Sunday, October 27, 2013

Charity Saves

Mishlei says it in 2 places - Charity saves from death.
The Chida explains : when you add the letter Tzadi from the word Tzedaka to the word ' movess ' , you get Mitzvos.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Why Salt ?

Why did Lot's wife turn into a pillar of salt ? Why not ketchup or something else ?
Tosfos in Brochos 40a explains that salt is used on the table when we eat to protect from harm. Thus it serves to remind us of positive connections. To always strive for chesed , not the reverse.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

Friday, October 11, 2013

Fw: AVRAHAM’S SHIELD / YOUR SHIELD / DEFINING CHINUCH

Very worthwhile.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

From: yosef farhi <yosefarhi@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 11 Oct 2013 09:05:07 +0300
Subject: AVRAHAM'S SHIELD / YOUR SHIELD / DEFINING CHINUCH

FOLLOW LINK TO WEBSITE:


AVRAHAM'S SHIELD / YOUR SHIELD


The first blessing in the Amidah is called Avot. Every word is a gem; concentration here is a must, three times a day, each day of your life. G-d of Avraham, Yitzhak and Yaakov. The G-d Who is great, mighty and awesome, supreme G-d, Who bestows beneficent kindness and creates everything, Who remembers the kindness of our fathers, and brings a redeemer to their children's children for his Name's sake, with love. King, Helper, Savior, and Shield. Blessed are You G-d , Shield of Abraham.

Two questions always bother me here. Why is everything in present tenseקונה הכל ... עוזר ומושיע ומגן –  מביא גואל creates everything , helper, savior and shield… G-d brings a redeemer instead of  ויביא                  גואל....will bring a redeemer? Creates instead of created? And why the shield of Abraham? Why not "shield of Yitzhak" or Yaakov? The Talmud (Pesachim 117b)  says והיה ברכה" – בך חותמים ואין חותמין בכולן" – G-d blessed Avraham that the first blessing of the Amidah will be sealed מגן אברהם , Shield of Avraham . But what did Avraham do that was so special that he deserved being mentioned at the close of the first blessing of the Shemoneh Esrei more than Yitzhak and Yaakov?

 When I found the answer, it changed the experience of prayer and shed a new light on religion. Allow me to share the answer with you.

This is it. A fundamental tenet of Jewish belief is that G-d knows the tests going on in your life right now. He is there, ready and wanting to save you, aid you and guide you. G-d is bringing a redeemer right now in your life, for your life's problems. He is helping right now, he is saving right now. We say "Blessed are You" all day, not "Blessed is He", because we are talking directly to Him, all day. This is what Judaism is about. Faith in G-d that He is there with us, now, in our present life's battles, helping us reach our goals. What would happen to your life if you would live with that mindset? What a different day! What a different life! What a different Jew. The funny thing is that you can choose to live your life this way, constantly seeing and feeling G-d's guidance in every step you take. You just have to know the right meaning in your prayers, three times a day. You just have to pray with the awareness that He is, indeed, a constant, guiding companion. Judaism is so beautiful.

Who, of all the Forefathers, had to fight the most to achieve awareness, in order to have this type of life? Avraham. Of all the Forefathers, Avraham was the only one whose life was all about proving to the world that G-d exists, forever pervading the present, and also both eternal and immortal.   Even before birth, Avraham was marked for death because of his belief in the One G-d. ( Nimrod, the most powerful king in the world at that time, was warned by his astrologers that a baby was being born, one who would challenge and refute the pagan beliefs governing the kingdom.. In frenzied fear, Nimrod killed about 70,000 baby boys. Avraham's mother, Amtelah Bat Karnevoh, whose husband, Terach, was Nimrod's top general, was feeling birth pangs, so she went into a cave. She gave birth to Avraham there, and the light on Avraham's face illumined the cave.  She looked at her baby, Avraham, and said to him, אוי לי שילדתיך בזמן הזה , Woe is to me that I have given birth to you at such a time, when Nimrod killed 70,000 baby boys because of you . I fear that Nimrod will find you and kill you. It is better that I leave you here and you die in this cave, than that I take you out into the world, and you will be slaughtered by Nimrod. Baby Avraham, alone in the cave, had no one to nurse him, and he cried.  And Hashem heard his voice, there in the cave, and G-d sent him the Angel Gavriel to sustain him. Avraham's right finger miraculously started to exude  milk, and he sucked it. This continued until Avraham was ten days old. He then began to walk the land…)    G-d shielded Avraham in the fire of Ur Kasdim, when he left his father's house, when Sarah was taken in Egypt, during the famine, at the war against the kings, when Sarah was taken by Avimelech, at Akeidat Yitzchak… G-d will shield us, as well, if we believe in Him with complete faith.

