Hi,
"R' Eliezer said: One who prays behind his rebbe [mentor], greets and responds to his rebbe, disagrees with his rebbe's school, or says something he did not hear from his rebbe, causes the Shechinah to depart from Israel."
(Talmud, Berachot 27b)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Distance yourself from unethical people
Hi,
"He [Chatam Sofer] warned them repeatedly to speak honestly from the heart, to be the same inside and out, and to distance themselves an arrow's shot from people of lies and trickery – even if those who are people of Torah.
"I remember that my father [Ktav Sofer] once told me of a Torah scholar who was also wealthy and the author of a religious text, but who had absorbed heretical ideas and who had the traits of Lavan, humiliating the sages and causing them pain. His holy father [Chatam Sofer] had told him, "Believe me: Whenever that man leaves my home, I take a book of ethical instruction to study, for that man's breath communicates impurity."
(R' Avraham Feigelstock, Toldot Chatam Sofer, pg. 31b)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"He [Chatam Sofer] warned them repeatedly to speak honestly from the heart, to be the same inside and out, and to distance themselves an arrow's shot from people of lies and trickery – even if those who are people of Torah.
"I remember that my father [Ktav Sofer] once told me of a Torah scholar who was also wealthy and the author of a religious text, but who had absorbed heretical ideas and who had the traits of Lavan, humiliating the sages and causing them pain. His holy father [Chatam Sofer] had told him, "Believe me: Whenever that man leaves my home, I take a book of ethical instruction to study, for that man's breath communicates impurity."
(R' Avraham Feigelstock, Toldot Chatam Sofer, pg. 31b)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
When Gd is hard to find
Hi,
Responses to the Roman destruction of the second Beit haMikdash, and the massacre of Jews:
"Abba Chanan said: Psalm 89 says, "Who is like You, mighty Gd?" Who is like You, mighty and tough, such that You hear the mockery and blasphemy of wicked Titus and You are silent?
"In the yeshiva of R' Yishmael they taught: Exodus 15 says, "Who is like You among the mighty [אלים]" – "Who is like You among the mute [אלמים]".
(Talmud, Gittin 56b)
Have a good day,
Mordechai
Responses to the Roman destruction of the second Beit haMikdash, and the massacre of Jews:
"Abba Chanan said: Psalm 89 says, "Who is like You, mighty Gd?" Who is like You, mighty and tough, such that You hear the mockery and blasphemy of wicked Titus and You are silent?
"In the yeshiva of R' Yishmael they taught: Exodus 15 says, "Who is like You among the mighty [אלים]" – "Who is like You among the mute [אלמים]".
(Talmud, Gittin 56b)
Have a good day,
Mordechai
Monday, May 28, 2012
Short and Sweet
Hi,
"One should always teach his students in a concise fashion."
(Talmud, Pesachim 3b)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"One should always teach his students in a concise fashion."
(Talmud, Pesachim 3b)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Day 47 of the Omer - Humble Leadership
Hi,
The Sephirah of the Omer's seventh week is Malchut. Malchut is Monarchy, the ability to guide and influence others.
In addition, the Sephirah of the fifth day of each Omer week is Hod. The kabbalists linked the word Hod (הוד), which means "glory", with Hodaah (הודאה), meaning "thanks" or "confession", to deduce that הוד is a glorious humility.
The combined Sephirah for Day 47 of the Omer is therefore Hod sheb'Malchut, "humble leadership", suggesting an influence which is applied modestly.
Mishlei 29:18 teaches, "Without vision, the nation will run wild," and the leader has the honour of providing that vision, but arrogance will limit his effectiveness. Arrogance in a leader is bad for pragmatic reasons; it can lead to insensitivity, errors, and rejection by the people he is meant to guide. Further, from an ideological standpoint, leadership should intimidate the leader as he becomes aware of his responsibility to lead well. Therefore, for reasons of both practicality and responsibility, a good leader will be humble.
Today's Sephirah instructs us to apply the leadership of Malchut with the humility of Hod.
Have a great day,
Mordechai
The Sephirah of the Omer's seventh week is Malchut. Malchut is Monarchy, the ability to guide and influence others.
In addition, the Sephirah of the fifth day of each Omer week is Hod. The kabbalists linked the word Hod (הוד), which means "glory", with Hodaah (הודאה), meaning "thanks" or "confession", to deduce that הוד is a glorious humility.
The combined Sephirah for Day 47 of the Omer is therefore Hod sheb'Malchut, "humble leadership", suggesting an influence which is applied modestly.
Mishlei 29:18 teaches, "Without vision, the nation will run wild," and the leader has the honour of providing that vision, but arrogance will limit his effectiveness. Arrogance in a leader is bad for pragmatic reasons; it can lead to insensitivity, errors, and rejection by the people he is meant to guide. Further, from an ideological standpoint, leadership should intimidate the leader as he becomes aware of his responsibility to lead well. Therefore, for reasons of both practicality and responsibility, a good leader will be humble.
Today's Sephirah instructs us to apply the leadership of Malchut with the humility of Hod.
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Day 46 - Persistent Leadership
Hi,
The Sephirah of the Omer’s seventh week is Malchut. Malchut is Monarchy, the ability to influence others.
In addition, the Sephirah of the fourth day of each Omer week is Netzach. Netzach is on-going victory, triumphing over obstacles internal and external.
The combined Sephirah for Day 46 of the Omer is therefore Netzach sheb’Malchut, “persistent leadership”, suggesting an influence which is applied consistently.
The returns on leadership can be discouraging; how long can you play a tune solo, waiting for rest of the band to pick it up? Parents, teachers, rabbis, presidents and role models can tire of the task of setting a good example, or actively instructing. But the reality of education is that meaningful learning rarely occurs with a bolt of inspiration; people learn with repeated exposure, and the opportunity to think and discuss and emulate. A mentor needs to be prepared to lead patiently, over the long term.
Today’s Sephirah instructs us to apply the leadership of Malchut with the consistency of Netzach.
Have a great day,
Mordechai
The Sephirah of the Omer’s seventh week is Malchut. Malchut is Monarchy, the ability to influence others.
In addition, the Sephirah of the fourth day of each Omer week is Netzach. Netzach is on-going victory, triumphing over obstacles internal and external.
The combined Sephirah for Day 46 of the Omer is therefore Netzach sheb’Malchut, “persistent leadership”, suggesting an influence which is applied consistently.
The returns on leadership can be discouraging; how long can you play a tune solo, waiting for rest of the band to pick it up? Parents, teachers, rabbis, presidents and role models can tire of the task of setting a good example, or actively instructing. But the reality of education is that meaningful learning rarely occurs with a bolt of inspiration; people learn with repeated exposure, and the opportunity to think and discuss and emulate. A mentor needs to be prepared to lead patiently, over the long term.
Today’s Sephirah instructs us to apply the leadership of Malchut with the consistency of Netzach.
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Torah will never disappear
Hi,
"This is My covenant with them, declares G-d: My spirit upon you, and the words I have put in your mouth, will never leave your mouth, and the mouth of your descendants, and the mouth of the descendants of your descendants, from now and forever."
(Isaiah 59:21)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"This is My covenant with them, declares G-d: My spirit upon you, and the words I have put in your mouth, will never leave your mouth, and the mouth of your descendants, and the mouth of the descendants of your descendants, from now and forever."
(Isaiah 59:21)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
