The Return of Prophecy
Concerning the two great lights created on the fourth day, G-d introduces a cosmic-wide principle: in order to achieve greatness, one must first diminish oneself.

Beshalach (Exodus 3:17-17:16)

Parashat Beshalach is read on Shabbat:
Shvat 11, 5772/February 4, 2012

Temple Institute Links:
Program Link – Website – Support – Newsletter – Contact Us

This week features:

Secrets of Shevat: Buckets of Torah, Buckets of Rain

One-Fifth of Israel Poised to Cross the Sea: Has Anything Changed?

“You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of Your heritage…”   – from Parashat Beshalach, The Song of the Sea

It’s the month of Shevat, and rains of blessing are falling in the Land of Israel. But rain isn’t the only water that’s pouring down on us… the “water” of Torah is pouring down as well, and this is the time to let those healing waters into our consciousness, and redouble our Torah study. This week’s edition of Temple Talk explains the connection between the renewal of Shevat, and the special element of the renewal and appreciation of Torah study that this month affords us.

This Shabbat is the “Sabbath of Song,” called so because we read the Torah portion of Beshalach, featuring the famed “Az Yashir,” the Song of the Sea. What really happened at the Sea of Reeds? Why does the verse record that only one-fifth of Israel left Egypt? As ever, our hosts’ most important question is: What has this got to do with our lives today? Tune in to this week’s Temple Talk to find out.

Temple Institute Links:
Program Link – Website – Support – Newsletter – Contact Us

Emunah channel is here. For Info www.torahfaith.org

Chapter 6

Mishnah One (continues)

From a teaching by Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, Ruach Chaim.
The Zohar comments that before Sinai, all the creatures were controlled by the cosmic forces. Once the Torah was given to Yisra’el they were freed from the control of these forces. Indeed, one who studies Torah for its own sake actually controls the forces of nature. He can change them at will, and they fear him. In this context, the Mishnah comments that Torah gives him sovereignty and dominion.

Dedicated to Deana McGluflin

Program Link – Read the Torah w/Shmuel – Contact – Emunah Channel

The Return of Prophecy
Creation is a matter of G-d hiding away all but the smallest, dimmest spark of His superal light, so that creation and man can exist. And where does G-d hide His light? In the fabric of creation itself!

Bo (Exodus 10:1-13:16)

Parashat Bo is read on Shabbat:
Shvat 4, 5772/January 28, 2012

Temple Institute Links:
Program Link – Website – Support – Newsletter – Contact Us

This week features:

Recharging in the Month of Shvat

The First of Our New Months: Marking Our Time With G-d

Bring on the month of Shvat ! It is time for all Israel to crawl out from our winter hideaway and get in line for a shot of Divine cosmic love and redemption on Tu B’Shvat, the 15th of Shvat, the new year for trees and man. Meanwhile, back on the banks of the Nile, here in Parashat Bo, G-d is ramping up the plagues He is raining down upon Egypt, while at the very same time welcoming Israel into the world of eternal commandments and commitments: The new moon, the Pesach offering and total redemption.

Are the ten plagues a thing of the past? Or are they happening again today, as foretold, before our very eyes?

Temple Institute Links:
Program Link – Website – Support – Newsletter – Contact Us

Chapter 6

Mishnah One (continues)

He loves the Omnipresent, he loves people . . .
We said one that learns Torah for its own sake is a “friend” and “beloved” of both G-d and people. It is the study and practice of Torah that infuse the world with its values. Since Torah flows from G-d, and Torah lives in people, a person who is embodiment of Torah is tightly bound up with both G-d and mankind.
Indeed, one who learns Torah for its own sake is the vehicle through which the spiritual and physical lanes of existence unite.

Dedicated to Deana McGluflin

Program Link – Read the Torah Portion with Shmuel – Contact

The Return of Prophecy
Tears and discord are introduced by G-d on the second day of creation. It’s all for His greater glory – and to shape a world that will accommodate man and his innate free-will.

Chapter 6

Mishnah One (continues)

From a teaching by Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, Ruach Chaim.

