Generated by All in One SEO v5.0.0.1, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Core Emunah - Rabbi Shlomo Ben Zeev's site Build Your Emunah From the Core ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://rabbibz.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [Heads or Tails?](https://rabbibz.com/heads-or-tails/) - Sitting in front of the computer on the day before Rosh HaShanna trying to figure out how to inspire myself in the face of the impending Day of Judgement. Then I was hit by a thought. One of the simannim (signs) that we eat on the night of Rosh HaShanna is the head of a - [Read 'Em and Weep](https://rabbibz.com/read-em-and-weep/) - I was listening to a shiur while driving on the road this week. The topic was the ninth of Av, of course. Unfortunately I chose the shiur by luck of the draw, as the sunshine prevented me from actually being able to see who I was choosing, but that Rabbi, (HaShem, of course, knows who - [Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall...](https://rabbibz.com/mirror-mirror-on-the-wall/) - There was an interesting hea'arah that I had when learning through the words of Chazal on last week's Parsha, Parshas Va'Yakhel. The Torah teaches us there that among the donations given for the sake of building the Mishkan were something called Marot Tzova'ot (The mirrors of tzovaot) which were made out of bronze, (Shemos 38:8) - [On Three Things the World Stands...](https://rabbibz.com/on-three-things-the-world-stands/) - It's not really on-topic of the blog, but... Shalom, all, Although I usually try and add to the blog things that will give both meaning and purpose - the soul of emmuna - to you, there are at present two very real, very meaningful things that I am concerned with that are very close to - [The Path to Renewal. Am I missing out on my real life?](https://rabbibz.com/the-path-to-renewal/) - As I mentioned in a different blog there is a problem with things that are circular. Ostensibly they have neither a beginning nor an end. Life and time are like that as well. While it’s true that life has a definite beginning and a clear ending, our day-to-day life seems unending, one day leading into - [How to Connect to the Beit Hamikdash, Part 2.](https://rabbibz.com/how-to-connect-to-the-beit-hamikdash-part-2/) - Even though the real challenge of the day of the 9th of Av is to stop being so complacent with the way things are, to understand that we can change this day from a day of mourning to a day of rejoicing, and to do whatever is necessary to make that happen (for more on - [Some Reflection from Before Rosh HaShanna, But Still Pertinent Today](https://rabbibz.com/some-reflection-from-before-rosh-hashanna-but-still-pertinent-today/) - Written from my vantage point, as a Torah observant Jew in Israel. Looking back at the year, reflecting on what was I think that we can all say with confidence that this year… was a really tough year. The Rosh HaYeshiva of Ohr David (where I teach) has mentioned to me that “if someone would - [Fundamental Life Lessons, from Barter to Bitcoin](https://rabbibz.com/fundamental-life-lessons-from-barter-to-bitcoin/) - There is a funny thing about the world, and its name is money. It captures our attention for most of our lives; we need it for almost all of our most basic necessities; we invest incalculable amounts of time in its acquisition, and yet… in reality, it doesn’t have any value at all! That’s the - [The Spies and What They Teach Us](https://rabbibz.com/the-spies-and-what-they-teach-us/) - (Wrote this a while ago, but didn't find the time to post until now... sorry! Still is Torah...) In this week’s parsha, Parshas Shelach, we are told the story of the sin of the spies. However, there is a very fundamental question that needs to be asked when it comes to this story: Why? Why - [The Essence of the Haggadah: Some Introspection](https://rabbibz.com/the-essence-of-the-haggadah-some-introspection/) - Please daven for the complete recovery of Chaim Shmuel Dovid ben Tikvah Leah, a dear friend who is, unfortunately, on life support after coming down with Coronavirus. Every year I try to spend some time thinking about the Seder night in preparation for this ever so a special night of the Year. There is so - [My Father, One of My