Behold A People is the first book in Rav Millers history series. As is true of all the author’s works, he has painstakingly put together an extraordinarily detailed Torah history of our people beginning with Adam and continuing through the destruction of the first sanctuary.

The chronology of our forefathers and all the aspects of their lives as written in the Torah are brought out and set forth for public view. The author sets out with steel facts pulling no punches in describing how the word of Hashem was brought forth first through Adam and with precision all the way down the line in an unbroken chain of events that leave no doubt as to the truthfulness of the Torah.

The author goes on at great length to describe the kings of Israel. How did the people come to have kings over them? How did one become king? What were their accomplishments? What were their failures? What were the jobs of the prophets? It is a succinct record yet manages to include all of the details. This book is filled with the history of a great era for our people, of what was and what could have been and how it all unfolded.

Awake My Glory is the quintessential book of discovery into the mysteries of the universe; from debunking the evolutionists, the false religions and delving into all manner of science, archeology and physics and transforming everyday occurrences into miracles.

The miracle of rain, snow, sunshine, apples, oranges, fleas, seeds, color vision, fossils, time lines, space dust and many more are all broken down to show how obvious it is that there is a Creator in the world Who creates an infinite amount of miracles everyday for man’s benefit.

This book is a detailed read and one that will open a world of discovery and allow the reader a chance at gaining an understanding of the world around him.

As Heard from Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

“And he (Yaacob Avinu) kissed them (Efraim & Menashe) and he embraced them.” (48:10)

The love of one’s children is expressed by the love of the children’s children. Especially when the children’s children are young, the parent experiences a repetition of the love that he had felt for his own children when they were younger. The love that Yaacob had always had toward Yosef, and the love for Yosef’s mother Rachel who had died prematurely, was expressed in the love for Yosef’s sons.

We see from the conduct of this family that they expressed their affection by kissing and embracing, just as did Esav and Yaacob (33:4) and as did Yosef and his brothers. (45:14-15) Instead of being cold philosophers (”Stoics”) that are ashamed of emotions, our Fathers expressed their love by acts of demonstrative affection, and they thus served Hashem by encouraging the feelings of kindliness and love which cause Perfection of the soul.

We see that this family expressed their love of kin in a highly emotional manner and we learn therefrom that it is an excellence of the soul to love one’s kin with powerful emotion. By loving one’s kin, one comes to love one’s kin’s kin and eventually he attains the feeling that the entire house of Israel are his kin.

The perfection of character toward one person tends to spread and is subsequently broadened to include others. And they thus served Hashem by encouraging the feelings of kindliness and love which cause Perfection of the Soul.

The Rav’s advice regarding raising children included that we should always talk to our children. By talking to them with a voice full of emotion and love we make a very strong impression which will eventually bear fruits. Tell them that Hashem loves, cares for and is protecting them. Tell them how much their mother and father love, care for and are proud of them. But always remember to caress your child’s very tender cheek while you are saying these loving and encouraging words to them.

This is the Key we learn from our great Family.

Adapted from “The Beginning” by Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

Shabbat Shalom

As Heard from Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

Shabbat Chanukah

“The cornerstone which was despised by the builders, became the top (exalted) of the edifice.” (Tehillim 118:22)

This week we say the complete ‘Hallel’ for the full eight days of Chanukah. David Hamelech included this principle in the wealth of thoughts of praise, gratitude and excitement found in Hallel.

Yosef Hatzadeek was at the most desperate point in his career. He was sold into slavery, taken to a foreign land, unjustly accused and thrown into jail for 12 years. “The cornerstone which was despised by the builders.” referring to Yosef who was also rejected by his brothers.

Now Pharoh does something unprecedented, irresponsible and unexpected. He could have just given Yosef a great reward for interpreting the dreams. Pharoh takes the King’s ring off of his finger and puts it on Yosef!! This evokes feelings of wild excitement in us. Yosef is King of Egypt!!

Just like the elation experienced by our Nation at Chanukah when the single flask of oil miraculously stayed lit for 8 days. And also when we saw that suddenly Haman was hanging on the tree and the King’s ring was placed on Mordecai’s finger. All of these revelations by Hashem are indications that “Hashem is with His Jewish People.”

The next verse of the Hallel reveals the true purpose, that of gaining Emunah. “This (unexpected surprise) is from Hashem, it is (meant to be) a wonder in our eyes.” (ibid.188:23)

Hashem operates the world utilizing ’surprises’ throughout history in order to reveal that it is He who manages the affairs of the world with His Providence. Some examples are, Yishmael was older but Yitzchak was chosen. Esav was the first born but Yaacob was the chosen one. Yosef was younger and despised by the Brothers yet through it all Yosef was chosen. David was the youngest and his lineage was suspected however he became King David. The Jewish nation is the most despised and very small in numbers yet we are the Chosen of Hashem and will become “the top of the edifice” at the end.

Shabbat Shalom

As Heard from Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

“And his master saw that Hashem was with him; and that all he did, Hashem caused to prosper in his hand.” (39:3)

This that Joseph prospered was not merely a gift from Hashem, but it was bestowed upon Joseph because he correctly utilized every circumstance. Instead of becoming depressed and embittered by the un-dreamed of catastrophe, that a darling son of a wealthy father was suddenly snatched from his home and sold as a slave among foreigners, Joseph reacted with exemplary uprightness of character.

