Time for Torah with Rabbi Silberberg: Teffilah Krias Shema and Its Brachos #5
Jul 7, 2022
Discover the significance of Shema Yisrael as the heart of Jewish prayer, emphasizing unity in belief. Rabbi Silberberg explores the mitzvot of emunah and achdut, and presents a halachic perspective on rejecting partners in creation. Delve into the Zohar's view of divine attributes and learn how Avraham and Yitzchak exemplify chesed and gevurah. The discussion highlights that all creation is a reflection of God's energy, fostering joy and humility through recognizing our connection to the divine.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Oneness Means No Partners
- The halachic meaning of Shema is that God rules without partners; created agents are only tools of Hashem.
- Therefore we must not attribute power, praise, or dependence to nature or intermediaries.
Unity Of Divine Attributes
- The Zohar frames Shema as the unity of Hashem's different attributes like mercy and judgment.
- Those seemingly opposing modes are actually unified expressions of one divine oneness.
Why Yitzchak Looked Like Avram
- Rabbi Silberberg recounts the story of Avram and Yitzchak looking alike to show chesed and gevurah are unified.
- Hashem made Yitzchak resemble Avram to teach that divine mercy and severity in holiness are one.
