SharePlusSharePlus
More ▼

Tag: rabbi zamir cohen

The Laws of Birkat Hagomel and Lessons from Rabbi Ovadia Yosef
jewishhalacha

The Laws of Birkat Hagomel and Lessons from Rabbi Ovadia Yosef

In a comprehensive lecture by Rabbi Zamir Cohen, the complex laws surrounding the Birkat Hagomel blessing of thanksgiving are explored in depth. The discourse covers oceanic voyages, river navigation, swimming, and recovering from illness, highlighting the foundational halachic disputes between the Ramban and the Rosh. Furthermore, the lesson examines specific medical scenarios such as catheterization and kidney donation, contrasting Ashkenazi and Sephardic customs. The second half pivots to the immense spiritual merit of teaching Torah and drawing others closer to Jewish observance, citing insights from the Chasam Sofer and Chacham Shalom Cohen.

Rabbi Zamir Cohen: Why Did God Create the Evil Inclination?
jewishemuna

Rabbi Zamir Cohen: Why Did God Create the Evil Inclination?

One of the most profound and persistent questions in theological philosophy is why a benevolent Creator would deliberately instill within human beings an inclination toward wrongdoing. Rabbi Zamir Cohen addresses this timeless dilemma, offering a fascinating perspective that reframes the very nature of human testing and spiritual growth. Rather than a malicious force, the Yetzer Hara is understood as an essential component of the human experience. In this lecture, the rabbi unpacks the deeper purpose behind moral challenges and free will. True merit and spiritual elevation, according to this worldview, cannot exist in a vacuum where good is the only possible default. The presence of temptation and the struggle to overcome it provide the mechanism through which individuals earn their achievements and shape their ultimate character.