When we picture Avraham leaving Ur Kasdim for Eretz Yisrael, there is something strange about his journey. If Ur Kasdim is identified with ancient Ur in southern Mesopotamia (Iraq), Eretz Yisrael lies essentially to the west. Yet the natural travel route did not simply cut straight across. Avraham’s family traveled northward toward Charan (Syria) andContinue reading “Short & Long and Long & Short”
Author Archives: Yitzhak Sasson
Meir for Mayor
Welcome back! Today’s blog focuses on the fascinating hierarchy of spiritual development centered on the transformation of the desires of giving and receiving. I was first introduced to this idea in Spiritual Principles by Avraham Lowenthal, which is based on the writings of Rav Avraham Mordechai Gottlieb. The change progression makes complete sense, as youContinue reading “Meir for Mayor”
A Reality of Compassion
I recently read the following idea from Inner Work, a book of translated excerpts from the writings of Rav Avraham Mordechai Gottlieb, and it’s been stuck in my head since then. When we realize that all of reality is pure compassion, we are redeemed. Looking at reality as “pure compassion” is, to me, an abstractContinue reading “A Reality of Compassion”
Creation : The Movie
Hey! Welcome back! This blog post is a bit of a stretch, as it’s based on a bit of pop-culture and possibly a little shoe-horning to make it work, but I think if you stick with it, you might get something out of it like I did. (In fact, I found the crisis quite sobering.)Continue reading “Creation : The Movie”
What does “Spiritual Closeness” mean?
The ideal of “spiritual closeness” means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. The term or concept is tossed around a lot, but, for me, it has never really been defined in a way that makes sense – until a couple of years ago. I want to share it with youContinue reading “What does “Spiritual Closeness” mean?”
Shepherd & Flock
The role of a shepherd is deeply woven into our national heritage and identity. Here on earth, our Avot, leaders, and kings were shepherds, while simultaneously we are the flock of Hashem. Chazal provides us with scattered insights into how Moshe Rabbeinu and David HaMelech were shepherds, but we are far removed from truly understandingContinue reading “Shepherd & Flock”
The Most Valued Emotion
“Hope is the most valued emotion!” were the words uttered by Rabbi Emanuel Ravad one Shabbat years ago in Seattle’s Sephardic Bikur Holim, “Because when all else is gone, you still have hope.” Wow! Just wow! That statement blew me away then, and now over 30 years later those words still ring clear in myContinue reading “The Most Valued Emotion”
Looking for Help?
In this week’s parashah, Rivka Emanu senses something unusual about her twin pregnancy and goes to seek the answer from G-d. Asking G-d for help. That is the way we roll — always have and always will. Looking back over time we’ve had plenty of sources to shed light on our problems or give usContinue reading “Looking for Help?”
Living Above Nature
In Rabbi Avigdor Miller’s book The Beginning he makes the profound statement that Sarah’s tent was the “first and greatest Beit HaMikdash”. Sarah Emanu merited three miracles; the Shabbat lights lasted the week, the dough in her tent remained fresh and a cloud of holiness hovered above her tent. These three miracles were repeated laterContinue reading “Living Above Nature”
Be Like Avraham
In the Rambam’s Mishneh Torah, the second halacha in the laws of idol worship recounts how Avraham Avinu lived in a world of spiritual darkness where everyone worshiped idols — including himself. At a very young age, Avraham challenged the status quo and after decades of thinking and wondering about how the world works, atContinue reading “Be Like Avraham”
