Emuna Beams

Astrology is certainly real. A person has reason to fear an unfavorable horoscope. The good news is that those who cling to emuna uplift themselves above the influence of the stars. There, pain and affliction no longer exist...

Did you ever wonder how a little 105-pound Korean Karate specialist can break a whole stack of bricks? We can utilize his same technique to obliterate any obstacles that stand in the way of our goal, but we won't need a fist...

Rebbe Akiva was born with every disadvantage. He was the son of a poor convert. Until age 40, he was an illiterate migrant worker. Yet, he became the the greatest of sages and surpassed the monumental greats of his generation. How did such an underdog become the father of the Oral Torah?

How can an upright person become a common thief? The slightest compromise with the evil inclination is a tiny breach that will soon grow wider…

Don't let anyone in the world discourage you from pursuing your goal. Putting your own dreams and aspirations aside while bending to the will of others is a formula for frustration and bitterness. People-pleasers are never happy, nor do they rise above mediocrity…

Draft the Haredim? Don't draft the Haredim? The debate is meaningless until Israel decides what type of army they want. An army like Gideon's adheres to one set of rules only, and they're neither conventional nor politically correct. And, only the best are fit for service...

It doesn't matter whether there are wars, lockdowns and layoffs. Today's podcast is the key to an easy and adequate income. Get your free PDF download of Parshat Haman here.

A beautiful story in the Gemara tells of a young man who valiantly saved a lass from drowning in a well. This story teaches that breaking a promise is a severe transgression of Torah that triggers extreme difficulties in life. These difficulties frequently manifest themselves in a measure-for-measure manner. That way, a person with spiritual awareness can recognize what he or she did wrong and atone accordingly.

The digger had every reason to be deeply disappointed. Nevertheless, he maintained the smile on his face at all costs. Hashem then gave him a real reason to smile. Rebbe Nachman's lesson about happiness…

In our formative years, different people stuck all types of labels on us. Even worse, they stuck the labels on a bottle and put us inside. As children, we subconsciously thought that our parents, teachers, and peers knew what they were talking about. They most likely did not. The acute problem is that most people spend their lives stuck inside that same bottle. It's time to break out...

Rebbe Nachman reveals the template of Jewish history in this allegorical tale of treachery and innocence. In every generation our enemies rise up against us, but the Holy One rescues us from their hands...

The Creator has already packed our backpacks for us. He has given us the tools we each need for our journey in life and to reach our individual destinations. Our job is to become acquainted with those tools, refine and cultivate them, and utilize them properly.

Menachem Herman and I got together for an evening of song and inspiration in Netanya last night. As a soul correction of our past, we've taken quite a few melodies and uplifted them with an emuna slant and lyrics. This is one of our favorites, which we originally did in 2008, when the UN and Obama were threatening to split Jerusalem: Sweet Home Jerusalem Based on the original song "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd, 1974 Guitar, adaptation by Menachem Herman Lyrics by Rabbi Lazer Brody Eagles' wings keep on flying Carry me home to see The King Singing songs about my City Jerusalem you're in my dreams And I'm gonna sing, yes Well I heard the UN talk about her But a Jewish boy won't drink this brew Uncle Sam please remember, that "Jerusalem, won't be split in two!" Sweet Home, Sweet Jerusalem Where the skies are so blue Sweet Home, Sweet Jerusalem L-rd I'm coming home to you We're all waiting for Moshiach You can bet he's coming soon We'll all be dancing in Jerusalem And we'll all be singing the same tune Now that's the truth Sweet Home, Sweet Jerusalem Where the skies are so blue Sweet Home, Sweet Jerusalem L-rd I'm coming home to you The wise men of the Holy City They've been known to pick a song or two They help my soul when I'm hurting They give me joy when I'm feeling blue Now how about you? Sweet Home, Sweet Jerusalem Where the skies are so blue Sweet Home, Sweet Jerusalem L-rd I'm coming home to you Sweet Home, Sweet Jerusalem Where the skies are so blue Sweet Home, Sweet Jerusalem L-rd I'm coming home to you

Gratitude is one of the most vital - if not the most vital - character trait a person could have. It's the key to happiness and to faith. So much so, that the Almighty personally taught Moses how very profound gratitude is. We see this lesson in this week's Torah portion, Va'era.

To keep the fish in our aquarium happy and healthy, we must follow specific guidelines, otherwise the fish will suffer. Are we any less important that the fish?

Rebbe Nachman’s classic short fable tells about a simple yet greedy villager who didn't believe in the forces of the dark side. These demons, the evil-spirit agents of the Evil Inclination, decided to have some fun with him...

