We study together the passuk in Tehillim perek 118 passuk 8, where Dovid Hamelech tells us that it is better to have a weaker level of Bitachon which is directed to Hashem than to have a stronger bitachon directed to another person.
CLICK HERE to listen to the audio
Running time: 21:09
Why do we count to 49, which is 7 weeks, but not count the number 50? What is the idea behind the fact that the Leviim are not counted with the Jewish people? Why are Leviim who are only 30 days old counted, whereas the babies of the rest of the Jewish people are not included in the count? What is the idea of the 'chosen' from amongst the many? What was the special attribute of Rus that made her worthy to be the great grandmother of Dovid, and ultimately of Moshiach?
Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.
Running time: 30:03
We continue on to chapter 115 of Tehillim, passuk 11, which speaks of the Yirei Hashem - those who fear Hashem. They are the individuals who dedicate their lives to seeking the wisdom of Hashem and seeking to bring His light into their lives. This results in a deeper level of Bitachon, and stronger demonstration by Hashem that He is their Helper and Protector.
CLICK HERE to listen to the audio
Running time: 23:33
How did Dovid Hamelech start his path thinking about going on a personal outing and end up in the shul or house of study? What are the two paths he would contemplate as he made his way through life? Why does it seem like there are much fewer blessings than curses? Why do the verses of the blessings begin and end with the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet? Why do the curses start and end with the letters vav and heh? What is the difference between 'vey' and 'vah?'
Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.
Running time: 26:31
We continue on to the next passuk in perek 115 which is passuk 10, which speaks of the Bitachon of the Kohanim (priests). Although we have already spoken of the people of Israel generally, there is a deeper lesson of Bitachon for those who serve on behalf of the Jewish people in the Beis Hamikdash. And there is a further lesson for the one who lives in awe of Hashem, as well. All these add up to directions for living in a time of war and judgment, as explained by the Chofetz Chaim.
CLICK HERE to listen to the audio
Running time: 23:05
What are the five ways that the Kohen Gadol is greater than his brothers? How does he become rich if he is not rich? What is the concept behind his brothers giving him wealth? How does this correspond to what happens when a king of the Jewish people is anointed? How did the armor of King Shaul fit Dovid if Shaul was known to be tall, and Dovid was not? What is meant by chazal when they say that a king would become 'tall' when he was anointed? What was behind the special joy that Dovid experienced when he was anointed, and how can we all experience this expansion in our lives?
Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.
Running time: 29:07
We continue our study of the famous passuk in Tehillim perek 115 passuk 9, which says that the people of Israel trust in Hashem because He is the one who helps them and shields them from their enemies. In this exploration we discover the idea that when a person has Bitachon and recognizes that Hashem is the only real Power there is, the result is that the person becomes more like Hashem, and that person himself can make guarantees, because Hashem stands behind the guarantee.
CLICK HERE to listen to the audio
Running time: 22:23
Why is the concept of atonement on Yom Kippur and the order of the service prefaced with the death of Aharon's sons Nadav and Avihu? Why does the Midrash tell us the sad story of a groom who died on his wedding day? What is the depth of the lesson of the verse in Koheles (Ecclesiastes) that seems to say that both the righteous and the wicked meet a similar fate? What is the significance of Noach becoming lame as he leaves the ark, and thus becomes unfit to bring a sacrifice? Why do Moshe and Aharon die before entering Israel, even though they spoke so highly of the land? Why did the sons of Aharon die in a similar way as those who joined the rebellion of Korach?
Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.
Running time: 32:09
We study together the famous passuk in Tehillim perek 115 passuk 9, which says that the people of Israel trust in Hashem because He is the one who helps them and shields them from their enemies.
CLICK HERE to listen to the audio
Running time: 19:35
What is the concept of the zav - the one who experiences an unhealthy flow? Why does this flow cause him to leave the camp? How does this contrast with the fact that all these types of sicknesses were eliminated when the Jewish people received the Torah at Mount Sinai? How does involvement with ego result in subjugation to the nations of the world, pain, and death? What is the message of Yeshaya in perek 17 passuk 11, as regards the 'planting' of the Jewish people, which had elements of potential for prosperity, alongside elements of dross? How do we leave behind the ego that is embedded into our essence and completely give ourselves to Hashem's will?
Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.
Running time: 33:37
