Rami ben Ze'ev

“Torah is not à la carte. It’s table d'hôte.” — רם בן זאב

@andreischwartz ברוך דיין האמת

Pinhas ben Malka ve Yosef. My father.

ישנה תופעה הולכת וגוברת בזמננו שיש לעמוד מולה באופן ישיר. הפרסום, הפרסום החוזר וההפצה של רוע אינם מרוממים איש; הם מגבירים את החושך שהם כביכול מבקשים לחשוף. אלה שנפגעים באופן ישיר כבר מכירים את המציאות בצורה האישית והכואבת ביותר. אלה המרוחקים—לעיתים מאות ואף אלפי קילומטרים—אינם יכולים להושיט סיוע ממשי. ואלה הנוטים לתמוך במעשים כאלה, או חלילה למצוא בהם הנאה, מתעוררים ומתעודדים בכל פעם שהתוכן מופץ מחדש. אם כן, מה באמת מושג בכך? אם המניע הוא תשומת לב—קליקים, הכרה, מעורבות או אפילו רווח—אין כאן מעשה ניטרלי. זו הופכת להיות השתתפות בהפצת הדבר שיש לצמצם. ואם הטענה היא שמדובר ב”הסברה” או “חינוך”, יש לבחון הנחה זו היטב. לא כל דבר הידוע צריך להיאמר, ולא כל אמת, רק מפני שהיא אמת, משרתת מטרה בונה כאשר היא חוזרת ונשנית ללא הבחנה. לפני שמדברים, לפני שמפרסמים, לפני שמשתפים—יש להפעיל משמעת פנימית. יש לשאול: האם זה אמת? האם זה נחוץ? האם זה מועיל? האם זה הזמן הנכון לומר זאת? אמת לבדה אינה המדד הסופי. למילים צריכה להיות תכלית; עליהן לבנות ולא להרוס, להוסיף ולא ללבות. אם הדברים אינם עומדים בכל המבחנים הללו, השתיקה איננה חולשה—היא חכמה. בעולם רווי רעש, ריסון איננו היעדר—אלא עוצמה. רםי רםי בן זאב עובד השם

There is a growing habit in our time that deserves to be confronted directly. The constant posting, reposting, and circulation of evil does not elevate anyone; it amplifies the very darkness it claims to expose. Those who are directly affected by an incident already know its reality in the most personal and painful way. Those far removed—hundreds or thousands of miles away—are rarely in a position to offer meaningful help. And those who harbour sympathy for such acts, or worse, take pleasure in them, are quietly energised each time the content is pushed back into circulation. What, then, is truly being achieved? If the motivation is attention—clicks, recognition, engagement, or even financial gain—then the act is not neutral. It becomes participation in the spread of the very thing that should be diminished. And if the justification is that one is “informing” or “educating,” that assumption deserves scrutiny. Not everything that is known must be broadcast, and not every truth, simply because it is true, serves a constructive purpose when repeated without restraint. Before speaking, before posting, before sharing, there is a discipline that must be applied. One must ask: Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it beneficial? Is it the right time to say it? Truth alone is not the final measure. Words must also carry purpose, must build rather than erode, must contribute rather than inflame. If what is being said does not pass all of these tests, then silence is not weakness—it is wisdom. In a world saturated with noise, restraint is not absence; it is strength. RAMI רםי בן זאב עובד השם

“The lesson applies directly to daily life. A person may perform מצוות (mitzvot – commandments), speak correctly, or act within the letter of the law, but without clarity of intent, the act lacks its full impact. In business, relationships, and Torah study, precision matters—not only in what is done, but why it is done. Integrity is not measured by outward compliance alone, but by inward truth.”—רםי בן זאב

