יום שני, כ״ז אב תשפ״וMonday, August 10, 2026
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Why does G-d test us? When we learn about our great leaders, we see that their lives would not be described as easy. In fact, they were often full of tremendous challenge. We are told about our forefather Avraham that he was given 10 Tests. What is the purpose of the tests and challenges that we go through in life? In what way to tests bring out our inner greatness?
Is being righteous a goal? Is being righteous enough? Noach and Avraham are two key figures in the bible. Noach merited to be saved from the destruction of the world. It was Avraham however who became the father off the Jewish nation and the key figure in spreading G-d's message to the world. Avraham accomplished this through love and transcendence. We have much to learn from these key biblical figures in how to Tap The Power Of Love & Transcenedence In Tough Times.
Adam and Eve are a prototype for all of mankind. We have much to learn about human nature and the role and purpose of man in this world through learning and understanding the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Core issues such as free will, temptaion and accepting resonsability begin with the first man and woman of history. Understanding who man truly is by learning how to differentiate between ego and soul is the key to unlocking man's greatest potential.
To some extent, we have all written a script according to which we expect our life to accord. And everyone gets curve balls (sometimes many) that throw us off course. These challenges can range from illness, death, divorce, change in finances, loss of a job or any event that is a significant change from the life script that we consciously or unconsciously wrote for ourselves.
Sukkot is the holiday when we are told to celebrate with Joy! Times are tough right now. How can we feel happy, joy or gladness if we are going through a tough time? What tools can the holiday of Sukkot offer us to lift us up so that we can experience true rejoicing during this holiday season and throughout our year?
To what degree are you really in touch with what you really want? What are your true core desires for your self and who you can be? As we lead up to the new year-- Rosh HaShanna, these are very important questions to examine.
Anything important life is worth preparing for. This is especially true when it comes to Rosh HaShannah. A new year brings with it new opportunities. But how can I prepare myself to make the most of the holiday and prepare myself to be the best version of myself for the coming year?
As we lead up to the High Holidays, there is a strong emphasis on developing and strengthening our relationship with G-d. The aspect of our relationship that we are working on is Loving G-d. How can we Love G-d in a personal, real way? How can we feel a loving connection to G-d if we have feelings of pain or even anger directed towards Him? What does a loving man/G-d relationship look like?
There are so many opportunities for professional education. But how do I educate the inner me? How can I cultivate and build my internal world to create the best version of myself? Who I become is a conglomerate of the choices that I make. Choosing who I want to be, what character traits I want to refine is the beginning of the journey towards not only having a good life, but choosing a great life!
Tisha B'Av is a difficult day. It's a day of fasting and sadness when we are supposed to feel the loss of the Beit Hamikdash. Yet, it's a day that is hard to relate to as I never experienced life with the Beit Hamikdash that I am mourning and therefore have a hard time fully relating to the loss. Tisha B'Av is a day to mourn many tragedies throughout Jewish history and as real as those tragedies are, how can I personally relate to them and make this day of sadness meaningful?
One of the reasons given for the destruction of the second temple is sinat chinam-- baseless hatred. Is it really common for people to hate with no justified cause? It would seem to be more common for people to dislike, despise or hate another for what sounds like a legitimate reason. What is the true definition of 'sinat chinam' and how can we eradicate it from within?
How can we find G-d in the darkness? How can we sense G-d's presence through difficult times? Why would G-d who is all goodness hide Himself from me and make it so seemingly difficult to find Him?
An essential component to any healthy relationship is trust. What is at the core of this trait and how can we develop it within ourselves and our relationships? How can one learn to trust again when they have been hurt in the past? How can a breach of trust be effectively restored in an ongoing relationship that is in sore need of transformation? The answer to these questions is the key to building and maintaining healthy relationships.
