Ki Sisa - Battle of a Stubborn People

Why does Hashem tell Moshe to 'descend' when the Jewish people sin with the creation and worship of the Golden Calf? Why does Moshe think that there can be no forgiveness for them? What is behind Hashem's statement to Moshe that He foresaw that the Jewish people would receive the Torah and that they would also sin with the Golden Calf? Is the reference to the Jewish people as a 'stiff necked' nation a positive description or a negative one? How can we use our stubbornness for good? How can we 'force' ourselves out of behavior that is spiritually counterproductive?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 28:52

Bitachon 249 - As The Missiles Fall

We continue our study together of the passuk in Mishlei (proverbs) perek 3 passuk 5. This is the classic verse brought at the beginning of the section on Bitachon of the Alter of Novardok in Madreigas Ha'adam. Shlomo Hamelech stresses the importance of completely depending on Hashem, and not making the mistake of assuming that our past experiences and successes are the map to use for our future success.

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Running time: 23:11

Tetzaveh-Purim - Praying at Moshiach's Door

What is the 'davar' - thing or word - that is the foundation of the inauguration of Aharon and his children as Kohanim-priests? How does this relate to the idea of 'returning' to Hashem? How does one atone for one's sins without any sacrifices? What is the concept of 'raising the dagger' in the story of Yehoshua and the conquest of the city of Ay? How does Mordechai have power over Haman, the offspring of Amalek? Why is it that after Mordechai is placed upon a horse and paraded around in the King's clothes - which indicates he is rising above Haman - why does he return to the king's gate in his sackcloth and ashes, and continue his fasting and prayer?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 31:39

Bitachon 248 - Never Depend on Yourself

We study together the passuk in Mishlei (proverbs) perek 3 passuk 5. This is the classic verse brought at the beginning of the section on Bitachon of the Alter of Novardok in Madreigas Ha'adam. Shlomo Hamelech stresses the importance of completely depending on Hashem, and not making the mistake of assuming that our past experiences and successes are the map to use for our future success.

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Running time: 20:44

Terumah - Making Space for Hashem

What is meant when we say that Hashem speaks according to 'our power' and not 'His own?' How can we create a Mishkan-Tabernacle to contain Hashem's presence if He fills the entire universe? What is the idea that Hashem 'dwells on high' and also 'resides in the shadow' of the Mishkan? What is the idea behind the fact that Hashem 'sees but is not seen?' How does Hashem make space for us, and how do we 'make space' for Him?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 27:12

Bitachon 247 - Trusting at the End of Days

We study together the pesukim in Tzefania perek 3 passuk 1-2, which speak of the Jewish people's special relationship with Hashem and how it can easily be broken if we are not connected to trust in Him. This is especially important as we live in the 'end of days' or the period immediately before the era of Moshiach.

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Running time: 22:05

Mishpatim - Embracing Natural Balances

What is the sobering message of the midrash in regards to the rich person giving to the poor person? Why does the Torah place such a great emphasis on the prohibition of charging interest when giving a loan? What is the idea of the different creations of Hashem that 'lend' to each other - the day and night; the moon and stars; Wisdom and Intuition; Torah and Mitzvos? Why do they seem able to 'lend' to each other and humbly ask for payment, while humans have a hard time with this? What is the concept of the natural balance of power in nature and how do we embrace that ourselves?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 30:32

Bitachon 246 - Removing Our Idols

We study together the passuk in Yirmiyahu perek 48 passuk 7, which speaks of the power and wealth of the people of Moav, and how they were dependent upon an idol named 'kamush.' Ultimately, their lack of faith in the true God of the Universe is what causes them to go into exile alongside the idols they worshipped and the priests and princes who lead them in that worship.

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Running time: 23:28

Yisro - Hashem Speaks So We Can Hear

What is the idea behind Moshe and Aharon both hearing the same sound but receiving two different instructions, each on applying individually to them? What is the concept of the 'voice of Hashem' that 'travels around' and when it's heard in one place and one gets close, it's then heard in another place? What is the concept of the voice that was heard at Sinai which was split into 70 languages and was then heard by 70 nations? Why did the nations of the world get crushed by the voice, while the people of Israel were lifted up by it? What is the concept of hearing? What is the depth of the teaching that Hashem's voice sounded different to each individual, based on what they could personally endure?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Bitachon 245 - Having All Your Needs

We continue our discussion of the passuk in Yirmiyahu, perek 17, passuk 6, which speaka of the one who trusts in Hashem, and how the result is that all the person's needs are met - and this can come about with the cessation of need at all, as one realizes that one is made whole by being connected to Hashem.

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Running time: 23:49