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Ram ben Ze'ev
@rambenzeev
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Jewish, British-American, and Executive Director at @hebrewsynagogue—voted ‘Most Likely to Become an Actual Rabbi’ at Yeshiva.
Israel, Scotland
Joined November 2023
RT @evedposhut: [A Jew’s] day begins with Modeh Ani. This is recited before washing negel-vasser, even though one’s hands are [still] impur…
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According to Ukraine’s constitution, elections cannot be held under martial law. Martial law in Ukraine was declared by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on February 24, 2022; the person holding onto power. 2022-Present (Russia-Ukraine War): Ukraine suspended national elections due to martial law, which was imposed after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Presidential Election (Scheduled for March 2024): It was officially postponed due to the ongoing war. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains in office until conditions allow for new elections. Parliamentary Elections (Scheduled for 2023): These were also postponed due to the war and martial law. In Ukraine, the initiation of martial law is the prerogative of the President. Similarly, terminating martial law requires the person holding onto power to relinquish his control. 🤔
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@itscarterhughes @ProfMJCleveland Does this mean the organization will need to cut back on the number of murders it performs?
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Recognising the Absolute Unity of G‑D in Our Daily Lives In Chapter 20 of the Tanya, the Alter Rebbe teaches a fundamental principle of faith: G‑D’s absolute unity. This concept goes beyond merely acknowledging that there is only one G‑D; rather, it affirms that nothing else truly exists outside of Him. All of creation is utterly nullified in comparison to His infinite existence, much like a single spoken word is insignificant compared to the vast potential of speech that remains within the soul. This teaching holds profound implications for the way we live. If we fully internalise the idea that G‑D is the only true existence, we begin to realise that every thought, word, and action should be aligned with His will. Every moment of life is an opportunity to serve Him—not just through prayer or study but in all aspects of our existence. Idolatry in the Modern World The Tanya equates transgressing G‑D’s will with idolatry, for to sin is to act as though there is another force besides Him. While idolatry in its classical form—worshipping statues or celestial bodies—may not be as prevalent today, the essence of idolatry persists whenever we place undue significance on material things or act as though they hold independent power. For example, one who believes their financial success is solely due to their own efforts, without acknowledging G‑D as the true source, engages in a subtle form of idolatry. The same is true when people rely excessively on governments, institutions, or even their own intellect, as if these possess power independent of the Divine will. Recognising that אין עוד מלבדו (ein od milvado – “there is none besides Him”) refocuses our perspective, reminding us that every aspect of life is under G‑D’s complete dominion. Application: Torah and Mitzvot as True Unity with G‑D Since G‑D and His Torah are one, the way to connect with Him fully is through the observance of mitzvot. Every commandment is an expression of His will, and by fulfilling them, we align ourselves with His absolute unity. When we put on תפילין (tefillin – phylacteries), we affirm His sovereignty. When we keep שבת (Shabbat), we acknowledge that He alone created and sustains the world. Every mitzvah we perform is an act of divine unity. Similarly, the study of תורה (Torah) is not merely an intellectual pursuit but a direct connection to G‑D’s wisdom. The Tanya teaches that learning Torah is an even greater form of unity with G‑D than mitzvot alone, as it allows one to internalise His infinite wisdom, elevating the soul to a level of true attachment to the Divine. Recognising G‑D’s Unity in Challenging Times In moments of hardship, this perspective is especially crucial. A person facing difficulty might ask: Where is G‑D in my suffering? However, when one understands that G‑D’s unity means that He is present in all circumstances, even challenges become reframed. The Holy Zohar explains that everything comes from G‑D, whether openly revealed as kindness or concealed within difficulty. The response is not despair but strengthened trust in G‑D and continued devotion to mitzvot, which affirm our belief that all is within His control. Conclusion: Living with Divine Awareness To truly live with the teaching of Chapter 20 of the Tanya is to reshape our entire worldview. It means rejecting even the subtlest forms of idolatry—such as self-reliance without recognising G‑D’s role—and instead living every moment with the awareness of ein od milvado. It means seeing Torah and mitzvot not as burdens, but as the very means by which we connect to the Creator. The more we internalise this truth, the more our daily lives become an extension of G‑D’s unity. Every mitzvah, every word of Torah, and every moment of trust in G‑D reinforces that ultimate reality: that all is one with Him. RAM רם בן זאב עובד השם #tanya #torah
