Lechteich Parshah Podcast with Don Jarashow

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Vayeishev: Don't Stain Your Spark

Dec 12, 2025

20:58

Marcus Aurelius in the Roman camps and Yosef HaTzaddik in Potiphar’s house faced temptations meant to pull them down. Their strength came from identity, dignity, and remembering who they were. Midrash and Rabbeinu Yonah show how that awareness becomes the strongest defense against the yetzer hara. Even a prince above the mud knows he was made for more. Never stain the divine spark inside.

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Vayishlach: Identity

Dec 5, 2025

21:09

This week’s episode takes you somewhere unexpected. What began as a somber family levayah in snowy Minneapolis turned into a powerful confrontation with identity, legacy, and the quiet battle each of us fights every single day. In the cold wind beside a fresh kever, something became crystal clear — the end of a life can ignite the beginning of a mission.We open with the story of a woman who lived entirely for others, and the way her legacy still speaks louder than words. From there, we follow Yaakov Avinu on his tense journey toward Esav, uncovering the Chafetz Chaim’s penetrating insight into what it really means to stand firm against the pull of a confused world.And yes — there’s even a moment of royal drama, a surprising lesson straight from Queen Elizabeth herself, reminding us just how easily we forget who we are.If you’ve ever felt shaken by the pace of life, overwhelmed by the noise, or unsure of your direction, this episode delivers the reminder we all need: you are not a commoner. You are a child of the King — with a purpose, a tafkid, and a legacy waiting to be written.

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Vayetzei: The Luxury Car that Wouldn't Start

Nov 27, 2025

18:07

This week’s shiur takes us into the quiet, tense moments where a small decision becomes a real test. Through powerful stories—like a simple stamp that turned into a question of emes, or a brand-new car that wouldn’t budge with Rav Chaim inside—we see how Hashem guides us in ways we don’t always notice. It’s a reminder that the everyday choices we make say everything about who we really are.

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Scheiners - Jump Out of the Car | R' Don Jarashow

Nov 23, 2025

29:43

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Toldos: Sensitivity Saves Lives

Nov 20, 2025

15:41

In this Lechteich episode, Parshas Toldos erupts with unexpected drama. A single cry from Eisav — raw, bitter, explosive — unleashes a chain reaction that nearly seals Klal Yisrael’s fate centuries later. How could one moment carry such devastating force? And what hidden truth about sensitivity and responsibility lies beneath it?Through a powerful blend of Torah insight and a real-life story of courage and compassion, this episode uncovers the quiet strength of noticing another Yid — and the danger of failing to.

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Chayei Sarah: Trader Joe’s and the Wink from Above

Nov 13, 2025

13:52

This week’s Lechteich's shiur hits deep — that quiet struggle of winter, when the inspiration of the Yamim Noraim has faded and real life takes over. How do we hold on when there’s no yom tov in sight, no external chizuk, just the daily grind of being a Yid?With stories of the Sanzer Rav, the mission of Eliezer, and a surprising lesson from a loaf of Trader Joe’s sourdough, this episode explores what it really means to want to grow — and how Hashem meets us halfway.Because sometimes, the smallest step toward taharah, the quietest “I want to,” can summon a malach to walk beside you.

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Shmuz at Bais Shabsi: When Heaven Revived the Sprinklers

Nov 9, 2025

12:28

A broken sprinkler isn’t exactly a crisis… unless you’re five years old. But in that moment — tears, frustration, and all — a simple question emerged:“Don’t we believe Hashem can do anything?”What followed in that park was more than a repair. It was a reminder — straight from a child’s heart — of what pure emunah looks like.In this episode, we connect that small miracle to Sarah Imeinu’s laughter, the Chafetz Chaim’s timeless insight, and the message so many of us need right now:When we ask sincerely — even for the “small” things — Hashem listens.

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Vayera: Temptation Island and the Untouched Soul

Nov 6, 2025

17:25

The Yomim Tovim glow has faded — and real life hits hard. Frustration, confusion, and challenges we thought we left behind come rushing back.In this week’s episode, a “mistake” triggers a wave of emotion… but turns into a powerful reminder that nothing is random. From political chaos to a gripping true story of an orphaned prince, we uncover what it means to stay focused on who we are — children of the King — even when distractions surround us.

