David HaMelech, King David, was a Great Lover of G-d.

Tehillim / Psalms

He composed Tehillim / Psalms as an Ode to Hash-m. Tehillim comprises every emotion in the spectrum of emotions.

He would be busy with world affairs but would rather be learning Torah. He would awaken at Midnight to sing praises to Hashem and learn Torah the rest of the Night.

King David appreciated suffering. When one suffers one sometimes feels a closer connection to G-d. He preferred to suffer and feel close to G-d than to not and feel more distant.

Accompanying the Shabbat Queen

King David knew his time in this world was limited. He lived 70 years. He asked Hash-m to know when He was going to die. G-d did not reveal it to him for the date of death of every person is hidden. But G-d did tell him he would die on Shabbat.

Every Time he passed a Shabbat, he would celebrate that he lived another week. We continue that celebration today by eating a meal after Shabbat called Melave Malka / accompanying the Queen (Shabbat). Melave Malka is also called Seudat David HaMelech – the Meal of King David – for that reason.

Tricking the Evil Inclination

David used to have to take care of important affairs. So he would go on the road to these affairs and sometimes pass the Beit Hamidrash / House of Torah Study. When he was passing he would slip in to learn Torah instead.

He would trick his natural (bad) inclination to forego Torah study and be busy with daily affairs and then pop into study.

Value of Torah Study

Torah Study is great. It helps a person to learn to think and gain the proper perspective of the world to be able to achieve their purpose in life. It helps a person achieve spiritual satisfaction by giving great pleasure to the soul

Many Houses of Study exist – call an Orthodox friend to find one near you. Torah Lectures are also found in many Orthodox synagogues on a wide spectrum of topics.

Wives gain to by sending their husbands to learn Torah at the Beit Hamidrash. They gain from every Mitzvah their husband does. (Thus those who marry Torah scholars receive many Mitzvot).

Every Word of Torah Learned is equivalent to doing many Mitzvot / Commandments. Multiply that by the number of words said in a minute and by the time learned and by the number of people learning Torah Together and one accumulates a mountain of Mitzvot – an unimaginable reward.

Learning Torah on Shabbat Multiplies the amount of Mitzvot Even More.

The Motto of laziness – “Push it off as much as you can.”

In Torah almost anything or quality can be used for Good – even laziness.

Fire can be used for good or bad. One can cook with fire, but one can also destroy with it.

Money, can be used for giving charity or for causing harm to others.

Someone asked a Rabbi “How can Atheism be Used for Good?” He said when someone asks you for help, don’t tell them “G-d will help you.” Act as if G-d was not here and do as much as you can yourself to help the person.

Laziness can deter a person from doing a Mitzvah but also can deter a person from transgression. He or she can say “I am too lazy to do this transgression, I’ll push it off for another time.”

Checking the constellations through astrology is a science recognized by the Torah. Obviously one should consult an Orthodox Rabbi if one is interested in consulting astrology – many occult practices are forbidden by Torah.

Consulting the Stars

Once Shmuel and Ablat – an astronomer – were walking together. They saw people going to a lake. The astronomer read one person’s stars and said that he would go but not return for he would be bitten by a snake. Shmuel said the man was going to live. At the end of the day they found the man alive. They checked the pack of the man and found a dead snake chopped up.

Above the Stars

Ablat asked how Shmuel knew that he would not die when the stars said the opposite. He explained that Jews are above Mazal / (Fate). Their lives path are not determined solely by fate. If they do a Mitzvah – their fate can be changed.

A Good Deed Changes Fate – Charity Saves from Death

The Rabbi asked the an “was there any Mitzvah (Commandment or Good Deed) that you did today?” He replied “Yes. At the lake we decided to put all our food together and then divide it among us. One man was embarrassed because he had no food to contribute. I pretended to take bread from him and put in my portion.” Shmuel told him “You did a good deed.” The good deed saved his life. Shmuel then Taught giving Charity saves from death. (Talmud: Shabbat 156b)

Checking the Mezuza

Recently, my brother-in-law was having apartment problems. A lady in his building was complaining that they made too much noise. She complained to the neighbors about her made-up complaints. She even had a petition signed throughout the building to evict them. They were innocent of the charges but she continued to harass them.

He also not long ago had damage done to his eye. Someone threw an object at and it hit his eye.

