Rabbi E in 3

Last week I walked in the footsteps of our patriarch Avraham Avinu as he journeyed to an unknown land at Hashem's command....Now I am sitting in his place (figuratively) scanning the street for guests, as he did at the start of this week's Torah portion, Vayeira (in the Book of Genesis). But there are some significant differences between him and me. Tune in to learn more...and to learn how we can emulate his LOVE of doing kindness to others.

Shalom, everybody! Join me in this special WALKING edition of Rabbi E in 3, as I follow in the footsteps of our patriarch, Avraham Avinu, who was commanded by Hashem in this week's portion (Lech Lecha) to get walking, to get GOING, to always be moving forward and GROWING...and to be a BLESSING in this world! (Not to mention always making sure to get your daily 10,000 steps). GOOD SHABBOS!

We begin the Torah again this Shabbat, beginning the book of Bereishis (Genesis), with the parsha that tells us WHO and WHAT we are! Yes, we are "dualistic," folks, we are the utterly unique being in all of Creation that is a composite of body (physical) and soul (spiritual). We can reach beyond the heights of angels, or we can descend below the level of animals. The choice is relentlessly, thrillingly and constantly OURS!!

We are getting ready to close out an incredible 3-week period of closeness to Hashem, starting with our "REbirth" on Rosh Hashanah; our "REturn" on the days of teshuva afterwards culminating in Yom Kippur; our "RE-joicing" on the festival of Sukkot...and now our ending the cycle of the Torah reading and RE-starting it once again on the incredible (and not-so-well known) holiday of Shemini Atzeres/Simchas Torah!! Hashem holds us back for one more (deliriously happy) celebration before we skate off--yes, the ice is still smooth--into the new year ahead!

Do you feel lighter today post Yom Kippur?? I do... physically yes (I can button my sport coat now, for real!), but more importantly, in a spiritual sense. The weight and stain of our transgressions lifted off/wiped away! Our purified selves. Let's take advantage of our new lightness to do great things: acts of chesed (kindness), Torah study, and mitzvot...including getting ready for Sukkot, which NOT COINCIDENTALLY, comes 5 days after Yom Kippur. So we can BUILD on (and with) our newly regained purity.

Yom Kippur, the holy Day of Atonement, is almost here...a day when we transcend our physical selves and pleasures, and taste the (even deeper) PLEASURE of closeness to G-d, to our spiritual essence, and to our fellow Jews and human beings. EAT (and drink) WELL today--it's a mitzvah--so you can have the strength to RETURN in love to a state of At-ONE-ment.

The Talmud teaches us that we should always see ourselves--and the entire world--as equally balanced between merits and transgressions. Do one single mitzvah NOW, and you save yourself and the entire world! Do one single transgression NOW, and....well....you fill in the blank. We are presently in the 10 Days of Return (teshuva) that culminate in the holy and sacred day of Yom Kippur, day of atonement. These are days of judgment, when our lives are hanging in the balance. Let's not be scared by this awesome thought, let's get inspired to TIP THE SCALE (together) with good deeds...

No time to sit back and relax...it's time to DO!! More than usual. Why? We are in the awesome and powerful period known as the 10 Days of Return, which began on Rosh Hashanah, and continute until Yom Kippur one week from today. Every bit of extra energy put towards doing mitzvot, kind deeds (chesed), prayer (tefila) and giving charity (tzedaka) help us to "do teshuva," to RETURN to our true selves and purpose in this world. What we do now has more power to elevate us--and all of Creation--AND bring us close to G-d than at any other...

It's a busy day, as we all make final preparations for the joyous, and awe-inspiring, holiday of Rosh Hashanah. Here's a quick "last-minute" overview of these first TWO super-powerful days that kick off the new year...and which are themselves part of the incredible period called the "10 Days of Return (teshuva)." I like to call them, "Zamboni days," because the (spiritual) ice is smooth and fresh, and we can zoom ahead faster than any other time of the year. And don't worry about slipping or falling: Hashem ismright out there on the rink with us, ready to catch and...

Rosh Hashanah is a serious day, a time of din and mishpat (judgment), when the Holy One, Blessed be He, REMEMBERS and JUDGES each of us. Sounds quite hairy and scary...But it shouldn't be. Because that very King and Judge--Who sees and remembers everything, and Who wants us to take the day (and our lives on this earth) very SERIOUSLY--is also (primarily) our loving FATHER. He remembers us FOR GOOD, and wants us to return to Him and His Torah....and to our true selves.

