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How many Rabbi Shapiros are on the site?


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#1 ilavHashem

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Posted 04 January 2012 - 10:38 PM

is rabbi shapiro one person? many different rabbi's?

#2 Rabbi Shapiro

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Posted 05 January 2012 - 08:38 AM

I am only one person (I hope). Both here and on the sister site, www.baismedrash.com.

Your question reminds me of a vort. The Gemora in Pesachim (68b) says אמר אי לא האי יומא דקא גרים כמה יוסף איכא בשוקא

Meaning, Rav Yosef said, if not for the Torah, there would be many "Yosefs" in the street, the simple understandng of that being, if not for the Torah, he would be nothing special. There would be many "Yosefs" running around in the street and he would just be one of many.

I have a different idea of what he meant: Many people are confused about who they really are. They think they want this out of life, or the other thing out of life. How many times have you heard someone - especially teenagers - say they have to so such-and-such or be such-and-such because "this is me."

It's hard to know who you really are. The Yezter Horah tries to steal our identity, telling us that if we don;t fulfill our desires, we are not being "ourselves."

Of course, the solution to this spritual identity crisis is learning Torah. The Torah tells us who we are and what is really going on inside of us. WIthout Torah, we are confused about who we really are.

That's what the Rav Yosef meant. If not for the Torah, there would be many Yosefs on the street. Meaning, I would feel like I have multiple personalities, I would be many people, I would have no idea who, of all the seeming "me"s out there, is the real "Yosef." If not for Torah, there would be many "me"s out there on the street. Many Yosefs. Now that I have Torah, there is only one me. I know exactly who I am.

#3 shaya

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Posted 05 January 2012 - 09:18 AM

what made you think there are several rabbi shapiros?
Start with God - the first step in learning is bowing down to God; only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning.

#4 rocksdontfly

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Posted 05 January 2012 - 05:29 PM

Thats rly powerful! thank you!

#5 ilavHashem

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Posted 05 January 2012 - 07:40 PM

thnx rabbi :)