Heroes](https://rabbibz.com/my-father-one-of-my-heroes/) - I would like to pass on the words of wisdom of my father, shlit"a, concerning the proposed lockdown. [My father is an MD in family and emergency medicine, with years of extensive knowledge and experience in the feild of medicine (One of my heroes!)] From the facebook page of Ephraim Ben-Zeev The government of - [What's life all about? An emunah perspective](https://rabbibz.com/whats-life-all-about-an-emunah-perspective/) - The question of the introduction - itself - needs no introduction. This is a question that every single person asks at some point in their life. Is there a G-d? (Yes. Please read Core Emunah book 1 for more on this topic. Coming soon to Amazon) But even answering the question with a "yes," there - [Baruch HaShem! It's Finally Here!](https://rabbibz.com/baruch-hashem-its-finally-here/) - It is with great happiness and humility, with loads of thankfulness and praise, that I announce the availability of my new book "Core Emunah Vol. 1: Hello? G-d? An Exploration of Life's Most Fundamental Question". She'hechiyanu Ve'Kiyemanu Ve'Higiyanu La'Zman ha zeh! It can be purchased in print at: www.createspace.com/title/6826843 or for kindle at: this link. Baruch HaShem, - [Is Pessach "good" or "bad"?](https://rabbibz.com/is-pessach-good-or-bad/) - How can a good G-d do bad things? Why should we praise Him for taking us out of Egypt if He put us there in the first place? - [Core Emunah 2 - Prophecy, part 2.](https://rabbibz.com/core-emunah-2-prophecy-part-2/) - [Niddah 17b - So, What's the Nimshal?](https://rabbibz.com/niddah-17b-so-whats-the-nimshal/) - With lot's of help, siyata di'shemaya, many years ago, when I was learning for semicha (rabbinical ordination), while learning the halachos of niddah (the menstruating woman) I was introduced to the very basic question of how Torah and halacha, on the one side, interact with reality and medicine on the other side. The big problem - [Core Emunah - Book 1](https://rabbibz.com/core-emmuna-book-1/) - With HaShem's (G-d's) help, I will be publishing the first volume of the Core Emunah series shortly. I am still looking to get some haskomos before releasing the book to the public. Enclosed is a picture of the front cover. Let me know if you think it is need of improvement. Initial reaction from Dr. - [What is REALLY important to me in life?](https://rabbibz.com/what-is-really-important-to-me-in-life/) - In this week’s parsha, Mattos (2nd to last in sefer Bamidbar (Numbers)), we find that the children of Gad and Reuven approach Moshe with a request. They take note that the land in which they are presently sitting, (that of Og, king of the Bashan, and Sichon, king of the Ammorites), was a very good - [Emunah: What’s it For?](https://rabbibz.com/emmuna-whats-it-for/) - When it comes to our day to day life we are always using things. The list is, in fact, very long indeed. We get up in the morning, b”H, out of bed, (yes, that’s a thing), we get dressed wearing shirt, shoes, undergarments etc. We eat off of plates using silverware, drive to work/school in - [Emunah: How do I apply it in my daily life? No extremism necessary!](https://rabbibz.com/emmuna-how-do-i-apply-it-in-my-daily-life-no-extremists-necessary/) - Many people think that emunah is something that we store away for the extreme case in which we may need it. "Only if I need to die al kiddush HaShem (to sanctify G-d's name as a martyr)- that's when I need emunah. That's when it kicks in", people think. "But on a day by day - [Emunah: It's a Matter of Perspective](https://rabbibz.com/emmuna-its-a-matter-of-perspective/) - Parshas Mattos opens with the description of the 42 masaos (marches) that the people of Israel made from the time that they left the land of Egypt until the final days of Moshe on the plains of Moab. The question everyone asks is: what do I need this for? What is the point? Clearly, the - [Practical Emunah: Your Money or Your Life?](https://rabbibz.com/practical-emmuna-your-money-or-your-life/) - What's more important to you: your money or your life? [picture courtesy of this site] This is a question that, I would think, would be pretty straight forward! Of course, my life is more important than my money! Who would possibly think otherwise? Yet the more we