Don't be afraid to ask yourself some serious questions in life that most people avoid. This is a necessary step in finding ourselves, choosing the right goal and living a life of fulfillment and gratification.

I love trees and the imagery that our Torah is a tree of life. Before I became a rabbi, I was a tree-fruit farmer. I've planted hundreds ( maybe thousands) of trees all across Israel, from the Golan to the Negev. With that in mind, Hashem gave me this melody, which I hope you'll catch on to quickly. Menachem Herman made this lively arrangement, and is playing guitars and singing. Well-known Jewish music producer Jeff Horvitch is on the keyboards. Yours truly is playing the native-Israel flutes. Enjoy this (lyrics below, in translation, transliteration and original Hebrew): Translation: She is a tree of life to those who hold on to her, and happy are those who uphold her (Proverbs 3:18). Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace (Proverbs 3:17). Bring us back to You, Hashem, and we shall return; renew our days as of old (Lamentations 5:21). Transliteration (to sing along): Etz chaim he, lamachazikim ba, vetomcheha me'ushar; deracheha darkei no'am, vechol netivoteha shalom. Hashivenu A'donai elecha venashuva; chadesh yameinu k'kedem.

In this week's Torah portion, we learn the qualities that exemplify a true leader. Moses possessed all of these attributes. We'll see them again soon when Moshiach arrives...

The king was jealous that a poor repairman was happier than he was. He therefore tried all sorts of schemes to make the repairman's life miserable, with no success… Rebbe Nachman's classic tale shows that nothing invokes such a plentiful income like bitachon (trust in Hashem) does.

A lost person doesn't know where he or she is in life. To find ourselves, we must determine where we are, then establish our goal and go for it.

Joseph and his brothers return to Egypt after burying their holy father Jacob in the Land of Israel. The brothers are terrified. They thought that Joseph was kind to them as long as their father was alive. But now, they fear that he will seek revenge for their selling him into slavery in Egypt. Joseph comforts them and teaches them a lesson in emuna that we all must learn. Source: Genesis, Chapter 50, Parashat Vayichi.

Insults are wonderful, if we realize that they are a gift from Above. A person who meant no harm asked me why I'm so ugly. It inspired this podcast. If you know anyone who is self-conscious about the way they look, let them see this 3-minute message.

Sometimes the evil inclination masquerades as a person's best friend to prevent him from performing a mitzvah. This is the only one of Rebbe Nachman's tales that is not allegorical, but actually a true story. After relating the tale, we also learn Likutei Moharan I:115. which elaborates on the meaning of obstacles that stand in our way of getting closer to Hashem.

By pondering the rationale of creation, we begin to think positively. Positive thinking is wonderful in that it is conducive to believing in ourselves. Believing in ourselves is not some flowery notion, but a vital human resource that is essential for success. Today's lesson shows how to attain this priceless asset.

In Tana D'Bei Eliahu, Eliahu Hanavi teaches us that when the People of Israel settle in the Land of Israel, Hashem's Name is sanctified around the world. We therefore exalt Hashem's Name by settling in the Land of Israel and building it, as we learn today...

The Land of Wealth sends a delegation of noblemen to find the sword that will defeat the Warrior. Little do they realize that the disguised Warrior himself is leading them to their most surprising rectification…

Who are we? What are we? Who am I? You'd be amazed at how many billions of people go through their entire lives without ever asking themselves these critical questions. They shrug their shoulders and ask, "What difference does it make?" It makes a very big difference. Knowing who we are separates between failure and success and between anxiety and inner peace.

The Worry Worm is a delightful story about faith for children, ages 3-9. It tells about two worm sisters who were born inside an apple. One is happy but the other is worried all the time. Let's find out why... Story and Narration: Rabbi Lazer Brody Production: V'Nishma, Miami

Few people realize that America owes its independence to one of George Washington's soldiers who lit Chanukah candles at Valley Forge in Chanukah of 1777 (5538). Here's the amazing story:

Now that they have found each other, the Master of Prayer, the Warrior and the Treasurer begin their fateful journey in their search of the King. Will they find him? Will they find their other comrades from the King's Court?

Our new series of lessons teaches us how to unlock our vast potential. We begin by reaching for the stars. For that, we must look up, not down…

Emissaries from the Country of Wealth encounter a nobleman who is vastly wealthier than anyone they ever met and crown him their king…

One's needs and one's lusts are two totally different entities. Our sages therefore define the rich person and the happy person as the ones who are content with their lot in life. Few financially wealthy people are happy. Why? Many of them lack the blessing of contentment…

Why does each one of us have a difficult challenge in life? If Hashem is a loving Father, why doesn't He make life easier for us? Today's podcast talks about the imminent Geula and coming of Moshiach. Will we be able to endure the birth pangs of redemption?

