Collected Archive of Shoemaker Reports
The Shoemaker Report is Rav Hoshea’s weekly Torah publication. Its focus is on internalizing and living Torah from the heart, not only from the head. The divrei Torah often take the parashah of the week as their point of entry and address central questions of inner avodah — including teshuvah, prayer (tefillah), emunah, bitachon, and related areas of spiritual and personal refinement.
The writing assumes seriousness from the reader and speaks from within Torah life, with meaning emerging organically from honest analysis of our holy Torah and the words of Chazal, rather than from short-lived inspiration or simplified conclusions.
When the moon asked, “Can two kings share one crown?”, Hashem answered, “Go and diminish yourself.” Her cry birthed longing and time itself. Through silence and humility, the soul learns to reflect rather than radiate—healing the ancient wound between giver and receiver.
Parashat Tazria opens with the puzzling phrase “when a woman emits seed,” prompting Chazal to explore who initiates spiritual connection—us or Hashem. Through Midrash, Kabbalah, and poetic imagery, we uncover a profound model of divine intimacy where human initiative brings forth truth, and heavenly response brings justice.
The Deep Purpose for Suffering: Why is it that when someone begins to do teshuvah and starts walking in Hashem's ways, he frequently encounters difficulties and experiences suffering? If the purpose of suffering is to motivate a person to do teshuvah, why should he have to suffer at all? After
Having Our Prayers and Requests Accepted: It is taught (Chullin 60b): רבי שמעון בן פזי רמי כתיב "ויעש אלקים את שני המאורות הגדולים" וכתיב "את המאור הגדול…ואת המאור הקטן" אמרה ירח לפני הקב"ה רבש"ע אפשר לשני מלכים שישתמשו בכתר אחד אמר לה לכי ומעטי את עצמך (R' Shimon ben Pazi