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Lech Lecha: Turkey in a Chicken Coop

Oct 31, 2025

13:25

One man. One dream. And a world that told him he was out of his mind.This week, we dive into the gripping story of Rav Meir Shapiro — the visionary behind Daf Yomi and the force who built Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin against all odds. Mocked, doubted, and challenged at every step, he refused to shrink his ambition. Instead, he made noise — the kind that changed history.His legacy pushes us to take our own purpose seriously, even when the path isn’t easy.

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Noach: Stay in Your Waters

Oct 25, 2025

12:10

The floodwaters are rising again—not in the world, but in our lives.As the inspiration of Yomim Noraim fades, how do we hold on to what we became? Why did the fish survive the Mabul when everything else was destroyed?A powerful story and a deeper look beneath the surface reveal a simple truth: sometimes the only way to stay pure… is to stay apart.

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Hoshana Rabba: A Promise from Eliyahu Hanavi

Oct 13, 2025

5:36

This week’s episode begins in the Mall of America — the largest mall in the United States — where the laughter was loud, the lights were blinding, and the rides were spinning. Families filled the Nickelodeon Universe, enjoying Chol Hamoed the way only a Jewish crowd can.And then, in the middle of it all, someone pointed — “Look! It’s the Queen Rider!” Cameras flashing. People cheering. A local celebrity, famous for… what exactly? Riding a rollercoaster. Over and over. Until nausea became an achievement.But as the world celebrates its “heroes,” a question rises above the noise: What does it mean to be a true hero?Because on Hoshana Rabbah, Shemini Atzeres, and Simchas Torah, Eliyahu HaNavi himself reveals a secret — a promise — about those who daven with heart, who connect with Hashem in these final days of Yom Tov.In this gripping and soul-stirring episode, we contrast the emptiness of worldly fame with the eternal power of spiritual connection — and discover how, in these three days, we can become something far greater than a “Queen Rider.”

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Sukkos: Lechteich B'Succah

Oct 13, 2025

9:50

This week’s episode begins with a question — one of the most famous Chumash kashas of all. If the sukkah reminds us of the Clouds of Glory that surrounded Klal Yisroel when they left Mitzrayim, shouldn’t we be sitting in the sukkah in Nissan, not Tishrei?But as the Tur and later Reb Yerucham Olshan reveal, the answer opens a doorway to something much deeper — a truth about what it means to be bodod, to be alone with Hashem, and why davka in the quiet, when the rest of the world goes inside, we step outside.In this powerful Yom Tov message, we uncover the secret of the sukkah — not just as a public statement of faith, but as a private journey of the soul. What does it mean to sit under the schach, to relive the footsteps of our ancestors, to feel Hashem’s embrace in the simplicity of a shaky hut?It’s a moment of stillness. Of faith. Of connection. Step outside the noise — and listen in.

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Yom Kippur: When Small is Greater than Big

Sep 29, 2025

3:32

Just before Selichos, a fellow sighed, “This year, I’m not asking small. I’m going big.” His words caught me off guard, and when he asked why I looked uneasy, I shared something my Rebbe once told me in Yerushalayim—a perspective that completely changed how I think about tefillah.In this episode, we reflect on what it really means to daven on Yom Kippur. Do we come with long lists and big requests, or is there something deeper in simply asking Hashem to give us from His goodness—trusting that He knows best? Sometimes the smallest tefillah can open the door to the greatest blessing.

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Yom Kippur: It's All a Gumball

Sep 28, 2025

5:16

As Yom Kippur draws near, we’re reminded that tefillah is everything—our lifeline, our future, our ultimate connection to Hashem. But what happens when the tefillah feels too small for the enormity of what we’re asking? In this week’s episode, I share a powerful true story that began with a silent baby, a father’s desperate plea, and a seemingly simple kabbalah. The outcome was nothing short of miraculous. This is a story that will make you stop, hold your breath, and realize just how much our tefillos can move Heaven.

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Rosh Hashana: Our Rich Uncle

Sep 19, 2025

5:25

This past Shabbos, I ran into an old friend who asked me: “What’s your 30-second pitch for Rosh Hashanah?” What could I possibly say in half a minute about the greatest day of the year? Then I remembered a story I’d heard back in yeshiva—about a man who inherited a fortune but had to go on a long, difficult journey to claim it. The lesson? We all have a wealthy relative—HaKadosh Baruch Hu—who left us the ultimate inheritance, filled with blessings, wisdom, and life-changing opportunities. This episode dives into how we can “claim” it, approaching Hashem not just as King, but as our loving, generous uncle, eager to give us everything we need for a truly meaningful life.