The Mezouza is what a Jew places on the front door. Inside the case of the Mezuza is the Shema Yisrael (Hear Oh Israel, Hash-m is Our G-d Hashem is One) written on Parchment. The Idea of the Mezouza is that Hash-m (G-d) places his divine protection of one who places a Kosher Mezuza on the doors of their house. It is a positive commandment from the Torah. Hash-m guards the house of the person who has a Kosher Mezuza.

When my Brother-in-law checked his Mezuzas, he found one parchment in which two words were partially erased in the Shema – Beitecha – Your House and Einecha – Your Eyes.

I was not sure if the Mezuza foretells the future of what is going to happen, or that because of what happened the words were erased or the fact that the words were erased caused their problems.

Someone gave me a possible explanation – “The Mezuza offers protection for a house. If words on the Mezuza are erased the protection regarding those words is lacking.” Makes sense.

It also makes sense to have one’s Mezuzas checks regularly – like once every two years – by a reputable Sofer. Recently I sent Mezuzas of someone – who had certain problems – to be checked. Out of 5 One was Kosher. One was not even written on parchment it was written on paper.

When purchasing Mezuzas one should assure that they are purchasing from a Honest, reputable Sofer Sta”M (A Scribe who writes Sepher Torah, Tephillin and Mezuzot). If one wants to know who one can trust – email us.

Our sages say when a person arrives to the next world – after they pass away – they will see a mountain or a mound.

Overcoming Challenges

If the person was righteous – they will see all of the challenges and difficulties they overcame in life – much like a mountain. It was a great challenge, yet he or she was able to overcome them. They will said to themselves “Look at that great mountain of challenges that I was able to overcome.”

If he or she did not live a righteous life – they will see a mound. These are the challenges that they could have overcome and Torah commandments they could have properly observed but did not. There they will say to themselves – “It was so simple, I should have made more of an effort to observe Torah.”

A Great part of overcoming challenges is to believe in oneself. In one’s strengths, in one’s talents, in one’s G-d given abilities – to believe you can do it. You can if you want.

It all starts with one step.

Temporal vs. Eternal Existence

The length of this world is max 120 years of life. The length of life in the world to come is eternity. It makes sense for a person to prepare here in order to inherit a pleasurable life in eternity.

Why People Don’t Observe

There are many reasons why a person can give why they do not adopt a Torah Lifestyle. Some try what they can. That is good.

Some think it too challenging.

Some choose not to follow the Torah because they do not want to give up their lifestyle. They enjoy themselves enough, that change is unnecessary for them. People in general do not like to change. It is easier to remain the the same.

Some, it doesn’t enter their mind to learn more about Judaism.

Putting Money in the Bank

In any case, a simple suggestion is to learn a little every day. One does not usually amass a fortune by making a windfall. One takes a few dollars here and another few dollars there and places them in a savings bank. Each Mitzvah is like a gold coin. Each one provides savings for the final retirement.

Happiness in Observing Judaism

Orthodox Jews — have a relatively happy life. Through enjoying the pleasures of life through Torah they enjoy physical and spiritual pleasures and are rewarded for such – for it is all in the confines of the Torah.

The spiritual dimension of pleasure adds an added dimension of pleasure.

Physical pleasures in Torah are not only permitted but encouraged to become closer to Hashem. These pleasures include all pleasures of the world. The difference – between someone who observes and someone who does not – in terms of pleasure – it the one who observes has a deeper sense of pleasure due to them enjoying the physical and spiritual dimension of pleasure.

Time and Place for Everything

Torah pleasures differ in the sense that these pleasures are relegated to specific times or places or the way. Let’s take eating. A person is allowed to eat almost anything that they want, provided that it is Kosher at almost any time that you.

There are periods in which a person is expected to fast. But in general, a person can eat when they want according to the Torah. A person is limited to what he can or cannot eat by following the Torah. He must eat Kosher food. The variety of Kosher food available today is vast. There is a Kosher version of almost any non-Kosher food.

Even though it’s not the same matter, they will have the same taste for instance there is a fish that has the same taste as shrimp. There are foods that are Kosher – like Kosher Beef Fry – that taste like bacon. So every food will have a substitute a Kosher version. So giving up on the side of food is not such a great sacrifice. Because most of the foods have Kosher alternatives. So the change from eating non-kosher to kosher will be minimum.

