The story of Yosef’s descent into the darkness of Egypt and his rise to leadership coincides each year with the eight day festival of Chanukah. They likewise share the same deep lesson: All of life’s seemingly chaotic randomness is, in truth, directed by G-d. Our role is not merely to trust in G-d’s benevolence but to work without rest to insure our own part in His great plan. This is what distinguished Yosef and this is what distinguished the Chashmonean kohanim who led the Jewish revolt against the Greek oppressors.
Miketz (Genesis 41:1-44:17)
Parashat Miketz is read on Shabbat:
Kislev 27, 5774/November 30, 2013
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Have you ever felt utterly and completely alone? Yosef must have. He was separated from his loving father and his brothers wanted to kill him. Ultimately he was thrown in a pit filled with scorpions and snakes and then sold to some passing Ishmaelites, who in turn sold him into slavery. Yet we’re never alone, and if our hearts are turned to G-d, we will identify His fingerprint upon our lives.
Vayeshev (Genesis 37:1-40:23)
Parashat Vayeshev is read on Shabbat:
Kislev 20, 5774/November 23, 2013
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Temple Talk is a weekly internet radio webcast with Rabbi Chaim Richman and Yitzchak Reuven of the Temple Institute.
This week features:
Mainstreaming Jewish Presence on the Temple Mount
“All I’ve got to do is Dream, dream, dream… ” It’s the month of Kislev!
While Rabbi Richman wraps up the southwestern leg of his USA speaking tour and heads to the east coast, Yitzchak Reuven finds himself alone at the mike! But as Yosef teaches us, we are never alone. From here on in the book of Genesis focuses on a series of dreams which propel the story of Yosef and his brothers. How appropriate that the month of Kislev is all about sleep and dreaming. Sleep, such an important part of our spiritual existence, calls for special prayers and meditations before we go to sleep and special thanks and words of gratitude when we awaken from our sleep. When it comes to the Temple Mount we do not sleep but insist on our right to be seen there by G-d and our duty to pray there to the Master of the Universe.
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Yaakov avinu’s (our forefather Jacob’s) midnight encounter with a mysterious angel: Who was this angel, what was his purpose, and by what name was he known? Yaakov overcomes the angel, and by doing so gains insight into all these questions. He also acquires for himself a new name, a new identity, and a new role to play in establishing the Divine presence here on this earth.
Vayishlach (Genesis 32:4-36:43)
Parashat Vayishlach is read on Shabbat:
Kislev 13, 5774/November 16, 2013
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Biblical Faith – with Shmuel “Sam” Peak
Emunah channel is here. For Info www.torahfaith.org
Since we have completed the exposition of what belongs to this gate, according to our understanding, it is now fitting to explain the things that are detrimental to trust in G-d.
I say that all the things that are as detrimental in the preceding gates are detrimental to trust [as well].
Also detrimental is ignorance of the Creator and His good attributes. For whoever fails to appreciate the Creator’s compassion for His creatures, His protection of them, His providence, dominion, and control over them, will not be confident in Him and will not rely on Him.
Another thing that is detrimental is ignorance of the Creator’s command, i.e., His Torah, in which He charged us to relay on Him and to trust in Him, as it says: “Prove Me now in this…” (Malachi 3:10); “Trust in G-d for ever and ever” (Yeshiyahu 26:4).
Another [harmful thing] is becoming enamored with the immediate causes, which on can see, without realizing that the closer a cause is to the effect, the less is its power to help or harm the one affected by it; while the more remote it is, the greater and more manifest is its power to help or harm him.
Dedicated to Albert G. Edwards
Program Link – Read the Torah w/Shmuel – Contact – Emunah Channel
Temple Talk is a weekly internet radio webcast with Rabbi Chaim Richman and Yitzchak Reuven of the Temple Institute.
This week features:
Reentering the Land: Stepping Down into a Higher Reality
Yaakov meets Esau: The Art of Torah Diplomacy: Give, Take and be Ready for War
Twenty years in the waiting, Yaakov at long last returns to the land, wives and children in tow, and a three-ply plan to meet up with Esau and walk away unscathed, teaching us the value of a well thought out plan, achievable contingencies and realistic expectations, lessons which seem to be lost on the current US administration which displays as much patience and forethought to fateful negotiations with the mullahs of Iran as Esau displayed when he clamored for some porridge and poured it down his throat. His arrogance cost him the birthright. The arrogance of Kerry and Obama will cost the USA its leadership role in the world. Time then, for Israel to step up to the plate, grab hold of the reigns and lead the world to a better place.
Kerry bullying and Iranian nukes aside, the Temple Mount remains in the headlines and the focus of debate and hysterical Arab threats, and all the time increasing consensus that Jews and Gentiles must not be denied the right to pray on the Temple Mount.
Temple Institute Links:
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Temple Talk is a weekly internet radio webcast with Rabbi Chaim Richman and Yitzchak Reuven of the Temple Institute.
This week features:
Growing up Yaakov: Living (and Learning) in the Material World
Yaakov Lays His Head on the Crossroads Where Heaven Meets Earth & Man Meets G-d
With Rabbi Chaim Richman on a speaking tour in the USA Yitzchak has the microphone all to himself. For 2500 years the Ethiopian Jews were in exile and isolation, but the same dream that Yaakov had of Jerusalem and the Holy Temple carried them through the exile and back to the city of their longings.
When Yaakov made his vow to G-d at Beit El, he made it in the name of all his descendants forever. Building a Holy Temple and giving to G-d a tenth of all that we are and all that we possess, is an obligation that we cannot delay.
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