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Rosh Hashana: Divine Upgrade from Basic Economy

Sep 19, 2025

6:32

Two months ago, I made what felt like a simple, proactive move—booking a flight for Sukkos. Everything seemed perfect… until I realized I’d made a huge mistake. Non-refundable tickets, the wrong date, no easy way out. I called rep after rep, hit wall after wall, and felt completely stuck. But then something unexpected happened—a reminder that sometimes, the One in control isn’t on the other end of the phone. This episode is about frustration, faith, and the surprising way everything can shift when you put it in the right hands.

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Ki Savo: Question #1

Sep 11, 2025

16:15

Elul is slipping away, and the Chafetz Chaim’s words still ring in our ears: What will you answer on the Day of Judgment? In this shiur we hear the chilling story of a frail tzaddik, a pinch of snuff, and the question that shakes us to our core—are we using this world to gather eternity, or are we wasting our lives on trivialities? As Rosh Hashanah approaches, every choice matters.

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Ki Seitzei: Fencing In the Mindstorm

Sep 4, 2025

19:34

In this week’s parsha, Ki Seitzei, a mitzvah about putting a fence on a roof seems straightforward — until Chazal pull back the curtain. Suddenly it’s not about construction at all, but about the dangerous thoughts that can knock us down before we even realize it.As Elul winds down and Rosh Hashanah approaches, this shiur explores the battle inside our minds — the yetzer hara’s quiet whispers, the urge to overthink, the plans that collapse before they’re even built. Through a powerful mashal of a man and his basket of eggs, we uncover how to build real fences around our thoughts, and how to find the strength to take life one step at a time.

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Shoftim: No Substitutes – Just the Instructions

Aug 28, 2025

12:17

A crowded hotel lobby. Families rushing in. Frustrated voices—“Didn’t Tati pay enough for this?” And then the realization: no matter how much you pay, there are rules. First come, first served. That moment became a piercing Elul reminder: no shortcuts, no substitutes—just the instructions. With the Kedushas Levi’s reading of “lo sakim lecha matzeivah” and the Dubno Maggid’s mashal of glittering fakes, this shiur exposes the glittering illusions of the Yetzer Hara and the only strategy that truly secures us for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. For only $1 a week, you can sponsor a day of the Elul Mussar shiur—uplifting thousands worldwide. It’s simple, it’s easy, and the zechus is yours. A true no-brainer. https://www.lechteich.org/#/portal/signup/678f020a1e7c8b00083c17f9/monthly

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Re'eh: Never Fall Apart — Always His Children

Aug 21, 2025

12:39

Even when we feel behind, lost, or disconnected, Hashem never abandons us. This week, we explore the timeless message of בנים אתם לה' אלוקיכם—that we are always His children, always supported, and always capable of renewal. Drawing from Ibn Ezra and the Slonimer, we uncover how even moments of despair are invitations to connect, grow, and embrace our divine inheritance. A call to strengthen our emunah and approach this Elul with courage, clarity, and heartfelt teshuva.

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Eikev: Faith Through the Flames

Aug 14, 2025

11:39

When Chana lost everything in Auschwitz, she thought her suffering had reached its limit. But years later, standing before the smoldering ruins of her home, she faced a choice that would alter her life—and the lives of generations to come. In this week’s parsha, Moshe Rabbeinu reminds us, “מה ה׳ אלקיך שואל מעמך כי אם ליראה”—to anchor ourselves to Hashem, the Kol Yachol. In our own moments of loss, uncertainty, and fear, that same anchor can carry us through the fire. Chana’s decision to accept her pain with love became the bridge from devastation to renewal, unlocking a miracle no doctor believed possible.

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Parshas Vaeschanan: Is G-d Actually Part of Your Life

Aug 7, 2025

15:34

The Vilna Gaon shows how Parshas Va’eschanan reveals a deep truth: many seek Hashem, but few truly find Him—because finding requires full heart and soul. The Chafetz Chaim drives it further—bitachon isn't extra credit; it’s core. It's not enough to want; you must live it. Rebbe Leibele Eiger’s transformation in Kotzk teaches the difference between saying and knowing. Hashem isn’t everywhere—He’s wherever you let Him in. Real tefillah, even once, can shift everything. A wake-up call before Elul: the limit of your emunah is where Torah says it only begins.