Iyar 18 – Chullin 4 | The Precision of Intention and Action The sugya in Chullin 4 explores the laws surrounding שחיטה (shechitah – ritual slaughter) and the validity of the act depending on intention, method, and the one performing it. What emerges is not merely a technical system, but a deep teaching on alignment between inner intent and outward action. פירוש נסתר | Hidden Meaning The act of שחיטה represents the separation between life-force and physical form, but also between purity and impurity within a person. The requirement that the act be performed correctly, with proper intent, reflects the principle of כוונה (kavanah – intention). The Holy Zohar teaches that action without proper inner alignment is like a body without a נשמה (neshama – soul). Here, the knife must be smooth, the cut precise, and the person fit—each element reflecting harmony between thought, speech, and deed. When these are misaligned, even a technically correct act can lose its spiritual elevation. יישום מודרני | Modern Day Application The lesson applies directly to daily life. A person may perform מצוות (mitzvot – commandments), speak correctly, or act within the letter of the law, but without clarity of intent, the act lacks its full impact. In business, relationships, and Torah study, precision matters—not only in what is done, but why it is done. Integrity is not measured by outward compliance alone, but by inward truth. הרהור | Reflection The question to ask is simple: are my actions aligned with my intention? Or am I performing outwardly while inwardly disconnected? אמת (emet – truth) requires consistency across all levels of the self. Where there is a gap, there is weakness; where there is alignment, there is strength. משל | Parable A man built a finely crafted vessel, polished and perfect in appearance. Yet when he poured water into it, it leaked from unseen cracks. Another man built a simple vessel, plain but whole, and it held everything placed within it. The first represents action without integrity; the second, alignment between inner and outer. תפלה | Prayer יהי רצון מלפניך אדוני אלוקינו ואלוקי אבותינו שתזכנו ליישר לבבנו ומעשינו כאחד ולהיות שלמים בכוונה ובמעשה ולהדבק באמתך תמיד אמן May it be Your will, Adonai our G-D and G-D of our fathers, that we merit to align our hearts and our actions as one, to be complete in intention and deed, and to cleave to Your truth תמיד, Amen. RAMI רםי בן זאב עובד השם Rabbi Rami ben Ze’ev was previously known as Ram ben Ze’ev. The addition of the letter י reflects a personal step of spiritual refinement and deeper alignment with Torah, expressing humility, growth, and a strengthened commitment to the service of G-D. All teachings and writings moving forward are published under this name. #talmud

@ramibenzeev “A person often seeks clarity through words, analysis, and explanation. Yet the most important decisions come from a deeper place—a quiet certainty that cannot always be articulated. This is the hidden דעת at work…”—רםי בן זאב

The Light of Hidden Knowing The Holy Zohar reveals that not all knowing is equal. There is דעת (Da’at – knowledge, inner connection) that is revealed, and there is דעת that remains concealed, shining only in the head yet expanding into all levels. This undisclosed Da’at is not absence, but depth—hidden alignment that sustains all revealed understanding. פירוש נסתר / Hidden Meaning The undisclosed דעת is rooted above expression. It is the point where חכמה (Chochmah – wisdom) and בינה (Binah – understanding) unite before their light descends. This concealed דעת does not speak, yet it directs. It is the inner bond that holds thought, emotion, and action together in אמת (Emet – truth). When it shines in the head, it expands downward into the מידות (Midot – emotional attributes), shaping how a person feels and acts, even if they cannot explain why. This is the דעת of זעיר אנפין (Zeir Anpin – the emotive configuration), receiving from above and transmitting below. The concealment protects its purity; revelation alone would weaken its force. יישום מודרני / Modern Day Application A person often seeks clarity through words, analysis, and explanation. Yet the most important decisions come from a deeper place—a quiet certainty that cannot always be articulated. This is the hidden דעת at work. When aligned with Torah, this inner knowing guides a person through confusion without needing constant validation. In a world of noise, the ability to trust this פנימיות (Penimiyut – inner dimension) becomes essential. One must refine it through לימוד (Limud – study), תפלה (Tefillah – prayer), and שמירת מצוות (Shemirat Mitzvot – observance of commandments), so that what feels right is truly aligned with the will of G-D. הרהור / Reflection A person should ask: do I act only when I understand, or do I trust the deeper truth placed within me? True growth comes when hidden דעת leads, and revealed thought follows. משל / Parable A king placed a compass in the hands of his son before sending him into the wilderness. The son complained that it gave no directions, only a silent pull. Years later, he realised that this silent pull had guided him through every path, even when no road was visible. תפלה / Prayer יהי רצון מלפניך אדני אלקי שתזכני לדעת אמיתית פנימית ונסתרת המחברת אותי אליך בכל מחשבה דיבור ומעשה ותאיר בי דעת ישרה ללכת בדרכך באמת May it be Your will, Adonai my G-D, that I merit true inner and hidden knowledge that connects me to You in every thought, speech, and action, and that You illuminate within me ישרה דעת to walk in Your ways in truth RAMI רםי בן זאב עובד השם Rabbi Rami ben Ze’ev was previously known as Ram ben Ze’ev. The addition of the letter י reflects a personal step of spiritual refinement and deeper alignment with Torah, expressing humility, growth, and a strengthened commitment to the service of G-D. All teachings and writings moving forward are published under this name. #zohar

