wonderful” idea! Well, it’s something I think about because I know that if I were to say such a thing, I could just imagine how many negative comments would come back to me about what an ugly person I myself am. How can I say such a thing?! They might add, “Are you a member of society”, or perhaps, “You should be banished and put away for life for even thinking to speak that way!” And ironically (pay attention now…)- it is their very post that indicates their own destructive hatred – just that it’s said over in such a better and more sophisticated manner. This, of course, to clear those who actually say those terrible things of any emotions of hatred that they would – God forbid – have towards anyone else. They are surely the most loving of people who would not say a bad word about anyone!
The Rema in the Shulchan Aruch – Orach Chaim 1:2-3 brings down as Halachah the importance of awakening at midnight in order to mourn the destruction of the Temple. Amazingly, though this is brought down at the very beginning of the Shulchan Aruch, most people will only really glance through it quickly to get through it in order to get to learn “real” Halachah.
Of course, this Halachah is just as equally as important as all the rest. In fact in terms of making a beginning to one’s day and one’s life, it is perhaps the most important thing one can do. Perhaps it is neglected because many don’t understand it well enough or perhaps because life in today’s times moves too fast to allow for people to get to bed early enough to awaken early enough to do the midnight prayers.
Continue reading “Teachings of The Arizal – Awaken at Chatzot to Study Torah”
In Shaar Ruach HaKodesh (Yichud 21) – teachings of the Arizal as compiled by his pupil Rabbi Chaim Vital, sharing some of the most beautiful secrets in one’s path to the acquisition of Divine inspiration, Rabbi Vital teaches us a secret he learnt from the Arizal regarding the Name of God.
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Rabbi Chaim Vital in the introduction to Shaar HaKavanot speaks about the issue of the manner of prayer. Here, Rabbi Chaim Vital introduces us to a vital area of our lives – the world of prayer. Those who daven with a Minyan regularly know well the challenges encountered. One most usually finds that everyone has something to say – and that doesn’t mean their prayer to God – it often means their approach to prayer which takes on outward signs of righteousness as opposed to inner calm and connection with the Divine. This – let alone the often unpleasant unnecessary noise of needless conversation, but that is for another time…
Continue reading “Teachings of the Arizal – The Importance of Praying Quietly”
In the beginning of Shaar Hakavanot – the teachings of the Arizal regarding the intentions of should have during prayer, as codified by his main disciple Rabbi Chaim Vital, the Arizal teaches us a golden rule about prayer. While many enter a shul (or stay in their private room for prayer) and begin praying for their own selves, the Arizal teaches us a lesson which we must implement in our every day lives. Even if we aren’t striving to become the next outstanding Mekubal (kabbalist) of the generation, it is something which applies to each of us.
Continue reading “Teachings of the Arizal – Love Your Fellow as Yourself Everyday”
