Reb Noson / Rav Natan of Breslov's Chasidic interpretations of the Torah, Kabbalah and Midrash are deeply resonant for me at the moment, and also providing so much guidance that translates into actual practice in our daily lives.

Here are the sources referred to in this episode:

The amazing teaching from Reb Noson's masterpiece, Likutei Halachot, that this week's entire episode is based on, which says that eating is our ultimate spiritual practice, and which ties together all the sources below:
https://www.sefaria.org/Likutei_Halakhot%2C_Orach_Chaim%2C_Laws_of_Meals.5.49?vhe=Likutei_Halachot:_Orach_Chaim_1&lang=bi

Opening of the parsha:
https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.18?lang=bi&aliyot=0

Uzza and Azael mentioned in the Talmud:
https://www.sefaria.org/Yoma.67b?vhe=William_Davidson_Edition_-_Vocalized_Aramaic&lang=bi

Fuller version of the story of the fallen angels:
https://www.sefaria.org/Zohar%2C_Bereshit.20?vhe=Vocalized_Zohar,_Israel_2013&lang=bi

Moses ascends to heaven to receive the Torah:
https://www.sefaria.org/Shemot_Rabbah.28?lang=bi

The angels appear to be eating:
https://www.sefaria.org/Bereshit_Rabbah.48?lang=bi

We can't survive without the Torah:
https://www.sefaria.org/Psalms.119.92?lang=bi

Many centuries later, shortly before the birth of Samson/Shimson...the angel refuses food, and the angel's ascent is described as a wonder, like our bodily functions:
https://www.sefaria.org/Judges.13?lang=bi

Resources for the blessing "Asher Yatzar" (to be said after going to the bathroom):
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/how-to-say-the-asher-yatzar-blessing/
https://breslev.com/1076092/

Thank you for listening to The Spirit of the Torah from Applied Jewish Spirituality (AJS) - https://www.appliedjewishspirituality.org/

In every episode, Rabbi Daniel Raphael Silverstein explores insights arising from the Hebrew calendar or our weekly Torah portion, and related practices that can help us to effect positive change in our lives.

The intro and outro music is Shiviti by Dreamers - https://linktr.ee/dreamersmusic

Your support makes these podcasts possible.
To support future episodes of this podcast, please click here: https://www.appliedjewishspirituality.org/donate