This is how we turn to G-d in the present tense, praying with faith that He can provide salvation for us, meeting our every need.  He is, right now, saving your life, bringing about your ישועה , your salvation. Just believe. Three times a day. He knows your struggles, your battles. And right now, He is working things out for you, without your even knowing how. With one condition. As long as you are real about this belief thing. Not like Haran.   

Avraham's brother, Haran, was not sure if Avraham was right about his belief in G-d. As Avraham was thrown into the fire in Ur Kasdim, Nimrod asked Haran if he agreed with his brother's anti-pagan beliefs. Haran was not sure if he should follow his brother Avraham into the fire for the sake of Judaism. He looked into the fire and saw that G-d came into the fire to save Avraham. After witnessing Avraham's success in his  debate with Nimrod – crowned by his brother's miraculous salvation from the fire – he decided to answer in the affirmative, and was promptly tossed into the fire. But G-d did not make a miracle for Haran.(Midrash Tehillim 108) Why not?

The answer is one that can shake every Jew to the core. G-d was willing to make a miracle for Avraham,  alone, and not for Haran, because the kind of belief that brings miracles is an unwavering, unconditional belief - not one that is pulled out of the pocket as a document to assure passage through tough situations. Avraham had unshakable belief in G-d and was willing to die for it. Haran was not willing to die for the belief, but relied on his hope that the miracle performed for his brother would be performed for him, also. It was not a belief that he arrived at on his own. It was the same kind of belief that many "believers" have, a passive kind of just following the flock, without giving the subject much thought. Judaism is about realizing – through the Book of Torah and the Book of Nature – that there is a Creator Who wants us to serve Him and perform His Mitzvot. Judaism is about being an Ivri – one from the "other side." The whole world may disagree with us and stand on the other side of the ideological "river"; yet, the authentic Jew, like our great Patriarch Avraham, will stand alone with his belief, through fire and water, even if it looks as if no one else is supporting his side of the debate. Haran was not willing to be that "lonely man" of faith, not willing to stand up for his belief. Therefore, G-d was not willing to stand up for him.

So, we start the Amidah with Avot, connecting to their beliefs, connecting to their lives. Avraham Avinu's way of believing is the way we believe, and  the way we believe makes such a difference. It can be a matter of salvation or frustration. Life or death. When taking three steps back before Amidah, ask "Do I believe that G-d is listening right now, ready to help me? If I would only ask him with my whole heart! He is willing to grant my request, He just wants me to believe that he is there. Do I really believe?" 

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Crumbs for Success

How can a few crumbs help a person prosper in life ?

In the Talmud , Pesochim 111b , 3 lines up from the bottom, we learn the secret to wealth.
The name of the angel in charge of finances is MR. CLEAN !
He does not feel welcome where people step on crumbs.
The angel for poverty , however is MR. MESS , he enjoys places that are not clean.
What a lesson to take with us all the way to the bank. B. H.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

Friday, October 4, 2013

Fw:

We have an opportunity now if you would like to sponsor & dedicate the printing of the enclosed document in a booklet format.
Please contact us.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

From: Shira Dorfman <shirersg@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 2 Oct 2013 09:24:35 -0400
To: Rabbi Goldberger<RABBIG@sakar.com>
Subject:

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Dimensions of Life

The boat / ark Noach built was 30 by 300 by 50 amos. Why these dimensions ?
We are taught - the word
Loshon , is the remez for these numbers.
Lamed - 30
Shin - 300
Nun - 50.
What is the message ?
If you don't get it , we need to speak.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Cause of death

4 people in history died only because of the snake in Breshis ( they had no sins ) :
Binyomin ben Yaakov ,
Amrom avi Moshe ,
Yishai avi Dovid &
Chilov ben Dovid.