So many of us are weighed down in life due to carrying excess emotional baggage. We may have been carrying the weight of negative emotions for so long that we may not even be able to identify the source of our load so we can more easily let it go. We may know exactly why we are carrying around emotional baggage and see how it's damaging us and our relationships, but still can't let it go. Why is this? How can we break free from emotional baggage that is holding us back from being the best version of self and fly forward towards the healthy, happy me!
As human beings we are unique creations. What is it about man that makes him the crowning glory of creation?
How does one live life forward in the face of challenge, tragedy or illness? What are the tools and perspectives of women who stay strong in spite of the pain of their circumstances?
To what extent are the events in our life a result of choices that we have made or determined by G-d as a part of His divine plan? This is a huge question that is important to think about not only on a philosophical level, but in the way it practically affects our lives and our well-being. Understanding the answer to this question is the secret to inner peace.
This may sound counter-intuitive, but if you want to make drastic change in your life, you need to admit that you are powerless. Only a power greater than yourself can help you. That power is G-d!
Shavuot is the holiday when we celebrate the giving of the Torah. The Torah includes many rules and restrictions according to which we are expected to live our lives. Why do we celebrate a life of commands and responsibility?
One of the most important components of inner well being and healthy relationships is having proper boundaries. When a relationship of any kind is thriving, it likely has healthy boundaries. When a relationship is struggling, it's boundaries likely need to be re-assessed. How can one go about setting strong, balanced and healthy boundaries? This is an essential question that needs to be evaluated throughout the life of any relationship.
Having a relationship with G-d is so important. Yet, since we don't hear G-d, or see G-d, how can we cultivate a real sense of connection to our creator? As it turns out, we can hear and see G-d and even feel G-d, but doing so requires our developing our senses to G-ds frequency. How? Listen to Soul Talk with Rabbi David Aaron and Leora Mandel to learn how to Make G-d Real in Such Unreal Times.
Life, especially now, is full of uncertainties. So much feels like it's out of our control. To what degree can we be happy in the face of circumstances that include fear, pain and so many unknowns? The choices that we make, especially now, are crucial to determining our joy. How to make choices that turn challenge into opportunity can be learned and is truly empowering.
During the holiday of Pesach, we celebrate the concept of freedom. We were enslaved and oppressed by Pharoh. G-d took us out of Egypt....to give us the Torah..laws to live by and serve Him. How is our slavery to Pharoh different than our service to G-d? How does living by the rules and strictures of the Torah truly give us our freedom?
The world Corona epidemic is making us all nervous. It's making us all aware that we only have so much control of our lives and unsure about what tomorrow may bring. It's also stopping us in our tracks and giving us an opportunity to focus on our priorities and each other. How do we channel our fears and take this challenge to bring out its silver lining?
Where is G-d in the day to day happenings of my life? To what extent do my choices really make a difference in the outcome of G-d's divine plan? The Purim story happened many years ago, yet its relevance rings strong today. G-d's name is absent from the Megillah, yet His presence is directing all aspects of the story and it's outcomes. Thus G-d is hidden within the natural realms of our life, and yet He is palpably there. What do we need to do to sense G-d's reality in our life?
Every person who is born at some point...will die. Where do we go from here? How do we understand life after death and how does this understanding enrich the life we are living here and now?
Life has it's ups and downs. As much as we'd like to always feel good, every person experiences time periods where feeling down is a reality. When we're feeling down, disappointed and even depressed, how do we make sure not to get stuck in a downward slump? How can we get out and move up into a place of joy?
Prayer is a powerful medium through which to connect to G-d and our higher self. Yet, there are times when we might find it difficult to feel connected to prayer or that our prayers are creating the relationship that we're trying achieve with G-d. How can we infuse our prayer with meaning and turn prayer into a trans-formative experience?
We are told "And you should love the Lord your G-d with all of your heart...." There are times in life when we feel tremendously blessed with our lives and 'loving G-d' can be easy. There are times when we are in pain and struggling with challenges and 'loving G-d' can be difficult. What does it mean to 'Love G-d' and how can I love G-d during difficult times in my life?
