In this episode of the Jewish Inspiration Podcast, we discuss the recent preemptive Israeli military operation against Iran, named "Am Kelavi" (Rising Lion), drawing a parallel to a Torah verse from Numbers 23:24 that likens the Jewish people to a lion—resilient, patient, yet fierce when provoked. He recounts the biblical story of Bilaam, hired by King Balak to curse the Jewish people, only to bless them instead, highlighting divine protection and intervention. We emphasize that Israel’s strength lies not in its military or intelligence prowess alone, such as the Mossad or IDF, but in its spiritual connection to Hashem (God). He reflects on the open miracles witnessed on June 13, 2025, referencing Iran’s earlier ballistic missile attack on April 14, 2024, which allowed Israel to refine its defenses. We underscore that the Jewish people’s true power stems from their faith, prayers, and adherence to mitzvahs (commandments), even amidst adversity, as they remain under divine guardianship.
We further explore the concept of spiritual transformation, tying it to the number 40 in Jewish tradition, symbolizing renewal and creation, as seen in events like the 40 years in the desert, 40 days of rain during Noah’s flood, and 40 weeks of gestation. We share a poignant story of a boy who intended to save a piece of cake for his mother but ended up with only crumbs, illustrating that even small, imperfect efforts are cherished by God if done with sincerity. We encourage listeners to seize the current miraculous times as an opportunity to deepen their relationship with Hashem through small acts of mitzvahs, emphasizing that every Jew’s efforts, no matter how small, contribute to the nation’s spiritual strength. The episode concludes with a call to action to break from complacency, embrace mitzvahs, and trust in divine guidance, with the hope for peace and the coming of the Messiah.
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Recorded from a live audience presentation in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studios (B) in Houston, Texas on June 13, 2025.
Released as Podcast on June 16, 2025
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DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!
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SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe:
NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodes
Jewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodes
Parsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodes
Living Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodes
Thinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodes
Unboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodes
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodes
For a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at https://www.TORCHpodcasts.com
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EMAIL your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org
Please visit www.torchweb.org to see a full listing of our outreach and educational resources available in the Greater Houston area!
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#Israel, #Jewish Inspiration, #To
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