Rabbi Yisroel Bernath

Rabbi Yisroel Bernath Rabbi Yisroel Bernath, aka "The Love Rabbi" is the star of the CBC documentary Kosher Love. He has made several dozen matches to date!

Cherished for his incredible warmth and non-judgmental personality, this hipster is not your typical rabbi. In 2012, Rabbi Bernath founded the smashing success JMatchmaking International, a network of Jewish dating sites. In addition to being a matchmaker and dating coach, Rabbi Bernath is also the author of three books, and continuously produces engaging content on his many social media & podcast

platforms. As a professional voice-over artist, screen-writer, and actor, he has been a part of dozens of productions, including the hit CBC Documentary "Kosher Love".

You never truly know the impact you have on someone else’s life.A kind word. A small gesture. A simple act of presence. ...
07/28/2025

You never truly know the impact you have on someone else’s life.

A kind word. A small gesture. A simple act of presence. These things may seem ordinary to you, but to someone else, they may be the very thing holding their world together.

Chassidus teaches us that every soul is a whole world. So when you touch one soul, you are literally shifting the entire universe.

Sometimes we’re searching for purpose in the big, grand mission. But maybe your mission is that person who crossed your path today. That one heart who needed your light.

Don’t underestimate your worth. G-d created you because this world cannot exist without your unique spark.

So shine. Gently. Quietly. Boldly. But shine.

In a world obsessed with balance sheets and 'quid pro quo,' it can feel like an audacious act to offer assistance to tho...
07/27/2025

In a world obsessed with balance sheets and 'quid pro quo,' it can feel like an audacious act to offer assistance to those who can't reciprocate. But I say, let's be audacious. Let's tip the scales, not to our favor, but towards kindness and compassion.

Why, you ask? Because a Mitzvah has its own rewards. Consider this: When we extend our hands to help, we're not just lifting someone else, we're also rising above our ego. It's in these moments that we encounter our best selves.

Remember, the Universe has a keen sense of humor. It doesn't always send thank you notes via express mail. Sometimes, it sends them in the form of inner peace, a sense of fulfillment, a soul-deep satisfaction that no 'quid pro quo' can match.

So, go ahead, be audacious - offer a hand, share a smile, lighten a burden. You'll be surprised at how light you feel in return. After all, generosity is the only investment that never goes bankrupt!

“Do everything with a good heart and expect nothing in return.”It’s simple, but so powerful.We live in a world that’s so...
07/27/2025

“Do everything with a good heart and expect nothing in return.”

It’s simple, but so powerful.

We live in a world that’s so results-driven, where value is measured in outcomes, likes, applause, or “what’s in it for me?” But the deepest truths of the soul live in the quiet moments, when we choose kindness without a scoreboard, when we show up with love even if no one notices, when we give because it’s who we are, not because we’ll get anything back.

Chassidus teaches that the purity of your action, especially when it’s done lishmah (for its own sake), draws down light from the highest places. Acts done with a good heart, even in secret, reverberate across spiritual worlds.

So today… love someone without needing thanks. Help someone without needing credit. Give without needing a return.

That’s where your soul shines brightest.

Blessings for a day full of quiet, sacred light… and if you’re reading this in the morning, say Modeh Ani slowly. Thank you, G-d, for believing in me today.

Someone once asked me,“Rabbi, what makes a person truly beautiful?”And without hesitation, I answered:Kindness.Not the g...
07/27/2025

Someone once asked me,
“Rabbi, what makes a person truly beautiful?”

And without hesitation, I answered:
Kindness.

Not the grand, spotlight kind.
But the quiet kind.
The holding-a-door kind.
The remembering-someone’s-favorite-tea kind.
The giving-a-smile-when-no-one-else-does kind.

In a world obsessed with how things look, kindness reminds us of how things feel.

Chassidus teaches that the soul shines through middot toivot, beautiful attributes.
And the most radiant of them? Chesed, kindness.

You can’t contour your way to a glowing soul.

But one act of real kindness can illuminate a face more than any filter ever could.

Because when you act with kindness, you’re reflecting the Divine.
You’re reminding someone that they matter.

You’re reminding yourself that your value isn’t in how you’re seen, but in how you see.

So if no one told you today:
You’re beautiful.
Because you are kind.
Because you care.
Because your soul knows how to love.

Here’s your blessing for tonight: May it be Your will that I be among those who perform acts of true kindness.

May your heart stay open.

May your hands reach out.

And may your kindness make the world and your reflection a little more beautiful today.

We live in a world where everything is always “on.” Notifications buzz, screens flicker, and somewhere along the way, we...
07/25/2025

We live in a world where everything is always “on.”

Notifications buzz, screens flicker, and somewhere along the way, we forget what it feels like to simply be, to look someone in the eye and really see them.

But then comes Shabbat… like a gentle whisper to the soul.
“Disconnect… so you can finally connect.”

As the sun begins its sacred descent this evening, I invite you to join me. Power down your devices. Let the noise fade. In its place, welcome the stillness. The softness. The presence.