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Kinos: We’re Great, But We’re Orphans — And We Don’t Even Remember #2

Aug 3, 2025

18:32

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Kinos: We’re Great, But We’re Orphans — And We Don’t Even Remember #1

Aug 3, 2025

12:51

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Parshas Devarim | Shabbos Chazon: Filled with Helium

Aug 1, 2025

17:08

We enter Sefer Devarim and Shabbos Chazon in the shadow of destruction. But hidden in the sorrow is an undeniable lift — a vision of what could be. The Navi doesn’t just warn; he uplifts. Moshe Rabbeinu doesn’t just rebuke; he prepares us to rise.This week’s message is filled with that kind of helium — weighty words that somehow elevate.

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Tisha B’Av: Bear Hug

Jul 31, 2025

11:04

It looks like destruction. It feels like abandonment. But what if the deepest pain we’ve ever felt… is actually a disguise? Rav Shimshon Dovid Pincus zt”l revealed a hidden dimension of Tisha B’Av that changes everything. In this episode, we confront the darkness—not to escape it, but to discover who’s behind it. Because when we look closer, we realize: it’s not a bear. It’s our Father. And He’s never been closer.

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Tisha B'Av - Hospitalized Over the Churban

Jul 31, 2025

7:52

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Tisha B'Av - New Perspective on Darkness

Jul 30, 2025

11:07

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Matos Masei: Ever-Shifting Puzzle Pieces

Jul 24, 2025

11:17

Parshas Masei reminds us that life’s journey is filled with masos—steps forward, stops, and uncertainty. Like ever-shifting puzzle pieces, we rarely see the full picture, but every move is guided from Above. Through personal stories, the Chasam Sofer’s turning point, and the timeless message of Vayisu Vayachanu, we reflect on what it means to Lechteich Acharai BaMidbar—to follow Hashem through unknowns with trust and courage. This is the heart of Lechteich: moving forward, even when the picture isn’t clear—because the One arranging the pieces sees it all.

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Pinchas: The Chicken on the Rooftop

Jul 18, 2025

8:38

A deathly ill child. A remote island. An unreachable cure. Rav Akiva Eiger davened—and the impossible arrived on his roof. This week, we uncover a staggering true story, a Sfas Emes on "תשמרו", and the hidden message of Rosh Chodesh’s korbanos: Tefillah isn’t distant. It’s the most real thing we have.

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Balak: Can’t Rewrite the Script

Jul 10, 2025

16:07

Hashem refused to listen—not just to the curse, but even to its words. Parshas Balak reminds us that no matter the intentions or efforts of others, Hashem’s script is unshakable. With a powerful insight from the Chasam Sofer, a moving story of Rav Elimelech and Rav Zusha, and a deeper reflection on Shechinah b’Galusa, we uncover the boundless love and unwavering loyalty that Hashem shows His people—even in the darkest moments.

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Chukas: Walk With Me, Not Above Me

Jul 3, 2025

15:36

The mystery of the Parah Adumah teaches that true purity doesn’t come from staying above others, but from being willing to become tamei—stepping into their pain with them. The Baal Shem Tov reveals that growth starts with humility, and healing starts with empathy. A powerful story of the Lubavitcher Rebbe shows how one act of heart can change a life—and that our hearts were placed on the left, not for ourselves, but so we can be closer to someone else’s right side.

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Korach: Poolside Prayer

Jun 26, 2025

12:02

A slurpee run turns into a powerful question: Does Hashem care where or how we say Tehillim—or just that we say it? Parshas Korach reveals that it’s not just the mitzvah that counts, but the circumstances, the struggle, and the heart behind it. The blossoming of Aharon’s staff teaches us that Hashem cherishes every step, even before the fruit appears. In a world filled with pain and transition, every honest effort matters more than we think. This week’s episode is sponsored by Bsefer Chayim, לעילוי נשמת מינדל בת ר' משולם זאב.Bsefer Chayim is a life insurance awareness initiative dedicated solely to protecting families — with no profit from any policies. Their mission is to raise awareness and make life insurance accessible to every couple.Did you know a young couple can lock in a term life insurance policy at their chasuna for as little as $25/month — less than a cell phone bill?Visit bseferchayim.org for more information. Do it while you're young — and be forever grateful you did.What better gift for a chosson and kallah than a life insurance policy?