The Torah shields and saves. Mitzvoth (commandments) shield but do not save. The mitzvoth actually represent a healthy diet and life style. When a human being performs a commandment they are surrounded by an aurora of holiness that shields them from their own evil inclination. However, once a human being becomes sick through the sins they have committed, and then they are required Torah study for its own sake, because the evil inclination attacks aggressively the impurity in their own heart. The Torah not only shields them from the evil inclination, but it also purges the evil in their heart and makes that individual fit to embark upon the journey of righteousness and repentance.

In memory of Jerry Dean

Program Link – Read the Torah Portion with Shmuel – Contact

Va’era (Exodus 6:2-9:35)

Parashat Va’era is read on Shabbat:
Tevet 26, 5772/January 21, 2012

Temple Institute Links:
Program Link – Website – Support – Newsletter – Contact Us

This week features:

How Many Roads Must a Man Walk Down Before You Call Him a Man?

From Moses to Moses: A Study in the Making of a True Jewish Leader

In the darkness of my night, from the midst of Tevet, the life-giving energy of Shevat is on the way. But the messages of Tevet: true Torah understanding, the value of leadership, and ever-present Temple consciousness, are planted deeply within us. All those themes and more emerge in this energized edition of Temple Talk, focusing on the character and mission of Moses and further exploration of the themes of current Torah portions. How did Moses get to be the man he became? How many roads did he need to walk down?

Thousands of years before the Four Tops sang “Reach Out, I’ll be There” and AT & T came up with the catchy “Reach Out and Touch Someone” advertising campaign, Pharaoh’s daughter Bitya was doing precisely that… she reached way out beyond herself and rescued the infant Moshe from the Nile. Our sages teach that her arm miraculously stretched out for many feet, but the hosts of Temple Talk redefine what this miracle was truly all about… and how it can and should happen to each and every one of us.

Temple Institute Links:
Program Link – Website – Support – Newsletter – Contact Us

Shemot (Exodus 1:1-6:1)

Parashat Shemot is read on Shabbat:
Tevet 19, 5772/January 14, 2012

Temple Institute Links:
Program Link – Website – Support – Newsletter – Contact Us

The Return of Prophecy
G-d created our world via a series of “disasters” which unfolded over the six primordial days. With each new “disaster” or differentiation of G-d’s essence our natural cosmic environment came into being. As G-d’s light diminished so did our ability to reach out and strive to draw near to Him.

Chapter 6

Mishnah One (continues)

From a teaching by Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, Ruach Chaim.
Humility is not just a mitzvah, meaning a set of rules and actions which a person has to follow, rather humility is a state of mind. A person must naturally develop an attitude as to where they are not so important, so they feel they are humble toward others (Pirkei Avot 4 Mishnah 1).
In memory of Jerry Dean

Program Link – Read the Torah Portion with Shmuel – Contact

This week features:

Stuck Inside of Egypt with the Memphis Blues Again

Beginning the Book of Exodus: Pharaoh’s Advisers and the Jewish Problem

It’s a brave new world as we begin the Book of Exodus and enter into the veritable heart of darkness of the Egyptian exile. In the blinking of an eye, Joseph and his amazing life-sustaining contributions to Egyptian society quickly turn to rust, and who was Joseph anyway? The “new” Pharaoh never even heard of him, and his only concern is what to do about his ever-increasing Jewish problem. Pharaoh summoned his advisers and the first Wannsee Conference took place with the participation of Job, Bilaam and Yitro. In this week’s edition of Temple Talk, Yitzchak Reuven and Rabbi Richman contemplate the lessons of our history and consider our present – and future – in the light of the first Torah reading of the Book of Exodus.

Temple Institute Links:
Program Link – Website – Support – Newsletter – Contact Us

Vayechi (Genesis 47:28-50:26)
Parashat Vayechi is read on Shabbat:
Tevet 12, 5772/January 7, 2012

Temple Institute Links:
Program Link – Website – Support – Newsletter – Contact Us

Chapter 6

Mishnah One (continues)

From a teaching by Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, Ruach Chaim.

The world was created for the sake of the Torah and those that believe in it. As the Talmud explains HaShem created the world with a stipulation that the Jews had to accept the Torah. Otherwise the entire universe would revert to Tohu-Va-Vohu. Therefore the Zohar states that HaShem, the Torah and those that believe in it are One. The Midrash also expounds on this concept, HaShem calls the Jewish Nation, “My perfect Dove” (Song of Songs 5:2).

