Syncing Our Will

by Rabbi Reuven Taragin | June 17, 2022 | Featured Posts, Kiruv and Chinuch Blog

 הוּא הָיָה אוֹמֵר, עֲשֵׂה רְצוֹנוֹ כִּרְצוֹנֶךָ, כְּדֵי שֶׁיַּעֲשֶׂה רְצוֹנְךָ כִּרְצוֹנוֹ. בַּטֵּל רְצוֹנְךָ מִפְּנֵי רְצוֹנוֹ, כְּדֵי שֶׁיְּבַטֵּל רְצוֹן אֲחֵרִים מִפְּנֵי רְצוֹנֶךָ. (אבות ב:ד) We previously learned about the importance of our intentions. The Mishnah in the beginning of the second perek of Avot relates to another aspect of our psyche — our will. He (Rabban Gamliel... Read more »

Look To Avoid

by Rabbi Reuven Taragin | March 31, 2022 | Featured Posts, Kiruv and Chinuch Blog

Rebbe says: … “Look at (scrutinize) three things, and you will not come to the hands of sin. Know what is above you: An eye which sees, an ear which hears, and all your actions are written in a book.” (Avot 2:1) רבי אומר… הִסְתַּכֵּל בִּשְׁלשָׁה דְבָרִים וְאִי אַתָּה בָא לִידֵי עֲבֵרָה, דַּע מַה לְּמַעְלָה... Read more »

Evocation and Expression — Music and Song in Judaism

by Rabbi Reuven Taragin | February 22, 2022 | NLE Journal Posts

In memory of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, who deeply felt and beautifully sang the song of Torah, Jewish life, and Hashem’s world. Torah as Song One would have expected the Torah to conclude with a seminal law or philosophical idea. Instead, it ends with Shirat Ha’azinu — with song. Chazal understood this usage of the term... Read more »