! , Episode Thirty-Eight Articulating why mindful yearning can become transportive, even enabling transcendence of terrestrial limitations. This is especially true when the anticipatory sentiments are intensely and passionately verbalized in what we've already termed a "Full Body Experience!" In the previous Episodes we learnt about the unique value in making a point of articulating Faith Convictions and Heartfelt Yearning for Moshiach. We then added a deeper dimension the unique...

! , Episode Thirty-Seven Demonstrating how articulating one's yearning can become a powerful Full Body Experience! In the previous Episode we established that Faith Conviction and Heartfelt Yearning for Moshiach's Arrival is best when articulated. In this Episode we take it further, adding a deeper dimension to the importance of speaking about and expressing our anticipation. Discover a stunning array of mystical teaching leads us into profound understanding of sacred Prayer...

! , Episode Thirty-Six Episode Thirty-Six: SPOKEN WORD: Are Cerebral Convictions and Heartfelt Yearning - for Moshiach's Arrival - Sufficient, or must we Articulate our faithful credo and express our anticipation as well? This Episode features a penetrating analysis of this very question. To appreciate pithy statements by the great Rebbes' of our modern age, we journey back to biblical origins. From the Talmud to the Medieval Sages, through the wisdom of the Arizal to the...

! , Episode Thirty-Five For the past seven (!) episodes we’ve focused on a shocking, entirely iconoclastic Talmudic statement in which our Sages seem to urge a de-emphasis of Moshiach to suggest that diverting our attention from the subject would best accelerate His long-awaited arrival. Upon proving that a literal understanding of this cryptic contradicts copious, well-founded Torah truisms – in three consecutive episodes we clarified the Gemara in variety of unique, yet kindred...

! , Episode Thirty-Four We've already spent several episodes clarifying an enigmatic Talmudic statement about diverting attention from the subject of Moshiach. After proving that a face value understanding of this contradicts established Torah truism -- we went on to explain the Gemara in variety of kindred yet unique ways reflective of our authentic Torah tradition. We then went on to introduce a deeper spiritual meaning of "Hesach HaDaas" (lit. diverting or removing one's mind...

! , Episode Thirty-Three We've spent the previous episodes clarifying an enigmatic Talmudic statement about diverting attention from the subject of Moshiach. Surprisingly, our Sages seem to view it as a virtuous and meaningful way to accelerate His coming. Suggesting that achieving mindlessness regarding Geula was an act, rather than a lack, of faith! After conclusively demonstrating that a literal iteration of this teaching is untenable with Torah tradition, and would in fact,...

! , Episode Thirty-Two The past four Episodes have featured kaleidoscope of diverse Torah teachings all clarifying a pithy, enigmatic Talmudic statement indicating that mindlessness about Moshiach was virtuous and desirable. In conclusively proving that a literal understanding of this Talmud teaching is impossible to entertain, we learnt to understand this Gemara in multiple unique ways; all of which properly reflect authentic, and therefore timeless Torah tradition. In this...

! , Episode Thirty In the previous two Episodes we dealt with a surprising Talmudic imperative suggesting that mindlessness, rather than mindfulness about Moshiach's will accelerate His arrival. Making sense of that required a deeper understanding of our obligations to Hashem, and the different ways that Moshiach can come. In this next Episode we return to explore this seeming Talmudic anomaly with a fresh approach that brings us a new message both comforting and inspirational!...

! , Episode Thirty-One In the past three Episodes we clarified an enigmatic Talmudic statement seeming to suggest that purposely diverting our attention from, and being mindless over Moshiach would hasten his coming. Conclusively demonstrating how a literal understanding of this teaching is untenable with well established authentic Torah traditions and Yiddishkiet practice. We learnt to understand that Gemara in three unique ways. In this next Episode we will specifically focus...

! , Episode Twenty-Nine After exhaustively documenting the importance of actively awaiting the Geula, in the previous Episode we dealt with a surprising Talmudic imperative suggesting the opposite: a need to be mindless, rather than mindful about Moshiach's arrival. We went on to illustrate the critically important distinction between focusing on Moshiach (which is praiseworthy and encouraged) and focusing on the time of his "ordained" arrival (which is unhelpful and should be...

! , Episode Twenty-Eight In our previous Episodes we established that actively Awaiting Moshiach is a matter of "high urgency." Proof positive can be seen in the way our daily prayers were formulated. Even when people forget important (non-urgent) things, they're always mindful when it's urgent. Yet the Talmud seems to ordain exactly the opposite, telling us that we'd best be served by not ruminating on the subject. Mindful anticipation and yearning, it appears, may in fact...

! , Episode Twenty-Seven In our previous Episodes we addressed whether Awaiting Moshiach is an important yet non-urgent matter, or it also a matter of "high urgency." While many faith-professing, pious people seem to follow the first approach, an honest assessment of the precise prayerful prose of our Sages found in our daily Tefillah conclusively indicates otherwise. To further emphasize and demonstrate the veracity of this Torah true take of the subject, in this Episode...

! , : ? Episode Twenty-Six In previous Episodes we've clarified the meaning of Belief in Moshiach and it's centrality to Torah-true Judaism, and what precisely we are awaiting. In this Episode we address the concept of it's "Urgency." Having resolved that faith in a future Messianic Redemption is a cornerstone of Yiddishkeit credo, the question may now be asked: "how necessary is it to anticipate this in imminent fashion?" In other words: is belief with absolute conviction,...

