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Biblical Faith Shows
Biblical Faith – with Shmuel “Sam” Peak
Emunah channel is here. For Info www.torahfaith.org
Analogously, if a person has been singled out by the Creator, May He be exalted, for special favor, he is under an obligation of increased service as an expression of gratitude for this favor.
For this reason the Early Pietists — whenever they were graced with some blessing from among the blessings of the world — would be apprehensive for two reasons: 1) that they not be deficient in fulfilling the service and expressing the gratitude they owed for this good fortune, so that it not turn into misfortune for them, as for our forefather Ya’akov said: “I am diminished from all the kindness” (Bereishit 32:11); and 2) that this not be the Creator’s reward for their service, at the expense of their reward in the World-to-Come, as explains by the Early Ones on the verse “He repays His enemies to their face [i.e., during their lifetime, so as] to destroy them [in the Hereafter]” (Devarim 7:10). This should suffice you.
Dedicated to Barry and Gloria Ellington
Program Link – Read the Torah w/Shmuel – Contact – Emunah Channel
Biblical Faith – with Shmuel “Sam” Peak
Emunah channel is here. For Info www.torahfaith.org
The proper way for a servant in this world to act toward his master, who bestowed upon him even a small portion of bounties your Creator has bestowed upon you, includes serving him exclusively, in word and in deeds; faithfulness to him and dedication in his affairs, both outwardly and inwardly; and awe and fear of him, so long as he is in his service. As one of the pious ones put it: “Do not rebel against your master while he is looking at you.” Also, the servant should be lowly and humble before his master, in his external actions and in the privacy of his conscience. He should bear himself with humility before him, in his dress and in his mode of conduct. He should honor him; exalt him with his tongue and his heart; praise and thank him by day and by night; recall his beneficence in private and in public; recount his glory and praise as befits him; run to do his service with joy and good intentions, out of love for him, to find favor before him, to draw near to his will.
Dedicated to John and Gloria Culver
Program Link – Read the Torah w/Shmuel – Contact – Emunah Channel
Biblical Faith – with Shmuel “Sam” Peak
Emunah channel is here. For Info www.torahfaith.org
It is now fitting that we explain the form of stimulus [provided] by the intellect. Until the end of this gate [we will use] a question-and-answer format, as this is most suitable to a clear exposition of the topic we are investigating.
The intellectual stimulus is HaShem’s reminder to man, through his intellect, to know Him and to recognize the signs of His wisdom. It comes from HaShem to one who has made the Torah the light of his path, when he attains to the limit of his intellectual ability and the utmost clarity of his perception; when he yearns to gain the favor of the Almighty and to ascend the heights of the pious; and turns his heart away from worries and distractions of this world.
Dedicated to Professor Thomas Hays and Yonah Barrett
Program Link – Read the Torah w/Shmuel – Contact – Emunah Channel
Biblical Faith – with Shmuel “Sam” Peak
Emunah channel is here. For Info www.torahfaith.org
The opinions of the people of the Torah regarding belief and the acceptance of the service of HaShem, may He be exalted, are on ten different levels.
It may be that, among the degrees of men of understanding in Torah, there exist gradations other than those we have described; we have mentioned only those in which the large majority of the people can be found. Citing them is of clear use to one who searches for the straight path: when he finds among them a level that he is close to, he will know which level is above it, and will try to ascend to it. The difference between his own level and the highest of all levels will be made clear to him, and he will attempt to ascend to it, level after level. This way will be easier for him.
Dedicated to Ollie and Bea Baldridge
Program Link – Read the Torah w/Shmuel – Contact – Emunah Channel
Biblical Faith – with Shmuel “Sam” Peak
Emunah channel is here. For Info www.torahfaith.org
As the Torah consists of words and meanings, people are ranked, according to their wisdom in Torah, on ten different levels.
First level: people who study the Chumash and the rest of the Scriptures, and are satisfied with their ability to read the text without understanding the meaning.
Second level: people who try to read and correctly and follow the vowels, and who concentrate most of their efforts on learning the methods of vocalization.
Third level: people who, recognizing the insufficiency of the above-mentioned levels, try to understand the reasons behind vocalization and accentuation.
Fourth level: people who add to what has been mentioned above the explanation of the difficult words in Scripture and the plain sense of the text, and who, in addition, investigate the figurative and the literal meaning of the words in the Hebrew language.
Fifth level: people who add to what has been mentioned above the knowledge of the meaning of the Scriptures; the understanding of its principles; the investigation of metaphorical and literal meanings, such as the anthropomorphic expression in Scripture.
Sixth level: people who rely on the tradition of the Early Ones; namely, the Mishnah, and attain knowledge of some of the Torah obligations, commandments, and laws without consulting the Talmud.
Seventh level: people who add, to all that has been mentioned, the study of the Talmud. They devote themselves to reciting its text and reading its decisions, without answering the questions that arise or resolving its difficulties.
Eighth level: people who are not satisfied with the knowledge of the Torah that satisfies those mentioned above, but who exert themselves to understand the words of the Talmudic Masters, to answer the question and resolve the difficulties, in order to gain through this fame and honor.
Ninth level: people who exert themselves to know the duties of the heart and the limbs, and what is determined to right conduct; who understand the plain sense of the Holy Scriptures as well as the inter meaning.
Tenth level: people who have inherited from the prophets and the wisdom of the Torah, with all its interpretations and the branches of its fundamental principles.
Dedicated to Ollie and Bea Baldridge
Program Link – Read the Torah w/Shmuel – Contact – Emunah Channel
Biblical Faith – with Shmuel “Sam” Peak
Emunah channel is here. For Info www.torahfaith.org
It is now fitting that we explain the form of the stimulus employed by the Torah; the parts of the Torah; the various levels of those who study its wisdom; their characteristics; their belief in it; and their acceptance.
The stimulus of the Torah is a revelation from HaShem, through the medium of a certain individual among human beings, about the service to be rendered by them to Him that would be pleasing in His sight, so that He may bestow upon them, for their acceptance of it, a reward in this world and the next, as an expression of His kindness, generosity, and grace.
In Memory of Rabbi Asher ben Yechiel
Program Link – Read the Torah w/Shmuel – Contact – Emunah Channel
Biblical Faith – with Shmuel “Sam” Peak
Emunah channel is here. For Info www.torahfaith.org
Man is composed of body and soul. Among his traits is the inclination to give himself over to physical pleasures, indulging in low desires, and break the restraining bonds of reason. On the other hand, he has traits which — because of his insecure condition in the world, and the continued misfortune and sorrow that he suffers — would bring him to reject the world, renounce society, and turn to the higher world on intellect.
In Memory of Rabbi Asher ben Yechiel
Program Link – Read the Torah w/Shmuel – Contact – Emunah Channel