He had been brought up to understand that Hashem controlled and devised all circumstances, and therefore instead of falling into the degraded ways of a slave-boy he sought to make the best of his life at every step. He lived even now as a son of Jacob, with all the high aspirations that Isaac and Abraham had transmitted. He was faultlessly loyal to his new master, and everything that he did was performed with diligence and energy, in accordance with his fathers ways (see 31:38) of loyal service to Laban. Because all that Joseph did was approved by Hashem, therefore “all that he did, Hashem caused to prosper in his hand.”

But the verse does not state merely that Hashem caused everything to prosper in Joseph’s hand, but it states that “his master saw that Hashem was with him; and (his master saw) that all that he did, Hashem caused to prosper.” Joseph’s success in everything was so phenomenal that even the Egyptian master recognized the hand of G-d. Joseph himself surely understood that his success was solely from G-d, despite Joseph’s exceptional talents and his loyal devotion and diligence.

Pharaoh, too, said subsequently: “Could we find anyone such as this, that the spirit of G-d is in him?” (41:38) Joseph was very likeable and very capable. Yet his success in everything was so phenomenal that despite Joseph’s talents it was clear that Hashem was prospering his efforts.

This is a model provided by Hashem by prospering the efforts of a conscientious man that:

A. Fears G-d (as in 39:9) and “It is G-d whom I fear” (42:18)

B. Possesses good character (as Joseph demonstrated by showing concern for the other prisoners in jail)

C. Must have Energy in order to accomplish (Joseph was a leader in all stages of his life)

Adapted from “The Beginning” By Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

Shabbat Shalom

As Heard from Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

“And Jacob went on his way, and Messengers (or Angels) of G-d met him.” (32:2)

Previously he had seen angels in his dreams (ladder), but now Jacob had attained such perfection that he merited seeing them when he was awake. It is certain that Jacob had progressed in the service of Hashem and had gained Perfection in many ways, but in the Torah nothing is revealed except the fact of his loyalty to the service of Laban.

The Torah states, “And you know that with all my strength I served your father.” (31:6) “These twenty years have I been with you…the rams of your flocks I have not eaten. That which was torn (by beasts) I did not bring to you (Laban), I bore the loss…” (31:39) “When I was there by day the drought consumed me and the frost by night, and my sleep departed from my eyes.” (31:40)

After fourteen years in the Academy of Shem and Eber he was worthy of seeing angels in a dream. But after twenty years with Laban he merited seeing angels while awake. These verses are Hashem’s teaching from which we learn how Jacob attained his chief Perfection in Hashem’s service. By his exceptional loyalty to Laban, despite all of Laban’s injustices to him.

Loyalty is the trait which is at the foundation upon which our holy father Yaacob built his edifice of perfection. It is our loyalty and steadfastness to our parents, spouse, teachers, children, nation and country which further develops this character trait for more perfect loyalty in the service of Hashem, Torah and Mitzvot.

‘Emunah’, fundamentally means steadfastness or loyalty. Thus, “A righteous one shall live because of his Emunah” (Habakuk 2:4) means “because of his steadfastness/loyalty.” We learn that the quality of Emunah is not fundamentally “belief” but rather “loyalty.” But the word Emunah is also related to “Truth” as in Emet or in Amen.

Even one who believes is not necessarily loyal; the loyal one seeks to believe; and he finds Emunah, because the Truth is with Israel and is available for those that are loyal to Israel.

Adapted from “The Beginning” By Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

Shabbat Shalom

As Heard from Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

“And Esav came from the field, and he was weary.” (25:29)

He was hungry, but here the weariness is emphasized. Also, in the following verse Esav declares, “For I am weary.” We discern the importance of this fact in this episode. It was Hashem’s plan to cause unusual weariness to Esav on that day. Abraham Abinu had passed away, which was why Yaacob was cooking lentils since this was the traditional mourners meal.

When Esav heard the bad news his mind was pushed off balance and he became greatly disheartened. Esav felt that since such a great Tzadeek could die it must mean that the world was devoid of justice and a Judge. If not for this weariness (dejection), Esav would not consent to surrender the prized birthright, which carried not only honor and privilege but also the opportunity to earn merit in the service of G-d, which was the prerogative of the Behor.

But in a discouraged mood men may forget the World to Come, and even the glory of status and privilege might be carelessly exchanged for a momentary gratification. It was when Esav was in a discouraged mood that he made his terrible error.

Discouragement and depression are of the most extreme forms of the Yetzer Hara/evil inclination. Therefore, we must be careful to stay far away from this state of mind and remove ourselves from it quickly, since it makes us susceptible to falling to the Yetzer Hara. An additional teaching is that one should refrain from making any decision when in a mood of weariness or dejection. Wait for a more opportune time with a positive frame of mind to formulate your choice.

