50: Ozer Yisrael BiGevura Part II — The Burning Desire for Greaterness

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Life in this world is finite, but who I become will last forever. Find the burning desire within for greaterness, for elevation above immaturity and selfishness. Discover the might, the power, the supernatural strength of Choice, of Will.

איזהו גבור? הכובש את יצרו.
 .Who is Mighty? He who conquers his inclinations

הכל בידי שמים חוץ מיראת שמים.

Heads Up: You may find this class to be an intense experience.

49: Ozer Yisrael BiGevura - Part I - אוזר ישראל בגבורה: “G” is for Gevura, “G” is for Growing

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Hold fast to this promise: that no matter how hard times are, it is only an expression of our being held tighter. It grows us up, not out, and makes us different people.

“You hold me tight, God; I’ll hold tight to You.”

48: Holding Fast in Times of Pain

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״הוֹי כִּי גָדוֹל הַיּוֹם הַהוּא מֵאַיִן כָּמֹהוּ וְעֵת צָרָה הִיא לְיַעֲקֹב וּמִמֶּנָּה יִוָּשֵׁעַ.״ --ירמיהו ל:ז

"Alas! for that day is great, such that none is like it; And it is a time of pain for Jacob, and out of it shall he be saved"

“Look down from Heaven and see how we have become a mockery to and cursed by  the nations. We are considered sheep to be dragged to slaughter; to be killed, destroyed, beaten and humiliated. And with all this, Your Name we have never forgotten — do not You forget us.” (Morning prayers, Tachanun). 

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47: The Voice of the Shofar on Rosh Hashana

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"The root of the root of the Shofar on Rosh Hashana is the selfsame breath which God blew into the nostrils of Adam at the creation of humanity." (— Rabbi Yitzchak Hutner)

The call of the Shofar "brings you through your innermost self to God." (— Rabbi S. R. Hirsch)

Time is the structure in our lives that allows us to think of our lives as having meaning, mission, purpose. Time allows us to think about our past, commit to our future, and make choices in the present. 

45: Humanity's Connection to Earth: רוקע הארץ על המים - Part 2

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Shoes off feet: where you're at. Shoes on feet: where you're going.

It's the difference between taking yet another step forward, and staying at your madreiga. It's the difference between wearing shoes and going barefoot. It's the different between life and death; love and rejection. Hit the ground running! 

This is the final shiur of the 5775 2014-2015 School Year. I look forward to seeing you in Elul!

40: Our Actions Can Reveal God's Will in the World — Zokeif Kefufim Part IV זוקף כפופים

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#40B P.S. Post Shiur Discussion:

When we pray using the words of the Siddur, our voices join the echoes of the voices of King David and all the prophets and righteous people who spoke those words before us. Also, a brief introduction to Asher Yatzar and Elokai Neshama. אשר יצר - אלקי נשמה.

The purpose of falling is to be held up by Hashem. The purpose of stumbling is to be caught by Hashem. The point of falling is what you do when you fall. The point of stumbling is what you do when you stumble. Remembering God's past kindnesses to you will help you cross the chasm from falling down to being.

39: Thinking Like a Snake vs. Thinking Like a Human — Zokeif Kefufim Part III זוקף כפופים

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True freedom comes from the realization that there is a bigger picture than just what we can see. There is a God, and there is a Divine choice inside of me to choose His Will. In the power of this choice, in breaking through the barrier of the finite, we can never be enslaved again.

#39B P.S. Post Shiur Discussion: It is even greater to do your duty than it is to volunteer. גדול המצווה ועושה משאינו מצווה ועושה.