In this episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman discusses the Torah portion "Chukat," which heavily focuses on the concept of death. He explores the significance of death in the Torah, emphasizing that while life is sacred and filled with purpose, death represents the cessation of this purpose and the ultimate impurity. Brackman explains that a dead body is considered the "father of all fathers of impurity" because it no longer contributes to the world or fulfills a divine mission.

The episode delves into the purification process from the impurity caused by contact with a dead body, specifically the ritual involving the ashes of the red heifer. This process is noted for its perplexing nature, where the person performing the purification becomes impure themselves.

Brackman highlights the Torah’s intent to stress the value of life by contrasting it with death. He points out that the Torah teaches that after death, a person's body becomes an inanimate object with no value except for proper burial. This is to discourage the veneration of the dead, a common human tendency, and to emphasize the importance of the living and their ongoing mission.

He uses the deaths of Miriam and Aaron, Moses' siblings, to illustrate this point. Aaron's death, described in detail in the Torah, includes a ceremonial transfer of his high priestly garments to his son Elazar, signifying the transfer of leadership and authority to the next generation. This public transfer underscores the finality of Aaron's death and the need for new leadership.

Brackman connects this biblical lesson to contemporary issues, criticizing the reluctance of current leaders, like U.S. President Joe Biden, to relinquish power to younger generations. He argues that holding onto power too long stifles the necessary progression and adaptation of leadership for new generations.

He concludes by warning against the unhealthy veneration of past leaders, which he sees as prevalent in modern Judaism. Instead, he advocates for recognizing and learning from current, living leaders who can reinterpret the Torah to meet the needs of today's generation. This ensures the teachings remain relevant and vibrant, emphasizing the living Torah over the past teachings of deceased leaders.

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Levi Brackman is a rabbi, Ph.D. in psychology, best-selling author of Jewish Wisdom for Business Success, and founder of Invown, a platform for real estate fundraising and investing.

In this episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman discusses the Torah portion of Korach, focusing on the rebellion led by Korach against Moses and Aaron. Korach's challenge was based on the idea that all Israelites are holy and should be allowed to serve as priests, not just Aaron and his descendants.

Levi highlights three instances when God wanted to destroy the Israelites:

1. **The Spies' Report (last week's Torah portion, Shelach)**: The spies gave a negative report about the land of Israel, causing the Israelites to wish to return to Egypt. In despair, Moses fell on his face, pleading with God not to destroy the people, arguing it would damage God's reputation among other nations.

2. **Korach's Rebellion**: Korach and his followers' challenge led to God threatening to annihilate the Israelites again. Moses, in despair, fell on his face and argued with God that punishing everyone for the sins of a few was unjust. God relented, but many of Korach's followers were still punished.

3. **Aftermath of Korach's Rebellion**: The people blamed Moses and Aaron for the deaths caused by the rebellion, prompting God to consider wiping out the entire nation. This time, Moses, understanding the futility of further arguments, instructed Aaron to take immediate action with incense to stop the ensuing plague.

Levi explores Moses' responses to these crises, noting that Moses' falling on his face symbolizes despair rather than prayer. He reflects on Moses' role as a mediator between the irrational behavior of the Israelites and an overreactive God. Moses' arguments often centered on appealing to God's sense of justice and reputation. However, when reasoning failed, Moses resorted to direct action to mitigate God's wrath.

Levi concludes by emphasizing the complexity of these narratives and the challenges Moses faced in navigating between the expectations of the people and the reactions of God. He encourages listeners to draw their own conclusions from these thought-provoking episodes in the Torah.

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Levi Brackman is a rabbi, Ph.D. in psychology, best-selling author of Jewish Wisdom for Business Success, and founder of Invown, a platform for real estate fundraising and investing.

In this episode of "Truths, Jewish Wisdom for Today," host Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman and guest Rabbi Yehudah Ber Zerkind discuss the Torah portion of Shlach, focusing on the story of the man gathering sticks on Shabbos (the Makoshesh). This story is juxtaposed with another incident from the portion of Emor in Leviticus, where a man curses God and is similarly punished by stoning. They explore why these stories appear where they do in the text and the broader implications.

Key points discussed include:

1. The juxtaposition of Stories: Both stories are placed amid other narratives, creating a thematic connection. For example, in Shlach, the story follows a discussion on atonement offerings and precedes the tale of the spies. In Emor, the story follows the section on the showbread arranged on Shabbos.
2. Comparison and Context: Levi and Yehudah Ber discuss how these stories might seem out of place but suggest that their placement is intentional to draw comparisons. The juxtaposition highlights the seriousness of desecrating Shabbos and blasphemy.
3. Lessons and Wisdom: The Torah's sequencing aims to teach that certain actions, like desecrating Shabbos or blaspheming, fundamentally damage the community's fabric and relationship with God. These acts are treated with the utmost severity, reflecting their perceived threat to societal cohesion and spiritual integrity.
4. Enforcement of Values: The discussion parallels leading a new society, like the Israelites in the desert, and running a successful business. Strong leadership, clear values, and strict consequences for violations are necessary to maintain order and uphold the community's mission.
5. Didactic Elements: The Torah uses these stories to provide concrete, practical examples of the consequences of defying its commandments. These narratives serve as teaching tools, emphasizing the gravity of such actions and their impact on the community.

The Role of the Community: The communal aspect of punishment, especially stoning, is not just about the severity of the violations. It's a way to demonstrate collective outrage and maintain communal purity. This communal involvement underscores the importance of each individual's actions and reinforces societal norms.

In conclusion, the episode delves into the deeper meanings behind the placement and implications of these Torah stories, drawing connections to broader themes of law, order, and community integrity. The conversation underscores the Torah's role as a teaching tool, guiding individual behavior and communal values.

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Levi Brackman is a rabbi, Ph.D. in psychology, best-selling author of Jewish Wisdom for Business Success, and founder of Invown, a platform for real estate fundraising and investing.