by Rabbi Yaakov Feldman | Nov 6, 2009 | Beginner
We’re told ironically enough that “abstinence”, our next trait, “is the beginning of piety”, which is a trait further down the line. What’s Ramchal’s point? For one thing, he means to underscore the fact that...
by Rabbi Yaakov Feldman | Oct 30, 2009 | Intermediate
Da’at Tevunot 3:1 (# 96 – 97) 1. Probably the most vexing problem of all is why evil, injustice, and wrongdoing exist in a world created by a good and benevolent G-d, who expects and enables us to be good and just! After all, what purpose does wrong and...
by Rabbi Yaakov Feldman | Oct 30, 2009 | Beginner
Studied closely and sincerely, Torah can be forever fresh and rich. The same text that was simple and clear-cut one day is often uncanny and unexpected the next. And nuances can suddenly pop up along the edges as quick ironies come out of nowhere. There are actually...
by Rabbi Yaakov Feldman | Oct 23, 2009 | Beginner
“The best way to actually acquire innocence” — to really take to heart the trait we’ve spent so much time on till now, which touches on so many of our most fundamental human needs and spiritual aspirations — Ramchal asserts, “is to...
by Rabbi Yaakov Feldman | Sep 18, 2009 | Intermediate
Da’at Tevunot 2:11 (# 88 [cont.]) 1. Whereas the soul will reign supreme in the ultimate epoch, as we saw 1, it will nonetheless have less and less of a presence the further down along the five epochs of time we go, when the body will have more 2. And so the next...
