Our Sages assert that the Israelites in Egypt were on the lowest level of spiritual impurity. They worshipped idols. They were debauched and dissolute. So how did they merit the...
Read MoreDaily Goals
Every culture has its heroes. In Western civilization, the heroes for youth are apt to be sports figures or popular entertainers who make a great deal of money. More mature people are likely to admire financiers and industrialists who have achieved great success. In either case, the role models are not people of great spiritual achievement.
Judaism has as its role models the Patriarchs and Matriarchs – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Leah – who are known not for their worldly success, but for their total devotion to God. Parents tremendously influence their children. If the parents choose heroes of great spirituality, so will the children.
Acknowledging the Patriarchs by referring to them in prayers (e.g. “the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob”) is not enough. If children are given tangible evidence that their parents value and wish to emulate the virtues of the Patriarchs, they will follow their elders and seek the spiritual, rather than the material alone, in their lives.
Today, try to emulate our forebearers by embodying their beliefs; value people of great spiritual achievement, rather than those who have been only materially successful.
Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski
Daily Videos
IDENTITY PLAYLIST
In this whiteboard animation, Rabbi Sacks explains why he is proud to be a Jew and calls on Jews around the world, from across the political and religious spectrum, to connect to their people, heritage and faith.
www.rabbisacks.org
Oprah Winfrey shared nuggets of wisdom every Spelman College graduate must know during her commencement address to the class of 2012.
Full speech here https://youtu.be/Bpx8uNzRdew
This video features rare footage of Steven Spielberg speaking at the 1994 Aish HaTorah banquet in Los Angeles.
video by Partners Cleveland www.torahcleveland.com
How do we stay true to our authentic selves and still achieve growth? Adrienne Gold Davis explains how who we are and who we want to be are not contradictions.
Courtesy of Momentum and Rise & Shine with Adrienne Gold Davis https://momentumunlimited.org/blog/series/podcast/rise-and-shine/
Professional drummer, actor, and motivational speaker Clint Pulver recalls a pivotal moment in his life that helped him discover his own identity and set him on a course to success for life.
https://clintpulver.com
In a matter of months a global movement took root amongst people in 465 cities, 65 countries and across eight languages. How do we explain the unprecedented success of The Shabbos Project?
With South African Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein, founder of The Shabbos Project