Shabbat isn’t just a break from the week, it’s a return to what really matters.

Sit around a table. Hold someone’s hand. Laugh until your sides hurt. Cry if you need to.

As my dear friend Daniel Bensimon says so brilliantly, “I’d rather face-look than Facebook.”

This sacred pause gives us space to breathe, to reflect, to remember who we are beyond the scroll, the likes, the hashtags.

You are not a username. You are a soul.

So here’s my blessing to you as Shabbat arrives:

May you rediscover the beauty of silence, the power of presence, and the joy of connection.
May you unplug from the world and plug into your purpose.
And may this Shabbat wrap you in peace, presence, and profound love.

Shabbat Shalom.

I want to live in a world where we treat everyone with respect. Not because they’ve earned it. Not because they think li...
07/25/2025

I want to live in a world where we treat everyone with respect. Not because they’ve earned it. Not because they think like you, vote like you, or even treat you with respect.

But because you are a soul.
And when you act from that place, the place that knows the Divine spark in everyone, you become a mirror. You remind others of their own holiness.

Chassidus teaches that every soul, no matter how hidden or broken, is a letter in G-d’s Torah. And you would never tear a letter out of a Sefer Torah. So why tear someone down with your eyes, your words, or your silence?

Respect doesn’t cost a cent.
But it’s priceless in a world so hungry to feel seen.

So here’s your morning soul-work:
Today, treat everyone as if they carry a spark of G-d inside them… because they do.

And here’s your morning blessing, from my heart to yours:

‎בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’… שֶׁנָּתַן לַשֶּׂכְוִי בִּינָה לְהַבְחִין בֵּין יוֹם וּבֵין לָיְלָה
Blessed are You, Hashem… who gave the mind the ability to discern between darkness and light.

May you be blessed today to see the light in every person you meet, even when it’s hidden.

Especially when it’s hidden.

We live in a world obsessed with appearances. Likes, followers, resumes, validation. We’re constantly being asked to pro...
07/24/2025

We live in a world obsessed with appearances. Likes, followers, resumes, validation. We’re constantly being asked to prove ourselves, to others, to the world, sometimes even to G-d.

But the truth is… G-d isn’t looking for proof. G-d is looking for growth.

In Chassidus, we’re taught that the deepest part of the soul doesn’t need to prove its worth, it knows it’s worthy. The real work isn’t to impress, it’s to transform. To turn yesterday’s limitations into today’s launchpad.

You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be real.

You don’t have to be the best. You just have to be becoming.

When you shift your focus from “How do I look?” to “How do I grow?”
From “Do they see me?” to “Am I seeing myself clearly?”
Everything changes.

So here’s your permission slip, straight from the soul:
You don’t need to prove anything.
You’re not on trial.
You’re on a journey.

Let today be your breath of fresh air. Let go of the pressure to perform and reconnect to the quiet work of becoming the person you’re meant to be.

“I’m not here to impress the world. I’m here to refine it, from the inside out.”

07/24/2025

Moses’ Rebuke & the Art of Receiving Criticism: A Parsha Perspective on Self-Esteem

This class explores one of the Torah’s most striking rebukes, Moses’ fiery confrontation with the tribes of Reuben and Gad and uncovers why they chose silence over self-defense. Through this encounter and a powerful Chassidic story about the Sefas Emes, Rabbi Bernath examines why we often recoil at criticism and how to reframe it as a holy opportunity for growth.

From Moses to modern marriage, from a misunderstood heretic to the Maggid of Mezritch, we dive into the soul’s secret defense system and how to disarm it with self-worth, humility, and Chassidic wisdom.

Takeaways:
1. The power of silence: Sometimes, it’s more spiritually transformative to listen to criticism than to justify ourselves, especially when it comes from someone wise.
2. Criticism doesn’t define you: When you know your core worth, you can absorb criticism without collapsing.
3. Not all rebuke is rejection: Moses’ rebuke was intense, but it came from leadership and love.
4. Marriage tip: Your spouse’s critique might not be a judgment, it might be a chance to expand your perspective.
5. The Maggid’s wisdom: True self-esteem is found when neither praise nor criticism defines your value.
6. Criticism is holy rain: It should nourish, not erode. But to receive it, we need rooted self-worth.

Someone asked me recently,“What are you letting go of?”And I felt this quiet, sacred moment arise in me…as if my soul ge...
07/24/2025

Someone asked me recently,
“What are you letting go of?”

And I felt this quiet, sacred moment arise in me…
as if my soul gently whispered,
“Finally. We’re ready.”

I’m letting go of old beliefs that never truly belonged to me.
Ideas I picked up along the way, sometimes from hurt, sometimes from silence.
“Not good enough.”
“Too much.”
“Failure.”
“Unlovable.”
They were never truths.
Just wounded whispers trying to protect a heart that was longing to be seen.

In Chassidus, we learn that teshuva isn’t about punishment or shame.
It’s about returning, not just to G-d, but to the truth of who we’ve always been.