Shabos 55b.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Appreciating your Spouse

One of the great lessons of Yom kipur - the Kohen Kodol prays for three groups :
Himself ,
His wife , &
All other Jews.

His spouse is in a category by herself , he owes her special focus for all that she does for him.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

A few more days

We pray for Hashems help for spiritual
C. P. R.
Charity
Prayer &
Repentance.
Gmar Chasima Tova to you & all others.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Fw:

All the best.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

-----Original Message-----
From: "Rabbi Goldberger" <rabbig@sakar.com>
Date: Mon, 19 Aug 2013 22:39:26
To: <inbox@binahmagazine.com>
Reply-To: rabbig@sakar.com
Connections
We enjoyed your excellent essay on Tehilim 47 which we say to prepare for the great Mitzva of listening to the Shofar & rejoicing with Hashems Malchus !
Why are the sons of Korach the ones who merited to teach this great message ?

Because it is almost time to listen to the Shofar & we may be overwhelmed. I should have done Teshuva at the start of Elul , or at the beginning of Selichos or erev Rosh hashana. Now there are only about 3 minutes left to the Shofar call- Remember the sons of Korach who almost got swallowed up with the others who followed Korach. But they grabbed the last few moments & repented. They were saved in the nick of time.
The perfect model for last minute return to Hashem by calling out to praise Him wholeheartedly & joining with the great sons of Korach !
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

Monday, September 2, 2013

The Best

We wish all of you a Kesiva Vechasima Tova.
May we learn how to turn even seeming misfortunes into positive music by connecting with Hashem Who created us & runs every aspect of the world for our benefit.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

Monday, August 26, 2013

Fw: Pathways to Forgiveness

Revised.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

From: Shira Dorfman <shirersg@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 26 Aug 2013 09:19:16 -0400
To: Rabbi Goldberger<RABBIG@sakar.com>
Subject: Pathways to Forgiveness

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Fw:

Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

From: Shira Dorfman <shirersg@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 20 Aug 2013 13:31:45 -0400
To: Rabbi Goldberger<RABBIG@sakar.com>
Subject:

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

One thing

There is one attribute that has been determined to be common with most people who are over age 100 - they are the agreeable type.
See Megila 28a.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Fw:

Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

From: Shira Dorfman <shirersg@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 7 Aug 2013 17:07:31 -0400
To: Rabbi Goldberger<RABBIG@sakar.com>
Subject:

sorry for the delay.. have a great night!
any corrections let me know.

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Not so Free

Rambam , Repentance 5:3.
This principle , that every person has free will to choose the good way to become righteous , is a very great , primary teaching. It is the pillar of Torah & Mitzvos. As we see from the first few verses of this weeks Parsha.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Thanking Hashem

One of the reasons Hashem causes the branches of trees to blow in the wind is that we should notice the Gift of the wind He created which keeps us alive. Boruch Hashem.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Fw:

Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

From: Shira Dorfman <shirersg@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 23 Jul 2013 13:07:36 -0400
To: Rabbi Goldberger<RABBIG@sakar.com>
Subject:

let me know if there are any corrections..

Sunday, July 21, 2013

7 Mitzvos

The first Parsha of Shma contains 7 Mitzvos that are listed in Sefer Hachinuch.
1- To think Hashem is the One & Only absolute One.
2- To love Hashem.
3- To study & teach Torah.
4- To say the Shma morning & evening.
5- to put on the hand Tefilin
6- to put on the head Tefilin.
7- to have a Mezuza.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

Monday, July 15, 2013

Fw: Listen Booklet

Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

From: Rochel <penpaperwriting@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 15 Jul 2013 13:11:39 -0700
To: Rabbi Goldberger<rabbig@sakar.com>
ReplyTo: Rochel <penpaperwriting@yahoo.com>
Subject: Listen Booklet

Hi, the booklet is attached.  Hope you have an easy fast.
 
All the Best,
Rochel Eisner
Creative Director
Chief Copywriter
 
Pen & Paper Writing
(732) 771-7378
www.penpaperwriting.com