"Remember us for Life," is what we beseech Hashem--not only on Rosh Hashanah itself but on ALL of the 10 days of teshuva (return) culminating in Yom Kippur. Now is the time to really start to think more deeply about life, our livesy--my life, your life. Why we really want it. Welcome to Rosh Hashanah Prep on this, the final Monday of the Jewish year 5786!

Each one of us has a choice before us: life or death, good or evil, blessing or curse. Every year, every day...really every minute!! Always. Let's finish the year strong and listen to Moshe Rabbeinu's words in this week's Torah portion, Nitzavim (always read immediately before Rosh Hashanah), spoken on the very last day of his earthly life: "See, I have placed before you today, the life and the good, the death and the evil...and you shall choose life....to love Hashem, your G-d, to listen to His voice and cleave to Him..." [Deuteronomy, chapter 30]

Rabbi E returns after a long hiatus!!!! Get busy running, skating ("Zamboni Days" = smooth spiritual ice) and BUILDING your new world as we get ready for the new Jewish year of 5787!

We go on lots of journeys in this world--small and big, to the mountains and to the beach...and sometime to far-off lands. But we learn from this week's Torah portion, Massei, which describes the Jewish people traveling and encamping in the Sinai desert--that the true purpose of all the journeys that Hashem leads us on in our lifetimes (and He IS leading us) is spiritual: to serve G-d, wherever and however we are--battling our negative traits, and expressing our positive ones, to elevate ourselves and all of Creation!

Today is a fast day, the 17th of Tammuz, and it ushers in a period of sadness in the Jewish calendar year, culminating in the Fast of the 9th of Av (Tisha b'Av)--the day on which both Temples were destroyed (not to mention other calamities). Is this about wallowing in the sufferings of the past? No, rather, we are truthfully acknowledging that the world is NOT where we want it to be, and coming to terms with how we Jewish people-chiefly through the transgression of sinat chinam (baseless hatred)--brought about the destruction of the Second Temple! In...

There is much to learn from the disruptive effects of the Canadian wildfires on the lives of people (including me, Rabbi E) hundreds and thousands of miles away. One main lesson is that we are profoundly interconnected on a physical (and environmental) level. But Judaism teaches that we are SPIRITUALLY interconnected as well. Every good deed we do (or word we say) helps to create a purer, more illuminated and holy spiritual "atmosphere" throughout all of Creation! And the opposite, G-d forbid, is true as well: the negative and hurtful deeds we do (or words we say) create--as it...

Is there a Jewish holiday that celebrates the very PURPOSE of existence? I'm glad you asked...The answer is YES. (And it begins in a few hours.) Shavuos, the time of the giving of the Torah. We Jewish people relive the awesome and utterly unique event of the Revelation at Mt. Sinai. Our entire nation was elevated to a level of prophecy, hearing the 10 Commandments directly from Hashem (or at least the first two--that's a discussion), and perceiving with absolute clarity that Hashem is the One and Only true Being, source and sustainer of all existence. AND author of...

Shavuos is the most underappreciated Jewish holiday, for sure. It's even completely unknown to many Jewish people. TUNE IN to Rabbi E in 3, as we make the final countdown (or count up) to the festival of the giving of the Torah...the (national) Revelation at Mt. Sinai.

Shalom, everybody. Are you READY to GET READY for what is arguably the most important Jewish (holi)day in the Jewish calendar? It's 10 days from now...that's right...and it's the Jewish holiday you might never have even heard of (I didn't as a kid), or perhaps only have some vague idea about....But it's the holiday that really defines who we are as a Jewish people. We have 10 days to get ready for SHAVUOS: the holiday when we re-experience receiving the Torah at Mt Sinai, the day when we collectively as a nation heard Hashem utter the 10 Commandments...

We have more rules on Seder night than any other night of the year. Is that "freedom?" Absolutely. Tune in as we discuss the deeper meaning of the freedom Hashem granted us when He took us out of Egypt more than 3300 years ago...and allowed us to become His servants

I'm Rabbi E, and I have not put out a podcast episode for weeks and weeks. But today is a new day, the first of the month of Nisan in the Jewish calendar: a day infused with the energy and power of renewal like none other in the calendar year. SO HERE IS A NEW START.  A new sound, a new approach, a new commitment to this podcast and its original vision and conception. ENJOY....and may this beca month of renewal and redemption for you!