Enjoyment for Purpose

Other pleasures like sports are allowed. Playing sports one fulfills the commandment of keeping oneself healthy. Each pleasure can be linked to a commandment. So two things are accomplished in one – enjoying the pleasure and fulfilling the commandment. Listening to certain music can bring a person closer to G-d. The Leviim used to play music outside the Holy Temple / Beit HaMikdash in Jerusalem to help a person lighten their mood. (Some say Jewish Moroccan Music is based upon the music they used to play.)

Restrictions for Better Living

Restrictions in Torah do exist regarding a person guarding one’s tongue from speaking badly about others, guarding their eyes, restricting their relations with the opposite gender, etc.. All of these restrictions, although at first one might find to be difficult, in the end – one becomes used to it or even enjoys refraining from certain things.

The restrictions serve for a better life as well. Like one who refrains from smoking, feels healthier. One who refrains from transgression feels spiritually uplifted. Also it helps him to live a more purposeful life and to avoid transgression. Like avoiding speaking excessively with the opposite gender who is not one’s spouse, avoids adultery and breaking of families.

As one of the ideas behind the Shabbat. A person refrains from doing all kinds of creative work and thus he can focus on being himself being with us family and rising closer to Hashem.

Concern from the Imagination

There are three possibilities of how they see themselves following in the path of the Torah. They could see themselves as happier following that train of living. They could imagine themselves living with the same amount of happiness. Or they could see themselves living with less happiness.

Apparently, the reasoning that some make is “If I observe, I will have to give up many things I am used to. I do not want to give up these things. If I do – it may lead to me living a less happy life. Thus I choose to remain with my current lifestyle rather than to follow the Torah path.”

This is one reason why many people choose not to follow. Eventually a person will have to come to terms — either in this world or the next world — of why they did or did not follow the path that Hashem wanted from them. In the next world they will ask them how come they had the opportunity to follow the Torah and they did not.

This is the world where one has the ability to do Mitzvot – the next world one receives the reward they obtained by observing the Torah commandments.

How Will a Person Be Judged

G-d is very merciful. He understands people’s challenges and particular situations. But He expects at least a proper effort to be made.

Like it says in Pirkei Avot:

Achievement vs. Effort

He used to say “It is not your obligation to complete all the work, but you are not free to desist from it. However, if you learned much Torah they [Heaven] will give much reward. Trustworthy is the master of your labor that He will pay you the compensation of your labor. And know that the giving of the reward for the righteous is [reserved] for the future world. (Pirkei Avot 2:16)

Destiny & Choice
Everything is foreseen. Yet freedom of choice is given, and with goodness is the world judged and everything goes according to the majority of one’s deeds. (Pirkei Avot 3:15)

In the end they will be judged based upon their adherence to Torah laws. If they followed the Torah, they will be rewarded. If they did not follow it – there will punishment. Some say part of the punishment is the guilt itself that they had an opportunity to observe but did not.

The Jews will be judged if they load the 613 Commandments that are listed in the Torah, the Talmud, and the Shulchan Aruch (the Jewish code of law). This is the de facto code that a person will be judged by in the next world. Gentiles will be Judged based upon their following of the 7 Noahide Laws of the Torah.

Overcoming Transgression through Torah Study

Torah Study and Toil to Forget Sin
Rabban Gamliel son of Rabbi son of Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi says – “Great is the study of Torah with Derech Eretz [lit. “the way of the world” either – with livelihood or with proper conduct] – for with the toil in both [temptation to] sin is forgotten. And all Torah that is without Derech Eretz – in the end it will be nullified and causes sin. And whoever toils with the community, let them toil with them for the sake of Heaven – for the merit of their fathers helps them – and their righteousness will stand forever. And you [who toil with the community] I will consider it as if you yourself achieved it. (Pirkei Avot 2:2)

One of the Best Advice I ever received in my life was to set a time to learn Torah daily. It doesn’t have to be much but it should be regular. Like 10 minutes a day in the morning and night. This helped me alot in my quest for spirituality.

Prepare Yourself in This World for the Next World

Thus it makes sense for a person to prepare themselves and this world. So they will be judged favorably in the next world.

