Torah of Life Rabbi Ilan

Welcome back, friends.
Thanks for tuning in to the Torah of Life podcast.
In this episode, I recap my January adventures and teaching opportunities and share some of the key highlights I learned along the way.
It's beautiful to be a part of recovery conversations in so many places.
Where will I go next? Stay tuned!
 
If you'd like to know more, join the Our Jewish Recovery group on facebook - it's free to join, and all are welcome.
www.facebook.com/groups/OurJewishRecovery - please answer the questions that pop up when you ask to join.
 
To see more about the inspiring work of Anne Marie Zanfagna and Angels of Addictions, click here:
https://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/post/portraits-heartbreak-and-hope-mother-paints-raise-awareness-about-opioid-use-disorder (https://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/post/portraits-heartbreak-and-hope-mother-paints-raise-awareness-about-opioid-use-disorder)
and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuX8i6cUqvY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuX8i6cUqvY)
 
Thanks again for listening! Have a comment, a question, or a thought about today's episode?
Be in touch - I'd love to hear from you.
You can find me at rabbiilan@torahoflife.com
 
I'll be back soon with the next episode.
In the meantime, let's keep adding happiness, holiness, and healing to the world.
 
Blessings!

A short bit of wisdom for you...
It's amazing what lessons you can learn just from opening your eyes and paying attention. Yesterday the leaves taught me something, and I hope they'll teach you as well.
 
Thanks for listening to the Torah of Life podcast.
May you be blessed with Happiness, Holiness, and Healing.
 
Rabbi Ilan

Welcome back my friends to the Torah of Life podcast.
So glad to be back with you. It's been too long!
In this episode, I share with you where I've been, what I've been up to, and what I'm hoping to do going forward with this show. There are good things in store for this show in 2020 and beyond.
I shared a quote from Bahya ibn Pakuda, taken from Alan Morinis's Everyday Holiness, the Jewish Spiritual Path of Mussar (page 5):
I knew many good ideas were rejected because of fear, that dread causes a lot of damage, and I recalled the expression, "Be careful not to be too careful!" I realized that if everyone who ever resolved to do something good or instruct others in the path of righteousness kept still until he himself could accomplish everything he set out to, that nothing would have been said since the days of the prophets."
Ain't that the truth? Down with fear, up with changing the world!
Great to be back, have a listen to the show, and I'll see you again soon!
 
Happy New Year,
Rabbi Ilan

Thanks for listening to the Torah of Life podcast.
Sorry for the post so quick to Shabbat (on the East coast anyway).
Here's a quick teaching about why life sometimes feels so hard. Why do we get all these tests anyway? Shouldn't life be easier?
Torah seems to be clear that when we find God, and surrender ourselves into God's will, the tests become obstacles for continued growth.
Perhaps the tests are the way forward to the next stage of our evolution. (Or perhaps not. What do you think?)
 
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Ilan

Freedom!
Finally, after generations of slavery, the Israelites leave Egypt, cross the sea, and escape the shackles of tyranny that had been binding them. Their freedom is hard-earned, and almost didn't happen. A clever marketing trick by the Holy One kept them from being scared and wanting to turn back to Egypt (at least in this instance!).
What was that secret and how can it help you in your own business?
Listen to this episode to find out!
"The Long Way Home" by Roger Hodgson and Richard Davies of Supertramp.
No copyright infringement intended.
 
Thanks for listening. If you like the show, please leave a rating and review on itunes or your favorite podcast platform.
Wishing us all a Shabbat of peace - like our ancestors, it may take a long way home to get there, but it almost always feels good when we arrive.
Shabbat Shalom.

Friends,
What do we do when darkness surrounds us?
When we can't find a way forward, we can feel paralyzed, stuck, stranded on a deserted island of complicated choices and realties.
How can we find our way out of the darkness?
A surprising comment by Zev Wolf of Zhitomir on this week's Torah reading offers insight as to why the darkness surrounded the Egyptians for three days, and why it didn't affect the Israelites. That same insight can help us find our way out of darkness as well. May it be so for us all!
Thanks for listening to the Torah of Life podcast. Like what you hear? Let me know!
Hate what you hear? Let me know that too!
We've got more special guests lined up for the near future. Want to share your story and wisdom on air?
Be in touch - rabbiilan@torahoflife.com
As always, reviews and ratings of the podcast are especially appreciated.
Thanks for being on this journey with me - you're the best, and I'm very grateful.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Ilan