actually explore this issue we find that - - [How to connect to the Beis Hamikdash](https://rabbibz.com/how-to-connect-to-the-beis-hamikdash/) - Sitting in front of my computer wondering how I can get "into the mood" for the upcoming fast of the 9th of Av??? Many people find that they share the difficulties that I have, wondering: How can I mourn the loss of something that I know nothing about? Well... I can think of two "eitzos," - [9th of Av: The Emunah Perspective](https://rabbibz.com/9th-of-av-the-emuna-perspective/) - After reading Megillas Eicha, (some of which I understand), after reading the Kinnos (most of which I don't understand), I then go home and sit. On the floor, off the floor. We contemplate, we think, we read about all of the destruction. So much has happened on this day it boggles the mind! So much - [The Meaning of Life Continued. Be a GIVER](https://rabbibz.com/the-meaning-of-life-continued-be-a-giver/) - In the previous article, we discussed the logical underpinnings of why HKB"H created man and put him in this world. We also explained why life is tough, why we cannot readily "see" HKB"H in this world and why the pleasures of the next world are not known to us. SO if you are still looking - [Even More Meaning of Life: Creation!](https://rabbibz.com/even-more-meaning-of-life-creation/) - In the two previous articles we explored the underpinnings of man's creation. In the first article we saw that HKB"H's motivation in the creation was CHESSED. In order for His chessed to be the type of chessed that only He can do (but that shouldn't stop us from aspiring for!) a world had to be - [Feel the Heel!](https://rabbibz.com/feel-the-heel/) - It says in this week's Parsha, Eikev (Devarim 7:12), And it will be Eikev (=as a result of) that you listen to all of these laws, and you guard them, and you do them and HaShem, your G-d, will uphold the bris and the chessed (concerning) which He swore to your forefathers. Rashi quoting our - [Meaning of Life 4: How to be a Creator!](https://rabbibz.com/meaning-of-life-4how-to-be-a-creator/) - In the previous three articles, we have discussed those issues pertinent to the fundamental creation (article 1), overcoming my shortcoming as a receiver (article 2), overcoming my shortcoming as a creation (article 3), but I said there that there is more to creation than just having children. Lets' explore this issue further! The Mishna in - [Ummm… I Forget!](https://rabbibz.com/ummm-i-forget/) - One of the things that we find so difficult in this world is the fact that we … forget! For the average person, (not those individuals who were gifted with the ability to instantly remember everything they see), regardless of the issue many times we forget what it was. We have appointments to keep that - [You’ve got it Good… but do you KNOW it?](https://rabbibz.com/youve-got-it-good-but-do-you-know-it/) - Parshas Ki Tavo This week's Parsha is full, and I do mean FULL of life lessons. But there is, if we pay close attention, one central theme that goes through the whole thing. The Parsha opens with the mitzvos of Bikkurim (offering of the first fruits) and vyidui ma’asros. Both of these mitzvos are very - [Is Your Life in Full Throttle While You’re in Neutral?](https://rabbibz.com/is-your-life-in-full-throttle-while-youre-in-neutral/) - Erev Yom Kippur. It’s only a few hours now until the last day of these ever so special days. The Ten Days of Repentance. Only about 36 hours left in total. I know that my ten days have been really hectic. Between work (and travelling to and from it), more work, lots of other work, - [Shake, Shake, Shake… Your Lulav!](https://rabbibz.com/shake-shake-shake-your-lulav/) - It’s that time of year again. It’s time to get the palm frond, the myrtle, the willow branch and the citron. We take them out, we wave them around, up, down and in the four world directions. Usually this is accompanied by us looking around wondering… what in the world am I doing? It’s true - [In the Shade of Reliability](https://rabbibz.com/in-the-shade-of-reliability/) - In a public display of fealty, the Jewish people has, for time immemorial, forsaken our regular dwellings in favor of our “booths”. This is the mitzvah of sukkah. According to the Ramban[1] although all of the three festivals, at