Entrance Hall to Heaven
Rabbi Yaakov says this world is like an entrance hall before the next world prepare yourself in the entrance hall so that you can enter into the Palace. (Pirkei Avot 4:15)

Dealing with Change

Still we must deal with our reluctance to change. Change can be made in a gradual process with steps that a person is comfortable with. In marketing they change products based upon the least noticeable difference. They learned that from Torah. One can pick up a book in English – like Pirkei Avot from a Jewish Bookstore from Feldheim or Artscroll. One can start attending a Torah lecture or start attending services at an Orthodox Synagogue. One can take small steps to change.

The True Source of Spirituality

The 10 Commandments are written in order of importance. The first Commandments is the belief in God, the second not to commit idolatry. The third not to bless him the fourth to observe the Shabbat in the fifth to honor the parents. Parallel to these five are five to deal with relations between man and his fellow which include and — not to kill. Not to steal not to commit adultery. Not to covet. Each one helps a person reach closeness to G-d – this is the source of spirituality.

It took me many years to figure this out.

The Two Steps for Peace in Both Worlds

In Tehillim it says “Sur MeRah VeAseh Tov Bakesh Shalom veRodfehu.” (34:15) Remove Yourself from bad and do Good – ask for Peace and Pursue it.

There are two steps to self-improvement through Torah. One is to remove oneself from bad – the transgressions and to do good. It is a gradual process. Some start by eating Kosher. Some start by Making Blessings on Food. Some start by saying the morning prayers. The main point is to start. And to continue gradually.

The path to Happiness starts with one step.

Fourty days before the creation of a child, a heavenly voice proclaims: “So-and-so’s daughter for so-and-so’s son!” (Talmud: Sotah 29b) It declares the name of that person’s soul mate.

When a soul is sent down from heaven, it contains both male and female characteristics; the male elements enter the boy baby, the female the girl baby; and if they be worthy, G-d reunites them in marriage. (Zohar)

I heard once that there are 7 destined matches for each person. One is the person best suited to help the other reach their potential.

Thus, I give advice to a person that especially before they get married, they should make an effort to reinforce themselves in Torah and Mitzvot. Why? Because based upon one’s spiritual level is a person matched.

Finding the Right Soul Mate

Thus, if a person is frequenting bars, G-d will allow them to find the mate that frequents bars.
If one is observing the laws of eating Kosher, they will be likely matched with someone who wants to keep kosher.
If they are observing the Shabbat, they will be matched to someone similar.
If one is learning Torah, will G-d match them to someone who appreciates Torah learning.

It is up to you to choose what kind of mate you want based upon your actions – spiritually and your effort to find the right one.

It makes sense that if one wants their children to follow in the path of the Torah, that one should make efforts in Torah observance. Thus before marriage is a good time to make the effort to uplift their spirituality through Torah.

The Torah says Jews should marry Jewish. This helps a person and their children follow in the path of the Torah, ultimately helping them to leave fulfilling and happy lives and also to help them reach their potential in life.

Home for Love and Growth

Most parents want their children to be happy. They give them the physical needs, but it also is important for a person to provide for their child’s spiritual needs.

This means sending them to a Yeshiva or Torah Day School. Providing a home that is conducive to growth in Judaism – a Kosher Home, one that the Shabbat is Holy, one in which the parents and family treat each other with love, warmth and respect. A home where words of Torah are heard regularly.

Using each Second Productively

Every Second a person can gain worlds. Instead of waiting on line, or taking a bus ride and twiddling one’s thumbs one can read Tehillim, or learn a Mishna or some Torah.

Do it in a kosher way

Everything that is non-kohsr can be done in a Kosher way. For instance one can eat kosher Chinese food – instead of unkosher. One can eat kosher “bacon” (called beef-fry) instead of unkosher. One can eat kosher deli sandwiches, or kosher “shrimp”, or kosher pizza instead of the non-kosher version. The same taste but a much different spiritual result.

Keeping kosher affects the way one thinks. Once a person asked a rabbi a question. They didn’t understand a certain concept in Judaism. So he told her “Keep Kosher for a month and you will understand it.”

Use your mind to Change the Mundane into Spiritual

Once I met a woman. She said she was a recreational director in a hospital. I told her a story.

There was once a man he used to do a lot of kindness to others. Every day, he would get up early, and deliver fresh milk at their doorstep.

He would do this for hundreds of people a day.

He was a milk man.

Two people can be doing the exact same thing but one will receive great reward while the other will not.

If the milk man is doing it so that people will be able to drink fresh milk daily – he receives a reward.

