Lessons in Derech Hashem – The Way of God – Using God’s Names (Part 3) – Lesson 11 of Section 3

Space

Though there are means to making changes within the spiritual realms through the use of G-d’s Names and even interacting with angels, not everyone who uses the known methods will succeed. In addition, making use of the Names when not permitted is really forbidden and will ultimately cause problems at a later stage.

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Lessons in Tanya – Lesson 12 – Daat – Attachment – Chap 3 Part 5 / Garments of the Soul – Chap 4

Brain

We conclude chapter 3 with the concept of Daat. Though translated as knowledge, in the mystical sense, Daat is really the concept of attachment. We process knowledge through a three stage process.

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Derech Hashem – The Way of God – Using God’s Names (Part 3) – Lesson 10 of Section 3

Divine Light

The Ramchal teaches us that God wants us to connect with the spiritual worlds. We can do so by making use of His Names. The various Names produce a certain energy which draws down blessing into the world – and also allows us to connect with the spiritual worlds and spiritual beings literally. These are the concepts of Ruach HaKodesh (Divine Inspiration) and Nevuah (prophecy.)

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Tanya – Lesson 11 – Bringing Intellect into the Fear and Love of God – Chapter 3 Part 4

Love

Continuing with the theme of the ten soul powers, we learn about the importance of bringing Chochmah (wisdom) and Binah (understanding) into one’s being in order to arouse a fear – and then a love – of God.

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Lessons in Talmud – Tractate Berachot – Lesson 5 – Daf 3a & 3b (Part 1) (Using Koren Talmud Bavli)

Castle ruins

After having learned about how the Divine Presence cries over the destruction of the Temple and the dispersion of the Jewish people into the exile, we continue with a story somewhat related to this theme of destruction…

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Lessons in Talmud – Tractate Berachot – Lesson 4 – Daf 2b and 3a (Part 1) (Using Koren Talmud Bavli)

Ruins

The Gemara continues with a discussion about the time considered to be the correct one to recite the Keriat Shema in the evening. A number of opinions was already given in the previous Shiur. Our Gemara now wishes to establish which the earlier and later times are concerning the various opinions.

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Derech Hashem – The Way of God – Using God’s Names (Part 2) – Lesson 9 of Section 3

Cassiopeia

God created the world to function in a certain way. At the same time, He also wants us to interact with creation and with Him. He therefore gives us Names that we may use in order to bring Shefa (abundance and and a flow of blessing downwards) into this world and into ourselves. We use these Names when we pray using a Siddur and through doing so, the spiritual force behind these words (Names) causes changes to occur.

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Lessons in Talmud – Tractate Berachot – Daf 2a/2b (Part 3) – Lesson 3 (Using the Koren Talmud Bavli)

Sunset

Continuing our lessons in Talmud, studying Tractate Brachot (Blessings), we conclude Daf 2 Amud Aleph and move on to Amud Beit. We continue the discussion regarding the recitation of the Keriat Shema in the evening. Various opinions are given from various sages each expressing the time for reciting the Keriat Shema based upon particular events in people’s lives.

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Lessons in Talmud: Tractate Berachot Lesson 2 Daf 2a Part 2

Clocks

In our second lesson studying Tractate Berachot, we continue on our first page – Daf 2a. After a quick summary of the Mishnah as we discussed in our first lesson, we visit a great site online www.myzmanim.com to learn more about the different Halachic times of the day and how we can use a calendar like this to help us to fulfill the various Mitzvot (commandments) in good time!

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