Universal Oneness United Faith Canada

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RABBI’S WEEKLY MESSAGE

January 17, 2026

A powerful introduction

 
Greetings friends
 
We have reached the introduction to freedom as we enter the 11th month—Aquarius—and dip our toes into the water bearer’s promise of bringing the knowledge of heaven and spreading it on earth and the realization of hopes, dreams, and wishes.  If you didn’t wish for the new year, wish now for this new month to bring you the abundance you deserve.
 
We crossed a line last week when we began this new book, so different from the others.  We were told it is the Book of Names, which did not necessarily mean a lot, but will as we read further.  This week alone, we find out a little bit more about Moses and Aaron and have our first introduction to the magic wand of Aaron, and G0d introduces himself to the world with the most powerful calling card of all time, still reverberating to this day as we read about the first seven plagues of Egypt.
 
You are now going to get your first glimpse, your first inkling, your first hint at a promised land. And you know what—you have a promised land.  We all do.  We think of the Exodus as a story of the escape from slavery and journey to a new and promised land, and we think of three things we see in all stories as depicted in a great book, play, or film. They serve as introduction, climax, and finale. In this story, they are the plagues, the splitting of the Red Sea, and the giving of the 10 Commandments.
 
You could do an entire book on those three things, and we live those three things throughout our lives. 
 
We also discover the dominant theme of Exodus, which was the Lord’s becoming known, is connected explicitly here to the rescue from treatment and to the “judgments” that will occur in Egypt.  It will continue to be stated several times as a reason for the miraculous plagues.  It was not to punish the Egyptians or end slavery, it was G0d’s introduction of self to the masses.
 
It is about G0d’s great calling card to man and a reminder that we can make bricks without straw.  We actually spend much of our lives making bricks without straw.  Your doubts and fears keep you in slavery; you face a situation that seems hopeless; what can you do?  Finding a way, persevering, overcoming. That, my friends, is making bricks without straw.  But even when things seem dark, God makes a way where there is no way!  That is faith. That is one of the great lessons in this book.
 
Let us now free ourselves from the tyrants of negative thinking: we have been slaves to doubts, fears, and apprehension; let us be delivered as Moses delivered the Children of Israel; let us come out of the Land of Egypt, the land of constraint, out of the House of Bondage.
 
G0d’s introduction to the world is via the plagues of Egypt.  He had said how, when, why, and what, and none of it had to do with punishing the Egyptians for their treatment of anyone or for a world of slavery but if you took a poll, almost everyone would say that was the reason.  And all these plagues are not long-ago events but current.   They still occur in our lives.  The first seven were presented:
 
Blood contains the life force of man through which our souls, our ki, our nefesh, our ruach flows
Frogs are a nuisance
Lice are bloodsuckers and pests, and disturb
Beasts are the swarming mob that can sweep you up as either a victim or a member
Pestilence is a plague that kills and destroys the food supply, and has social implications
Boils are another form of disease, but this one brings discrimination because it is about what you see and judge
Hail was a destructive force that wiped out whatever food supply was left
 
Next week, in which we observe Holocaust Remembrance Day, we see the next three, and to many, they are the true big three, although the ones from this week left Egypt bereft.
 
Keep practicing forgiveness and use this time to continue to forgive those you need to forgive, and ask forgiveness from those you need to seek forgiveness from. Give thanks and celebrate your freedom and joy; do not succumb to fear. Please feel free to share this audio and video with anyone you think might enjoy it, and of course, enjoy all of our past audio and video episodes available on our YouTube channel.   This episode will be posted on our channel. Click here to watch the Rabbi David Gellman Show in the 2026 cycle.
 
And if you are one of the people this was sent to by a friend and want to receive it yourself, let me know. I will add you to my mailing list.
 
Thank you all for allowing me into your homes, electronic devices, and into your hearts, as you are all with me in mine.
 
Be well, be happy, be healthy, be free, be kind, be forgiving, be compassionate, be independent of mind and deed, be mindful of your intentions, and be good to yourself.  Continue to celebrate freedom of choice in your life, and do not give in to the fear that is so prevalent, and enjoy the peace that comes from acceptance. And as always, if you have any questions or suggestions or just want to say “hi,” please send me an email.  I love hearing from you.
 
Remember, anytime you do not want to receive these anymore, please send me an email so I can remove you.  And know that I truly appreciate you sharing your sacred time with me.
 
Enjoy and celebrate your life and the lives of others, and in doing so, be safe, my friends, be happy, and may you all sow the seeds of and reap the rewards of peace, love, and miracles, and make sure you also celebrate your unique individuality and your incredible awesomeness. 
 
And remember, your world is what you make it.  Just wish upon a star and continue to be a miracle in someone’s life and light the light of love.  May the year bring all your hopes, dreams, and wishes to fruition.
  
Blessings
 
RD
 

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Respecting our past; Putting faith in your future.

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