Daily Jewish Thought

• Laughing Into the Future: The Promise of Rosh Hashanah | Rabbi Bernath's Sermon for the Rosh Hashana 2025

  Rabbi Yisroel Bernath recorded this sermon before Rosh Hashana as he was preparing and we are sharing it with you... of course its nothing close to the magic of Rosh Hashana at Chabad NDG in Montreal. In this Rosh Hashanah sermon, Rabbi Yisroel Bernath weaves humor, Torah, and Jewish resilience into a message of hope and renewal. Beginning with laughter, he acknowledges the fears weighing on the Jewish heart today, rising antisemitism, uncertainty, and the heaviness of history. But he reminds us that the Jewish story begins not with despair, but with laughter: the birth of Yitzchak to Abraham and Sarah. Through a transformation of identity and vision, G-d teaches them, and us, that our destiny is not defined by the past but pulled by the promise of the future.The sermon moves through stories of Jewish survival, historical cathedrals, personal anecdotes, and Sheldon Adelson’s shoes in Jerusalem, all to paint a vivid picture: we are builders of a spiritual architecture that spans generations. Each mitzvah is a chisel, each act of faith a brick, each Jew a builder. And above all, our answer to fear and hatred has always been joy.Key TakeawaysIdentity Shapes Destiny Abraham and Sarah became parents only after G-d changed their names, showing us that how we see ourselves changes how we live.History Pulled by Promise, Not Pushed by the Past Jewish survival isn’t logical, it’s miraculous. Our story isn’t driven by yesterday’s pain but by tomorrow’s promise.Laughter as Our Legacy The first Jewish child was named Yitzchak, laughter, teaching us that joy and hope are the foundation of Jewish life.Generational Builders Like the cathedrals built over centuries, Jewish life is a project carried forward by every generation. Each mitzvah is part of a vast spiritual architecture.Joy as Resistance When the world says to give up, we laugh. When it says to despair, we believe. Our answer to hatred has always been love, laughter, and building.#RoshHashana #RoshHashanah #HIghHolidays #Judaism #Rabbi #yisroelbernath #chabad #Antisemitism #Jewish #Jewishfuture #JewishIdentity #resilience #Sermon Sign up for "The Forgiveness Lab" HERE: theloverabbi.com/eventsSupport the showGot your own question for Rabbi Bernath? He can be reached at [email protected] or http://www.theloverabbi.comSingle? You can make a profile on www.JMontreal.com and Rabbi Bernath will help you find that special someone.Donate and support Rabbi Bernath’s work http://www.jewishndg.com/donateFollow Rabbi Bernath’s YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/ybernathAccess Rabbi Bernath's Articles on Relationships https://medium.com/@loverabbi

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• Who Are You Meant to Be? | Rabbi Yisroel Bernath Rosh Hashanah Sermon

  Sometimes it takes a crisis to stop us in our tracks and ask: Who am I? What kind of spouse am I? What kind of person am I becoming?On Rosh Hashanah, Judaism invites us to ask these very questions. And at the heart of the holiday is a mysterious, beloved prayer: Hayom Harat Olam, “Today the world is born.”But did you know? The same phrase appears in the Book of Jeremiah with an opposite meaning, not birth, but never being born at all. Why would our sages choose such a paradox for the High Holidays?In this inspiring High Holiday sermon, Rabbi Yisroel Bernath takes us on a journey through:The prophet Jeremiah’s cry of despairThe Netziv’s life-changing decision as a childMichelangelo’s challenge to Raphael: Amplius,Think bigger!The shofar’s call for authentic self-expressionThe hidden Jewish spark that even Soviet oppression couldn’t extinguishThis Rosh Hashanah, the shofar asks each of us: Will you live as an echo, or will you give birth to your true self?Key TakeawaysRosh Hashanah is not only the birthday of the world, it’s the birthday of your world. Each year, we can choose to start anew.Harat Olam has two meanings: remaining unborn potential or becoming a living expression of your G-d-given gifts.The shofar rejects echoes… it calls us to live authentically, not as faint imitations of who we’re meant to be.Amplius, Think bigger! Don’t live small when your canvas is vast.Every Jew has a hidden spark… no matter how distant, it can be awakened in a single moment of courage, connection, or faith.#RoshHashanah #Judaism #Jewish #RoshHashana #chabad #newyear #Shofar #hayomharatolam #inspiration #Teshuvah #teshuva #jewishsermon #jewishnewyear #Elul #YomKippur Sign up for "The Forgiveness Lab" HERE: theloverabbi.com/eventsSupport the showGot your own question for Rabbi Bernath? He can be reached at [email protected] or http://www.theloverabbi.comSingle? You can make a profile on www.JMontreal.com and Rabbi Bernath will help you find that special someone.Donate and support Rabbi Bernath’s work http://www.jewishndg.com/donateFollow Rabbi Bernath’s YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/ybernathAccess Rabbi Bernath's Articles on Relationships https://medium.com/@loverabbi

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• Make a Confession: Reclaiming Judaism’s Lost Art of Owning Our Goodness

