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.

In this special episode of "Truths, Jewish Wisdom for Today," Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman marks the completion of the Talmudic tractate Bava Metzia with a Hadran, a traditional concluding reflection. He explains the significance of the Hadran prayer, which expresses the commitment to continually return to and study the Torah.

Brackman delves into key themes of Bava Metzia, primarily focusing on property rights, ownership disputes, and business ethics. He highlights a piece of Talmudic business advice that advocates diversifying investments: one-third in real estate, one-third in merchandise, and one-third in cash. This diversification ensures both security and liquidity, allowing one to seize opportunities as they arise.

The episode then explores the concept of the "evil eye" (Ayin Hara) and its implications. Brackman discusses the Talmudic notion that blessings rest only on things hidden from the eye, based on a passage from Deuteronomy. This idea suggests that publicizing one's successes or wealth can attract negative energy, while keeping them private preserves blessings.

Brackman recounts a Talmudic story where 99 out of 100 people were found to have died due to the evil eye. He interprets this as a warning against the stress and materialism that come from constantly chasing visible, measurable successes. Instead, true blessings are found in intangible aspects of life such as relationships, spirituality, and personal growth.

The episode concludes with Brackman encouraging listeners to value these immeasurable blessings over material achievements, emphasizing that a fulfilled life is built on qualities that cannot be quantified.

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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 "Truth Jewish Wisdom for Today," Levi Brackman discusses the Torah portion of Beha'alotcha from Numbers 11, highlighting the people's complaints and God's response. He examines the Israelites' grievances, including their lack of gratitude for manna and desire for meat, and contrasts this with their earlier complaints in Exodus 16, where they lacked food entirely. Brackman notes that in Numbers, the people are referred to simply as "ha'am" (the people) rather than "Adas B'nei Yisrael" (the congregation of the Children of Israel), suggesting a shift from a particularist identity to a more universal one.

Brackman argues that this universal view undermines their mission and commitment to their unique purpose as a holy nation. He references Moshe Koppel's book "Judaism Straight Up," which discusses the need to balance universal and particular perspectives. According to Brackman, losing a particularist identity leads to a lack of motivation and moral clarity, which he connects to contemporary issues of identity and moral confusion.

He concludes by emphasizing the importance of recognizing and embracing a distinct group identity to maintain moral and ethical behavior within and towards others. This recognition helps sustain a sense of purpose and commitment to the group's mission.

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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 engages in an in-depth and candid conversation with Rabbi Yehudah DovBer Zirkind, a learned scholar deeply rooted in both traditional and critical Jewish studies. The episode, lasting over two hours, explores Zirkind's unique perspective, influenced by his lineage as a direct descendant of the founder of the Chabad movement, the Alter Rebbe. Zirkind shares his personal religious journey, including his upbringing in Crown Heights, teaching experiences, and his eventual move to Israel.

During their discussion, Brackman and Zirkind delve into the complexities of religious faith, intellectual exploration, and personal spirituality. They touch on the challenges of reconciling traditional beliefs with modern critical approaches to Jewish texts. Zirkind recounts his struggles with faith and religious practices, including his period of not wearing tefillin and how he eventually reintegrated the practice into his daily life.

The conversation also highlights the impact of influential teachers like Rabbi Yoel Kahn and the personal connections that shaped Zirkind's understanding of Judaism. They discuss the importance of intellectual honesty, the evolution of religious practices, and the significance of maintaining a connection to Jewish tradition while allowing for individual interpretation and growth.

Brackman and Zirkind reflect on the trauma of losing the Rebbe and the ensuing theological and emotional challenges. They emphasize the importance of finding personal meaning in Jewish practices and traditions, even amidst doubt and questioning. The episode concludes with a shared appreciation for the depth and richness of Jewish heritage and the ongoing journey of faith and understanding.

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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.

This episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," by Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman introduces the Book of Numbers (Bamidbar) and delves into the commandment to count the Israelites, explaining that this is the third time they have been counted. Levi explores why the numbers remained the same despite events like the sin of the Golden Calf. He mentions commentators like Or HaChaim, who suggest that the count did not include the Levites, explaining the consistency in the numbers.

Levi addresses the purpose of counting, referencing traditional views that see counting as a way to show God the preciousness of each individual. He discusses the Talmud's stance on counting, which suggests that blessings rest on things not seen or counted, and the implications of this belief. He explains that while counting can seem to limit blessings, it is necessary for practical and positive reasons, such as organizing military forces or ensuring the community's protection.

In his insightful exploration, Levi contrasts the traditional view with a more practical perspective, underlining the importance of measuring and counting to achieve goals and ensure accountability. Drawing from Jewish history and contemporary business practices, he compellingly argues that counting for positive and productive purposes is not only beneficial but also necessary for personal growth and success, inspiring listeners to set measurable goals.

Levi Brackman, in his thought-provoking conclusion, reflects on the idea that while counting should be avoided for mere prestige, it is indeed essential for achieving and measuring success. He reiterates his encouragement to listeners to set measurable goals and strive for them with the support of prayer, underscoring the importance of both spiritual and practical efforts in achieving success. This empowering message leaves the audience feeling capable and motivated to take action.

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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.

Welcome to another episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," presented by Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman. In our Torah Portion Uncensored series, Rabbi Brackman delves deep into the weekly Torah readings, offering profound insights and contemporary relevance.

In this episode, Rabbi Brackman explores Parashat Bechukotai, the final portion in the book of Leviticus, or Vayikra. This parashah is both fascinating and, at times, quite disturbing due to its vivid descriptions of rewards and punishments. Listeners can expect a thorough examination of the text, beginning with the blessings that will be bestowed upon the Israelites if they follow God's laws and commandments. These blessings include timely rain, abundant crops, and peace in the land, painting a picture of a prosperous and secure life.

The episode then shifts to the severe consequences of disobedience, detailing a series of punishments such as famine, disease, and even the horrifying prospect of cannibalism. Rabbi Brackman addresses the stark contrast between the 13 verses detailing blessings and the extensive 32 verses outlining punishments, raising profound questions about divine justice and the nature of God's relationship with humanity.

Listeners will also hear a discussion on the absence of any mention of an afterlife or eternal damnation in the Torah, contrasting this with the later Jewish, Christian, and Islamic notions of heaven and hell. Rabbi Brackman highlights the Torah's focus on immediate, worldly consequences, presenting a theological perspective that prioritizes the here and now over posthumous reward or punishment.

Join Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman as he navigates these challenging texts, seeking to understand their deeper meanings and reflecting on how they inform our ethical and spiritual lives today. This episode promises a thought-provoking journey through Parashat Bechukotai, offering listeners valuable insights into the profound teachings of the Torah.

Thank you for tuning in to "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today." Please like, leave a review, and share the podcast to help others discover and benefit from these enriching discussions.

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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.