Purim is joyous, fun, exuberant...but also on a high spiritual level. Higher even than Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement itself, according to the great Kabbalistic sage, the Arizal! What does that even mean? Rabbi Edelstein of MEOR DC discusses. (And also models his special Purim hat!)

The Jewish people were commanded to build a mishkan, a dwelling place for G-d, so to speak. But the EXTERNAL structure was ultimately about bringing the presence of G-d--and the resultant JOY--into our INTERNAL selves! Rabbi Edelstein of MEOR DC discusses.

Rabbi E is singing!! Why? Because it is the beginning of the time/season of JOY and redemption in the Jewish calendar: the month of Adar, that culminates in Purim (two weeks from today) and then Pesach (a month later). Time to start to consciously, gradually build up an inner mindset and attitude of joy! How do we do that? In part, by looking for and working towards the WHOLENESS in our lives, and in the world. Looking for deep connection with ourselves, our fellow human beings, and with G-d!!! TUNE IN AND START SINGING!!! Brought to you by MEOR DC!

Envy can destroy your life, and literally take you out of the beautiful world, your world, that G-d made precisely for YOU! The antidote is emunah, internalizing the opening words of the 10 Commandments, as found in this week's Torah portion of Yisro: "I am Hashem Who took you out of the land of Egypt." Rabbi Edelstein of MEOR DC explains.

Rabbi E (Edelstein) of MEOR DC examines the serious cardiac ailment that plagues PHARAOH in this week's Torah portion, Va'eira, but which we ALL can suffer from at times: (moral or spiritual) hard-heartedness: not letting ourselves fully acknowledge and live by what's true, EVEN when we really know it on some level.

The last 17 years of the patriarch Jacob's life was spent in exile in Egypt, spiritually impure center of polytheism.... and yet he was able to be ALIVE, and not just survive. We all have that potential to stay spiritually alive and connected in dark and difficult times. Rabbi Yosef Edelstein of MEOR DC discusses.

Rabbi Yosef Edelstein of MEOR DC discusses Live on Facebook video a crucial life lesson from the week's Torah portion of Vayigash: we can easily misjudge people and their motivations....and many life situations! They might be MUCH better than we think!!

Rabbi Yosef Edelstein of MEOR DC discusses the courage it takes to put aside social media, and other distractions, and allow ourselves to appreciate the gift of Shabbos: Day of delights....including the joy of STOPPING AND THINKING, and UNSCATTERING our soul! Listen and subscribe to the podcast at https://rabbi-e-in-3.captivate.fm/listen