their core, are in memory of the exodus from Egypt[2] there is no other festival that - [The World’s Oldest Excuse](https://rabbibz.com/the-worlds-oldest-excuse/) - In Parshat Bereishit, (Genisis) we encounter something that lies at the root of the human condition. It is a recurring motif in the narrative and, indeed, throughout the TaNa”Ch (Torah Nevi’im Chesuvim = The Bible (I refer only to what is called the “Old” Testament, not the newfangled one)) we find many instances where this - [Get Out of Here!](https://rabbibz.com/get-out-of-here/) - In this week’s Parsha HaShem commands Avraham (Abraham), our father, with the well-known commandment lech lecha, “you shall surely go”. Avraham is commanded to leave his land, the place of his birth, his father’s house to sojourn to the land “that I shall show you”. This is how the written Torah chooses to introduce us - [Jewish Time!](https://rabbibz.com/jewish-time/) - It's amazing! Every time I think that I finally understand something in the Torah, (and sometimes in life), upon scrutiny it turns out that without a deep understanding of the Torah it makes no sense! Case in point. I was asked to give a lecture to a group of irreligious students from Ben Gurion University - [Jewish Time 2: Kiddush HaChodesh](https://rabbibz.com/jewish-time-2-kiddush-hachodesh/) - In my previous post we explored the basic issues of time and how the world's standard of time only makes sense if we accept that what the Holy Torah tells us is true. We all come from one family. We are all from the children of Noah. In addition to the mishpachtologyia (family related stuff) the issues - [Jewish Time 3: Roar Like a Lion!](https://rabbibz.com/jewish-time-3-roar-like-a-lion/) - One of the most difficult things there is for most people to do is one of the things that virtually all people must do: to get out of bed in the morning. One of life's greatest hits in this regard is something that HKB"H arranged at creation to give us a helping hand: the rooster. - [Search for the Truth!](https://rabbibz.com/search-for-the-truth/) - There are many things that the Torah stresses in this/last week’s parsha about Yisro and what made him special. He was wise. He was thankful. But even more so: he was a man of action! The parsha opens with the words (Exodus 18:1) “And Yisro heard all that had occurred and he came to Bnei - [Who knows … why we recite the Mah Nishtana?](https://rabbibz.com/who-knows-why-we-recite-the-mah-nishtana/) - One of the most favorite parts of the Haggaddah, and, indeed, the entire night of the Leil haSeder is when the littlest bundle of joy at the table gets his or her chance to shine in the spotlight as they recite the “Mah Nishtana”. Such joy! Such real yiddishe nachas! But guess what? It misses - [The Torah, the Masorah and the???? – Part 1](https://rabbibz.com/the-torah-the-masorah-and-the-part-1/) - In my many years of teaching yeshiva guys I have found that one of the topics that suffers from the most difficulty and confusion is the topic of the transmission of the Torah and the masora (the oral interpretation of the Torah). We all know that the written Torah came first, right? Well… that’s actually - [The Torah, the Massorah, and the… Part II](https://rabbibz.com/the-torah-the-massorah-and-the-part-ii/) - In the previous blog we spoke about the origin and the relationship between the written and oral Torah’s. We established that the people of Israel, during the vast majority of their stay in the desert, lived and learned – almost exclusively – the oral Torah, as the written one was only written just before Moshe’s - [The Torah, the Massorah and the ??? Part 3](https://rabbibz.com/the-torah-the-massorah-and-the-part-3/) - In the previous blog, we discussed the source, the foundation and the need for the Mishna, the backbone of the oral Torah. In this blog, part 3, I would now like to discuss the Gemara, the other part of the oral Torah. Everyone knows that there are three basic Jewish books: the TaNaCh, (the Bible - [The Torah, the Masorah and the ??? Part 4](https://rabbibz.com/the-torah-the-masorah-and-the-part-4/) - The Writing of the Gemara and the Savorayim After we understood in the previous blog that the Talmud that we have today, whether the Babylonian or the Jerusalem, is a reformulation of