Tomer Devorah: How to Become Like Hashem | Part 1

In this opening lesson of our new series on Tomer Devorah, we begin by exploring the remarkable vision of Rabbi Moshe Cordovero (the Ramak), one of the greatest Kabbalists of Tzfat. For the entire Playlist of Tomer Devorah: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLF-aTKCqR7-o Before studying the text itself, we ask a fundamental question: What does it really mean to "walk in Hashem's ways"? Together we examine the Torah, Chazal, and the Rambam to discover that Judaism does not merely teach us to worship Hashem—it teaches us to become like Him by developing His holy attributes within ourselves. In this lesson we discuss: • Who was Rabbi Moshe Cordovero (the Ramak)? • Why the verse in Micah (Michah) forms the foundation of Tomer Devorah • The Thirteen Attributes of Mercy • The structure of the soul • An introduction to the Sefirot and the flow of Divine light from Keter to Malchut • The meaning of "After Hashem your G-d shall you walk" • The Gemara (Sotah 14a): Just as He clothes the naked, visits the sick, comforts mourners and buries the dead—so should we. • The Gemara (Shabbat 133b): "Just as He is compassionate and merciful, so too should you be compassionate and merciful." • The Rambam (Hilchot De'ot 1:6): The obligation to imitate the ways and attributes of Hashem. • Why Tomer Devorah is one of the greatest practical guides to refining one's character according to Torah and Kabbalah. In the next lesson we will continue this discussion by exploring the deeper meaning of the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy and begin learning the actual text of Tomer Devorah itself. To help you navigate this lesson: 00:00 - Introduction to Tomer Devorah by Rabbi Moshe Cordovero 00:46 - Biography of the Ramak (Rabbi Moshe Cordovero) 02:07 - The Ramak's Teachers: Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz & Rabbi Yosef Caro 05:05 - Major Works of the Ramak: Or Yakar and Pardes Rimonim 05:37 - Why Study Tomer Devorah? 06:50 - Recommended Books & Resources for the Series 07:54 - What is Musar? The Practicality of Self-Refinement 10:01 - The Goal: Copying Hashem’s Attributes (Middot) 14:05 - The 13 Attributes of Mercy (Micah 7:18-19) 16:38 - Introduction to the Sefirot and the Soul 18:07 - The Concept of Tzimtzum (Concealment of God) 20:45 - Understanding the Sefirot: Keter to Malchut 28:53 - How Intellect Rules Emotion 31:00 - Practical Example: Giving Tzedakah (Charity) 38:40 - Cleaving to God Through His Middot 42:15 - Gemara Teachings on Walking in God's Ways 47:31 - Beautifying the Mitzvot (Hiddur Mitzvah) 51:28 - Rambam on Following the Upright Path 53:52 - Conclusion & How to Support the Channel May this series inspire us all to grow in kindness, compassion, humility and holiness, drawing ever closer to the Ribbono Shel Olam through the perfection of our middot. 📖 Sources discussed: • Micah 7:18 • Deuteronomy 13:5 • Sotah 14a • Shabbat 133b • Rambam, Hilchot De'ot 1:6 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 #RabbiMosheCordovero #JewishWisdom #Kabbalah #JewishEthics #Middot #CharacterDevelopment #Torah #SpiritualGrowth #Sefirot #ThirteenAttributes #DivineAttributes #Chassidus #Judaism