Episode Details

In this episode of The Daily Derech, Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein explores Parashat Bahar, Hilchot the treatment of written divine names from Rambam, and a teaching from Menorat HaMaor about different forms of jealousy.

The Parashah section introduces the Jubilee year, which follows seven Shemitah cycles and includes debt forgiveness, freeing slaves, and returning land to its original tribal owners. Rabbi Rubenstein explains that these laws reinforce the idea that the land belongs to God and that economic life should periodically reset with justice and humility.

In the Rambam section, the episode discusses how sacred names written on objects must be cut out and buried respectfully. Rabbi Rubenstein also explains why writing divine names on the body creates serious halachic problems regarding purity and respect.

The Menorat HaMaor section categorizes jealousy into several forms, including resentment toward those who serve God and competitive scholarly jealousy. Rabbi Rubenstein teaches that even productive competition can become spiritually unhealthy when driven by ego rather than sincere devotion.

Learn more at exploringjudaism.org/thedailyderech and reach out to Rabbi Rubenstein here.