the Gemara handed down to the people from the times of Moses to fit the newly minted (or relatively new, depending on the - [An Emmuna Perspective on Senseless Slaughter](https://rabbibz.com/an-emmuna-perspective-on-senseless-slaughter/) - Still kind of reeling at the slaughter of three Yidden at their Shabbos table this past Shabbos. The worst thing about it all is the fact that we have become accustomed to it. The age-old saying of “no news is good news” is a truism because there is very little good news that is either - [To Avoid the Ultimate Fail](https://rabbibz.com/to-avoid-the-ultimate-fail/) - Life, says Shlomo HaMelech, is full of circles. There are so many things that we do and experience over the course of the day and the course of our lives which are circular in nature. Whether we are talking about our routine, whether we are talking about the cycles of nature, and whether we are - [Jewish Time – part 4. The Jewish Calendar.](https://rabbibz.com/jewish-time-part-3-the-jewish-calendar/) - In the two previous articles about Jewish time we discussed how todays time concepts make no sense without the light which only the Torah can shed on the topic, and why the Jewish people are commanded to keep a year comprised of both the solar calendar and the lunar one. If you haven’t read the - [Jewish Time 5: Keeping Up with Tradition. Why Two-day Yom Tov?](https://rabbibz.com/jewish-time-5-keeping-up-with-tradition-why-two-day-yom-tov/) - After understanding why it is that we keep a double-standard year, and what was involved in creating the Jewish calendar, let’s take a step back for a moment in order to understand one of the most interesting issues of the Jewish world today: why keep a two-day Yom Tov? In light of the ease of - [Noah, Tectonics and Continental Drift: The story of global flooding as described in the Torah as compared to the scientific data](https://rabbibz.com/noah-tectonics-and-continental-drift-the-story-of-global-flooding-as-described-in-the-torah-as-compared-to-the-scientific-data/) - Noah and the abundance of flood myths Almost every ancient people known to man tell a similar story of a most ancient time: there was an apocalyptic flood and only a very few people survived it1. Now, granted, we are not to assume that all of the details of each story are to be accepted - [The Torah the Masorah and the ???? – Part 5: The Geonic Period](https://rabbibz.com/the-torah-the-masorah-and-the-part-5-the-geonic-period/) - After we have discussed the creation of (or rather the re-formulation of) the Mishna of Rebbe, we have discussed the formulation of (=re-formulation of) the Talmud based on the “newly minted” Mishna of Rebbe, we discussed the dissemination of the Talmud and the Savorayim, now it is time to move on in our journey through - [A Quick Update on New Works](https://rabbibz.com/a-quick-update-on-new-works/) - Baruch HaShem I have been working very hard recently on updating Core Emmuna 1 with more and new information. The cover has been re-done with a professional graphic artist and the book has been type-set anew. At present I am working very hard to get out Core Emmuna #2 "G-d & Me", the basic work - [IT'S ALMOST HERE](https://rabbibz.com/its-almost-here/) - Shalom to all. I am sorry that I have not had the time to write more blogs recently. IY"H with the upcoming Pesach vacation I hope to add many more. The reason for this, of course, was because I have been devoting a lot of time to my family and my students, in addition to - [How to be Jewish, Scientific, and Proud (Not suffer from guilt over arguing on the science) - Part 1.](https://rabbibz.com/how-to-be-jewish-scientific-and-proud-not-suffer-from-guilt-over-arguing-on-the-science-part-1/) - Over the past few weeks, I have tried to give my “two-cents” in the context of certain topics relating to Torah and science. While I do not hold myself to be an expert in the fields, I am not unlearned nor am I illogical in my thinking (at least I try really hard not to - [How to Be Jewish, Scientific, and Proud – Part 2](https://rabbibz.com/how-to-be-jewish-scientific-and-proud-part-2/) - In the previous blog we began approaching the issue of how to get a proper Jewish/Religious worldview concerning the issue of science vs. emunah. The basic issue being how can I