Vayishlach - Light Ends the Struggle

What is the backstory that predicated the struggle of Yaakov with the angel of Esav? Why did the angel appear as a fellow shepherd? How is the entire struggle of the Jewish people - throughout our thousands of years of exile - contained in this interaction? What are the lessons for our approach to commerce and spirituality as we traverse the lands of exile? Why did Yaakov believe that the angel was in fact a magician employing black magic? How did the angel prove his power was spiritual in nature, and what does that teach about the power of Esav? What is represented by the 'fire of Yaakov' which is greater than the smaller 'fire of Esav?'

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 24:27

Bitachon 88 - Letting it be Hashem's Way

We continue in discussing ideas from Dovid Hamelech in Tehillim (Psalms), among them is the idea of trusting in Hashem to provide the very way itself that He will provide for us, not stipulating with Hashem how He 'should' send us our needs.

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Running time: 22:31

Vayetzei - Early Sunrise of Redemption

How does Yakov Avinu (Jacob) represent the Jewish people's descent to exile and return to redemption? Why did the sun set early, and when did the sun 'get back' the two hours with an early sunrise? Why was Yakov referred to by the angels (and his son Yosef) as 'the Sun?' What is the 'key to redemption' that Yakov used and Hashem uses for the Jewish people in the future? What is represented by the 600,000 or 1.2 million angels who greeted Yakov on his return to Israel?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 28:55

Bitachon 87 - The Secret to Lasting Success

We continue in verses from Tehillim (Psalms) in which King David extolls the great heights attained when one employs the attribute of Bitachon (confidence) in Hashem. Among them is the secret to lasting success - by reinforcing one's dependence on Hashem - the true source of all Good - one guarantees a good outcome, as opposed to those who try to squeeze their wants from the world through dishonest means, who ultimately fail and destroy themselves.

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Running time: 23:02

Toldos - Finding Our True Voice

What is the reason for the repetition of the word 'kol' - voice - in the statement of Yitzchak that the voice sounds like Yakov and not Esav? What is the reason for the doubling of the language of Esav's 'hands' and what do we learn from the voice of Yakov being placed next to the hands of Esav? What is the special power of Torah learning and prayer, and why does it 'float up' especially when it is done by children? Why are the angels referred to as 'those who stand?' What is the power of our voice to cause the upper and lower realms to pause?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 26:40

Bitachon 86 - It's About Our Relationship

We continue in pesukim from Tehillim (Psalms) where King David inspires us with his Bitachon - which he asked Hashem that it not produce embarrasment by going unanswered. It is this powerful faith that produces a connection to Hashem that does not falter. Even if the odds are stacked against me, I place my trust in Hashem. Hashem is my Shield.

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Chayei Sarah - Invest Again

What is the lesson that the Torah imparts with teaching us that Avraham married Keturah in his later years and had six children with her? Why should one 'spread one's investment' over a number of lucrative possibilities? Why did R' Akiva's earlier students all perish, while his later students, who were much fewer, thrived and filled Israel with Torah? Why does the 'extra investment' seem to produce more results, though it is done without the same focus and concentrated efforts?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 24:16

Bitachon 85 - Hashem's Kindness is Forever

We continue in the verses from Tehillim (Psalms) discussing the power of Bitachon and the Kindness of Hashem upon which it rests. The sense of calmness and the answer to our prayers is what Bitachon provides.

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Vayera - Shofar of Moshiach

What is the meaning of the word 'after' that follows the word 'ram' in the verse which refers to the ram that Avraham found and offered as a sacrifice in place of his son Yitzchok? How did Avraham use this ram if it might have belonged to someone? What is the significance of the fact that this ram was created on the sixth day of creation, and how did it live so long until the time of Avraham? What was its special nature which made it appropriate as a replacement for Yitzchok? What is the depth of the teaching that this word 'after' refers to the Jewish people's redemption which will be 'after' all of their sins and the travails of exile? What is the significance of the Shofar which will be 'blown' with the advent of the age of Moshiach?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 29:38

Bitachon 84 - Trust Completely in Hashem

We continue discussing pesukim in Yirmiyahu (Jeremiah) and Tehillim, and the powerful words of Yirmiyahu and King David form the backbone of our discussion of the importance of putting our full trust only in Hashem.

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Running time: 21:55