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Shelach: Grasshoppers Don’t Win Wars

Jun 19, 2025

15:27

When the Meraglim saw themselves as grasshoppers, they guaranteed defeat. This week’s shiur explores how self-perception shapes our reality—personally and nationally. We’re not small. We’re Hashem’s children, endowed with infinite power to uplift the world. Grasshoppers don’t win wars—but Yidden with clarity do.

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Beha'aloscha: One Call, Many Voices

Jun 13, 2025

6:35

Beha’aloscha reminds us that each Jew has a unique path. The trumpets were made only for Moshe—because no two missions are the same. The menorah teaches that every soul is a distinct flame. Our strength lies not in imitation, but in embracing our own role with clarity and courage. In times of threat and confusion, the Torah calls us to cry out, unify, and remember: Hashem fights our battles. One nation. One purpose. Many paths.

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Beha'aloscha: Flickering Flames of Influence (5784)

Jun 9, 2025

13:52

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Naso: Power Hitter

Jun 5, 2025

12:41

After the spiritual high of Shavuos, we often crash — feeling like we’re back in the grind, disconnected, and far from Har Sinai. But Parshas Sotah reminds us: even when we feel low, we’re never off the team. Even in the eighth spot, we’re power hitters. Hashem treasures the strength it takes to keep fighting — and that fight brings the greatest brachos.

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Shavuos: City on Fire

May 29, 2025

14:35

The yetzer hara will set a whole city ablaze just to pull you away from learning. As we prepare to receive the Torah, we face fiery distractions meant to shake us. But we don’t back down—we fight with fire, or we douse it with water. This episode is about resilience, perseverance, and holding your ground when everything around you is burning.

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Shavuos: A limping Nation (5784)

May 28, 2025

13:06

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Bamidbar: His Orchestra's Violinists (5784)

May 28, 2025

12:33

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Parshas Behar-Bechukosai: From Celery to Salary

May 22, 2025

15:58

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Behar: Big Bucks From the Real Gvir (5784)

May 20, 2025

16:53

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Purest of Pure Intentions: Parshas Emor

May 16, 2025

12:25

As we celebrate Lag BaOmer with dancing and flames, Parshas Emor reminds us that true kiddush Hashem means surrendering completely to Hashem’s will—without personal cheshbonos, without expecting outcomes. In a time of pain and uncertainty, especially in Eretz Yisrael, the Rashbi’s legacy and the parshah’s message converge: Real greatness and yeshuah come when we let go of control and live purely for Hashem. That’s the fire that never dies.

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Emor: Preserving the Good for a Rainy Day (5784)

May 11, 2025

15:41

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Acharei Mos-Kedoshim: The Grass is Greener on the Other Side

May 9, 2025

14:01

A casual lawn chat with a neighbor turns into a powerful mashal about self-worth, spiritual struggle, and how we see others. As we approach Kabbalas HaTorah, we discover the Ohr HaChaim’s life-changing yesod: Even when we feel spiritually barren, Hashem says—Lo siktzor. Don’t cut yourself off. Ever. Keep going… until you reach the greener grass.A heartfelt story of the Vorker Rebbe reminds us: no one is ever too far gone. Not you. Not ever.

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Tazria: Frozen But Not Solid

May 2, 2025

10:07

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Tazria-Metzora - And Your People, All of Them Are Righteous (5783)

Apr 28, 2025

13:54

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Silence That Says Everything: Parshas Shemini

Apr 25, 2025

10:35

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Pesach: Strength Over Suffering (Bordeaux)

Apr 17, 2025

50:58

Today is the yahrtzeit of my beloved chavrusa, Yisrael Levin z"l. In his memory, I'm sharing a shiur Stregnth Over Suffering - on overcoming challenges, bitachon, and choosing strength over pain.It's personal, deep, and candid - tied to the journey of Lechteich, which began after the loss of Yisrael z"l, his kallah Elisheva a"h, and my brother Noach Raphael z"l.I encourage you to listen especially if you wonder why this topic belongs on the joyous yom tov of Pesach.

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Pesach: Mah Nishtanah Isn’t Just for 3-Year-Olds

Apr 10, 2025

10:27

The questions of the Mah Nishtanah aren’t a cute performance — they’re a deep invitation to awaken wonder, curiosity, and connection. This Pesach, we explore how the Seder night calls on every Jew, at every age, to ask, to search, and to grow.

Lechteich Parshah Podcast with Don Jarashow

Lechteich Parshah Podcast with Don Jarashow

More by Don Jarashow