Hebrew Voices #29 – From Slavery to Freedom
In this episode of Hebrew Voices, From Slavery to Freedom, Nehemia Gordon speaks to Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski. Nehemia draws on Rabbi Twerski’s vast experience as a world-renowned Rabbi and psychiatrist to explain why it is important to get out of … Continue reading →
In this episode of Hebrew Voices, From Slavery to Freedom, Nehemia Gordon speaks to Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski. Nehemia draws on Rabbi Twerski's vast experience as a world-renowned Rabbi and psychiatrist to explain why it is important to get out of our comfort zone in order to achieve true spirituality. The author of over 70 books and a canonical Jewish prayer sung in every synagogue, Rabbi Twerski's stature in the Jewish world parallels that of Billy Graham in the Christian world. Rabbi Twerski opens the episode singing a Psalm, shares how he once saved a man by getting a special dispensation from the Pope, and describes a practical plan to break the chains of spiritual slavery in order to attain true freedom and maximize our full potential and purpose in life.
I look forward to reading your comments!
https://youtu.be/8hQ55pdms2I
Transcript
Shalom. This is Nehemia Gordon with Hebrew Voices. This week I’m truly humbled to bring you a living legend in the Jewish world, Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski, MD. Rabbi Twerski’s stature in the Jewish world is roughly equivalent to that of Billy Graham in the Christian world. He started out as a Chasidic pulpit Rabbi, but then became a medical doctor, and eventually a world-class psychiatrist. Rabbi Twerski is a tsaddik. He’s a truly righteous man with a profound connection to God, who I think we can all look to and learn from. That’s certainly not something I say lightly about anyone, especially coming from my perspective. Rabbi Twerski has written over 70 books on a variety of topics. I read two of his books in preparation for this episode, one called “Self-Improvement? -I’m Jewish!” and the other called “The Spiritual Self“.
Throughout this interview Rabbi Twerski speaks about the 12-steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, but I want to make something very clear. This is not an episode about alcoholism. Rabbi Twerski emphasizes in his books that the 12-steps are an authentic Jewish path to cultivating true spirituality. He describes the 12-steps as a practical way of integrating certain aspects of the Torah into your life, and calls this the “antidote to Satan“!
Why are the twelve steps so closely associated with alcoholism? Rabbi Twerski explains, that in a way, alcoholics have an easier time developing a spiritual connection to God. If you’re not an addict, you might be able to get away with living your whole life without having a relationship with God. In contrast, hard-core alcoholics and drug addicts don’t have that luxury. They’ll end up dead or in prison if they don’t use the 12-steps to defeat Satan and cultivate that spirituality. And true spirituality is not about blissfully raking a rock garden. It’s about getting out of your comfort zone through self-examination, in order to maximize your potential with God’s help. I thought this would be a great topic for a Passover Special, providing a practical step by step plan for cleaning the spiritual leaven out of our lives and leading us from slavery to freedom.
As I was preparing for this program, I learned that Rabbi Twerski, in addition to all his other accomplishments, is the author of the standard Jewish tune for chanting Psalms 28:9. This tune is sung in Jewish prayer services throughout the world. I asked Rabbi Twerski about this and he started out our conversation by singing the verse for us. I just can’t emphasize what a big deal this is for me, growing up in the synagogue, hearing this song every week, now hearing it from the author of the tune. So here is Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski singing the words of the Psalmist:
Hoshia et amecha u-varech et nachalatecha, u-re-em ve-nas-em at ha-olam. (Psalms 28:9)
הוֹשִׁיעָה אֶת עַמֶּךָ וּבָרֵךְ אֶת נַחֲלָתֶךָ וּרְעֵם וְנַשְּׂאֵם עַד הָעוֹלָם
“Save your people, and bless your inheritance, be their shepherd and bear them on your shoulders, forever.” (Psalms 28:9)
Nehemia Gordon: I’m standing here with my arms going along with it and all excited. Rabbi, when I read you came up with that tune, I said that can’t be. That’s like saying you’re the man who invented peanut butter and jelly. Like, that’s always been around, no one invented peanut butter and jelly. How did you come up with that tune, Rabbi?
Rabbi Dr. Twerski: You may be able to invent peanut butter and jelly, but you don’t invent tunes.
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Comments
I just celebrated 5 years sobriety this year (2022) during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. I spent the first year of my sobriety going to AA meetings almost nightly, and it certainly played a part in not only helping me maintain my sobriety, but inspiring my faith in YeHoVaH. My family and I became Messianic Torah Observant Believers about 2 years ago. Since beginning my walk in Torah and my spiritual transformation, I have no longer felt it necessary to continue going to regular AA meetings, because YeHoVaH has sustained me in my sobriety from where my journey began in the Rooms of AA. My journey in sobriety has been intensely spiritual, and ABBA surely put me on that path to get me to where I am today. I am SO grateful you posted this episode today- it spoke to me Deeply and I was nodding my head throughout the whole thing, sometimes yelling out loud, ‘AMEN’! I pray others who are struggling with alcohol will be blessed by this conversation, and that if anyone needs help with alcohol, the Rooms are a great place to start, but keep coming back, it works if you work it- just like the Torah!
Tefillin (phylacteries)
https://www.nehemiaswall.com/tefillin-phylacteries
The emotive picture of a man in wrist restraints breaking free prompts me to ask the question: tephelim what are they? I know the mediaeval pictures of these findings with boxes on containing scripture do not seem to be in keeping with the commandment given in the observation of the leaping lantern festival and the unleavened bread festival. It seems to be some kind of visible restraint and blindfold which dramatically makes clear that kind of slavery and servitude that the Israelites were under in Egypt. But apart from Joseph I have not yet found any biblical reference to being bound hand, feet and blindfolded. The yoke it’s also a potent symbol of servitude, and one defeated King came before a house with a rope on his head and in sackcloth to beg for Mercy. I also found that a sacrificial Bull once inspected had a binding on his horn with a seal not only to show that it was approved but also that it was dedicated to the sacrificial service. Can anyone help me? ♥️
Rabbi!..We send out Blessings to you! Baruch HaShem Adoni!!..
