Tomer Devorah: How to Become Like Hashem (Part 2) | The Astonishing Mercy of an "Insulted King"

*How can a human being truly become like Hashem?* For the entire Playlist of Tomer Devorah: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLF-aTKCqR7-o In this second lesson on the *Tomer Devorah* of Rabbi Moshe Cordovero (the Ramak), we begin studying the actual text of this timeless masterpiece. The Ramak explains that being created in the image of God is not merely about our physical form. Our true resemblance to Hashem is expressed through our actions. To become genuinely God-like, we must strive to imitate His Thirteen Attributes of Mercy. This lesson explores: • Why the image of God is defined by our deeds rather than our appearance. • The relationship between the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy revealed to Moshe Rabbeinu and the thirteen attributes described by the prophet Michah. • Why the Ramak bases the practical path of self-perfection on Michah's thirteen attributes. • The profound introduction to the Tomer Devorah and its practical implications for everyday life. • The beginning of the very first attribute: **"Who is a God like You?"** Perhaps the most astonishing idea introduced in this lesson is that every moment Hashem continues to give a person life, strength and movement—even while that very strength is being used to rebel against Him. Rather than immediately withdrawing His kindness, Hashem patiently bears the insult and waits for the person to return in repentance. This extraordinary teaching reveals a level of Divine patience and compassion that challenges us to transform the way we treat others. This lesson concludes in the middle of the first attribute, setting the stage for the continuation in the next shiur. 00:00 – Introduction and review of Lesson 1: The Palm Tree of Devorah. 00:23 – Explaining the verse in Micah regarding the 13 attributes of mercy. 01:06 – Comparing the 13 attributes in the Prophets vs. the Torah. 02:00 – Reciting the attributes during Selichot and Yom Kippur. 03:00 – Why we should focus on the attributes as brought down in Micah. 04:30 – Moving into the text of the Reshit Chochmah by Rabbi Eliyahu de Vidas. 05:05 – A scenario for self-reflection: Dealing with insults. 06:20 – Teaching from the Geonim: God’s forgiveness even when we do wrong. 07:40 – The symbolism of the Talit and eliciting Divine favor. 09:00 – Addressing why some prayers for forgiveness may not be answered. 10:45 – The "Secret": Internal work vs. external actions. 12:40 – Insights from the Zohar on the "Holy Ancient One" (Atika Kadisha). 13:25 – Understanding the Sefirah of Keter (Ultimate Mercy). 15:20 – Lesson from the splitting of the sea: The power of action. 17:00 – Incorporating Divine attributes into oneself. 18:30 – Parallel levels of mercy: Reciting verses vs. becoming the verse. 21:30 – Beginning the text of Tomer Devorah: Likening oneself to the Creator. 23:00 – The root of the word Adam and the choice to rise or lower oneself. 26:00 – The "Secret" of the Tzelem (The ethereal layer between soul and body). 28:30 – Interpreting physical expressions used for the Divine in the Torah. 31:15 – Falsifying the "Image": Why actions must match the external form. 33:00 – A story about Rav Moshe Feinstein and generational respect. 35:00 – How the soul's shine is expressed through the face. 38:35 – Returning to the first attribute: "Who is a God like You?" 41:00 – The concept of the "Insulted King." 44:00 – Divine Providence: Nothing is hidden from God’s monitors. 46:40 – The paradox of sin: Using God-given strength to go against His will. 50:40 – Patience and the ultimate insult: A parent-child analogy. 53:20 – Closing remarks and invitation to Lesson 3. May these teachings inspire us all to resemble our Creator through kindness, patience, humility and mercy. If you enjoyed this shiur, please Like, Subscribe, and Share so that more people can discover the timeless wisdom of our Torah. 🌐 Website: https://www.lovingkindness.co May Hashem bless you with continual growth in Torah, middot and closeness to Him. 🙏 If this video inspired you, please consider supporting this channel through the ❤️ Thanks button below the video, becoming a YouTube Member, or supporting my work on Patreon. 🔔 Please Like, Subscribe and Share to help spread authentic Torah learning around the world. 🎯 Discover how your unique soul can make a difference in the world. 🌐 Learn more Torah at: https://www.lovingkindness.co 📺 Subscribe for more Torah Translation Workshops, Hebrew grammar, Torah insights, Kabbalah, Halachah and practical Jewish learning. 📘 Get my book "Parshah in Just Two Minutes": https://www.amazon.com/Parshah-Just-Two-Minutes-Summaries… 🙏 Share in the merit of spreading Torah and kindness every day! Become a partner in our holy work through Patreon: www.patreon.com/eliyahushear #TomerDevorah #Ramak #JewishWisdom #Torah #Kabbalah #Mussar #CharacterDevelopment #JewishLearning #Emunah #Teshuvah #RabbiMosheCordovero #BecomeLikeHashem #SpiritualGrowth #JewishThought #ThirteenAttribute