Dependence on God

Found 12 Search results

  1. The Famine in the Days of the Patriarchs

    Rabbi Meir Lichtenstein

    תאריך פרסום: תשעב | |

    The three Patriarchs were faced with famine followed with the dilemma of staying in Eretz Yisrael as opposed to possible descent to Egypt. The lesson will explore the reason for the famines and the meaning of the different responses of each patriarch to this dilemma.

  2. What Does the Lord Require of You

    Haftarot: Balak

    Rabbi Mosheh Lichtenstein

    Micah's prophecy emphasizes the dependency on God and man's spiritual status as determining factors in our relationship with God. Balak understood the significance of the spiritual factor, and summons Bilam to assist him. Bilam's offerings do not express internal spirituality, but rather an attempt to appease God using magic. Micah objects to sacrifices that are not accompanied by a deep spiritual feeling, acknowledgement of our dependency on God, actions of righteousness and justice, and appreciation toward the Divine.

  3. Between Sabbath and Sanctuary (Audio)

    Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 18 minutes

    This shiur explores the striking “shabbat” motif in Vayikra's presentation of the Shemitta year (as opposed to the Shemitta laws in other books), in Parshat Behar and in the punishment section in Bechukotai, and reveals how the Seventh Year expands on and fuses together the themes of “holiness of time” and “holiness of space.”

  4. The Exodus from Egypt as a Social Revolution

    Rabbi Meir Lichtenstein

    תאריך פרסום: תש"ע | |

    Why is the Exodus a cornerstone of our identity as Jews? What was so important about the transformation that Am Yisrael underwent during the Exodus and in the desert? By going back to the stories in Sefer Bereishit and examining the nature of society, we can see many examples of what it means to be a self-sufficient civilization, disconnected from God, morals, and ethical principles. The experience of the Exodus is meant to teach us how to revolutionize a society, and how to build a civilization while simultaneously always standing before God. 

  5. The Problem of Macharat HaShabbat

    Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 36 minutes

    What does the term Macharat HaShabbat mean? Many classical commentaries deal with this famous question, which holds practical implications for the counting of the omer and the holiday of Shavuot. By comparing the korban haomer with the episode of the manna in the desert, we can learn about Shabbat and our constant dependency on God. 

  6. Between Sabbath and Sanctuary

    Rabbi Chanoch Waxman

    This shiur explores the striking “shabbat” motif in Vayikra's presentation of the Shemitta year (as opposed to the Shemitta laws in other books), in Parshat Behar and in the punishment section in Bechukotai, and reveals how the Seventh Year expands on and fuses together the themes of “holiness of time” and “holiness of space.”

  7. The Prophetic Purpose of Sefer Yehoshua

    Rabbi Menachem Leibtag |

    Did Yehoshua fulfill God's command to capture the land promised to Am Yisrael? Through an analysis of the promise that God made to Yehoshua and to Moshe we learn about the acceptance of the covenant, and about Sefer Yehoshua as a book of prophecy rather than of history. 

    Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com

  8. Parshat Eikev - Dependence and Independence

    Rabbi Alex Israel | 37 minutes

    This shiur analyzes the structure and content of Parshat Ekev, which discusses the reward and punishment that come with the covenant, and emphasizes that Israel’s tenure in the Land is contingent upon upholding the Torah. The main section also relates to different concerns “If you would say in your heart” and answers them with a call to remember something. There are responses for different mindsets and moments in life. Under-confidence- as well as certain types of overconfidence- are both religious errors. The motif of water that recurs in the parasha, especially in the contrast between the Land of Israel and Egypt, serves to highlight the tension between the human desire for independence and the Divine demand for dependence on God and adherence to the covenant.

     

  9. The Garden of Eden in the Torah

    Dr. Yael Ziegler

    תאריך פרסום: תשס"ז | | 31 minutes

    The Torah begins with an idyllic, harmonious description of the creation of life in the Garden of Eden.
    Why is Gan Eden not a central feature of the rest of Torah? Why is there no attempt of people to find it? Only Lot seems to search for it.

    In fact, the major personalities do seek it, but it is no longer called “Eden:”  life in Eretz Yisrael is meant to recreate the Garden of Eden, but with a major difference: no easy irrigation source(a deliberate contrast with Egypt and Mesopotamia). We must recognize our dependence on God and cultivate a dynamic relationship. The goal of the Torah is to return to the harmony of the Garden of Eden in the Land of Israel, where life of blossoming and blessing is dependent on commitment to God.

  10. Rashi on the Tower of Babel: Limits of Human Capabilities

    Rabbi David Silverberg

  11. A Blessing of Turning to God

    Rabbi David Silverberg

  12. The Hope of Israel is God

    Rabbanit Dr. Michal Tikochinsky