Toldos - Key to Abundant Blessings

What were the events that lead up to Avimelech and his millitary leader coming to make a covenant with Yitzchak? Why did this follow after the harrowing kidnapping of Rivka into Avimelech's home? What are the three wells that Yitzchak's servants dug and how did they parallel the three Batei Mikdash (Holy Temples)? What is the idea behind Avimelech's claim to doing 'just good' to Yitzchak? Why did the Jewish people start streaming back to Israel in the time of the Romans? What was their consolation when the permission to build the third Temple was rescinded? What is the analogy of the bird who put his head into the lion's mouth in order to take out a bone caught in his throat?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 29:48

Bitachon 285 - Relying ONLY on Hashem

We continue our discussion of Bitachon with the opinion of the Gr"a and the Alter of Novardok, which is that NO efforts are required for those who completely dedicate themselves to the service of Hashem - all that's need is to rely ONLY on Him. We also quote the Rambam, who teaches us a similar concept.

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Running time: 21:15

Chayei Sarah - Yishael's Downfall

Why is Yishmael's name placed after the name of Yitzchak in the context of the death of Avraham? Why, in once place does it speak of the people of Yishmael as dwelling, using the word nafal-falling, while in one place it speaks of them dwelling with the root shachan? What is the idea of Yishmael trying to 'grab the Beis Hamikdash-Temple?' What did the children of Yishmael and Keturah say to Alexander the great when they made their claim to the land of Israel? When does Yishmael have a right to inherit the land of Israel alongside the Jewish people, and when do we have exclusive rights?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 28:27

Bitachon 284 - Minimal or NO Efforts

We continue our discussion of the opinion that one is required to do minimal efforts, which we previously attributed to the Ramban. This time we see that the Ramban seems to say NO efforts are required. We discuss the resolution of this seeming contradiction.

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Running time: 18:41

Vayera - Jerusalem City of Seeing

What is the concept of Yireh-seeing and appearing and how does it relate to the concept of Yirah-awe, which in Hebrew has the same letters? How does the Ram and its horns relate to the concept of the Yirah-Awe and the 'Feared One of Yitzchak?' Why is Yerushalayim-Jerusalem composed of the word Yirah and Shalem-perfection? How does the binding of Yitzchak arouse Hashem's mercy, as we say on the High Holidays? What is the meaning of Hashem's prayer to 'see' the building of the Temple? What is the meaning of the word Aryeh-Lion being the same letters as Yirah-Awe?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 30:13

Bitachon 283 - Minimizing Efforts

We continue with our discussion of the different opinions as regards putting in efforts alongside trusting in Hashem. We focus in on the most accepted opinion, which is to put in some efforts - but minimizing them significantly so they do not contradict one's Bitachon. We also discuss the reason why efforts are needed at all.

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Running time: 21:21

Lech Lecha - Paving Paths for our Children

Why does Hashem instruct Avraham Avinu to 'pave a path for his children?' How does this give a different twist to the idea of 'maaseh avos siman l'banim' - the events of the forebears are symbolic of what the children are to go through? Why do all of these parallels between the events of Avraham's life and the lives of the people of Israel all focus on the descent to Egypt, and ultimately the redemption from Egypt? How does Avraham teach the people of Israel if he is only a memory from the past? How can we teach our children by switching to being an example as opposed to instructing directly?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 27:33

Bitachon 282 - More or Less Efforts

We continue our discussion of the opinions who say one should do a lot of efforts alongside believing the results belong to Hashem, but we also limit this with the opinion of the Chazon Ish who says that if one is acting out of fear in doing these efforts, it can indicate that the person is lacking Bitachon. We then go on to the opinion that speaks about specifically minimizing the efforts done so as to demonstrate one's Bitachon in Hashem.

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Running time: 21:45

Noach - Hearing the Intuitive God-Voice

Why does the Torah first tell us that Noach is to bring the animals to the ark, but then it seems they came on their own? Why do the animals again gather on their own in the future time after the war of Gog Umagog? What is meant by the fact that the animals will be 'nourished from the bodies of the mighty' in the aftermath of the battle? What is the concept of eschewing the character of Adam and instead being like a 'beast' to be saved by Hashem? Why is it that the simple man saves the king while the great ministers of the king are lost in the flood in the parable of R' Nachman?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 29:28

Bitachon 281 - Faith Alongside Efforts

We begin a discussion of the different opinions as regards to having Bitachon and doing efforts - do we have to do every effort, only a little effort, or no effort?

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Running time: 20:58