Why a trip to Poland for a Jew is so important and meaningful, and INSPIRING! Recorded on my phone, live in Poland, while staffing a trip for Jewish students.

Join old Rabbi E, as I share insights, reflections and blessings on reaching halfway till 120. The Rabbis tell us that the age of 60 brings "seniority," (older age, if you will), but MUCH more importantly, WISDOM! And the foundation of all wisdom, Judaism teaches, is realizing that we, and the world, have a Creator and that He gave us a life full of so many blessings...in order to BE a blessing in this world! Tune in as I, the now "old(er)" and I hope, "wise(r)" Rabbi E, get into an expansive, blessing-bestowing birthday mode. Or hear as...

Won't you stay just a little bit longer?? Tune in for this MUSICAL episode of Rabbi E in 3, as I melodically introduce you to the festival of Shemini Atzeres, the "8th Day of staying back," which takes place at the end of the Sukkot holiday (begins in an hour or two). APOLOGIES TO JACKSON BROWNE, but the very essence of this holiday is about staying in Hashem's presence just a little bit longer...rejoicing with Him and with the Torah (as we complete the yearly cycle of our reading). Chag Sameach!

A few thoughts to start the week of Sukkot, recorded live from the Sukkah of Rabbi E!

Yom Kippur is an aweome day of return: returning to healthy relationships with others, and returning to the real, pure spiritual essence of who we are. And what makes that possible is both the forgiveness that Hashem (and other people!) lovingly grants us,and the PURIFICATION that we experience. All the "stains" on our souls, so to speak (from the hurtful and negative words, deeds and thoughts we all--as human beings--fell into), are utterly washed away. We are purified through the observances of Yom Kippur, as we are purified by the waters of a holy mikveh! And it gets...

We all know that Rosh Hashanah is a special time, and that Yom Kippur is a special time....but we may not be aware that the days BETWEEN Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are also a very special and elevated time! A time when the Jewish people have always tried to multiply their good deeds and mitzvot, their prayer and acts of charity...so that we may be judged favorably by G-d, and inscribed for a good year of life on Yom Kippur. They are days of when the spiritual ice is smoother (Zamboni days!), the spiritual air is...

Recorded on the last day of the Jewish year, 5782, hours before Rosh Hashnah, I discuss some of the beautiful ideas connected to this magnificent holiday of the new year...and the powerful 10 Days of Return (the first ten days of the year)--ZAMBONI DAYS, smooth and powerful "spiritual skating" days--that culminate in Yom Kippur. The focus is on OUR thoughts, OUR will and OUR desire for the completely new year ahead, and the kind of people we want to strive to be during this completely new year ahead. It's a time to dip an apple in honey, yes, and...

We are NOT supposed to be slaves...that is why Hashem took us OUT of slavery. Yet, we all still suffer in 2022 (myself, Rabbi E, very much included!) under a cruel and harsh team of taskmasters. "Work," "Work Mentality," "Cell Phone," "Social Media,"....these are some of the "head honchos" of that group of modern slavedrivers that rob us of our outer AND inner freedom! But, wait, we are meant to be FREE, and we Jews have an unbelievably precious and beautiful key to attaining that freedom from slavery: Shabbos, or Shabbat! (She answers to both.) Tune in to...

A long day of fasting and mourning is approaching (after Shabbos, August 6th-7th), the fast of the Ninth of Av (Tisha b'Av), commemorating the many, many tragedies that befell the Jewish people throughout the ages on this day. But this day of mourning is NOT about wallowing in our past suffering, but rather, about looking at (and FEELING) what we are missing right NOW. And about LONGING for the time--may it be speedily, in our days--when we WILL get it a1l back (and more). Please tune in, whether or not you observe the fast day: I discuss...

The word for "word," in Hebrew (davar)is the same as the word for "thing" (with different vowels). Why? Because words have a real weight to them, they are not just so much air. That same word is a1so one of the words in Hebrew for, "leader!" Why? Because our leadership position as human beings in G-d's Creation is demonstrated and expressed largely through our power of speech. (Yes, Judaism teaches that ADAM, humanity, is meant to LEAD this whole huge operation towards holiness and completion.) SO: Mean what you say...strive to DO what you say...and...

