Author Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein

🌟 The Power of Charity: “Maaseh” vs. “Avodah” Charity is often called maaseh (an act), implying it’s natural and habitual. But when charity is done with effort—avodah—it elevates the soul and reveals intense Divine light. 🔥 Awakening Above Through Effort Below Even habitual charity triggers a spiritual awakening (Itaruta d’L’tata), […]

  🕊️ The Innate Compassion of the Jewish Soul The Tanya teaches that the Jewish soul is naturally inclined toward compassion and acts of kindness. This is because Jewish souls are rooted in Divine attributes, particularly the attribute of Chesed (kindness), which overpowers Din (judgment) and Gevurah (severity). 👑 The […]

  🌟 The “Awakening from Above” and Its Link to the “Awakening from Below” The great revelation and flow from the Infinite Light (Ein Sof) is drawn down through human initiative from below. This is achieved through acts of charity, giving life, grace, kindness, and compassion to those who have […]

Distinction Between Actions and Service The passage differentiates between “actions” and “service” of righteousness, and between “peace” and “quiet trust,” exploring their deeper spiritual significance. Harmony Among Opposing Forces Drawing from the teaching, “He makes peace in His heights,” it describes how the angel Michael (representing water and kindness) and […]

Epistle 11 7th Elul 🌟 The Foundation: Joy and Faith A person should rejoice and be glad at all times. True life stems from unwavering faith in God, who sustains and benefits us constantly. 🚫 The Danger of Sadness Sadness and complaint suggest a lack of good and presence of […]

4th Elul ❤️ 1. Essence of Teshuvah 🫀 The core of repentance is in the heart — deep regret from one’s innermost feelings awakens a hidden, transcendent Divine light.   🌟 2. Drawing the Light into the Worlds ⬇️ To channel that light into higher and lower worlds, there must […]

3rd elul 🕊 The Importance of Guarding the Torah A person must uphold the Torah completely, without deviating even a hair’s breadth. Such devotion draws down divine light from the Infinite (Ein Sof). ⚠ The Damage of Straying One who departs from the path of Torah diminishes the holiness above. […]

2nd elul 📏 The Nature of Mitzvot and Measurement Mitzvot (commandments) were given through the attribute of Gevurah (strength/discipline) and Tzimtzum (constriction of divine light). As a result, most mitzvot have precise, limited measurements. 📐 Examples of Specific Measurements in Mitzvot Tzitzit: 12 thumb-breadths in length. Tefillin: 2 fingers by […]

🕊 Opening and Prophetic Context The words begin with a greeting of peace and a call to awaken the listener to “reproofs of life.” A verse is cited: “The kindnesses of the Lord, for we have not ceased…” — with a linguistic question: why not say “for they have not […]

The Centrality of Charity in Our Times Charity is emphasized as the primary spiritual work in the current era, especially as we approach the time of redemption. The sages taught that Israel will be redeemed only through acts of charity. The Shift from Study to Action While in earlier times […]

Divine Attributes: Limitation and Concealment There exists a spiritual principle of restraint and concealment of divine light, preventing its full revelation to the lower realms. The Role of Human Initiative Human behavior and acts of kindness can awaken heavenly responses. The sages taught: “With the measure a person uses, so […]

Universal Path to Divine Revelation All individuals of Israel can connect to Divine revelation through engagement in Torah and mitzvot. The Torah provides one unified path for everyone. Unique Roles and Spiritual Missions Despite this unity, each soul, spirit, and generation is distinct. Every soul has a particular role influenced […]

Epistle 7 23rd Av Jacob as a Rectifier and Spiritual Channel Jacob is described as possessing a spiritual beauty reminiscent of Adam before the original transgression. His soul contained all future souls of Israel and served as a vehicle for the Divine Torah, connecting the spiritual and physical realms. Divine […]

20th Av Types of Awe and Love There are two kinds of awe and love of God: those born from human understanding of the Divine, and those granted from above as a gift. Truth of the Divine The love and awe that come from God are called “Truth,” as the […]

The Power of Charity and Truth The reward for sowing charity is the attribute of truth, as taught in Proverbs. Divine truth is given to Jacob through Divine grace and mercy. Charity and kindness serve to draw down higher mercy and manifest Divine influence in the physical world. The Attribute […]

18th Av   Summary of the Role of Divine Letters, Souls, and Action Types of Souls in Israel There are two main types of souls: those of Torah scholars and those of righteous individuals active in charity and kindness. Torah scholars primarily dedicate their time to studying Torah but also […]

16th Av The Creation of the World The sages ask why this world was specifically created with the letter Hei (ה). The answer lies in the layered complexity and purposefulness of creation. Multiplicity of Worlds and Spiritual Beings There are countless worlds, palaces, and spiritual beings—angels and souls—each with levels […]