In a profound and moving shiur delivered yesterday in Ashdod, Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto returned to the pulpit where he first began teaching at the age of thirteen. Reflecting on over three decades of Torah leadership, the Rabbi dived deep into the essence of what it means to be a Jew in a world of eight billion people.
The “Sinai” Mystery
Why is the mountain where we received the Torah called Sinai? The Gemara explains that it is because Sinah (hatred) descended there toward the Jewish people. Rabbi Pinto explained that this hatred isn’t random; it stems from a spiritual “jealousy” of the unique Neshamah (soul) that was implanted in Bnei Yisrael at that moment. This soul, refined to the level of Adam HaRishon before the sin, is a “part of G-d from above.”
The Manual for the Soul
Just as a high-performance vehicle requires specific fuel to run, the Jewish soul requires spiritual “nutrition.” Rabbi Pinto emphasized that the laws of Kashrut, particularly the prohibition against consuming blood, are not merely ritualistic. “Blood contains the ‘DNA’ and traits of the animal,” the Rabbi noted. When a Jew consumes forbidden things, it clogs the spiritual valves of the soul, leading to confusion and a loss of clarity.
The 80/20 Trap of the Mind
In perhaps the most striking part of the lecture, Rabbi Pinto discussed the psychology of the modern era. We live longer and have more wealth than our ancestors, yet anxiety and mental distress are at an all-time high.
“Over 80% of the decisions people think they are making rationally are actually impulsive or emotional,” the Rabbi warned. We are driven by subconscious pressures, social expectations, and past traumas. The Torah, he explained, is the only tool that allows a person to “reset” the mind and gain true control over their thoughts.
The Fire of Lashon Hara
Touching upon the laws of Kedoshim (Holiness), the Rabbi spoke at length about the destructive power of speech. Gossip (Lashon Hara) doesn’t just hurt the subject; it destroys the soul of the speaker. Using the example of Doeg HaEdomi, whose “true but malicious” speech led to the destruction of a city of priests, the Rabbi urged the community to guard their tongues as a matter of life and death.
Conclusion: Choose Kedushah
The Rabbi concluded by reminding the audience that holiness is not an abstract concept. It is found in how we eat, how we speak to our spouses, and how we handle our anger. When we choose Kedushah, we reconnect the “thread” of our soul to its Source, bringing blessing into our homes and our lives.