As human beings, we recognize that at times, we have to give up or sacrifice something that we want now for the sake of a larger goal. At times, we are willing to make such sacrifices (example; missing a football game to study for medical boards) and at other times, we may not be willing to give up what would truly lead to our greater happiness and well being (example; that piece of cake that is going to ruin my diet). Why is it at times so hard to give something up that would ultimately lead to our greater happiness and well being? Why is it so hard to make sacrifices now for the sake of a better future?
Life is full of ups and downs. Good times and times of challenge. Although we all prefer to 'feel good,' we all have times when we have to grapple with painful emotions. This is a part of everyone's human experience. Is there a perspective that can help us to better handle emotional pain? How should we most effectively face our inner self when it's suffering and challenged with real internal pain?
How can we better understand rituals and their importance. How can we connect to ritual...especially those that we cannot logically comprehend? Where do ritual and faith in G-d meet and why can't one stand without the other.
Light and darkness goes beyond a metaphor for good and evil. Inherent in creation, darkness serves a purpose. Understanding the purpose of darkness enables us to gain deeper meaning to the dark times in our lives. How can we enlighten the darkness in the world and in our lives? How can we adjust our perception to use darkness in a purposeful way so that it's elevated and I am elevated through it?
Living life with uncertainty is hard. Going out of our comfort zone is difficult. Yet, it is precisely when we are called to go beyond our sense of self that we can become more and transform not only ourselves, but the entire world. This is the essence of the tests of Abraham and his journey towards becoming the father of he Jewish nation. There is much to learn in our own lives through understanding Abraham's greatness and his journey.
How do you stay true to your values when the society and culture around you is antithetical to the core of your beliefs. How do you stand up for G-d's truth in a world whose relative truth opposes G-d's objective truth?
As much as each person is unique, there are certain character traits, tendencies and desires that all of humanity share. These same traits existed within the first man and woman; Adam & Chava. There is much to learn from the first man and woman to enable us to better understand who we are and what we ultimately really want in life. Understanding human struggle and the quest for what it means to be truly free, and thereby, truly me are as relevant to man today as from the time of creation.
Throughout the year there are times that I portray my true self and others when I betray who I really am. I need to realign my life to reflect the greater me through revealing my own greater good. How can I most effectively do this and enter the time space of Rosh HaShanna with a clear sense of purpose and elevation.
We all have hopes and dreams about how we'd like our life to turn out. Thoughts about an ideal marriage, children, job and even an ideal day. Many of our hopes and dreams do not materialize in the way that we had anticipated. Because of this, we can feel stuck in a place that we don't want to be. How do we change perspective to embrace a new dream....that might be very different than that which we had at an earlier time and make it into a new and great reality.
Ingredients that go into a healthy, loving long term relationship.
What is Spirituality? Is Spirituality a necessary component of an elevated life? Where is the place of the spiritual within the physical world?
Shavuot is the holiday where we celebrate the giving of the Torah. As much as the Torah are instructions for living life, why do we have a holiday celebrating the giving of a bunch of rules? Listen to Soul Talk and learn about the significance of the holiday of Shavuot and how...yes...it's the rules that give life meaning and joy!
"Why are we here & what is the purpose of Life?"
Passover is a holiday of such significance that we not only celebrate and commemorate it once a year, but daily remember the exodus from Egypt in our prayers. What is the deeper significance of this holiday whose impact we must remember daily? How can we tap into the energy of this holiday to make the most of the opportunity that this once yearly time period affords?
Believing in G-d does not always compute to experiencing G-d as reality in our day to day lives. How can we take G-d as a theoretical construct and form an intimate connection and relationship with our creator? What can we do to make G-d's presence more tangible throughout the day?
It's nice when we do good and feel good. Yet, sometimes, we do what we know is right and good and don't feel very good while doing it. Our head says "this is the right thing to do" and our heart says " I don't want to do this." What do we do with ourselves when our head and heart conflict?