A soul. A light. A piece of the Divine.

Our harshest inner critics are just protectors.

They’re trying to keep us safe from feeling the original pain.

But when we meet them with compassion, not contempt, they soften… and we heal.

Our body remembers and it also rejoices when we finally let go.
When we say:

“I don’t need to carry this anymore.
I can be safe without the shame.
I can be whole without the war inside.”

So today, I’m gently making space.
Not with a bang, but with a breath.
Not with resistance, but with release.

And if you needed a sign:
You, too, are allowed to put down what was never yours to hold.

You were never too much.
You were never not enough.
You were always just right, for the mission your soul came here to do.

Imagine a butterfly emerging from its cocoon.It doesn’t pause to mourn its caterpillar days. It doesn’t shame itself for...
07/23/2025

Imagine a butterfly emerging from its cocoon.

It doesn’t pause to mourn its caterpillar days. It doesn’t shame itself for crawling before it could fly. No. It just spreads its wings and soars, as if to say, “This was always within me, I just needed the time to grow into it.”

Each of us has wings we haven’t yet discovered. Not because we’re broken, but because we’re still becoming.

Chassidus teaches that the purpose of darkness is not to crush us, but to reveal within us a deeper light. That transformation isn’t about battling the past, it’s about becoming a vessel for the future.

The Mishnah teaches the world stands on three pillars:
Torah: Divine wisdom.
Avodah: Inner service and soulful connection.
Gemilut Chasadim: Acts of radical kindness.

These are how we build something beautiful, something lasting. Not by tearing down what was, but by rising, step by step, toward what could be.

Change is not loud or flashy. It’s often quiet and faithful. A word spoken in kindness. A choice to forgive. A moment of prayer in the stillness of the night. Each of these is a brick in the home we are building, for ourselves, and for G-d.

So, wherever you are on your journey, don’t wait for a perfect moment. This moment is the perfect one. Let go of what no longer serves your purpose. Start building something that does.

Light up your corner of the world with wisdom, service, and kindness and watch how the world begins to glow with you.

May you be blessed with courage to grow, clarity to dream, and the strength to keep building, even when the wind pushes back. Your light is needed more than you know.

Life sparkles, not in spite of the flaws, but because of them. We live in a world chasing filtered perfection, where fla...
07/23/2025

Life sparkles, not in spite of the flaws, but because of them.

We live in a world chasing filtered perfection, where flaws are cropped out and pain is hidden behind emojis. But real life? Real life is textured. It’s the crack in the glass that lets the light in. It’s the scar that tells a story of survival. It’s the imperfect notes that make a song feel honest.

Judaism doesn’t ask us to be perfect, it asks us to be real. To be growing. To bring our whole selves, including the mess, into the service of something greater.

So today, let’s trade judgment for curiosity, comparison for compassion. Look a little deeper. You’ll find beauty in the places you once tried to hide.

That crooked smile? It’s pure joy.
That scar? A badge of strength.
That heartbreak? A doorway to deeper love.

My blessing for you today:
May you walk forward gently with open eyes, an open heart, and arms wide enough to embrace your own imperfections and those of others. May you shine not because you are flawless, but because you are whole.

Meet Jason Zuckerman Tonight and tomorrow is Jason’s birthday. And while I could’ve just sent him a text or made a toast...
07/22/2025

Meet Jason Zuckerman

Tonight and tomorrow is Jason’s birthday. And while I could’ve just sent him a text or made a toast over something non-alcoholic with him, I figured the best gift I could give him is to let the world see what I see.

In 2006, Jennifer brought her old friend Jason to one of my talks. He was 26, newly out of Concordia with a finance degree, sharp as ever, working as a business broker. He later pivoted to mortgages and real estate, but that’s just the resume. What really stood out to me, even then, was his quiet presence. A calm kind of depth. The kind of person who leans in, shows up, and somehow makes everyone around him feel like they belong.

Over the last 20 years, Jason has become more than just a familiar face in our community, he’s become family. Every year, without fail, he throws himself heart and soul into helping our raffle. But this year he went above and beyond. 360 tickets. And more than that, he pushed me, encouraged me, reminded me why we do this. Because people matter. Because community matters. Because when you believe in something, you show up for it.

And that’s Jason.
He shows up.

He showed up to my classes even when the Habs were in the playoffs or the Broncos were in overtime. He showed up with questions, with kindness, with a desire to grow. I always said, one day he’d meet someone special at one of those classes. And sure enough… he met Carole.

Today, they build a beautiful life together. A home filled with warmth, with purpose, with laughter and love.

Jason, on your birthday, I want to bless you with what you’ve already become: a source of light. May you and Carole know only joy, health, love, and sweet, sweet nachas. May your heart continue to expand and may your generosity be returned to you tenfold.

And to everyone reading this, if you don’t know Jason yet… well, now you do.

He’s a good one. The kind you want in your corner.

Happy Birthday, my dear friend.

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