Adapted from “The Beginning” By Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

Shabbat Shalom

As Heard from Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

“And she shall say: ‘Drink, and I shall give drink also to your camels’. She is the one that You have appointed for Your servant Yitzchak.” (24:14)

A kindly person would have assented to the request for a drink of water. It would be quite extraordinary to volunteer to give water to the wayfarer’s camel, for this would require a number of trips between the well and the watering-trough. One camel drinks much more than thirty men. To propose, without being requested, to give drink to 10 camels (24:10), was an extremely queer and unexpected form of behavior. Even had the request been made, to give drink for over 300 men would border on the insane, especially when a young girl undertakes such a task while the group of grown men to whom the camels had belonged stood by and did nothing. “Insane is the man of the Spirit.” (Hoshea 9:7)

Ribka was chosen not merely for her kindliness but for her flaming idealism that transcended all her contemporaries and caused her to be so far above them that she was viewed as mentally irresponsible. Even Eliezer was amazed at what he saw. (24:21).

From where did Ribka learn such behavior? Such extreme and even fanatical devotion to the services of kindliness to wayfarers could have been learned solely from one model, Abraham (18:2). We know there was communication between the family in Canaan and in Mesopotamia, and that they were familiar with details (22:20). The caravans brought tidings of Abraham’s behavior, and the fame of this “prince of G-d” as the Canaanites called him (23:6) had spread far and wide.

The idealistic soul of Ribka had absorbed with eagerness the stories of her exalted great-uncle, and this young girl had learned to serve G-d by deeds of unusual kindliness. Thus Abraham’s example was able to cause “this rose to bloom among the thorns.” (Beresheet Raba 63:4) The prelude to greatness is Kindliness, and thereby Ribka was chosen to be the mother of Yisrael. “Derech Eretz preceded the Torah.” (Vayikra Rabbah 9:3) The chief element in Derech Eretz is Kindliness, and thus Ribka became eligible to be the mother of the people of G-d’s Torah.

Quoted from “The Beginning” By Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

Shabbat Shalom

As Heard from Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

“And he was standing over them under the tree and they ate.” (18:8)

We learn hospitality from Abraham, but he learned it from the Creator. Abraham saw that nothing in the Universe is without purpose, and he saw that men utilized a tree to sit in its shade. This demonstrated the Creator’s hospitality. When the tree also provides fruit, it is an additional gift of Hashem’s hospitality. Abraham followed the system of “You shall walk in His ways.” (Debarim 28:9)

Since we know that Abraham constantly proclaimed in the name of Hashem (12:8, 13:4, 21:33) everywhere, it is certain that he also did so when he stood over (served) his guests. As they ate and drank, they thanked him and praised his hospitality; but it is certain that he replied: “Who is the owner?”

Abraham always utilized the opportunity to speak at length on the necessity to recognize the Creator from His creations. It is certain that he pointed out the miracles of rain and wind and sunshine that produce food. And he spoke of the wonder of seeds in the fruit (1:11). And of the miracle of reproduction of species after their own kind (1:11, 1:21, 1:24) and of all the wonders of plan and purpose which fill the earth.

It is certain that he dilated on the kindly purpose of all G-d’s phenomena, in the same vein as the Psalmist: “For You have caused me happiness by Your work, Hashem; I sing at the deeds of your hands. How great are your works, Hashem! How very deep are your thoughts!” (Tehillim 92:5-6) Abraham’s kindliness to wayfarers was a reflection of Hashem’s kindliness to Mankind.

Quoted from “The Beginning” By Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

Shabbat Shalom

As Heard from Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

“And I shall bless those that bless you.” (12:3)

From the very beginning Hakadosh Baruch Hu decreed: “va’avarecha mevarachecha” – I will give berachot to all those who bless Am Yisrael. The Talmud (Hullin 49A) states that this promise extends also to the descendants of Abraham Abinu. Therefore, the first thing for us to understand is how great is our duty to bless the Jewish nation.

When you come to the last beracha in the Amida, you put all you have into it as you pray for Am Yisrael you say, “Establish peace, goodness and blessing, life, grace and kindness, and compassion over us and over all of Israel Your nation.” This beracha is so important because it is a Mitzvah in the Torah to bless Am Yisrael.

When you walk down a Jewish street and every house has a big mezuzah on the door, say a beracha for the people who live in those houses. Say aloud that everyone in those homes:

1) Should be well for many happy years.

2) They should all have a comfortable livelihood,

3) Pleasure and satisfaction from their children,

4) Fine matches for their children,

5) Only semahot/happy occasions in their houses, nothing but joy.

And Hashem will say: I’m listening, and I shower my blessings on you.

When you gain this attribute of constantly blessing Jews you will:

1) receive blessings from Hashem,

2) and fulfill a Mitzvah from the Torah,

3) and emulate Hashem who “Loves His Jewish nation” (Daily Prayers),

4) and you will cause yourself to increase your own love of your Jewish brothers, which is another Mitzvah of loving your fellow Jew, Ahavat Yisrael.

Daily Prayer: “I hereby accept upon myself the Positive Commandment to: “Love my fellow Jew as I love myself.” And I hereby Love every one of the Bene Yisrael as I love myself and all I possess.”

Adapted from “The Beginning” By Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

Shabbat Shalom