Shema
Session 100: Emes VeYatziv — Truth and Stability, Part II: Commitment for all seasons
"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)
Session 99: Emes VeYatziv — Truth and Stability, Part I: Transitioning from the Mind Space of Shema to Shemone Esrei
“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)
Session 98: Emes — The Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing but the Truth (Siyum on Shema)
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.
Session 93: Envision Success - למען תזכרו ועשיתם
Session 92: Face Your Inner Truth אשר אתם זונים אחריהם
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.
Session 91: Follow the Leader - ולא תתורו אחרי לבבכם ואחרי עיניכם
In which we demonstrate the tragic error of every love song ever broadcast…
Session 89: How to See the Real World - וראיתם אותו - Part II
"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
Session 86: Tzitzis Reveal the Real You - והיה לכם לציצית
Find how great you can really be and become more yourself by recognizing and honoring the Divine soul within yourself and within others.
Session 84: Window to a Higher World: P'sil Techeiles - פתיל תכלת - Part II
"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.
Session 83: Hold Tight to Your Lifeline: P'sil Techeiles - פתיל תכלת - Part I
Session 82: Choosing Light from Within the Darkness
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.
Session 81: String of Kindness - ציצית על כנפי בגדיהם
Session 80: Make them Tzitzis - ועשו להם ציצית
Session 79: Vayomer Hashem el Moshe Leimor
Session 77: Like the Days of Heaven Over Earth Part II כימי השמים על הארץ
Living a life of purpose and inspiration to do mitzvos enables you to live life in the Holy Land, even from afar. This session wraps up, sums up and concludes our learning on the second paragraph of Shema, "VeHaya".