The entire Country of Wealth trembles as the Warrior and his army approach. Their last hope is to send the Master of Prayer on a risky mission to the Warrior's camp. Could this be his old comrade from the pre-storm era in the King's court? Click here to download your free study guide for the Master of Prayer

Hashem is the best boss imaginable. Nothing is better than working for Him. He provides benefits and incentive plans that no other employer could dream of matching. What's more, He always pays on time...

Moshiach won't come until we all learn emuna. The Land of Israel is the Land of Emuna and Hashem wants us all here. That way, He can expedite the process of Redemption. If we don't take the initiative, Hashem prods us. Putin's declaration of war against the Ukraine is Hashem's way of prodding the Ukrainian Jews to come home. Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor of NYC for the same reason. Mamdani is an eagle in disguise, to uplift New York's Jews and to bring them home too.

I was alone in the Negev Desert, a prime place for personal prayer. I was facing a hill. Upon it was a majestic creature, an Israeli desert wolf (Canis Lupus Arabus). The didn't budge; it just gazed at me calmly. Suddenly, it gave a proud howl that echoed across the desert. It seemed to say, "I'm the chief of this region." I tool my Land-of-Israel reed flute out of my backpack and started playing the melody that the wolf seemed to inspire. The melody came out with a native-American flavor. Enjoy it, and may we soon see the days when the wolf dwells with the lamb (Isaiah 11:6), amen!

Modern society is so preoccupied with body that most people don't even know that they have a soul. When people think that life is only body and the physical, they become candidates for depression. Why? For them, each day is a day closer to the cemetery. Is that all one has to look forward to in life? Thank goodness, no! Champion athletes are highly aware of their bodies. A marathon runner feels what's going on in each muscle of his legs and feet. Yet, an overweight person who never engages in physical activity and barely gets out of the sofa is utterly out of touch with his body. By the same token, one who never engages in spiritual activity loses touch with his soul. Spiritual awareness - awareness of the soul and its Creator - is a prerequisite for happiness and inner peace. Here's the good news: the soul is a tiny spark of the Creator. Just as the Creator is eternal, so is the soul. A person who prioritizes soul over body lives forever.

The Storm Wind confused the entire world, turning the sea into dry land and the dry land to sea, wilderness to settled area and settled area to wilderness. But even worse, it kidnapped the Princess's beautiful child. The chaos in the world created such confusion that different sects of people created their own countries with their own skewed ideology, leaders and false gods...

Would you like to be more charismatic and more successful, whether in business or in any other interpersonal endeavor? Learn to trust in Hashem. A person who trusts in Hashem won't resort to high-pressure methods in his or her dealings and therefore will be more affable…

In today's empowering podcast, we learn to love ourselves and to appreciate the special qualities that Hashem gives each of us. No more jealousy and no more being down on yourself...

The Master of Prayer reveals the source of his uncanny powers: he derived them from the King's Hand. All the creases and crevices on the hand formed a detailed map, both geographical and historical. It depicted everything that occurred from the beginning of creation until the end of time…

How much must a person engage in making a living? In light of the principles of emuna, what is considered reasonable hishtadlus, or effort? Let's get some vital answers to questions we all ask...

A bold warrior with an army of the bravest warriors like himself has succeeded in conquering many countries without firing a shot. He is now approaching the Country of Wealth, whose people are terrified. Why? The bold warrior detests money, which is their entire faith and creed.

Our arch-adversary, the evil inclination, does everything in its power to reduce us to sadness, depression and ultimate surrender with all types of pseudo-logical claims that there's no hope and no one to depend on, Heaven forbid. Of course, that's far from the truth...

Here's a poignant parable about relationships, when unthinking husbands starve their wives emotionally and wake up when it's too late...

Imagine a country that glorifies wealth. They worship many different human gods with names like Warren Buffet, Jeff Bezos, Marc Zuckerberg, Bill Gates and Elon Musk. They have other idols too. They even invent their own constellations and stars. They have movie stars, sports stars and all-stars. Rebbe Nachman foresaw all of this over 200 years ago and tells about it in today's lesson.

There are two distinct and seemingly contradictory approaches to what constitutes bitachon, complete trust in G-d. Approach A says that that bitachon is the confidence that Hashem will do for a person whatever he or she needs. Approach B say that bitachon has nothing to do with what an individual needs or desires. Indeed, it is the calm acceptance of whatever Hashem does, no matter how uncomfortable it might be. Which approach is right?