Friday, February 27, 2026

Getting Beyond The Yetzer Hara

The Two Aspects of Moses: This shiur discusses Moses as both "revealed" (the leader of Israel) and "hidden" (the eternal, spiritual soul). The hidden Moses exists on a much higher plane, connected to the divine realm beyond time and physical needs.

The Torah’s Ultimate Purpose: The Torah is described not just as a set of laws to combat the evil inclination, but as the blueprint for creation and the essence of eternal life. Through Torah, one can reach a spiritual state similar to that of Adam before the first sin, where evil simply does not exist.

Temporary Rulings (Hora'at Sha'ah): He explains that some actions, like those of Elijah on Mount Carmel, may seem to contradict the Torah but are actually "temporary rulings" intended to destroy evil at its source and restore divine order.

The Secret of the Incense (Ketoret): A significant part of the talk focuses on the Ketoret, the sacred incense used in the Temple. The Talmud explains that its secret—how to stop death—was given to Moses by the Angel of Death himself. This represents the idea that even the "foul-smelling" aspects of existence, like sins, can be transformed into something sweet and holy when integrated into a higher spiritual context. Once we know this secret there is no need for death anymore and the Angel of Death disappears. That is how the Ketoret eliminates death. 

The Innate Goodness of Israel: The speaker emphasizes that the sins of the Jewish people are only temporary and are ultimately part of a process of elevation. He suggests that even "sinner" Israelites are filled with potential for holiness, and the ultimate goal is the complete transformation of all negativity back into its source of divine good.

Overall, the message is one of hope and spiritual growth, focusing on the ability to transcend mundane struggles and connect with the eternal, life-giving essence of the Torah.