Divine Providence is probably one of the most misunderstood concepts in Jewish thinking. Properly appreciating this principle is so important that it must become a point of focus in every Jew’s life. The more one is attuned to it, the easier one’s life can be; the less one understands it, the more random, the more complicated, and the more...
Tag - Rabbi Yisroel Shemtov
By Rabbi Shemtov During the lifetime of Noah, G-d introduced seven laws, for all of humanity, known as the “Seven Noahide Laws.” These laws are a set of rules that all of us must keep, regardless of who we are or from where we come. Here are the seven laws. Each one of them has many details which are beyond the scope of this article. 1: Do not...
By Rabbi Shemtov On Tuesday, April 12, Governor Doug Ducey signed the “Moment of Silence” law, requiring public schools to provide a few minutes each day, or week, for students to be able to reflect, meditate, or pray as they see fit. In his remarks at the signing, Gov. Ducey said, “As we’re working to get Arizona kids refocused in the classroom...
By Rabbi Yisroel Shemtov This year, on April 12, marks the120th birthday of Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory (1902-1994), the seventh leader in the Chabad-Lubavitch dynasty. He is considered to have been the most phenomenal Jewish personality of modern times. To hundreds of thousands of followers and...
By Rabbi Shemtov It all began in Ancient Persia in the fourth century BCE. The Holy Temple that had stood in Jerusalem was destroyed more than 50 years earlier, and the Jews were subjects of the mighty Persian empire that extended over 127 lands. Three years after King Ahasuerus ascended the Persian throne, he celebrated by throwing a grand 180...
By Rabbi Shemtov A fellow who faced a serious crisis visited the Lubavitcher Rebbe (1902 – 1994) the leader of the Chabad movement for his counsel and blessing. “Do you know what Emunah is?” the Rebbe asked. “Yes,” said the man, “faith in G-d.” “Do you know the difference between Emunah – faith, and Bitachon – trust?” “No,” replied the man...
By Rabbi Yisroel Shemtov The literal meaning for the word Tzedakah is justice. However, it is more commonly translated as charity. Charity implies kindness performed out of the goodness of one’s heart, but which is by no means obligatory. Tzedakah means much more than that. Tzedakah means “doing right,” implying an obligation to help...
By Rabbi Yisroel Shemtov More than 2,000 years ago, the land of Israel was under the rule of the Syrian-Greek Empire. Unlike other nations who rose up against the Jews to harm the Jewish people physically, the Greeks wanted to influence the Jews to leave their Torah and traditions, and start living the “Greek” way of life, and worshipping idols...
By Rabbi Yisroel Shemtov In Dr. Viktor Frankl’s book, “Man’s Search for Meaning,” he discusses that the best way to overcome hardships, anxiety and restlessness, is to tap into one’s own soul and find meaning in his or her life. He believed, based on psychological analysis, that all mankind can transcend inner struggle by...
Chabad to open first Jewish center southeast of Tucson By Rabbi Yisroel Shemtov In time for the upcoming High Holidays, Rabbi Sruly and Chavie Shemtov from Brooklyn, NY, are set to establish a new Chabad Jewish Center to serve the growing needs of the Jewish population in Vail, a southeast suburb of Tucson. Over the past few years, Vail has seen a...