be a believing Jew in a world of science. Most specifically, what am I to do if the science seems to be in conflict - [How to be Jewish, Scientific, and Proud – Part 3](https://rabbibz.com/how-to-be-jewish-scientific-and-proud-part-3/) - As we have seen in the previous blogs there is a serious amount of confusion concerning the actual facts of the issues that are under discussion and how we are supposed to address them. Indeed, what is, and what is not the actual data that confronts us in all of the issues is NOT the - [The Chosen](https://rabbibz.com/the-chosen/) - As we stand before the holy Shabbos and in the second of the three days of “limitations” (hagba’lah) before the festival of Shavuot I wanted to share with you some thoughts and issues related to the upcoming chag. We all know, even though the Torah never says this outright, that the festival of Shavuot is - [Who Is the Real Giver?](https://rabbibz.com/who-is-the-real-giver/) - There is an interesting problem that we all tend to experience when it comes to the issue of giving, it’s called “IDOWANNU”. Have YOU ever felt it? It’s what one experiences when someone else approaches and either sticks out their hand, asking for money, or they approach you asking for your time and effort. I - [Elul On My Mind](https://rabbibz.com/elul-on-my-mind/) - Baruch HaShem the “summer vacation” isn’t quite over yet for our school children (or our American Yeshiva boys, who haven’t quite decided yet if they are still “school children”….) but the month of Elul is here. It waits for no one. I have been extremely busy over the “bein ha’zmanim” what with trying to give - [T’ka b’Shofar Gadol l’cheruteynu](https://rabbibz.com/tka-bshofar-gadol-lcheruteynu/) - The meaning of the title "Blow the great shofar, to announce our redemption". Sitting at my computer for a few moments, waiting and wondering what the upcoming Yom ha’din will bring. I decided to share some thoughts from last weeks Parsha that might help me and others to have a more meaningful day and more - [Be"H, Core Emunah 2 Goes Live this Sunday!](https://rabbibz.com/beh-core-emunah-2-goes-live-this-sunday/) - To any and all people who have enjoyed my blog so far: First of all I would like to apologize as I have been ignoring the blog for a long time. Between the guys that I teach in Yeshiva, working on book 3 (and some book 4!), translating book 1 into Hebrew (about 65% there!), - [To Work, Or Not to Work - Is It Even A Question?](https://rabbibz.com/to-work-or-not-to-work-is-it-even-a-question/) - While getting ready for tomorrow's release of Core Emunah 2 "G-d & Me" I wanted to share with you something that's been at the forefront of my mind for a while now. One of the biggest questions that face almost all the young men with whom I work is that if, with HaShem’s help, we - [Core Emunah 2 is LIVE!!!](https://rabbibz.com/core-emunah-2-is-live/) - B"H!!!! she'hechiyanu v'kiymanu v'higiyanu la zman hazeh https://amzn.to/2XHbdZk - Kindle https://amzn.to/2EPe4qz - Paperback The Mishna Berurah (O"C 223:3) writes that there is an argument among the poskim if you can make the beracha she'hechiyanu v'kiymanu v'higiyanu la zman hazeh when one purchases a new sefer, if you have looked forward to it's acquisition. How much - [Core Emunah 2 - The Course](https://rabbibz.com/core-emunah-2-the-course/) - To purchase Core Emunah 2 G-d & Me - Click HERE In Core Emunah 1 we came to an informed decision that this world is a creation and that all of it's facets point to a Creator. Fine! So, its a creation.But WHO is the Creator? Does He know ME? What does He want from - [Core Emunah 2 - 2 - Prophecy 1](https://rabbibz.com/core-emunah-2-2-prophecy-1/) - What makes a prophet "prophetic"? - [If Only We Still Had Our Heads in the Clouds!](https://rabbibz.com/if-only-we-still-had-our-heads-in-the-clouds/) - Parshat Shelach - 5779 This week’s Parsha presents us with one of the saddest, most tragic periods in the history of Am Yisroel. The sin of the ten spies which was the “crowning achievement” among the ten sins of the children of Israel in the desert. The clincher, for which they were told that they would never - [It's Hard Work to Keep Your Head on Straight](https://rabbibz.com/its-hard-work-to-keep-your-head-on-straight/) - Parshas Korach 5779 