The Purim story has so many significant themes whose lessons can be life changing. One of those themes is the choices that we make and how they not only change us, but reverberate outwards. At times, we may not recognize how significant even small actions can be. Ultimately, we are made by our choices and can make the choice to be a player in G-d'd divine plan.
Simcha...often translated as happiness or joy is a state of being that we would all like to be present in. The month of Adar is a time when we are told to increase our Simcha. What is Simcha really and how can we increase it in our lives? This questions becomes all the more important when we are going through challenges and hard times. Can Simcha still be achieved even when times are tough? Listen to Soul Talk with Rabbi David Aaron and Leora Mandel and learn How To Choose Joy! We welcome your questions and comments. Write to us at soultalk@israelnewstalkradio.com
When you see injustice and hear about a wrong, what do you do? Some are apathetic, some cry 'for shame' and others take action. How should we respond to the many wrongs that come to our attention? Many get frustrated when they try to make a change for the good, and feel that their efforts were in vain as little change takes place. Is it our responsibility to try and make a difference in the face of the myriad corrupt and unfair proceedings that go on around us?
Jealousy is a natural human trait that ultimately hurts us more than those of whom we are jealous. How can we get to the very root of our jealousy, our thinking, and create a perspective on life that will keep us mindful of our own blessings and happy for the blessings of others?
There is an innate need in every person to feel good about themselves. Why is it that for some, feeling good comes at the expense of putting someone else down. The higher road that leads to longer lasting feelings of real self-worth come from doing good for others. Raising another up through kindness and compassion are the true source of internal strength and self-worth. How can we help ourselves...and others choose the higher road.
Some people count their moments. Others make their moments count. How can we maximize time and avoid seeing time continually slip us bye. What ultimately is time and how can understanding the Torah perspective of time change the way we live our lives?
During our journey of life we will go through varying degrees of painful to tragic circumstances. There are many life situations that we have not chosen, yet, whose effects can be very challenging. How do we find purpose and meaning within the challenge? How do we choose mission over misery?
So many aspects of life seem to depend more on end results than effort and intent. Yet, in spiritual matters, its the effort put into any achievement that is really all we can own. It's what happens on the journey more than arriving at a destination where true achievement is to be found.
To a certain degree, our life is a reflection of the choices we have made. To a certain degree, our life is a reflection of G-dly designed features and circumstances custom designed for each of us. Where do fate and choice meet? Understanding this is the key to living the good life!
For most, part of life's journey includes varying degrees of pain. Pain and suffering can often feel synonymous. What can we do to minimize this suffering and find meaning and purpose within our pain. As difficult as this may sound, this is the key to turning pain into power.
"There are only two ways to live your life. As though nothing is a miracle or as though everything is a miracle." ---Albert Einstein
How do I find the balance between taking care of myself and being there for others?
To what degree are we who we are because of the choices that we make in life? According to Maimonides: "We each decide whether to make ourselves learned or ignorant, compassionate or cruel, generous or miserly. No one forces us. No one decides for us, no one drags us along one path or the other. We are responsible for what we are."
"The pure righteous do not complain of the dark, but increase the light; they do not complain of evil, but increase justice; they do not complain of heresy, but increase faith; they do not complain of ignorance, but increase wisdom." ---Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook
Rabbi Nachman of Breslov says that the essence of peace is merging two opposites. How can this be achieved?
"Your fellow man is your mirror. If your own face is clean, the image you perceive will also be flawless. But should you look upon your fellow man and see a blemish, it is your own imperfection that you are encountering. You are being shown what it is that you must correct within yourself." . . .
The Lubavicher Rebbe wrote "When the soul is starved for nourishment, it lets us know with feelings of emptiness, anxiety or yearning."
There's a saying that sometimes we are our own worst enemy. Why is it that we often sabotage ourselves from becoming who we really want to be and attaining the quality relationships that we really want to have? What we should really be is our own best friend only making choices that help us become better. What stands in our way?