! , - Episode Twenty-Five In the previous Episodes have thoroughly documented the immutable Torah truth about our Jewish Belief in Moshiach. In the past Episode we even discussed disbelief in the messianic process of Geula! So, in the end, are we awaiting a divinely orchestrated redemption by G-d Himself or does believing in Moshiach as a person mean that Geula Shliema, The Prophesized Final Redemption of the Jewish People and the transformation of the entire world will be the...

! , ' Episode Twenty-Four Past Episodes have richly elucidated the true meaning of Believing in Moshiach, and we've made it clear that it's a foundational part of our Jewish Faith. Yet, what happens if I just don't believe in it?! Say I believe in G-d, Soul, Torah, Mitzvot, Heaven and Divine Purpose for Existence etc., etc., but I'm non-believer in Moshiach. Does that diminish my status as a Jew? What if I sincerely wish I could believe in Moshiach, but after nearly 2,000...

! , Episode Twenty-Three We've already proven that simply believing in Moshiach's eventual arrival doesn't satisfy the basic Halachik obligations of this foundational Faith Principle. In the previous Episode we went further, demonstrating that even passive anticipation is insufficient. Yet, while deeply rooted in the fertile soil of authentic Torah teaching even permeating the bedrock of Halacha as evidenced in our daily prayers, there are so many pious and observant people who...

! , Episode Twenty-Two In the previous Episodes we began to address the idea of actively awaiting and even nurturing anticipatory urgency for Moshiach's arrival. We've already established that simply believing in the inevitable eventuality of Moshiach's arrival isn't good enough! Moving on, in this Episode we will discover that passive anticipation is also insufficient, rather it's mandatory that we take initiative in asking for Messianic Redemption. Discover how this idea...

! , Episode Twenty-One In previous Episodes we thoroughly and richly established a foundational thesis of what the Messianic Redemption is truly all about! Now we will begin to address the idea of nurturing anticipation for Moshiach's arrival. We'll open with the big question "is believing in a better future or even glorious tomorrow good enough or is it necessary for us to become emotionally invested?" Simply stated: does Torah impose an "Anticipatory Mandate" or is...

Episode Twenty In our previous Episode we contemplated the Rambam's surprising decision to opine on the futuristic Messianic world in Halachik prose. After all, why issue legal rulings on a reality that has yet to materialize? The Rebbe proposes an innovative solution: Rambam's rulings on this subject are required as they form the foundation of our current Moshiach-centric faith obligations. Yet even if it's clear that Maimonides is of the opinion that clarity on the details of what we...

Episode Eighteen In previous Episodes we defined the essence of Mashiach's mandate as articulated in Maimonidean statements found in the penultimate chapter of Mishna Torah magnum opus on Jewish Law. In the Final chapter of his codes the Rambam addresses what the futuristic Messianic world will look like. To be sure, he seems to be issuing a legal ruling on that, yet to materialize, reality. The obvious question is why? While an array of classic commentary highlights the seeming superfluity...

Episode Eighteen In previous Episodes we illustrated Rambam's inherent definition of Moshiach as the restorer of the Davidic Dynasty in the fullness of the Torah and Mitzvot. This led us to appreciate why he chose to omit other descriptive terms employed by our Sages. In this Episode we will highlight a seeming discrepancy within disparate Maimonidean statements. To achieve satisfying reconciliation, the Rebbe introduces us to a previously established innovation that can naturally clarifies...

! , Episode Seventeen In the previous Episodes we painstakingly clarified the Maimonidean approach to the defining essence of Moshiach: Rather than being a Miracle Man, his mission is the full restoration of, and penultimate perfection of Torah study and Mitzvah observance. Reflecting this, the descriptive terminology thus far employed by the Rambam's has eschewed focusing of the miraculous transformation of life as we know it, and instead highlighting Moshiach's stated mission...

! , Episode Sixteen In the previous Episode we focused on the religious obligation to Believe in the Coming of the Messiah, as enshrined by Maimonides as a Foundational Element of Our Faith. A key point of departure was Rambam's inclusion of a legal ruling about the demerit of a faith deficiency in this area. This led us to a deeper understanding of Moshiach's place withing the framework of Torah theology. In this Episode we will further delve into the subject, specifically...

! , Episode Fifteen In the previous Episode we focused on the Rambam's choice to place the Laws of Moshiach at the very tail end of his Magnum Opus, Mishna Torah. According to the Rebbe this can only be fully understood considering the thesis that our long-awaited anticipated Redeemer is the penultimate embodiment of Yiddishkiet. In this Episode we will further demonstrate the veracity of this thesis: The Rambam's inclusion of a legal ruling about what constitutes Heresy in the...

! , Episode Fourteen In the previous Episode we clarified why the non-Miracle method of identifying Moshiach, is Rambam's way of defining His truest Essence, Purpose, and Persona! In other words, Maimonides's clear cut legal ruling on our expectation of the anticipated Messianic Redeemer addresses far more than the technical question of whether he will have to make miracles to demonstrate his bona fides and prove just cause. In this Episode we will further develop this thesis...