If the milk man is doing it just to make money – and couldn’t cares less about the people – he receives less reward.

If this recreational director, would do her job to make people happy she gets a great reward.

If she did it to just make money, she gets less reward.

This can apply to any situation. If a person works so they can make money for their family to provide for their physical needs, and Torah education, they will get a great reward.

If they do it just to accumulate money in their bank account they will get less reward.

The Full Shopping Cart

There used to be a marketing promotion to attract people to a supermarket. They would allow a person to take as much groceries that they could take in a specific amount of time.

People who knew they had 5 minutes would first run to the meat, because it was the most expensive. Then stock up on other items until time was up.

Let’s they played music, enamoring music and put old friends in the isles. Would you stop to listen to the music or talk to the friends? You would probably keep yourself focused and speak with them after the 5 minutes. In life keeping our eyes on our priorities – gets us far. Using our time wisely to accumulate Torah and Mitzvot is the goal of this earthly world. The next world – is to enjoy the reward of that that we reaped.

The Flitting Bird

A person remembering – “His days are as a passing shadow” [Tehillim / Psalms 144:4] – Not as the shadow of a wall or tree, but as that of a flitting bird. (Aha. Kohelet Rabbah 1.2) – helps them to keep focused on priorities.

Recently, I sent a package at the post office. Bringing the package there, I remembered I needed a pen. I went to the car to take one. Walking back, close to the post office, I remembered I forgot the package in the car. I had to walk back again.

It reminded me of a story from Rabbi Avigdor Miller.

Why the Third Angel?

After a person passes to the next world they are greeted by 3 angels. One to calculate their good deeds. One to calculate their bad deeds . And one to calculate their Torah.

The question arises – why is this third angel necessary? Torah is basically included in accounting of the first two angels? The answer is is that a person has a purpose in life to fulfill to make this world a greater place. This angel is here to calculate if the person actually delivered what he was supposed to do in this world.

Here is the story to illustrate:

Delivering the Package

A person was hired to deliver a package to California. The employer told him: “Be careful. Follow the road signs, don’t go to fast. Fill the truck with oil and the best gas. Check the tires.” When the delivery man came back the employer asked him – “how was the trip?” He responded: “I did just like you told me. I followed the road signs. I filled the truck with good gas and oil. I checked the Tires.” “Yes” the man said “But did you deliver the package?” The delivery man – very embarrassed – replied “Oh. I am sorry I forgot to deliver the package.”

Our main purpose in life is to achieve our purpose. Each one of us is unique and based upon our qualities and strengths – will our purpose be related.

How to Find Your Purpose

The purpose of the person is found through learning and observing Torah. The first chapter of Mesilat Yesharim / the Path of the Righteous by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzatto – talks about how a person is to find their personal purpose in life. It says that every day a person has to reflect upon and clarify what they were sent to this earth to do.

Torah and Purpose
A Jew learns Torah to find their purpose. Thus attending lectures on Judaism at many orthodox Torah congregations, they are uplifted. A gentile finds their purpose by following the 7 Noahide laws.

One finds one personal purpose by seeing their strengths, interests and weaknesses. One sees how they can use his strengths and interests to help the world in a way congruent with Torah and Mitzvot.

For instance if one is good at art, they can make beautiful Jewish paintings.
If they are good at organization, they can help a Torah organization by volunteering or working for them.
If one has an ability to teach, they can teach Torah courses.
If has business acumen, they can use their charity funds to help Torah causes.

Escapism / Killing Time in Judaism.

The Torah is real. It puts you face to face with reality, so you can deal with it and enjoy it the best you can. Escapism / Killing Time in Judaism is a non-entity. Some feel pressure, so they have to escape – so they tune out of their problems for a while only to find them afterwards – sometimes worse than before. This is a plague of the alcoholic. He drinks to forget. But the worries do not disappear.

Pastimes for Purpose

The Torah tells you, yes there are times when one needs to relax. We have a full day a week dedicated to this concept – Shabbat. But instead of escaping, we build relationships and build ourselves in the process. Vacations can also be purposeful, to get away to be able to function better when one returns. Or to be able to relax to think out where one is going in life. Sports are good to help a person be in shape.

Jewish Meditation – Hitbodedut

Tzaddikim / righteous people used to take a fixed period during the day to sit in a secluded place to reflect upon life. The purpose was to focus in on where they could be better and how they could connect better with the One Who created the world.

