Vayikra - Can We Bless Hashem?

What is the idea behind the korbanos-sacrifices? Why was King David the prime example of someone who knew how to conciliate with Hashem? How does a wise beggar get a full meal from his host? How does a wise woman ask a favor of a friend? How does a farm worker get a bonus from his boss? In what way is Dovid Hamelech compared to the farm worker? What is the lesson of R' Yishmael Kohen Gadol (the High Priest) who came into the Holy of Holies and Hashem asked a blessing of him? How can a human being bless Hashem? Can we do the same?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 31:33

Bitachon 202 - Entering Hashem's Hidden Place

We continue studying perek 91 of Tehillim, this time passuk 9, which speaks of how we can enter into Hashem's hidden place above - by placing our Bitachon in Him, and seeking His presence in our lives.

CLICK HERE to listen to the audio

Running time: 20:35

Pekudei - Accessing Hashem's Guidance

Why did the Jewish people bring the parts of the Mishkan to Moshe to examine, instead of Moshe going to them? What is the concept of 'bringing the woven curtains to the king?' Why did Hashem originally speak to Moshe in a more public place - at the burning bush, in Midian, in Egypt, and in the wilderness of Sinai, but then switch to only speak to him in the Mishkan-Tabernacle? What was the mistake of the sing of Golden Calf, and how was it rectified through the building of the Mishkan? What happens when we show support to our synagogues and yeshivos, and how does it affect the Divine guidance we receive from Hashem that He sends through our teachers and leaders?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 29:59

 

Bitachon 201 - Israel is Protected from Evil

We continue in perek 91 of Tehillim, now studying the 4th passuk, which speaks of the amazing protection the people of Israel have from our enemies when we align ourselves with Hashem's Truth, as contained in His Torah.

CLICK HERE to listen to the audio

Running time: 25:25

Vayakhel - Names Essence and Oil

Why does Moshe direct the Jewish people to 'see' that Hashem has 'called by name' Betzalel, the master architect of the Mishkan? What is the concept of a Shem-name, and how does it relate to Shemen-oil? Why does the concept of a name denote an all encompassing aspect, whereas oil denotes application? How can oil 'separate' from the name? Why is it better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a joyous party? Why were Chananya, Misha'el and Azarya saved from fire, while Nadav and Avihu were consumed by fire?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 28:50

Bitachon 200 - Wake Up War

We continue our study together of the passuk in Tehillim perek 91 passuk 2, as we look at the whole chapter and see how it applies to those who seek protection from Wars which Hashem uses to wake us up from our spiritual slumber.

CLICK HERE to listen to the audio

Running time: 20:38

Purim & Ki Sisa - Explosive Redemption

Why was Esther concerned that perhaps the Jewish people were weak in their relationship with Hashem and lost their dedication to Torah, and perhaps this had caused the decree of Haman? How does the story of Purim connect to the events of our Parsha with the giving of the Luchos and the sin of the Golden Calf? What was the Cataclysmic dream that Mordechai had before Esther entered the palace, that he reminded her of at the point of Haman's decree against the Jews? What do the two great battling serpents represent? How are the people of Israel caught in the middle of this great battle? What is the relationship of Amalek's arrival and the Jewish people's study of Torah? Why was Hashem giving the Luchos to Moshe for the Jewish people, even as they were sinning with the Golden Calf?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Bitachon 199 - Fortress and Protection

We learn together the second passuk of perek 91, the famous chapter 'Yoshev b'seser' which speaks of the way that we merit to have true protection from Hashem from all our enemies and troubles - through our bitachon and confidence in Hashem.

CLICK HERE to listen to the audio

Running time: 18:53

Tetzaveh - The Holy Ripple Effect

Why did Hashem instruct Moshe to appoint Aharon as Kohen Gadol, instead of Hashem speaking directly to Aharon? What was the advantage of Moshe in his role of bringing the Torah to Am Yisrael, as opposed to Aharon as Kohen Gadol? What is behind the teaching of successive 'whittling down' from the whole world, to Israel, to the Beis Hamikdash, to the Holy of Holies? How does this parallel the 'whittling down' from all the nations, to Israel, to the Levi'im, to Aharon? Why are the Levi'im counted from the age of one month, whereas everyone else is counted only from the age of 20? How does this parallel Yocheved, daughter of Levi, who was counted as part of the 70 who came down to Egypt while she was in utero? How do these concentric circles form and connect to Hashem, sending light out from the center in a Holy Ripple Effect?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 29:28

Bitachon 198 - The Challenge is Also Good

We study together the passuk in Tehillim chapter 86 passuk 2, which is Dovid Hamelech's statement that he wishes for protection because of the fact that he is a Chasid. This is explained to mean that he realizes that all of Hashem's judgments really stem of His kindness. With that realization, which is another way of talking about Bitachon, we can expect Hashem's protection.

CLICK HERE to listen to the audio

Running time: 21:13