Bamidbar 16:1 וַיִּקַּח קֹרַח בֶּן יִצְהָר בֶּן קְהָת בֶּן לֵוִי וְדָתָן וַאֲבִירָם בְּנֵי אֱלִיאָב וְאוֹן בֶּן פֶּלֶת בְּנֵי רְאוּבֵן And Korach, son of Yitzhar, son of Kehat, son of Levi took, and Datan and Aviram, sons of Eliav, and On, son of Pellet, sons of Reuben. This is one weird verse! What, - [The Exodus: History or Mystery?](https://rabbibz.com/the-exodus-history-or-mystery/) - As always, I ask myself what is the best use of my time (after I take away all of the time that I wasted… ☹). Should I blog? Should I write more or work more on translating my books? Should I learn more Torah? Should I answer more questions concerning topics that I have some - [What is a Kosher Animal?](https://rabbibz.com/what-is-a-kosher-animal/) - This is an article that I shared on the site a while ago on the "articles" section, but was not given any exposure as the site doesn't promote the "articles" section. In any case the article can be found here, enjoy! CE2 - Signs of a Kosher Animal This article is a refutation of a - [Here Fishy, Fishy!](https://rabbibz.com/here-fishy-fishy/) - This is another article that I posted under the "article" section. It deals with the issue of the kashrut of fish, and the truth of what our sages, ob"m, had to say on this topic. Again, the article can be found here, enjoy! CE2- Here fishy, fishy. Signs of a kosher fish. This is an - [Twas the Night Before Tisha b'Av...](https://rabbibz.com/twas-the-night-before-tisha-bav/) - Once again, I am sitting at my computer, contemplating the upcoming day and subsequent fast of Tisha b’Av, the 9th of Av. Every year it is accompanied by the same feelings of frustration and exasperation. Why are we doing this again? Why is this year, like so many years before it, a day and a - [Connecting to the Beit Hamikdash, part 1.](https://rabbibz.com/connecting-to-the-beit-hamikdash-part-1/) - When it comes to the topic of the Beis haMikdash (the Holy Temple in Jerusalem), especially around Tisha b’Av the problem that everyone faces is the question how to mourn for something that I never knew about? How can I connect to that which I don’t know? The obvious answer is - go and learn! - [In G-d We… Trust?](https://rabbibz.com/in-g-d-we-trust/) - We say "In G-d we trust", but do we really? - [הדרך להתחדשות. האם אני מאבד את החיים בריצת החיים?](https://rabbibz.com/הנתיב-להתחדשות/) - כפי שציינתי בבלוג אחר יש בעייתיות עם דברים שנעים בעיגול. לכאורה אין להם לא התחלה וגם לא סוף . גם החיים והזמן הם כאלה אמנם זה נכון שלחיים יש התחלה ברורה וגם סוף ברור, אבל חיי היום-יום שלנו נתפס אצלנו כאין סוף, יום אחד העובר לתוך יום אחר ומטשטש את העתיד (עבור אלה מאיתנו שזכו - [מסכת נדה דף י"ז עמ' ב' - אז, מהו הנמשל?](https://rabbibz.com/מסכת-נדה-דף-יז-עמ-ב-אז-מהו-הנמשל/) - לפני הרבה שנים, כשלמדתי למבחנים לסמיכה ברבנות, שמתי לב שיש קושי גדול בביאור ובהבנת סוגיית המשנה בנדה דף י"ז עמ' ב', ה"משל משלו חכמים באשה". ומאחר ומדובר בסוגיא חשובה, המבארת את תחומי טומאת נדה מבחינה פיזולוגית , היה לי ממש קשה לשמוע שאין אנחנו יודעים לפענח את הנמשל, שבעבורה המשילו חכמים את המשל, כי לא - [Hagadah – Ha Lachma Aniya (This Bread of Affliction/Poverty)](https://rabbibz.com/hagadah-ha-lachma-aniya-this-bread-of-affliction-poverty/) - Pointers on the Seder gleaned from the matzah and the haggadah - [Hey All](https://rabbibz.com/hey-all/) - I'm moving my site to a different server (got a better deal) and it's causing a major headache. I hope that you have all enjoyed the blog and site so far, be"H I have more planned, including many audio shiurim, live zoom shiurim, blogs (if only I can find the time!) and more. If you - [Can We Ever Have Enough Emunah?](https://rabbibz.com/can-we-ever-have-enough-emunah/) - One of the amazing things that we find in the parsha of Beshalach[1], is the answer to the above question. No, you can never have enough emunah. Ok. That’s my devar Torah… just kidding. The truth of the matter is, that we find this concept expressed all over the Torah, the Gemara, the Midrash and - [Hello world!](https://rabbibz.com/hello-world/) - Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing! - [Not only live --- 40% There!](https://rabbibz.com/not-only-live-40-there/) - Sorry. Not false advertising. I'm just hoping that we reach this before I go to bed in 20 minutes. 