Shema
"The Ahavas HaShem which one experiences during times of gilui Shechinah is overwhelming and indescribable... However, in times of hester panim, this great love is only Chaviv, a still cherished memory which we hope will be repeated." (Rav Schwab on Prayer)
“In preparation for the Shemoneh Esrei we focus our minds on the miraculous events of geulas Mitzrayim which were clearly a manifestation of the personal involvement of HaKadosh Baruch Hu Himself in our redemption:
אני ולא מלאך. אני ולא שרף. אני ולא השליח. אני הוא ולא אחר.”
(—Rav Schwab on Prayer, pg. 379)
“…since the splitting of the Red Sea [in response to the prayers of the Jewish People] revealed that Hashem is interested in what is best for us, its invocation establishes the perfect foundation for prayer. By mentioning our redemption at the Red Sea, we recognize that our needs are, in reality, the personal concern of Hashem. …And it is this recognition that enables us to approach Hashem and engage Him…regarding our needs.”
(—Tefilla: Creating Dialogue with Hashem, Chapter 1)
Siyum on Baruch SheAmar (Sessions 30-38) and Shema Yisrael (Sessions 39-99) sponsored by Mrs. Sharon Lipman and Mrs. Kelsey Liber, and hosted by Mrs. Karen Shoff.
If it’s eternal, then its end is its beginning. There’s no better word to fit that role than אמת Emes [lit.: Truth], a word describing enduring eternity, connected to the Source of Life.
You have a soul; you have inherent value.
One thread can clothe an entire body. One mitzva can clothe an entire soul. "Every time you perform a mitzva, you will hear My call: I am Hashem your Lord." (Rav Shimon Schwab)
Also, an introduction to אמת, Truth.
"I am Hashem Your Lord who took you out of the land of Egypt..." Why is the Exodus mentioned in the third paragraph of Shema? We analyze a most remarkable series of Rashi's commentaries to discover the deeper power of ne'emanus — faithfulness, loyalty, trustworthiness — to launch the redemption.
P.S. Tisha B'Av Bonus Track
Helpless, not Hopeless: embracing God through loneliness.
In pain, we can choose to reject the allure of the temporary fix, of distraction, and choose instead to focus on defending our relationship with God.
Unifying the highest of worlds and the lowest of worlds by means of doing Mitzvos.
Say or do something knowing that it is forever. A little Kedusha takes you a very long way.
Will you respect yourself in the morning?
Fear of facing ourselves can lead us to distractions and justifications that take us very far indeed from where we once aspired to be…
Don't let fear stop you from seeing yourself honestly. Face your inner truth and you'll discover someone strong and wonderful inside.
In which we demonstrate the tragic error of every love song ever broadcast…
How to make choices that express your true inner desires. How to give concrete expression to internal change and growth. Hashem appreciates small steps. When smallness is bigness; when tiny changes have profound impact. הכל צפוי והרשות נתונה.
"Hashem is as a sun and a shield." (Tehillim 84)
"The world is filled with His glory." (Yeshaya 6:3)
An advanced-level shiur on relating to Hashem through the lens of the physical world. "Everything which the Holy One, Blessed be He, created in His world, He created for His Kavod" (Avos 6:12).
.כל מה שברא הקדוש ברוך הוא בעולמו, לא בראו אלא לכבודו
.שנאמר: כל הנקרא בשמי ולכבודי בראתיו יצרתיו אף עשיתיו. ואומר: ה' ימלך לעלם ועד
"VeHaya!" Good things are coming your way! Every story has a happy ending... but you may need to hang on until the last chapter to see it.
Find how great you can really be and become more yourself by recognizing and honoring the Divine soul within yourself and within others.
"The Fiftieth Gate", 1989. Original hard-edge painting, acrylic on masonite. Available now as a limited-edition Giclee print of original acrylic on Masonite, hard-edge painting. Contact the artist via Izart Painting and Design at sarah@izartpaintdesign.com.
Handout:
The third paragraph of Shema carries the secret to eternal life. It's the secret of Yetzias Mitzrayim, the secret of the final Geula. It's the secret of Choosing and Using — choosing to harness our deepest desires for closeness to G-d by using actions of holiness.
"Save yourself the battle." And may your choice of Freedom In The Night merit you to savor the Freedom In The Day.