🔥Yeshiva Oiraysa in Yerushalyim by their Lag BaOmer Medura.

Here’s an insightful meditation for the 33rd day of the Omer chabad.org/147831

Rami ben Ze’ev is an American-born scholar and teacher who serves as Executive Director of Hebrew Synagogue and a Director at Mayside Partners Limited. He shares structured teachings on Jewish mysticism drawn from the Holy Zohar, Tanya, and the Talmud, often exploring hidden meanings, the Divine will, and spiritual concepts such as the hidden crown of Atika. His work applies ancient wisdom to modern life through reflections, parables, and prayers focused on emunah (faith), chesed (kindness), and alignment with the will of G-D. This website brings those writings together in one place and provides a simple point of contact for readers, organisations, and the wider community. Rami ben Ze’ev was previously known as Ram ben Ze’ev. The addition of the letter י represents a personal step of spiritual refinement and deeper alignment with Torah, expressing humility, growth, and a strengthened commitment to the service of G-D. All teachings and writings are now published under this name. More information is available at ramibenzeev.org

It is true that the “like a Nazi” comparison loses its force when it is used daily. However, if you consider unlawful tariffs used as blackmail, extrajudicial killings, the seizure of sovereign nations’ assets and resources in international waters, the invasion of countries, the kidnapping of leaders and their wives under the guise of dubious legal claims, and the bombing and killing of schoolchildren based on questionable pre-emptive justifications to be the actions of a credible nation, then it should not be surprising that, after voting for Trump in 2016, 2020, and 2024, I will not be voting in the midterms or in 2028.

SICK Michigan Democrat Mallory McMorrow compares the Trump administration to Nazi Germany:   CNN: “Do you personally see parallels between Nazi Germany and what’s happening under the Trump administration?”   MCMORROW: “Yeah, I do.”

@YWNReporter Unlike the pardon process in the United States, in Israel a pardon cannot be granted unless a person has been convicted or admits guilt. Why would anyone need a pardon for something they have not done?

TRUMP: IRAN PROPOSAL “UNACCEPTABLE,” URGES PARDON FOR NETANYAHU In remarks to Kan News, President Trump states that the new Iranian proposal is unacceptable after reviewing it, explaining that, while it includes a reference to the nuclear issue, that element appears only in a second phase. Trump also called on Israeli leadership to act regarding Prime Minister Netanyahu, urging that a pardon be granted and emphasizing Netanyahu’s role as a wartime prime minister. “If not for me and Netanyahu, there would be no Israel,” Trump states, adding that Netanyahu should remain focused on the war and not be distracted by other matters.

According to @RepFine people from these countries may not serve—it’s not possible for them to surrender their birth citizenship no matter how long they have lived in the United States. I’m not sure you should determine how long someone must live in the USA before they are no longer considered “brand new”. 🤦‍♂️

@rambenzeev @RepFine They can be of that race and serve, but I think it's unnecessary to have brand new immigrants and refugees in congress or any other government office.

Armenians should not serve in Congress. Neither should Somalis. Or Guatemalans. Or — wait for it— Israelis. If you are a citizen of a foreign country, you shouldn’t serve in ours. We need to pass my bill to stop the invasion of dual citizens in Congress. NOW.

