Emuna Beams

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