  In this class, Rabbi Bernath reframed the very idea of confession in Judaism. While most people think of confession as listing sins and failures, the Torah introduces Vidui Ma’aser, a “confession” where the farmer proudly declares to G-d that he has fulfilled every detail of the mitzvah of tithing. Why would the Torah call this a confession? Because true spiritual growth begins not by beating ourselves down, but by acknowledging the good we’ve done. When we confess our strengths, we build the confidence and clarity to face our shortcomings without despair.Confession, then, isn’t meant to break us, it’s meant to fix us. It’s not about shame; it’s about uncovering the truth that we are divine souls who sometimes fall short but are always capable of rising higher. By celebrating our goodness first, we create the spiritual courage to transform our failures into growth.Key TakeawaysConfession in Judaism isn’t only about failure: The Torah’s “tithing confession” is actually a declaration of success.Celebrate your victories: By verbalizing what you’ve done right, you strengthen your belief in your own holiness and capacity.Healthy confession = owning both sides: “I am good and capable, and that’s why this mistake doesn’t fit me, and I can do better.”Encouragement inspires growth: Just as children thrive when parents highlight strengths before weaknesses, we too change more when we see ourselves through the lens of goodness.Chassidic joy in confession: Like the Baal Shem Tov’s cantor, we can sing our confessions, not out of arrogance or denial, but because cleansing the soul is a joyful act of uncovering diamonds beneath the dirt.Confession challenge: In the next 24 hours, “confess” something good you’ve done, out loud, to yourself or someone you trust. Let it remind you who you really are.#Judaism #Jewish #chabad #Rabbi #Kabbalah #Torah #TorahLessons #TorahPortion #torahwisdom #BibleStudy #Bible #confession #goodness #psychology #baalshemtov #KiTavo #Teshuvah #ViduiMaaser #JewishGrowthSign up for "The Forgiveness Lab" HERE: theloverabbi.com/eventsSupport the showGot your own question for Rabbi Bernath? He can be reached at [email protected] or http://www.theloverabbi.comSingle? You can make a profile on www.JMontreal.com and Rabbi Bernath will help you find that special someone.Donate and support Rabbi Bernath’s work http://www.jewishndg.com/donateFollow Rabbi Bernath’s YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/ybernathAccess Rabbi Bernath's Articles on Relationships https://medium.com/@loverabbi

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• Finding G-d in Our Struggles: The Firstborn of the Unloved

  In this week’s Torah portion, Ki Seitzei, we learn the law of the firstborn: even if the firstborn son comes from the “unloved” wife, he must be given the double portion. Rabbi Yisroel Bernath explored the deeper Kabbalistic meaning behind this law, revealing that the “beloved” and “unloved” wives are metaphors for two sides of our soul — the inspired, G-d-loving self and the struggling, conflicted self. The Torah teaches that our greatest spiritual “firstborn” often emerges from the parts of ourselves we might despise. By working with our struggles, we can produce a “double portion” of light and blessing, more precious to G-d than what comes easily.Key TakeawaysTwo Souls Within: We each have a “beloved” side (our Divine soul) and an “unloved” side (our animal soul) — both are part of our relationship with G-d.The Power of Struggle: G-d delights not only in saintly ease but especially in the victories that come from our inner battles.A Double Portion: What feels despised in us can be the source of double blessing when transformed.Self-Compassion: Instead of hating our struggles, we can embrace them as the very reason we were created (Tanya ch. 27).Messianic Promise: In the era of Moshiach, the hidden “firstborn” light of our struggles will be revealed in full splendor.#Jewish #Judaism #Torah #TorahPortion #TorahLessons #BibleStudy #Bible #FirstbornRights #AnimalSoul #Divine #DivineSoul #KiSeitzei #KiTeitzei #Moshiach #chabad #chassidus #Kabbalah #Rabbi Sign up for "The Forgiveness Lab" HERE: theloverabbi.com/eventsSupport the showGot your own question for Rabbi Bernath? He can be reached at [email protected] or http://www.theloverabbi.comSingle? You can make a profile on www.JMontreal.com and Rabbi Bernath will help you find that special someone.Donate and support Rabbi Bernath’s work http://www.jewishndg.com/donateFollow Rabbi Bernath’s YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/ybernathAccess Rabbi Bernath's Articles on Relationships https://medium.com/@loverabbi

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• One G-d, Many Voices: How Diversity Makes Us Whole

  Rabbi Yisroel Bernath unpacks a fascinating teaching: why does G-d reject the idea of a single-stone altar? At first glance it’s just about ancient rituals, but the deeper message is timeless. Real faith and real life can’t be built on “one stone” one path, one perspective, one style. True oneness comes from many stones joined together. This class explores how individuality and diversity aren’t just tolerated by G-d, they are essential to His plan.Key TakeawaysOneness ≠ sameness: G-d is One, but He created a world of diversity.The danger of single-stone thinking: When we make faith, truth, or life only in our image, we exclude everyone else.The power of many stones: Each person carries a unique piece of truth, and together we make the divine symphony whole.Celebrating difference: Authentic spirituality means honoring the uniqueness of others, not fearing it.Practical takeaway: Stop trying to make others fit your mold; instead, see how their “stone” adds to the altar of life.#diversity #Judaism #Jewish #Torah #TorahPortion #TorahLessons #BibleStudy #oneness #individuality #Unity #Faith #community #pluralism #spiritualgrowth #beloning #community Sign up for "The Forgiveness Lab" HERE: theloverabbi.com/eventsFit, Healthy & Happy Podcast Welcome to the Fit, Healthy and Happy Podcast hosted by Josh and Kyle from Colossus...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showGot your own question for Rabbi Bernath? He can be reached at [email protected] or http://www.theloverabbi.comSingle? You can make a profile on www.JMontreal.com and Rabbi Bernath will help you find that special someone.Donate and support Rabbi Bernath’s work http://www.jewishndg.com/donateFollow Rabbi Bernath’s YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/ybernathAccess Rabbi Bernath's Articles on Relationships https://medium.com/@loverabbi

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