Your exchange with @JakeWSimons, Jeremy, is a clear example of someone within the Jewish Community who has assimilated to the point of losing touch with what it means to be Jewish. We are not victims. As a matter of fact, Jew hatred did not begin with the false allegation that we killed “jesus.” Long before that form of idolatry emerged, the Torah already spoke of the hatred directed toward the Jewish people. Our sages teach that we do not combat Jew hatred by fixating on it. Rather, it is addressed through non-attention—by refusing to let it occupy our time or become a focal point of any kind. And here is the reality: it is a rule that Esau hates Jacob. Two brothers emerged from the womb in opposition to one another, and nothing Mr. Simons, nor you, nor anyone else—no amount of taxpayers’ money distributed out of guilt, no level of policing, and certainly no so-called education—will change this fact. More than 81 years after the Shoah, there is more Jew hatred globally today than there was in 1945. ‘Education’ certainly does not work. More organisations ‘fighting’ antisemitism do not work. The real problem is that with every criminal act, millions of people repeat, repost, share, and otherwise promote it. This does not benefit us; it benefits the evil among us. That is the goal. They seek attention, which is precisely why our sages taught what they did. Unfortunately, very few within our Community would recognise the Tanakh, and even fewer have read it. As for Mr. Simons’ comment that we are focusing on the wrong point regarding the ‘takedown’ of the knife-wielding attacker in Golders Green, it was certainly not good optics. If the Jewish victims were replaced with others, and the attacker were, for example, a black man, the discussion would likely centre on excessive force by the police. That said, I am not a proponent of repeatedly kicking anyone in the head. "There is an increasing tendency within parts of our community to elevate our position as victims—as though the more we emphasise our suffering, the more justified we become. But Judaism has never been built on victimhood. It has been built on responsibility." (from the article below) Anger Without Torah Is Emptiness — A Community Adrift x.com/rambenzeev/sta… @jkyleofficial

@ShabbosK @FrumPatriot1776 @VoteRandyFine @RepFine It is a waste of resources. Even if such an Act were passed and signed by a President, it would almost certainly be challenged and found unconstitutional, as the qualifications for office are established in the United States Constitution. You need to amend the Constitution first.

Ban dual citizens of ANY country from serving in Congress. Be it Somalia, Armenia, Israel, China, your citizenship can ONLY be American. I spoke with Congressman Randy Fine on the importance of passing his Disqualifying Dual Loyalty Act.

May the One Who heals all flesh bring mercy, strength, and healing to Rudy Giuliani in this critical time יהי רצון מלפניך אדני אלקינו ואלקי אבותינו שתשלח רפואה שלמה מן השמים לרודולף ג’וליאני בן אמו בתוך שאר חולי ישראל רפואה שלמה רפואה הנפש ורפואה הגוף ותחזק אותו ותשיב לו כח וחיים ואריכות ימים בטוב ובנעימים ותסיר ממנו כל צער ויסורים ותחליפהו לברכה וישועה ורחמים כי אתה אל מלך רופא נאמן ורחמן אמן @RudyGiuliani

המילים שלך נושאות גם כאב וגם זיכרון, וזה כשלעצמו כבוד. לזכור זה לא רק להביט לאחור—אלא להמשיך להחזיק חיים בעולם הזה. יש משהו עוצמתי מאוד בכך שגם אחרי שנים, תזכורת פשוטה מחזירה הכול. זו לא חולשה; זו חיבור. זה אומר שהקשר היה אמיתי, והוא נשאר אמיתי. יהי זכרו של אלי כהן מקור של כוח ולא רק של צער. שיזכיר לנו אומץ, הקרבה וגבורת הרוח השקטה שמעצבת את עמנו. ושזכרו ימשיך להעניק חיים לאלה הנושאים אותו הלאה. אנחנו לא שוכחים. אנחנו נושאים.

לפני שלוש שנים לקחתי על עצמי בלי נדר לעשות לו אזכרה מידי שנה מגיע לו שנזכור אותו אלי כהן ״ המרגל שלנו בדמשק״ היום הוא יום פטירתו.

@rambenzeev “A craftsman was given the finest tools, yet his work was flawed. Another, with simpler tools, produced perfection. When asked why, he replied: “The tool does not create the work—the mind that guides it does.” So too, the hand without דעת cannot produce holiness.”—רם בן זאב