So very, very sad to hear of Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski passing yesterday. While listening to your interview of him I thought to myself that here’s a man that could help me. I immediately went an bought one of his books. It did help. I went on to get several others. He was an amazing human being and the world is a lesser place without him.
Thank you for introducing him to me and, I’m sure, many others.
I have a daughter in prison from charges relating to addiction. I’m going to print this out to share with her. It has so many good points , good advice, and things one can do to help oneself
Blessings and shalom to both you, Nehemiah and Rabbi Twerski! I chuckled throughout this delightful interview, sang his song in Psalm 28:9, and took to heart all of the wise words spoken!
I think of the shackles/slavery of sin, and that we have been liberated by the advocate of the Father through the Maschiach! A delightful, insightful interview!
Nehemiyah, I had asked this before, I dont know if an answer is out there to be found somewhere, in one of your itune episodes, you read in the bible for us
NOT TO PLANT MANY LEAVED TREES.
I asked if it was an evergreen/ christmas tree.
I am NOT looking for denominational arguments.
I am a FARMER…
have planted a few on my land,
and have been trying to sprout seedlings of them.
PLEASE ANSWER WHATEVER YOU KNOW.
—Yours,
Omer Faruk Cengiz
You can be a slave to your lousy career, I was. Don’t fall into this insidious trap. Take the time to get to know, educate and raise your children. Read, learn and follow the Torah to teach them self-control, respect for others, independence and a thirst for justice and charity. Live with Joy! Our future depends on it…
Rabbi Twerski, this world need more people like you, thank you for such great teaching.
Todah Rabah Dr. Twerski, this was really enlightening, and I am looking forward to more of your wisdom. Todah Nehemia for bringing us all these blessings!.
This was beautiful and uplifting. Baruch HaShem!
Wow. Came looking for one thing on this page and left here with what I most needed at this time.
WOW! Todah Rabah for rebroadcasting this! Please do so once a year! As a recovered drug addict and current food addict, this was special! Chag Sameach to all!
I loved From slavery to freedom. Very enlightning. Thank you. We enjoy listening to all of your programs. This one was especially good.
Thank you for this interview. What a beautiful man. I appreciate the smile and happiness in his voice.
Thank you! this was awesome! happy new year!
Enjoyable interview, many pearls of wisdom. I love straight forward talk. Ecclesiastes 7:29 says so much. Thank you for reposting.
Evil people do evil things.
Shalom Nehemia. Based on the moving solidarity of the spontaneous singing of Psalm 28:9 at the Western Wall, in your opinion why would the three Israeli teens get so tragically murdered two weeks later?
best.
episode.
yet.
Thank you, Nehemia. That was awesome and inspiring! Can’t wait to read more of Dr. Twerski’s work. I always learn so much from your teachings and discussions. You’re a huge blessing. Thank you again.
Shalom Nehemia
Thank you for the lesson with Rabbi Twerski. I know about him and have read a lot about him, also I have three of his book. The “From Bondage to Freedom – The Passover Haggadah” and do like the discussion on the liberation of the spirit in the book, “Let us Make Man” and also “Twerski on Prayer – creating the bond between man and His Maker”. You have given me a completely different perspective to Rabbi Twerski’s writings and it was powerful to hear him explain these concepts. i am going to study these books more now.
This was an excellent introduction to my Pesach and personally you have touched on very important issues in my life through this Hebrew voices session with the Rabbi. i have a lot of respect for him. I also get value from your sessions Nehemia
Thanku Nehemiah I loved this interview and it was very helpful for me, and I will be sharing this with others..Tab Ormiston from Congretion Beth El Port Orchard Washington
Thank you. Rabbi Doctor Twerski gives invaluable advice for walking the Torah in our daily life and relationships.
Thank You Nehemia for the transcript! Now I can sit & quietly absorb the teaching. Thank you, thank you
Shabbot Shalom
Debra Morgan
I once sat in on an AA meeting, due to an odd combination of circumstances. I was very impressed with what I heard. I would recommend it to anyone to look into the 12 step program, as there is much true life wisdom in it.
Excellent! <3
I LOVE Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski !!! Thank you, Nehemia, for this precious episode.
Absolutely beautiful and full of light! I will be picking up this auther’s books to be a kinder and more human person, not a baboon! The Psalm 28:9 tune is heart-driven-beseeching of GOD our LORD!!! Tears of agreement to the Psalm overwhelm me! I again appreciate Nehemia’s ability to present to us unknowing Christians and others, the treasures of Israel, though Rabbi Twerski is well known among the Jews, a person like me now can come into the Rabbi’s rich teachings and sharing through this webpage and the Rabbi’s books. Each author Nehemia presents sends me to Amazon.com for the books to add to my heart to know GOD more and His people as well as produce fruit in love to GOD and His created human beings. It is changing me to want chametz (leaven, now my new Hebrew word for the day to the addition of my acquiring the Hebrew language daily) out of my heart and mind. Very practical tools to love others and release the toxic poisons! I do love the Hebrew lessons sprinkled throughout the podcasts. And the transcripts now add so much depth to receive the full impact of the podcast! I am so thrilled! I can listen and read at the same time!
Baruch HaShem! Shalom and toda rabah!
Nehemia, Dr. Twerski is wonderful.He has put life in an interesting perspective. I would like to hear more from him. Also the transcript is a great help for me. As always thank you for all you do for us. chris
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