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In Chapter 19 of Lessons in Tanya, the Alter Rebbe explains the innate connection between a Jew’s soul and G-D, rooted in חכמה (Chochmah - wisdom). This connection compels Jews to lay down their lives rather than deny G-D or succumb to idolatry. Yet, history records instances of Jews who were forced to convert or willingly embraced idolatry. In this portion, חכמה (Chochmah) is defined as the soul’s capacity for self-nullification (ביטול) before the infinite light of G-D (אור אין סוף). It is derived from the Hebrew words כח מה (Koach Mah), meaning “the power of ‘What.’” This encapsulates Chochmah as a state of complete humility and abnegation, where one perceives their own existence as insignificant before the Divine. Chochmah serves as the gateway to holiness, as it is the vessel through which the infinite light of G-D can dwell. It represents a level of divine awareness that transcends intellect, logic, and self-interest. This awareness is the essence of true holiness (קדושה) and forms the foundation of a Jew’s inherent bond with G-D. In this context, Chochmah is not merely intellectual wisdom but rather the soul’s capacity to recognise and submit to the reality that there is nothing apart from G-D. This quality compels a Jew to resist idolatry and affirm their connection to G-D, even at great personal cost. Let us explore how this aligns with Torah and Chassidut: 1. Concealment of the Divine Spark (הסתר פנים - Hester Panim) The Alter Rebbe teaches that the soul’s חכמה (Chochmah), the source of divine awareness, can be concealed by sin, ignorance, or overwhelming fear. Under extreme pressure, the natural bond with G-D may be obscured. This concealment suppresses the expression of holiness but never extinguishes the divine spark. 2. Varying Levels of Soul Awareness While every Jew possesses Chochmah, not all are equally conscious of it. Spiritual sensitivity depends on one’s connection to Torah and mitzvot. Those more distant from Torah may struggle to access their innate bond in moments of crisis. 3. Fear of Death vs. Fear of Sin The instinct for self-preservation can overwhelm spiritual devotion. Even when Jews convert under duress, their divine spark remains intact. Many maintained their faith in secret or returned to Judaism when circumstances allowed. Their actions reflect overwhelming pressure, not a rejection of G-D. 4. The Case of Willing Converts Jews who willingly embraced idolatry often did so out of ignorance, assimilation, or a lack of spiritual awareness. Their Chochmah remains intact but buried. Such individuals retain their essential connection to G-D, awaiting reawakening through תשובה (Teshuvah – repentance). 5. The Power of Teshuvah No matter how far one strays, Teshuvah can restore the soul’s divine bond. Even those who fell into idolatry can return to G-D, reawakening their hidden love and holiness. The connection to G-D is never truly lost, only obscured. 6. Eternal Jewish Identity The Alter Rebbe affirms that a Jew’s connection to G-D is eternal. Outward actions may conceal this bond, but the soul’s essence remains united with G-D through Chochmah. A Teaching from this Lesson This chapter teaches compassion and hope. While history recounts Jewish martyrdom, it also records struggles under unbearable conditions. The Alter Rebbe reminds us that the divine spark is eternal, waiting to be rekindled. Our role is to inspire others through Torah, mitzvot, and love for every Jew. As the Holy Zohar teaches, “ישראל וקודשא בריך הוא חד הוא” (Yisrael v’Kudsha Brich Hu Chad Hu)—“The Jewish people and the Holy One, Blessed be He, are one.” This unbreakable bond transcends all challenges. RAM רם בן זאב עובד השם #Tanya
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RT @LahavHarkov: In the women’s section of the makeshift shul in Netanyahu’s hotel this morning, I asked one of his advisers if the hostage…
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@NaomiLitvin Reminds me of my early days in talk radio—I had programmed a show on the subject of apathy. Sadly, no one called in…🥁
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Wrong. Why are you promoting the his evil message to your followers? Our sages taught us the following: “We won’t combat Jew Hatred by focusing on the hatred. Rather, non-attention is how it should be handled. Do not allow it to occupy your time, nor to become a focal point of any kind. It is a rule that Esau hates Jacob.” — רם בן זאב
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"שידור שחרורם של בני הערובה המוחזקים בידי מחבלי עזה ברשתות החברתיות ובפלטפורמות אחרות רק מחזק את מטרתם. זה מציג את אחינו ברגעיהם האפלים ביותר—מוכים, מושפלים, ולעג להם על ידי אלו שחוגגים את סבלם. גרוע מכך, זה מעניק לגיטימציה לאחיזת המחבלים בישראל ובמערב. חילופי עשרות רוצחים עבור כל יהודי אינם ניצחון—זהו כלי תעמולה שאנו מוסרים להם מרצון." — רם בן זאב
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