Purposeful Living
One who lives a life with purpose, lives differently than one who does not. To one who does not, life is a melange of bunch of nice scenarios and situations. In they end, they have memories, but when they realize they did not achieve their purpose they sometimes look back and see much of life as lost time.

One who lived with purpose uses every moment to become closer to the purpose that they were brought to the world to fulfill.

Every Day is a New Day to Start a New

Some people worry about what they did in the past, preventing them from getting back on the path to purposeful living. They think they can’t or they are averse to change. Change can be done little by little. This is the Torah way. Every journey starts with one small step. It only takes the decision to make that first step in the right direction. There is always hope.

Starting Anew is always Possible.

My Rebbe, z”l used to give intricate talks on mussar / Jewish ethics and Torah Hashkafa / outlook. He explained to me that if one believes enough in Hash-m (G-d) they can nullify any force.

One story he told was:

Escape from the Holocaust

A person who was suffering in the concentration camps craved to leave the purgatory on earth.

He deeply believed in Hash-m.

Remembering that everything in the world is a continual creation of Hash-m, he girded himself with the thought of Ein Od Milevado – There is Only Hash-m. Hash-m is the only power in the world. He is in control and the source of all that happens in the world.

I believe the Nazis stripped him of his clothes. He wanted to take his Tephillin with him.

Now was his chance – the prison gate was open. He lifted the Tefillin above his head – for it was not respectful to put it low next to his nakedness – and walked right out of the gate of the concentration camp.

The Nazi Guards watching did not shoot or do a thing.

He was free.

A story that happened more recently:

Faith in Hash-m

A woman who was walking alone down the street.

She was nervous because it was not well frequented.

She saw an unsavory character looking at her. She pulled out her book of Tephillin / Psalms and said them and prayed for Divine assistance with much intensity.

The man did not attack her. The person behind her he did attack. When they caught the perpetrator, they asked why he did not attack the woman saying the Tehillim.

He said – “I couldn’t attack her – she was accompanied by two strong men.”

Prayer and Belief in Hash-m can help you overcome any difficult situation. Believing that he only does good will help you develop a more positive attitude in life.

Emunah is Belief that Hash-m runs and Guides the World. Bitachon is Faith in Hash-m that He is guiding our lives in the best way for each of us personally. Having the Torah’s outlooks in both helps us live with a positive attitude daily.

Acquiring Emunah, like anything else in life requires effort.

Reading about it helps. Incorporating lessons of the past of how we thought a situation was bad that turned out for the best also helps us gain it. When we observe all the good that we and our beloved ones received in the past from G-d – like children, a good job, a nice apartment, etc. it will also help us build up our Faith in G-d. Ultimately we gain by having a more positive outlook on living and become stronger to deal with any situation.

Many audio shiurim / lectures also exist on the subject.

A Book on Acquiring Emunah is called “Eternal Emunah – A Torah Perspective of Achieving and Living with Faith” by Rabbi Dovid Tzvi Eliach from Artscroll Publishers. It is an excellent work that teaches the outlook of the Torah in General and Faith in particular.

The Author is not only noted for helping guide thousands to a higher spiritual level, but also for making Jewish concepts accessible to the average person.

Rav Avigdor Miller, z”l – the noted Rabbi and Lecturer – also gave many lectures on the Subject. His words were compiled in a book called “Rav Avigdor Miller on Emunah and Bitachon” by Rabbi Yaakov Astor

Each one on our own level can build up our faith daily by observing the good in the world.

The United States is the Superpower Nation in the world.

Is it possible because they put on their Money “In God We Trust” that G-d has rewarded them?

Possible.

G-d rewards those that believe in Him and do His will.

I heard a story of a Japanese Ambassador to Lithuania that helped to save thousands of Jews during the Holocaust, by issuing them visas to Japan.

Is it because of this that Japan is now one of the richest nations of the world?

Possible.

But look at the end of the story:

Prior to his leaving a mission of Jews from the Vilna Synagogue came to thank him.
“What you have done for the Jewish People will never be forgotten, and we will pray to God to bless you and your descendants.”

He lost his job and lost his pension due to pressure from Germany. To help his family he started a small workshop. The name of the workshop was Mitsubishi.

In Torah there are two parts of Trust

Emunah / Belief in G-d – is belief in G-d that He Exists and Does only Good

Bitachon / Faith in G-d – is surety that He will do what you hope is Good for you.

