Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Bitachon 114 - Tefillah & Bitachon

We continue our study with the next passuk in Tehillim chapter 22 passuk 6 which speaks of the Jewish people calling out to Hashem and being saved, and being saved in the merit of their Bitachon. This brings up the topic of the relationship between Tefillah (prayer) and Bitachon (trust) - how they can serve to reinforce each other.

CLICK HERE to listen to the audio

Running time 23:01



Friday, June 2, 2023

Naso-Behaaloscha - Letting Hashem's Light Shine

What is the connection between the offerings of the Nesiim (princes) and the command to Aharon to light the Menorah in the Mishkan (Tabernacle)? What is the deeper connection between the lighting of the Menorah and the blessing of the Kohanim that they give to the Jewish people? What is the deeper lesson of the Menorah in the vision of Zechariah Hanavi? Why was the Jewish people 'embarrassed' by the redemption beginning on seeming to not complete immediately? What is the mitzvah of the Menorah that continues until this day, even without the presence of the Mishkan or Beis Hamikdash itself?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 27:23



Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Bitachon 113 - Miracles Then, Miracles Now

We study the passuk in Tehillim chapter 22 passuk 5 which speaks of the trust our forefathers had in Hashem, and how He redeemed us from the Egyptian bondage. This is a reminder we need each and every day to strengthen our courage and faith in Hashem that just as He performed miracles for us then, so will He continue to perform miracles for each individual in the present.

CLICK HERE to listen to the audio

Running time: 20:50



Thursday, May 25, 2023

Nasso-Shavuos - Torah Cures All Ills

What is the parallel between receiving the Torah at Har Sinai and the Mishkan (Tabernacle) which had the Tablets at its center in the Ark of the Covenant? How do we know that all the physical blemishes of the people were cured at the giving of the Torah? Why is the proof of this from their statements of subservience to Hashem's will? What was the effect of the return of the blemishes in the form of Tzara'as (spiritual leprosy) and Zav? What do we learn from the fact that these also need to be sent out of the camp?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 24:45



Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Bitachon 112 - The King's Bitachon

We study the passuk in Tehillim ch. 21 passuk 8, which is the prayer of King David that speaks of his trusting in Hashem - despite the great power at his disposal - and the true kindness of Hashem which never falters.

CLICK HERE to listen to the audio

Running time: 20:19



Friday, May 19, 2023

Bamidbar - Never Ending Love

What is the concept of the counting of the Jewish people? Why does it seem to denote judgment on one hand, and love on the other? Why does Hashem speak (through the prophet Hoshea) of the inability to count the Jewish people in the context of His anger at them? Why does He refer to us as 'not His nation' and then immediately reassure as that we will always be His nation? What is the analogy of the king who is angered at his queen and threatens to divorce as he simultaneously buys her expensive jewelery? What is it that the nations of the world attempt to do to extinguish Hashem's love for us - yet they do not succeed?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 25:05



Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Bitachon 111 - Hashem is my Shield

We explore some core concepts based on the passuk in Tehillim chapter 18 passuk 31 that speaks of the connection between the pure Torah and Bitachon - that when one keeps it correctly, it serves as a shield for the one who is connected to Hashem.

CLICK HERE to listen to the audio

Running time: 19:58



Thursday, May 11, 2023

Behar-Bechukosai - Transformative Kindness

Why was Avraham rewarded for his kindness with the angels if they did not need the food and drink he offered them? Why was this reward 'paid' to his great great grandchildren, and not directly to him immediately? Why was it such a great lack in the people of Amon and Moav who did not give food and drink to the Jewish people if they already had all the food and drink they needed anyway? Why are all their offspring punished by being unable to fully convert to Judaism? Why was Yisro rewarded for feeding Moshe when he was obligated to do so out of gratitude for Moshe's kindness to his daughters? Why was this kindness also paid back to his great great grandchildren? What is the lesson of the kindness of Boaz to Rus (Ruth)?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 27:30



Tuesday, May 9, 2023

Bitachon 110: My Rock and Fortress

We study the passuk in Tehillim ch 18 passuk 3 which speaks of Hashem as the Rock and Fortress of King David. But this is not just a praise for the past salvations, but also can be directed as a prayer for future help from Hashem.

CLICK HERE to listen to the audio

Running time: 22:27



Friday, May 5, 2023

Emor - Stepping Out and Looking In

Why do the righteous need to 'step out' or 'go out' of their place in Paradise in order to see the wicked suffering in Gehenom? Why do the righteous rejoice in the fact that they experienced suffering in this world? What is the concept of the word 'kerum' which has a dual meaning - raising up and being rooted in a vineyard? What is the concept behind the 'taking out' of the righteous by the nations of the world to be punished for their commitment to Torah? What is the ultimate 'taking out' of the wicked which finally shows the root of their place?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.