– The More One Wants in Gashmius, the More One is Missing
We have a quality of being insatiable, there’s always more to do, the question is where we channel it – money or mitzvos.
The Point of Challenges. The Impact of Intentions.
– the point of challenges is l’hotzi min ha’koach el ha’poal, in order to increase his reward. – reward and punishment for attitude & intention, independent of outcome
The Shattered One’s Closeness to Hashem
When an individual’s or community’s identity is shattered, they have “nothing left” but HKB”H, and come closer to Him.
Yichud Hashem. Incorporeality.
– ikar #2: yichud Hashem, unique and singular. – ikar #3: HKB”H isn’t physical. Torah uses anthropomorphisms to describe Him to make it easier for us to grasp various points better.
Avraham’s Uniqueness, Justice Divinely Defined
18:18 according to Rashi, Ramban, and Rambam – highlighting what is special about Avraham and understanding darkei Hashem.
Ye’di’ah and Hashgacha
Ramban, on ki yeda’ativ: being known by HKB”H is, itself, to have hashgacha.
An Eved Hashem Lives, and Merits Hashgacha, as an Individual
Ramban 18:19, ki yeda’ativ. Hashem knows the chassid as an individual. Explanation from Ish Halacha.
Defining the Evil of Chamas and its Supporters
The antisemitic and anti-civlization cabals on college campuses are not interested in truth, but other people in society are, and we should provide them with the truth.
Introduction. Ikar #1.
– What’s the difference between one not knowing the 13 ikarim vs. any other part of Torah? – Why aren’t they presented as a list by Chazal? – First ikar: no existence independent of HKB”H.
Natural and Commanded Ahavas Hashem
Rambam Hilchos Yesodei haTorah 2:2 and Hilchos Teshuva 10:2 state one definition/part of ahavas Hashem, Sefer Hamitzvos, Mitzvas Aseh 3 and Hilchos Teshuva 10:5 add another.