For Tetzaveh
Not yet available on the Nishma website
Friday, February 23, 2018
Friday, February 9, 2018
Friday, February 2, 2018
Insight 5778-19: THE NAME
For Yitro
Not yet available on the Nishma website
The idea that tefilla [prayer] should include a bekasha [request] also, in my opinion, reflects the thought expressed in the Insight. Many people find it difficult to accept that a prayer should include a request from God for they see it as approaching God because it is in one's best interest. They, as such, like to see prayer simply in terms of praising God or thanking Him. From a bekasha, though, one really sees God as instrumental in one's life and the fact that one can approach God in this manner obviously reflects close relationship. If someone is close to you, obviously, that person wants to assist you. As such, tefilla should incorporate shevach [praise], bekasha and hoda'ah [thankfulness] for it is in the meshing of these three that we reflect the uniqueness of our relationship with Him.
Not yet available on the Nishma website
The idea that tefilla [prayer] should include a bekasha [request] also, in my opinion, reflects the thought expressed in the Insight. Many people find it difficult to accept that a prayer should include a request from God for they see it as approaching God because it is in one's best interest. They, as such, like to see prayer simply in terms of praising God or thanking Him. From a bekasha, though, one really sees God as instrumental in one's life and the fact that one can approach God in this manner obviously reflects close relationship. If someone is close to you, obviously, that person wants to assist you. As such, tefilla should incorporate shevach [praise], bekasha and hoda'ah [thankfulness] for it is in the meshing of these three that we reflect the uniqueness of our relationship with Him.
Friday, January 26, 2018
Insight 5778-18: FURTHER ON A NATIONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
For Beshalach
Not yet available on the Nishma website
Not yet available on the Nishma website
Friday, January 19, 2018
Friday, January 12, 2018
Friday, January 5, 2018
Insight 5778-15: THE SERVANT OF GOD
For Shemot
Not yet available on the Nishma website
This understanding of the relationship between God and humanity is also significant in the discussion of the relationship between a rebbi [teacher] and talmid [student] or other designation of follower. There are those who wish to maintain that a student must always follow the position of a teacher; the latter's will must always be subservient to the will of the teacher. There are others, though, who maintain that the actual sign of a good rebbi is one who can raise a talmid to have a proper will of his/her own and thus is able to make decisions independent and even in conflict with the teacher. Independence of will is obviously the issue. While the independence of a prophet's will that the Insight argues must be an element of prophecy does not, of course, in any way imply a conflict with the Divine, in human terms such an expression of independence could result in a conflict between rebbi and talmid and so the existence of this particular issue in regard to the relationship of teacher and student. In regard to prophecy and, in fact, all aspects of the Divine-human connection, the existence of the Divine Will and the independent human will can, though, paradoxically co-exist. This is the very essence of Torah. This argument in regard to the rebbi-talmid relationship is simply a reflection that such co-existence must also paradoxically co-exist in this case. It is just more difficult in the human case.
Not yet available on the Nishma website
This understanding of the relationship between God and humanity is also significant in the discussion of the relationship between a rebbi [teacher] and talmid [student] or other designation of follower. There are those who wish to maintain that a student must always follow the position of a teacher; the latter's will must always be subservient to the will of the teacher. There are others, though, who maintain that the actual sign of a good rebbi is one who can raise a talmid to have a proper will of his/her own and thus is able to make decisions independent and even in conflict with the teacher. Independence of will is obviously the issue. While the independence of a prophet's will that the Insight argues must be an element of prophecy does not, of course, in any way imply a conflict with the Divine, in human terms such an expression of independence could result in a conflict between rebbi and talmid and so the existence of this particular issue in regard to the relationship of teacher and student. In regard to prophecy and, in fact, all aspects of the Divine-human connection, the existence of the Divine Will and the independent human will can, though, paradoxically co-exist. This is the very essence of Torah. This argument in regard to the rebbi-talmid relationship is simply a reflection that such co-existence must also paradoxically co-exist in this case. It is just more difficult in the human case.
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