Iran’s Attack on Israel
7 min read
GOOD MORNING! I think just about everybody (including atheists) would love to talk with God ... if it were possible. Many
people are a bit jaded about the possibility of talking with God ... and all the more so about getting an answer. What if there was a book on How to Get Your Prayers Answered? And what if this book was even endorsed by a cross-section of notables as Deepak Chopra, Dr. Robert H. Schuller, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, John Gray, Zig Ziglar ... and Rabbi Noah Weinberg (founder and dean of Aish HaTorah)? Sounds like a best seller, yes? Good news! It exists! Written by my beloved Aish HaTorah colleague, Rabbi Irwin Katsof, it is now available in bookstores everywhere or by calling toll-free 877-758-3242.
Many people mistakenly feel that they should only pray for big things like medical emergencies. Not so. Prayer is a relationship. God is the loving parent who wants only good for us. Unlike a loving parent who has been ignored for decades, God will listen to us when we call out to Him. Why pray more often than for emergencies? It focuses us on recognizing from where comes our good and makes it easier to ask. Imagine the difficulties of asking your father or mother for help after not speaking with them for years? Personally, I even pray for parking spaces.
A prayer has three components:
It is the height of good manners to show appreciation. A short prayer might go something like, "Almighty, Master of the Universe, Who has given me all good things, please help me find a parking space so that I do not keep these people waiting. Thank you for this and for all that you have given me."
It is not ridiculous to ask for God's help in small things. It builds the relationship with the Almighty and it brings awareness. Man proposes and God disposes. Everything that God does for us is for our good ... even when the answer to our prayer is "No!" Prayer focuses us on what we want out of life and what is good for us. Perhaps the following beautiful piece by A. Nonymous says it best:
I asked for strength, and
God gave difficulties to make me strong.
I asked for wisdom, and
God gave me problems to solve.
I asked for prosperity, and
God gave me brawn and brain to work.
I asked for courage, and
God gave me dangers to overcome.
I asked for love, and
God gave me troubled people to help.
I asked for favors, and
God gave me opportunities.
I received nothing I wanted.
I received everything I needed.
My prayers were answered.
If you would like to start or build a relationship with the Almighty ... or you would like to get your prayers answered, I can't recommend highly enough How to Get Your Prayers Answered! (You will be fascinated by the "Five Steps to Having Your Prayers Answered"!)
Torah
Portion of the Week
Pekudei
Pekudei includes an accounting of all the materials that went into the making of the Mishkan and details of the construction of the clothing of the Cohanim. The Tabernacle (another translation of Mishkan) is completed, Moses examines all of the components and gives his approval to the quality and exactness of construction,
the Almighty commands to erect the Tabernacle, it's erected and the various vessels are placed in their proper place.
Dvar Torah
based on Growth Through Torah by
Rabbi Zelig Pliskin
The Torah states, "And Moshe did all that the Almighty commanded him; that is what he did" (Exodus 40:16) Why does
the verse end with the seemingly repetitious restatement of what Moshe did?
Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Berlin, the Netziv, comments: Moshe's motivation in all that he did for the Sanctuary was for the Almighty's honor. Even though he personally would gain from the construction of the Tabernacle, for the Almighty would communicate with him there, he was not motivated by thoughts of his own glory. Neither was he motivated by thoughts of the honor of his brother, Aharon, who was to be the High Priest. Moshe focused solely on doing the will of the Almighty.
It is a very difficult task to do something from which you will have great benefit and to still have pure motivations. However, the more sacred the work you are involved in, the greater the importance of having elevated thoughts and motivations.
TAPES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:
The "HOLY DINER" is an Aish HaTorah user-friendly guide to Judaism on 20 audio cassette tapes. With humor and memorable quotes, the series offers valuable and inspiring insights into the fascinating world of Judaism and how it applies to our modern lives. Each tape in the "HOLY DINER" series dispels common misconceptions and answers questions about the topic of discussion.
This month’s tape, by Rabbi Nachum Braverman, offers special insights into the provocative topic of "GOD" and answers questions like "Who is God?", "Where is He?" and "What is His relationship to us as human beings?"
For more information or to receive the series, please call Genevieve toll free at 1-877-HOLY DINER or e-mail her at holydiner@aishla.com THIS WEEK ONLY – get 20% off!
PURIM:
Get ready for Purim! There's more to the upcoming festival than just Hamentashen. Delve into the mystey and magic of this holiday with the help of any of these audio tapes from the Voices from Jerusalem Purim Collection. Buy any tape for just $7.00 each. Just call 1-800-VOICES-3 to place your order and receive a free catalog of our other tapes. Please allow 2-5 days for delivery.
Available tapes are:
A two-tape set by one of the world's most well know authorities on the deeper meaning of the Megillah.
Three tapes by Rav Yitzchak Berkowitz, world renowned expert on Jewish Law and Philosphy. Everything you ever wanted to know but didn't even know to ask about the deep meaning behind the laws of Purim.
Master story teller, Rabbi Avi Geller explains it all to you in this two-tape set.
There's more to just Purim than just noisemakers and hangovers. Jerusalem based teacher and counsellor, Rav Noach Orlowek shows you how you can maximize your Purim pleasure.
The Jewish people suffered a great loss with the passing of Rav Yaakov Weinberg, z"tl. His influence lives on through the thousands of Jewish lives he touched. His straightforward style and ability to pierce the heart of an issue comes through in this tape on the
essence of Purim.
CANDLE LIGHTING - March 10:
Jerusalem 5:05 Miami 6:09 New York 5:39
L.A. 5:39 Hong Kong 6:13 Singapore 7:00
Guatemala 5:54 Honolulu 6:20 J'Burg 6:11
Melbourne 7:20 Moscow 6:04 London 5:13
Atlanta 6:24 Toronto 6:00
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
God gives every bird his food;
He just doesn't throw it in the nest.
Dedicated by...
For All Your Purim & Passover Gift Needs!
Rabbi Chaim Casper's
Surf Florists & White's Candies
Tel. (305) 865-0433 or http://www.ftd.com/surf
