Our relationship with G-d is direct and unencumbered by outside forces. It is part of His essence to forgive us our transgressions. Are we able to access the G-dliness within us in order to forgive our own imperfections, and move on toward improving and perfecting who we truly are?

Psalm 27 is traditionally recited in the morning and evening every day during the month of Elul. What is the secret of this Psalm? What special significance does it have for this month of prayer and repentance? An exploration of its meaning sheds light upon the true goal of the month of Elul – to make a real, uncompromising and trusting relationship with G-d our first priority.

We have been bestowed with the ability to change. Whatever burden we have & created for ourselves, it will not crush us if we only remember that G-d helps us to shoulder our responsibilities the moment we determine to take steps toward realizing our true potential as His children.

Our sages teach that “whoever commits a sin, acquires an accuser for himself.” These are negative forces that become our persecutors, and we actually create these forces through our own misdeeds. They are nourished through our misguided energy and unless we act to correct the situation, they will rise up to accuse us. G-d “bears the iniquity” of these accusers, which we have brought into the world, who pollute His creation.

G-d gives us life, and animates our very souls, and yet, when we rebel against Him by straying from the path and the harmony that He has set out for the entire world, He, in His long-suffering patience, bears our affront and continues to bless us with His great benevolence. It is incumbent upon each of us to emulate this G-dly attribute, and show great patience and forbearance toward others.

Rabbi Richman introduces a new teaching series based on the teaching of the great kabbalist known as the RAMAK, (Rabbi Moshe Kordovero). We serve G-d not only through study and the performance of commandments, but also by constantly striving to improve and perfect our own moral and spiritual character.

“You have turned my lament into dancing for me; You loosened my sackcloth and girded me with joy.” (Psalms 30:12) Tu b’Av, the 15th day of the month of Av, is the day, in primordial pre-time, in which man was “married” to his purpose: to serve G-d in gladness. Torah teaches us that life is meant for happiness, the happiness of fulfilling the word of Torah and the nearness of G-d’s presence, and that we are to be full of the joy that the knowledge of G-d bequeaths us.

A DVD of the Houston, TX lecture from Rabbi Richman’s recent US Tour is now available. – Click Here to Order.

The destruction of the Holy Temple is a manifestation of G-d’s rebuke, our Father’s chastisement of His children. But like any earthly father, our heavenly Father desires only that we repair our way, and return to Him, fulfilling our potential by rebuilding the Holy Temple, today.

We serve G-d by drawing near to Him, and making Him present in every aspect of our lives, from our most sublime moments to our most mundane. To do so, our relationship with G-d must be a living relationship, in accordance with Torah, and expressing the unique qualities of our own souls.