The newly released book “Exhilarating Torah Insights on Recreation and Vacation” is now available (as a paperback, hardcover and digitized version) for purchase and delivery on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/
This insightful and thought-provoking book delves into these questions and many more, offering profound insights. With over 50 meticulously crafted essays, it masterfully conveys the Torah’s perspective on recreation and vacation. As an indispensable guide, this work will enable readers to attain a deeper understanding of these important topics.
It makes a great gift for parents, siblings, friends, relatives, neighbors, business associates, acquaintances and learning partners. Purchase it at https://amzn.to/3eyh5xP.
Some of the questions discussed in this book are the following.
What role does recreation play in our service of Hashem?
What does the Torah teach us about music?
What lessons can we glean from specific types of recreation, such as sports?
Is there a mitzvah to take a vacation?
What does the Torah say about comedy and humor?
To join the thousands of recipients and receive these insights free on a weekly email, obtain previous articles, feedback, comments, suggestions (on how to spread the insights of this publication further, make it more appealing or anything else), to sponsor this publication which has been in six continents and more than forty countries, or if you know anyone who is interested in receiving these insights weekly, please contact the author, Rabbi Yehoshua Alt, at [email protected]. Thank you.
To purchase any of the author’s books (hardcopy or e-book) and get it delivered to your door, please send an email to [email protected] or visit https://amzn.to/3eyh5xP
לעילוי נשמת שמואל אביגדור בן יצחק מאיר
These Torah articles can also be viewed in French and Hebrew at https://www.dirshu.co.il/
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Please send your feedback to [email protected].
Rabbi Alt merited to learn under the tutelage of R’ Mordechai Friedlander ztz”l for close to five years. He received Semicha from R’ Zalman Nechemia Goldberg ztz”l. Rabbi Alt has written on numerous topics for various websites and publications and is the author of the books, Fascinating Insights and Incredible Insights. His writings inspire people across the spectrum of Jewish observance to live with the vibrancy and beauty of Torah. He lives with his wife and family in a suburb of Yerushalayim where he studies, writes, and teaches. The author is passionate about teaching Jews of all levels of observance.
Please feel free to print some copies of this publication and distribute them in your local shul for the public, thereby having a hand in spreading Torah.
Sacred Work, Sacred Soul
We know that most people work but work isn’t merely a means to earn money for other pursuits, such as learning Torah, supporting a family or performing acts of kindness. Rather, the work itself is an integral part of a person’s mission in this world. Through your work, you elevate sparks of kedusha. A person’s work is a form of serving Hashem.
This idea is reflected in the gemara where some rabbis are identified by their professions, such as R' Yochanan Hasandlar, R' Yochanan the shoemaker[1] and R' Yitzchak Nafcha, R' Yitzchak the blacksmith.[2] Their work was an essential part of their spiritual mission.
Taking this concept a step further, one’s work can also serve as a means of rectifying their soul. For example a person who earns his livelihood as a doctor may unknowingly be correcting mistakes from a previous lifetime. Perhaps, in a past incarnation, they harmed others, and now, through healing, they rectify those misdeeds.
Similarly, a therapist may unknowingly atone for having caused emotional harm in a past lifetime by now helping others find peace and healing.
Even a custodian working in a yeshiva or shul might be correcting a previous lifetime’s actions. Perhaps they once disrespected a holy place by neglecting its cleanliness or contributing to disorder. Now, through their work maintaining the sanctity and order of a sacred space, they have the opportunity to repair that past misstep.
