בס”ד A Jewish Perspective on Divine Guidance Have You Ever Felt an Invisible Hand Guiding You? Imagine walking alone at night. It’s too quiet—eerily quiet. Suddenly, you feel something, an unseen force nudging you. Your gut tells you to turn left instead of right. You listen, and later realize you… Read More »ARE ANGELS WHAT YOU THINK?
בס”ד Let’s begin by referencing Exodus 20:3, where it states, “You shall not worship them nor serve them, for I am Hashem, your G-d.” This verse appears in the context of the Ten Commandments, underscoring the absolute prohibition of idolatry. In our previous classes on idolatry, we explored the definition… Read More »THE ORIGINS OF IDOLATRY PART IV- NO GODS BEFORE ME
בס”ד . Sources Fundamental structure ● G-d – Infinite vs. Finite – Tzimtzum – Concealment ● Creation – Definition / Expressions (Sefirot) ● Man – Created in the image of G-d (Bereshit 1:26) ● Mishkan (Tabernacle) – Resembles the same structure Structure of the soul ● Intellect – Wisdom (Chochma)… Read More »BNEI NOACH – MIND OVER HEART
בס”ד Understanding the Prohibitions of Idol Worship: How to avoid idolatry Idol worship, or Avodah Zarah in Hebrew, is one of the most strictly prohibited actions in Torah law. It extends beyond merely bowing to statues or offering sacrifices to deities. Fundamentally, idol worship is defined as attributing power to… Read More »THE ORIGINS OF IDOLATRY PART III- HOW TO AVOID IDOLATRY
בס”ד . Sources – The laws of Bnei Noach are not in the Code of Jewish Law – Shulchan Aruch (Likutei Sichot vol. 26, p. 141) – The Rebbe spent hours talking about the general ideas for Bnei Noach. – Two sources regarding general application of rational concepts in Torah… Read More »DEATH, BURIAL AND MOURNING – FOR BNEI NOACH
בס”ד . World to come: What? Rambam vs. Ramban Conclusion Bnei Noach and Gan Eden Bnei Noach and “World to come” Bnei Noch and “Resurrection of the Dead” Not only Israel, but the “pious among the gentiles” also have a portion in the World to Come and the Resurrection of… Read More »THE WORLD TO COME – WHAT ABOUT BNEI NOACH?
בס”ד . CAN YOU ASSOCIATE G-D WITH ‘SOMETHING ELSE’? Existence of G-d Rambam, Laws of Fundaments of Torah, 1:1-3 Oneness of G-d Sefer HaIkrim R. Iosef Albo, 4:17 What is shituf – association? Why would it be allowed? ● And if you ask, why is it permitted for them? …All… Read More »INTERMEDIARY – SHITUF – AND BNEI NOACH
בס”ד After this mighty man was weaned, he began to explore and think. Though he was a child, he began to think [incessantly] throughout the day and night, wondering: How is it possible for the sphere to continue to revolve without having anyone controlling it? Who is causing it to… Read More »THE ORIGINS OF IDOLATRY PART II- IDOLATRY UNMASKED; ABRAHAM’S REVOLUTION
בס”ד The foundation of all foundations and the pillar of wisdom is to know that there is a Primary Being who brought into being all existence. All the beings of the heavens, the earth, and what is between them came into existence only from the truth of His being. If… Read More »THE ORIGINS OF IDOLATRY
בס”ד Based on Likutei Sichot, vol. 15, p. 366 . Lighting customs ● After lighting– We kindle these lights [to commemorate] the salvations, miracles and wonders which You have performed for our forefathers, in those days at this time, through Your holy priests. Throughout the eight days of Chanukah, these… Read More »CHANUKAH – SALVATIONS, MIRACLES AND WONDERS
