Bitachon 44 - Receiving the Blessings

We continue in the Beis Halevi who tells us about the negative impact of trusting in human beings and the great reward - in this world and the next - when we put our trust and faith in Hashem.

CLICK HERE to listen

Yisro - Esav's Gift for Moshiach is Rejected

What is the fundamental difference between Yisro and Esav? Why are we instructed to attach to Hashem, our 'Friend,' and to veer away from our 'brother?' What is at the root of the many contrasts between the friendship of Yisro and the hatred of Esav toward the Jewish people? Why is Esav's gift for Moshiach rejected in the end of time? How can we join in the joy of others and steer away from antagonism?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Bitachon 43 - Going to the Source

We explore the idea of the Beis Halevi that we need to look beyond the immediate challenge or the human being who seems to be causing us difficulty, and instead look to the real Source - Hashem, and know that everything is from Him. Secondly, just as the Mon (manna) was given to us and no matter how much efforts we put in or how much we collected, we always ended up with the same amount, so it is with hishtadlus-efforts - we receive only what was decreed upon us by Hashem.

CLICK HERE to listen

 

Beshalach - Miracles of Livelihood

What is the concept behind the punishment of Pharaoh as it coincides with the Jewish People's redemption from Egypt? How does this parallel the punishment of Pharaoh in Genesis and the accompanying redemption of Avraham and Sarah at that time? What is the depth behind the statement of our sages that the difficulty of a person's livelihood is on par with the difficulty of the splitting of the sea? Why do we specifically read this special praise of Hashem - that He gives food to each creature - on the night of the Pesach Seder?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 21:35

Bitachon 42 - Never Fear!

We begin studying the sefer of the Beis Halevi on Bitachon, and he starts with the teaching that Bitachon is not only an obligation, but it is actually a sin to lack bitachon. The result is that the very thing that we fear can be caused by our fear. The only answer is to rely completely on Hashem, and this, in turn, protects us and also encourages all those around us.

CLICK HERE to hear the shiur

Running time: 16:18

Bo - Meriting Redemption

What is the idea behind the heaviness or difficulty for Hashem, as it were, when it comes to dealing with those who defy him, in comparison to the lack of difficulty in creating the mountains and valleys? Why are the Jewish people compared to a stone? Why are we compared to the sand? What happens when the Jewish people do not fulfill their role? How does Hashem use our enemies in order to save us and bring about our redemption?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 23:35

Bitachon 41 - Only Bitachon

We come to the close of our study of the Alter of Novardok's discussions on Bitachon, and we learn that it is imperative to work on Bitachon, not only because it's a mitzvah, but because it steers us far away from the trap of believing that we are accomplishing anything on our own.

CLICK HERE to listen

Va'era - Seeing the Whole Picture

Why does Moshe challenge Hashem by bringing up the difficulty the Jewish people have endured since he spoke to Pharaoh, if Hashem had told him that He would harden Pharaoh's heart? What was the mistake of Shlomo Hemelech (King Solomon) in believing that he could take many wives despite the Torah's command that a king limit the amount of wives he marries? Why does Hashem respond to Moshe at first with judgment and firmness and then switch to compassion and mercy?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 24:02

Bitachon 40 - Complete Bitachon

We begin the final chapter of the section on Bitachon in Sefer Madreigas Ha'adam by the Alter of Novardok, in which he emphasizes that the correct path for someone who truly seeks spiritual greatness, and strives for fear of Heaven and commitment to Torah, is to put one's faith completely in Hashem and not rely on his own efforts at all.

CLICK HERE to listen

Shemos - Clear Boundaries

What was the unique power that Yaakov bequeathed to his children, such that all twelve of them were righteous, and such that they could survive the difficult Egyptian exile? What mistake did Avraham make with his son Yishmael, and what mistake did Yitzchak make with Esav? How can we survive the desperate challenge that surrounds us in the Western world, a world with no boundaries? How can we raise our children with a healthy balance of love and boundaries?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 23:44