They Go hand in hand. One must work on both.

My Rebbi told me a story about two rabbis that were discussing whether G-d will provide something for a person unconditionally if he believes that G-d will give it to him or that G-d will only provide that that a person needs if he believes He will.

One rabbi said to the other “I will prove to you my point. I don’t need a gold watch. I believe that Hash-m will provide me with a Gold Watch.”

A short time later, there was a knock on the door. A man asked to speak with the Rabbi of the community. He explained they were deciding on dividing and inheritance. “We couldn’t agree on what to do with one item so we decided to give it to the Rabbi. So here – we would like you to have this gold watch.”

Giving of the Torah

About 3,300 years ago G-d gave the Jews the Torah at Mount Sinai.

There were millions of witnesses.

But before he gave the Torah to the Jews, he offered it to all other nations.

One Nation asked “What is in the Torah?” G-d replied for example: “Do not steal.” The nation said it was too difficult to uphold and did not accept it.

He went similarly to all other nations. All asked what was in the Torah. G-d told them and they did not accept it.

Finally, G-d offered it to the Jews – and they said “We will do it and We will hear.” They were willing to do what G-d said before they heard what the Torah said to do!

Jews become Chosen Nation

At this point the Jews became the nation Chosen by G-d to uphold the laws of the Torah.

Jews serve to be the upholders of ethics in the World.

Just like the President is chosen to run the country, because he, the country thinks, is best for the job, G-d thinks that the Jews are the best for upholding the ethics of the world as described by the Torah.

One does not bear animosity towards the president because he was selected to run the nation. Similarly, one should not bear animosity towards the Jews for having been chosen to serve as a light to the nations – to teach them ethics.

Basically the way that the world should work is that if any person has an ethical question , they should ask a competent Orthodox rabbi and based upon his knowledge of Torah, he will give an answer according to Torah.

Daat Torah – The Understanding of Torah

Daat Torah – is the understanding of the Torah. Sometimes people even ask questions that do not seem to be an issue to ask a Rabbi about, like whether to take a Job or not, to a competent Orthodox Rabbi to receive the point of view of the Torah.

Basically the way that the world should work is that if any person has an ethical question , they should ask a competent Orthodox rabbi and based upon his knowledge of Torah, he will give an answer according to Torah.

This makes life much easier – because people estranged from Torah usually have three dilemmas.
1) To Know what is actually right or wrong.
2) To know if it is proper to apply what is right to their particular situation.
3) To actually implement it.

People who follow the Torah only have two dilemmas. They know the Torah is the True source of all ethics. Thus the answer to question 1 is answered by looking in the Torah or consulting with a competent Torah authority.
Thus they only have to grapple with:
2) To know if it is proper to apply what is right to their particular situation.
3) To actually implement it.

Deciding About Life Support

Once someone I knew was on a life support machine. The family was grappling with the issue of whether to take the person off the machine, because he was suffering. There were pros and cons. I explained to them it is an issue of ethics. The Torah deals with this issue. I asked a competent Torah authority and he said it was forbidden to take him off life support.

This made the burden much easier on the family. They did not have to know if what decision they made was right or wrong. They asked the to find out Daat Torah and followed it.

Routine Questions for a Rabbi

Many people routinely ask orthodox rabbis specialized in certain areas of Jewish law, questions on Halacha (Jewish law).

Some ask:
– whether they should get married to a particular individual.
– Which neighborhood would be suitable for them to move?
– Which school is good for their children?
– How to deal with a particular problem.
– how to deal with family problems – like children off the path of Torah, abusive spouses, etc.
– the proper manner of burial according to Jewish law
– about civil law disputes

Almost any question – that has ethical repercussions – can be asked to a competent rabbi to receive Daat Torah.

Beacon of Morality in the World

Part of the Job of the Chosen Nation is to Follow the Laws of the Torah to be able to serve as Moral beacon to the world. It is also to have a close relationship with G-d. If a person wants to take this responsibility they are free to do so by consulting with an Orthodox Rabbi on how to convert.

A Gentile, does not have this responsibility. They Just have to follow the 7 Noahide laws from the Torah for the Torah to receive a place in heaven.

Being part of The Chosen nation is a responsibility to act with impeccable morals. The Laws of the Torah guide us to reach the level of becoming an example to follow.