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.

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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

Bitachon 39 - Path to Spiritual Greatness

We complete the 12th chapter of the Alter of Novardok's discussion of Bitachon, which ends with a call to renounce the excuses of social pressure and the 'easy' solutions to the problems of life, in order to focus ourselves on doing what's right in the eyes of Hashem, and reinforce our confidence in His constant providential guidance and help.

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Vayechi - Revealing the End of Days

Why does the Torah leave no space between the current and previous parsha's? What is the thread that runs through the three different explanations? Why was Yakov unable to reveal the End of Days? What happens when the End is revealed, for example, in the case of Yosef and his brothers? What is the reason for not mentioning a person's own death? When is it appropriate to contemplate the day of death? How does this apply to the revelation of the final redemption and the process we are currently experiencing in the world?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 25:18

Bitachon 38 - Lishma & Bitachon

The Alter of Novardok continues his discussion on the importance of Lishma - acting with pure motives - despite the surrounding culture; and having Bitachon-Faith that all of the answers to life's questions will be answered through our spiritual dedication to Torah.

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Running time: 21:19

 

Vayigash - To Make or Not to Make Commitments

What is the danger of making commitments? Why does the Midrash seem to encourage us to steer clear of commitments? What is the idea behind the opposite suggestions, which involve 'peace between man and his fellow?' What was the result of Yehuda's commitment - was it positive or negative? What is the lesson that we can learn in regards to the importance and danger of commitments? How does this relate to the concept of being motivated by less powerful motivations?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 23:48

Bitachon 37 - Strengthening our Resolve

The Alter of Novardok discusses the excuses of the Yetzer Hara in our service of Hashem - in our work on Bitachon and on our middos - in the guise of a secular excuse and the excuse of the 'Talmid Chacham.' The only tool we can employ in response is the strengthening of our resolve.

 

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Running time: 31:47 

Mikeitz-Chanukah - Listening to the Little Light

What is the idea behind the keitz-end? Can the power of evil continue forever? What is the darkness that comes to an end for the Jewish people, nationally, and for Yosef personally? What is the idea behind the verse that encourages us to 'increase sadness' and 'decrease our speech?' What is the great joy in taking on challenges and limiting the 'easy' things in our lives? How does this relate to the subtle light of Chanukah, and the Menorah which represents the Torah?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 25:29