Program Link – Read the Torah Portion with Shmuel – Contact

This week features:

From Kislev to Tevet: Darkness on the Face of the Deep

Understanding the Cycles: Renewal and Destruction, Redemption and Exile

This week witnesses the headlong convergence of the dramatic conclusion of the book of B’reshith, with the cataclysmic events of the 8th, 9th and 10th days of the month of Tevet. How do we go from the joy of Chanuka’s Temple renewal, to the anguish of the fast of Tevet  commemorating the siege which led to the First Temple’s destruction, as well as the other tragic events that this dominate the psyche of this month? Join Yitzchak Reuven and Rabbi Richman as they discover that the secret to the Jewish people’s indefatigable nature is expressed by this very juxtaposition. The passing of the righteous Yosef, the conclusion of the book of Genesis, the portentous and foreboding translation of Torah into Greek… what is the common thread between all these? All this and more is explored in this week’s inspiring edition of Temple Talk.

Temple Institute Links:
Program Link – Website – Support – Newsletter – Contact Us

This week features:

Rare Temple Mount Find: Sealed with a (Divine) Kiss

Of Chanukah Miracles Then and Now, Denial, Recognition, Reunion, and Redemption

In the penultimate Torah portion of the book of Genesis, broadcast on the penultimate day of the joyous holiday of Chanukah, this week’s Temple Talk basks in the reunion of Joseph and his brothers, and explores the parallels between that schism and all the modern-day divisions that are manifest in Israel today. Are we heading towards a reunion? What was really behind the brother’s enmity, and why didn’t they recognize the man standing in front of them? All the masks come off in this weeks’ edition of Temple Talk, shining with the light and meaning of Chanukah for our generation. Plus, an exclusive scoop: Some intimate, inside information behind this week’s press conference and announcement of the stunning archaeological discovery unearthed from the Temple Mount Sifting Project, an original clay seal bearing the words “Pure to G-d” and used to procure ingredients for bringing an offering in the Holy Temple. What’s that got to do with Chanukah? Absolutely everything!

Temple Institute Links:
Program Link – Website – Support – Newsletter – Contact Us

Vayigash (Genesis 44:18-47:27)
Parashat Vayigash is read on Shabbat:
Tevet 5, 5772/December 31, 2011

Temple Institute Links:
Program Link – Website – Support – Newsletter – Contact Us

Chapter 6

Mishnah One (continues)

From a teaching by Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, Ruach Chaim.

Anyone that studies Torah for its own sake merits many things. Not only is that, the entire world, the entire Creation, worthwhile for them. He is called a beloved friend, he loves the Omnipresent One, he loves people and he makes HaShem glad. And he gladdens people, and the Creation. The study of the Torah clothes him in humility, and in fear of HaShem, and it prepares him to be righteous and straight forward. It distance him from sin and brings him close to merit.

Dedicated to Cherrie Shackleford and Son’s

Program Link – Read the Torah Portion with Shmuel – Contact

Miketz (Genesis 41:1-44:17)
Parashat Miketz is read on Shabbat:
Kislev 28, 5772/December 24, 2011

Temple Institute Links:
Program Link – Website – Support – Newsletter – Contact Us

The Return of Prophecy
The entirety of all creation, from the furthest galaxy to the tiniest grain of sand, is writ large in the first words of Torah, which describe the six days of creation.

The following PDF files accompany today’s teaching: The Six Days Chart

Chapter 6

Mishnah One (continues)

Emunah channel is here. For Info www.torahfaith.org

Commentary from the Sefer Ruach Chaim by Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin.
Rabbi Chanania ben Akashia says: The Holy One, Blessed is He, wishes to confer merit upon Yisra’el; therefore He gave them Torah and mitzvoth in abundance, as it is said (Yeshiyahu 42:21): “HaShem desired, for the sake of His righteousness, that the Torah be made great and glorious.”

Dedicated to Bobby and Alice Richardson

Program Link – Read the Torah Portion with Shmuel – Contact