אם ירצה ה׳
In these turbulent times, many of us feel the world shifting beneath our feet. From economic instability in major cities like New York to global conflicts, the guidance of our sages has never been more vital. Drawing from the chiour of Rav Yosef Mizrachi, this post serves as a comprehensive guide to living with truth, according to the will of HKBH (HaKadosh Baruch Hu).
Hashkafah: The Worldview of Divine Precision
The foundation of a Jewish life is the understanding that nothing is random. Every event, from a major flood to a minor inconvenience, is guided by HKBH through the principle of Midah Keneged Midah (Measure for Measure).
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The Spiritual Root of All Things: We must realize that physical realities are often reflections of spiritual states. Whether it is the rise of antisemitism—which is an illogical jealousy of our status as the chosen nation—or personal health struggles, the root is always spiritual.
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The End of Days: We are currently in the "End of Days," witnessing the final struggle between the forces of Esau and Ishmael. Protection in this era is found through "Na’aseh" (action) to counter the influence of the West and "Nishma" (Torah study) to counter the influence of Ishmael.
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The Value of Time: In the eyes of HKBH, a single minute is eternity. Even 60 seconds of life is so precious that taking it from a dying person is considered murder, because of the massive potential for repentance (teshuva) that exists in those moments.
Halachaot for Shabbat
Practical laws regarding the Sabbath are detailed as essential for maintaining the covenant with HKBH:
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Inviting Guests: You may invite secular Jews for Shabbat even if you know they will drive home, but only up to three times; the hope is they will be inspired by the atmosphere.
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Emergency (Pikuach Nefesh): One must break Shabbat to drive a sick person to the hospital if there is a life risk. Even if it turns out to be a false alarm, the person who drove them has performed a 100% good deed.
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Food Preparation: Using a Soda Stream is a point of dispute (machloket), but Rav Ovadia Yosef permitted it. For tea, squeezing a teabag is an issue; one should remove the bag with a large spoon.
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Cleaning: Washing leather garments is forbidden if it involves scrubbing, but wiping a stain off leather or plastic with a little water is allowed as they do not absorb moisture.
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Muktzeh: Electronics and batteries are muktzeh. If a child's doll is on the floor, it should be moved with a leg, elbow, or spoon (shinui).
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Elevators: Going down in an elevator is considered more problematic than going up because the weight of the person triggers the braking system, which creates heat/fire. It is allowed only for the elderly or sick.
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Non-Jews: You cannot explicitly tell a non-Jew to do work (like turning on an AC), but you can "hint" or benefit if they turn it on for themselves.
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Devices: Using a phone as an alarm clock is permitted if it is placed far away and produces only a beep rather than music. City electricity is generally permitted because the grid must stay on for hospitals.
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General Prohibitions: One cannot pick their nose if it removes hair, nor can they cut grass, pick fruit, or trim trees.
Halachaot for Derech Eretz (Ethical Conduct)
Derech Eretz, or proper conduct, is the foundation for all spiritual growth:
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Hospitality: This is a supreme value. Middle Eastern and Arab cultures are praised for filling a table for guests; a Jew must never be stingy with guests.
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Honesty: One must never lie or steal even a single penny. HKBH allows immunity for those who give bribes so that they may eventually testify against corrupted receivers.
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Returning Lost Objects: There is a strict obligation to return lost items to your Jewish "brother." For a non-Jew or a public Shabbat violator, there is no technical obligation, but doing so for a Gentile is a massive Kiddush Hashem and highly rewarded.
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Public Respect: It is forbidden to embarrass another person in public, which is likened to spilling blood.
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Responsibility for Others: One has a moral obligation to warn their neighbors or relatives about their sins. If they perish without a warning you could have given, you are held responsible for their blood.
Hashkafah (Worldview)
The chiour presents a reality where HKBH's justice is precise and inescapable:
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Measure for Measure (Midah Keneged Midah): Everything in life, including a flat tire in the rain, is a response to a specific action.
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The Spiritual Root of Sickness: Physical ailments are linked to spiritual failings. For example, skin cancer is linked to immodesty, while breast or brain cancer can be linked to sexual crimes. The P53 system in the body is designed by HKBH to protect the brain, and only specific "sin-related" cancers are allowed to "cheat" this filter.
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The End of Days: We are currently in the final "minutes" of history. Protection against the "evil" of Esau (the West) is found in "Na’aseh" (doing), and protection against Ishmael (Muslims) is found in "Nishma" (hearing Torah).
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Reincarnation: Souls return to fix past mistakes; for example, Samson was a reincarnation of Nadav (son of Aaron) sent back to fix his refusal to marry.
Mussar (Ethical Rebuke)
Rav Mizrachi provides sharp rebuke for those living inconsistently:
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The Sin of Complaining: One must never say a situation is "not fair." Yaakov Avinu lost 33 years of his life because he used 33 words to complain about his hardships to Pharaoh.
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False Teachers: The shiour rebukes "clowns" who teach "self-love" regardless of sin or who deny divine punishment. Such teachings are described as "eternal poison".
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Ego and Pride: 99% of interpersonal fights are caused by ego. A person who tries to be "extra religious" just to look down on others is committing a sin rooted in pride.
Hizzuk (Strengthening and Encouragement)
Encouragement is found in the value HKBH places on every moment:
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The Value of a Minute: One minute of life is eternity. Taking 60 seconds of life from a dying person is 100% murder because of how much a person can accomplish in that minute through repentance.
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The New Orleans Miracle: Rav Mizrachi recalls a single lecture in New Orleans after the 2005 "big flood" where 125 secular Israelis were so inspired that 15 families became fully observant, eventually leading to nearly 100 religious descendants. This shows that one moment of truth can change the world.
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Shame as Atonement: If you are publicly embarrassed, do not fight back. This shame acts as a "spiritual cleanser" that can dismiss harsh decrees and upgrade your soul to a higher level [Source: History].
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HKBH’s Mercy: HKBH is a fair judge who suffers alongside us. Even in the depths of a "smack" from heaven, we should bless HKBH as the "True Judge" (Dayan HaEmet), knowing He provides the strength to endure the decree.
For Righteous Gentiles
Righteous Gentiles who keep the Seven Laws of Noah and reject idol worship (including avoiding Christian and Hindu materials) are guaranteed a place in the "Heaven of Gentiles". They are encouraged to support the Jewish people and act with justice in their own nations. Gentiles who support the Jewish nation (like Donald Trump) are viewed as performing unusual and significant deeds that HKBH recognizes.
Analogy for Understanding: Living with the knowledge of HKBH's supervision is like a scuba diver whose air supply depends on a thin tube connected to the surface. He may be distracted by the beauty of the sea (the material world), but he must never forget that his life depends entirely on that connection to the source of his oxygen above.
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