Rabbi Edelstein (Rabbi E), of MEOR DC here, and join me as I share my excitement at being in the amazing Land of Israel, after three uninterupted Covid-ravaged years outside! Come visit, whoever you are,--whatever your religion, beliefs or politics. You will be inspired, awakened, excited, stuffed (with amazing food), challenged....and exhausted! I LOVE IT! BARUCH HASHEM!

Jealousy, rebellion, a misguided yearning for (spiritual) INDEPENDENCE....and ultimately, tragedy! Rabbi E. discusses some of the amazing lessons of this week's Torah portion, Korach (Book of Bamidbar/Numbers). Tune in, and may we all appreciate and celebrate our OWN portion--talents, gifts, mission--in this world, and not be SWALLOWED up by jealousy and craving/coveting what really belongs to someone else.

Join me as I discuss how and where we are going, as we are led through life...based loosely on this week's Torah portion, Beha'aloscha (Book of Numbers). And featuring a not-too-out of key introduction (?) taken from a song from the 70's, if my boomer memory serves me well. May we all work on seeing our lives as being LED by Hashem ("NOT WANDERING"), to the Promised Land (both literally, as Jews, and more figuratively, to our own spiritual completion and self-actualization). Sing along with me: "Do You Know Where You're Going To? Do You Like the Things HASHEM...

Join us for a short exploration of the Jewish attitude towards the (abundant) physical pleasures of this BEAUTIFUL world...including the lovely fruit of the vine, in fermented form.(Based partly on this week's Torah portin, Nasso, second in the Book of Bamidbar.) And the simple answer is, "Yes, it absolutely can!" Physical pleasures in general are a great source of vitality in life (obvioulsy) but also very much part of the Jewish concept of holiness (perhaps not so obviously). IF we keep them in perspective, and use them wisely as part of a life of larger meaning and...

You may well NEVER have heard of the holy Jewish festival that is coming up this year immediately after Shabbos: "SHAVUOS." How can that be? It arguably should be the MOST acknowledged, celebrated and eagerly anticipated Jewish holiday of all. It's when the Jewish people RECEIVED the Torah, which is--after all--the source of all the other wisdom and laws in our tradition (including those about more famous holidays)! There are probably many reasons...Tune in to this episode of Rabbi E in 3 as we discuss, and hopefully, get ready to RECEIVE!

With war and pandemic and economic crisis caving down on us, what can we do? Not sure about that, honestly....but at least we can start by not causing harm, pain, or anguish with the words we use each and every day, in each and every encounter, in each and every relationship. Tune in as I discuss the SEVERE AND ALL-IMPORTANT (not quaint!) Torah prohibition of "ona'as devarim," hurting someone else with our words. Is it hard? Well, yeah, I guess it is...but remember: we were sent to this earth precisely to tackle the hardest jobs of all--like...

Welcome to a most uncharacteristic episode of Rabbi E in 3! I recorded it, even though it was not "the perfect time" (whatsoever) to do it. Not at all! And that's exactly the lesson I want to convey, in fact, and it happens to be a HUGELY important one: We shouldn't wait for the "perfect time" to start to work on a self-improvement project, OR to do a certain kind deed or mitzvah we've contemplated...or to study Torah! As the great Rabbi Hillel tells us, in a classic ethical teaching that I quote in the episode: "Don't say, 'When I...

"In every generation, a person is OBLIGATED to see oneself as leaving Egypt." Those are the words of the Haggadah....What exactly do they mean? How do we achieve this? Clearly, the Passover Seder is meant to be something much more than just a commemoration of an ancient event, however heartfelt. It is also a deeply personal opportunity (and OBLIGATION!) to experience a taste of true spiritual freedom: allowing G-d to grant us freedom from all the forces, external and internal, that hold us back from truly serving Him and reaching our unique spiritual potential. In short, we all...

Passover is almost here, so I want to give you something to really think about. On Seder night, we have more rules and regulations--that is to say, we observe more mitzvot/commandments--than on any other single night of the Jewish year by far! ("Eat this, and drink this, and lean this way...," etc.) And notice that this festive meal of our holiday of national liberation is called "seder," which itself means..."order!" Now, let me ask you this ONE simple question (and we can save the famous four for later): Is that any way for us Jews to celebrate, "...