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Recent VideosClasses and Words of TorahI give many classes on different - [Video Content](https://rabbibz.com/media/video/) - Rabbi BZ's Video Page Short Vorts (words of Torah) on the ParshaShiurim (Classes) on Different Topics - [Core Emunah Series](https://rabbibz.com/core-emunah-series/) - [About](https://rabbibz.com/about/) - [Shop](https://rabbibz.com/shop/) - [Shop Now](https://rabbibz.com/shop-now/) - [Blog](https://rabbibz.com/blog/) - [Contact Us](https://rabbibz.com/contact-us/) - [My Account](https://rabbibz.com/my-account/) ## Products - [Core Emunah 2: God & Me - Hardover](https://rabbibz.com/product/core-emunah-2-god-me-hardover/) - Did God create the world and then ghost us? Some believe in a Creator… but think He’s too busy running the universe to care about little old us. After all, if God is so great, why would He bother with humans? Here’s the thing: That idea isn’t just wrong—it’s missing the entire point. Core Emunah: God & Me dismantles the myth of the distant, indifferent God and lays out the Jewish perspective: God made the world with a purpose. You are a focal part of it. And it’s on you to figure out what He wants from you. Inside, you’ll discover: Am I just a cosmic accident? (Hint: No.) Does G-d actually care about what I do? (Yes, and He’s not subtle about it.) If I matter so much, what’s my job here? (No pressure.) Why the search for truth isn’t optional—it’s a responsibility What happens if I ignore this whole thing? (Let’s just say, ignorance isn’t bliss.) Core Emunah: God & Me is logical, thought-provoking, and refreshingly direct—perfect for anyone who wants real answers without wading through mystical fog. If you've ever wondered, "Does G-d know me, or am I just a speck in the universe?", this book is for you. Get your copy today and start getting to the truth! (For deep thinkers, spiritual explorers, and anyone who suspects there’s more to life than Netflix.) - [Core Emunah: Hello? G-d?](https://rabbibz.com/product/core-emunah-hello-g-d/) - Core Emunah: Hello? G-d? – The Ultimate Guide to Life’s Biggest Question (Without the Fluff!) Ever wondered if the universe actually has a Creator, or if we’re just floating around in a cosmic accident? 🧐 If so, you’re in good company—people have debated this question for centuries. But let’s be real: most discussions are either too complex, too vague, or just plain exhausting. That’s where Core Emunah: Hello? G-d? comes in. This book takes 25 years of research, refining, and rewriting (and rewriting… and rewriting) and distills it into a clear, engaging, and straight-to-the-point exploration of one of life’s biggest questions: Does G-d exist, and how can we really know? Inside, you’ll discover: ✅ The core logical foundations for belief in a Creator (no philosophy degree required!) ✅ Why the random chance explanation of the universe doesn’t hold up under scrutiny ✅ What the greatest minds in history thought about G-d’s existence (and why they couldn’t ignore the question) ✅ How science, history, and rational thought come together to reveal a bigger picture ✅ Why this question actually matters for your daily life—beyond just intellectual curiosity No fluff. No endless debates. Just the real, fundamental issues that shape the search for truth. So, if you’ve ever found yourself wondering “Is there really a Creator?”—or even if you’ve just avoided thinking about it altogether—this book is for you. 🔹 Thought-provoking. 🔹 Engaging. 🔹 Possibly life-changing. Ready to dive in? Grab your copy today and start the journey! - [Core Emunah Vol. 1 Hello? G-d?](https://rabbibz.com/product/ce1-hello-god/) - Core Emunah Vol. 1, Hello? G-d? is the first book in the Core Emunah series. As the subtitle states, it is an in-depth exploration of life's most fundamental question. It is a deep, thorough, yet fun exploration of life as we know it. Would you like to understand why science cannot explain the science, but the Torah (Old Testament) can? Read this book and get a grip! Hello? G-d? has received numerous 5 star reviews, and more recently received an award in the ReadersFavorite.com 2020 book awards contest. More information can be found here. - [Donation](https://rabbibz.com/product/donation/) - [Core Emunah Vol 2. 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