is a special presentation delivered to honour CHOF BAIS SHEVAT, the Yahrzeit-Hilula of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson, Soulmate of the internationally revered Lubavitcher Rebbe of Righteous Memory. Backgrounder: In 1992, in the days following Yartzeit-Hilula of the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe and leading up to the Rebbetzin’s fourth Yartzeit-Hilula, the Rebbe delivered a series of ground-breaking addresses on Female empowerment in the Torah Perspective. Rather than the typical modern-day accommodations and adjustments, they comprised an unapologetic presentation of eternal Yiddishkeit values. To summarize (at the risk of gross oversimplification) this is the Timeless Torah-True Take on Female Empowerment. The ideas are ground-breaking. Shattering glass ceilings with concepts that are at once copiously sourced, yet entirely novel. Its an insightful, and uplifting presentation that provide us a powerful and inspirational Torah viewpoint on Jewish Femininity and our Modern Era. Ultimately our Mesorah and Torah traditions are Eternal, if your seeing anything new it's because we’re simply going Back to the Future. Sounds intriguing, watch, listen, and see for yourself! Rabbi Mendel Kaplan

Megillat Ruth in Depth: Chapter 3, Lesson 3 (PT 21) "Dressed to the Nines" Setting her daring plan into action, the ever detail-oriented Naomi gives her shy and attractive daughter-in-law instructions on how to prepare for her date with destiny. The surprising “meddling mother-in-law” advice: bathe, groom and wear a nice dress seem totally inappropriate. Wouldn't a young Princess know how to prepare on her own?! In this remarkable look behind the veil you'll discover how the scriptural terminology like “cleansing, fragrant oil and festive attire” includes a deeply meaningful and spiritual subtext.

Sha’ar HaBitachon - Episode Fifty-Five , ~ ! G-d does not reveal His presence in Creation, choosing to obfuscate His harmonious management of all that happens. Yet, we believe that Hashem continually brings everything into existence, and runs all affairs of our reality. Always. Having established this in the present episode, Rabbeinu Bachaya now addresses those who anxiously burden and overexert themselves trying make things happen, rather than making reasonable efforts and leaving the rest to G-d. This, he believed, stems form a lack of understanding, weakness of conviction and deficiency in one's faith! Instead, we must achieve mindfulness of the truth about Hashem's absolute control and supervision of all that happens. Everything has its Season. Trying to Hasten it, is Futile and pointless. We must constantly remind ourselves that the Creator runs all our affairs. Getting anxious about the future, and trying to make things happen on your own timeline is a waste of time as ultimately even the timing of events is preordained by G-d! The culmination is a stunning tapestry of Scripture is presented to illustrate these Torah truism as we complete the first Trust Principle of this chapter. In conclusion we must recognize that Hashem alone possesses all Seven Criteria to foster Bitachon, from endless care and concern to complete control of everything. This will lead us to Trust in Hashem and enable us to Build our Bitachon!

Sha’ar HaBitachon - Episode Fifty-Four , ~ ! The Global System of Cause and Effect doesn't overtly reveal the presence of the Creator. G-d, in effect, conceals His harmonious management of all existence and every event. This leads some to the erroneous conclusion that reality is governed by independent causes, and that Hashem is disengaged from His creation. In this episode, Rabbeinu Bachaya seeks to disabuse us of this misguided notion by directing to focus on and contemplate the weak and inconsequential nature of most causes. The changes or transformation they engender, or spawn clearly indicate the guidance and power of a Higher Force. Understanding this helps us arrive at an appreciation of the truth about Hashem's absolute control and supervision of all that happens. For although the universe may seem to be driven in a random Cause-and-Effect fashion, with disparate happenings triggering indiscriminate results, the truth is that our Creator remains in full control, and everything is always being choreographed by Divine Design. Internalizing this concept will undoubtedly lead us towards achieving Trust in Hashem, and effectively enhance our Bitachon building abilities! Rabbi Mendel Kaplan