What are the parameters of free will and how will understanding this fundamental concept change the way of live my life? . .
There's a saying that sometimes we are our own worst enemy. Why is it that we often sabotage ourselves from becoming who we really want to be and attaining the quality relationships that we really want to have? What we should really be is our own best friend only making choices that help us become better. What stands in our way?
How far should I expand myself to include care of others and the world around me. I know that there is a Torah value of loving kindness. How far outside of my immediate circle of myself and my family does this value extend? Should I go out of my way to help a neighbor in need?
What does it mean to truly love another? Is it possibly to love someone who is so essentially different than myself?
Listen to Soul Talk with Rabbi David Aaron and Leora Mandel to learn how to go From Being Me To Being Free: Secrets to Personal Growth and Empowerment
You can be in a room with a lot of people and still feel lonely. Why is that?
Faith or Belief are the traditional translations of the word Emunah. Emunah is such a fundamental concept but what does it really mean?
The Torah gives us guidelines for morals, values, ethics and ideals. How can we maintain these principles when their very foundation is at times questioned and dismissed by the society around us.
"And you shall Love the Lord your G-d."
What does it really mean to fear G-d?
We believe in G-d, yet we have doubts
Reclaiming Your Resilience
Join Rabbi David Aaron and Leora Mandel on Soul Talk to understand the difference between Freedom From--Freedom To and how to Discover Your Higher Power.
Join Rabbi David Aaron and Leora Mandel to learn the power of what we tell ourselves and how it effects how I and the world sees me.
Join Rabbi David Aaron and Leora Mandel in Soul Talk to learn to what extent do you determine your life by the choices that you make and to what extent your life is determined for you by G-d's divine providence.
Listen to Soul Talk with Rabbi David Aaron and Leora Mandel to learn about the essence of who YOU really are.
Join Rabbi David Aaron and Leora Mandel to see how delving into the holiday of Purim reveals deeper concepts about the hidden, revealed and G-ds interaction with history and man.
Listen to Soul Talk with Rabbi David Aaron and Leora Mandel to learn Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About G-d But Were Afraid To Ask.
isten to Soul Talk with Rabbi David Aaron and Leora Mandel to learn how to Stoke The Fire of Desire for Good!
Listen to Soul Talk with Rabbi David Aaron and Leora Mandel and learn about the Transformational Power Of Speech!
How to really feel good about yourself....truly and genuinely!
How can we learn to 'give the benefit of the doubt'?
What is the difference between knowledge and wisdom?
It can be very hard to forgive and let go of anger.
Join Rabbi David Aaron and Leora Mandel in our Chanukah special and learn how to uplift your life through Miraculous Living.
Learn the principles for achieving greater peace and fulfillment in our daily lives.
Listen to Soul Talk with Rabbi David Aaron and Leora Mandel and learn how to Tap Into Our Higher Selves and Make the Right Choices.
Join Rabbi David Aaron and Leora Mandel and learn how to get the most out of each and every day when you Live Each Day As If It's Your Last!
Listen to Soul Talk with Rabbi David Aaron and Leora Mandel to understand that it is really the less than perfect me that can be the key to true empowerment and happiness.
Join Rabbi David Aaron and Leora Mandel where you will learn how and when to Let Go and Let God. Learn the secrets to finding inner peace and empowerment.
Join Soul Talk with Rabbi David Aaron and Leora Mandel and learn How To Change Your Mind and Change Your Find: The Power of Positive Thinking.
Being accountable and taking responsibility for for our wrongs.
How understanding the purpose of creation will impact your life.
What exactly are we trying to accomplish through our fasting and lengthy prayers on Yom Kippur?
As much as I want to change, a part of me is scared to make the attempt!
A clearer understanding of what Rosh HaShannah is truly all about.
The effect of personal choice.
August 7, 2026 
