In this episode, we'll be exploring Reb Noson / Rav Natan of Breslov's Chasidic interpretations of the Torah, Kabbalah and Midrash, centered on this week's Torah portion.

Here are the sources referred to in this episode:

Opening of the parsha with Rashi:

https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.23.1?lang=bi&aliyot=0&p2=Rashi_on_Genesis.23.1&lang2=bi

We need to constantly begin anew, seeing ourselves as if we have not even yet begun our journeys, constantly adding sanctity and vitality each and every day – that is the real meaning of “long life”:

https://www.sefaria.org/Likutei_Halakhot%2C_Orach_Chaim%2C_Laws_of_Phylacteries.5.38?lang=bi

The cave was called Machpeilah or “double” because righteous people, such as those buried there, are constantly re-doubling in sanctity and vitality, and they are constantly making “Teshuvah on Teshuvah” - that is returning to, and re-integrating, the previous steps on their journey into their constantly growing self:

https://www.sefaria.org/Likutei_Halakhot%2C_Orach_Chaim%2C_Laws_of_Phylacteries.5.39.1?lang=bi

It's not possible to acquire sanctity without effort. Therefore Avraham rejected the idea of receiving the cave as a free gift, and instead paid 400 shekel for it, corresponding to the “400 Worlds of Desire” (Zohar):

https://www.sefaria.org/Likutei_Halakhot%2C_Choshen_Mishpat%2C_Laws_of_Gifting.4.11?lang=bi

Desire, will, Ratzon, is essential to our path:

https://www.sefaria.org/Sichot_HaRan.259?vhe=rabenubook&lang=bi

Thank you for listening to The Spirit of the Torah from Applied Jewish Spirituality (AJS) - https://www.appliedjewishspirituality.org/

In every episode, Rabbi Daniel Raphael Silverstein explores insights arising from the Hebrew calendar or our weekly Torah portion, and related practices that can help us to effect positive change in our lives.

The intro and outro music is Shiviti by Dreamers - https://linktr.ee/dreamersmusic

Your support makes these podcasts possible.
To support future episodes of this podcast, please click here: https://www.appliedjewishspirituality.org/donate

Reb Noson / Rav Natan of Breslov's Chasidic interpretations of the Torah, Kabbalah and Midrash are deeply resonant for me at the moment, and also providing so much guidance that translates into actual practice in our daily lives.

Here are the sources referred to in this episode:

The amazing teaching from Reb Noson's masterpiece, Likutei Halachot, that this week's entire episode is based on, which says that eating is our ultimate spiritual practice, and which ties together all the sources below:
https://www.sefaria.org/Likutei_Halakhot%2C_Orach_Chaim%2C_Laws_of_Meals.5.49?vhe=Likutei_Halachot:_Orach_Chaim_1&lang=bi

Opening of the parsha:
https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.18?lang=bi&aliyot=0

Uzza and Azael mentioned in the Talmud:
https://www.sefaria.org/Yoma.67b?vhe=William_Davidson_Edition_-_Vocalized_Aramaic&lang=bi

Fuller version of the story of the fallen angels:
https://www.sefaria.org/Zohar%2C_Bereshit.20?vhe=Vocalized_Zohar,_Israel_2013&lang=bi

Moses ascends to heaven to receive the Torah:
https://www.sefaria.org/Shemot_Rabbah.28?lang=bi

The angels appear to be eating:
https://www.sefaria.org/Bereshit_Rabbah.48?lang=bi

We can't survive without the Torah:
https://www.sefaria.org/Psalms.119.92?lang=bi

Many centuries later, shortly before the birth of Samson/Shimson...the angel refuses food, and the angel's ascent is described as a wonder, like our bodily functions:
https://www.sefaria.org/Judges.13?lang=bi

Resources for the blessing "Asher Yatzar" (to be said after going to the bathroom):
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/how-to-say-the-asher-yatzar-blessing/
https://breslev.com/1076092/

Thank you for listening to The Spirit of the Torah from Applied Jewish Spirituality (AJS) - https://www.appliedjewishspirituality.org/

In every episode, Rabbi Daniel Raphael Silverstein explores insights arising from the Hebrew calendar or our weekly Torah portion, and related practices that can help us to effect positive change in our lives.

The intro and outro music is Shiviti by Dreamers - https://linktr.ee/dreamersmusic

Your support makes these podcasts possible.
To support future episodes of this podcast, please click here: https://www.appliedjewishspirituality.org/donate

Kabbalah teaches that our lives are a quest. How do we keep going in the right direction, one step at a time?

Here are the sources referred to in this episode:

The Infinite one tells Avram to "go forth" or "go to yourself" or "go for your own benefit" -
https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.12.1?lang=bi&with=Rashi&lang2=en

Also Rashi (on "the land that I will show you"): Hashem didn't tell Avram where he was going, in order to make the place more beloved to him.

"The Land of Israel" (both the actual place and the corresponding spiritual state) is a place of great desire, intimacy and awe. To attain it, we must learn how to appreciate it, which happens through us journeying step by step, overcoming challenge by challenge.
https://www.sefaria.org/Likutei_Halakhot%2C_Orach_Chaim%2C_Laws_of_Washing_One's_Hands_for_a_Meal.6.106?vhe=Likutei_Halachot:_Orach_Chaim_1&lang=bi

Hashem's telling Avram to "Go forth!" or "Go to yourself!" is a message to every one of us to re-turn to our own highest self, our spiritual root, our soul (Neshamah), which requires many ups and downs.
Wherever we are going, whatever is happening, we need to intend / direct (lekaven) ourselves to our deepest soul-root, and ignore the many distractions and confusions we may encounter from our family, our homeland, our culture or civilization, etc -
https://www.sefaria.org/Likutei_Halakhot%2C_Orach_Chaim%2C_Laws_of_the_Sabbath.7.75?lang=bi

This journey can also be described a journey to our deepest inner truth, which in other teachings (see the Breishit episode) Reb Noson points out correlates to Rachamim (Compassion). We can cultivate truthfulness / compassion by speaking our truth to our Creator, thereby bringing these qualities into our consciousness and our lives -
https://www.sefaria.org/Likutei_Halakhot%2C_Choshen_Mishpat%2C_Laws_of_Theft.5.6.1?vhe=Likutei_Halachot:_Choshen_Mishpat_2&lang=bi

Before every successful step forward, there is some kind of confusion. We need to seek and search relentlessly, trusting in the infinite compassion of the Creator -
https://www.sefaria.org/Likutei_Halakhot%2C_Orach_Chaim%2C_Laws_of_Tachanun.5.8.1?lang=bi

Thank you for listening to The Spirit of the Torah from Applied Jewish Spirituality (AJS) - https://www.appliedjewishspirituality.org/

In every episode, Rabbi Daniel Raphael Silverstein explores insights arising from the Hebrew calendar or our weekly Torah portion, and related practices that can help us to effect positive change in our lives.

The intro and outro music is Shiviti by Dreamers - https://linktr.ee/dreamersmusic

Your support makes these podcasts possible.
To support future episodes of this podcast, please click here: https://www.appliedjewishspirituality.org/donate