Why does the Torah repeat the word "terumah" three times in the opening of Parshas Terumah? Rashi explains there were actually three separate collections happening - but this raises a puzzling question that leads to a revolutionary insight about our spiritual lives. In this week's episode, we explore why passionate, heart-driven mitzvos cannot be the entirety of our avodas Hashem. Discover how the Torah teaches us to balance the areas where we're naturally inspired with the steady foundation of obligation, and why both elements are essential for creating a complete relationship with Hashem. Join us as we uncover what's missing when we rely solely on inspiration, and how to build a spiritual life that thrives in every season. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notarabbi.substack.com

In this illuminating episode of Mussar HaTorah, we uncover the profound mystery at the heart of Purim—a story where Hashem's name is never mentioned, yet divine providence shapes every twist and turn. Join us as we explore how the "hidden hand" in Megillat Esther teaches us to recognize Hashem's guidance in our own lives, especially during times when the divine presence feels distant or obscured. Drawing wisdom from the Talmud, Maharal, Rabbi Soloveitchik, and other Jewish sages, we'll discover how the seemingly random "coincidences" that saved the Jewish people reveal a pattern of purpose and protection. Whether you're feeling spiritually connected or searching through darkness, this exploration of hester panim (Hashem's hidden face) offers practical Mussar insights to strengthen your emunah and transform how you perceive the everyday miracles unfolding in your life. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notarabbi.substack.com

Why did the Torah need to tell us that Yosef was in Egypt when we already knew this fact? This seemingly unnecessary detail unlocks one of the most powerful lessons about spiritual consistency you’ll ever encounter. Discover how Yosef maintained his righteousness through the most dramatic life upheavals imaginable—from sheltered shepherd to slave, from prisoner to prime minister—and what his secret can teach us about building the kind of internal orderliness that holds strong even when everything around us falls apart. Rav Shlomo Wolbe reveals the two essential questions that can transform your spiritual life, while the Alter of Kelm’s stunning metaphor about pearls and clasps shows why even the most talented person will lose everything without this one critical middah. If you’ve ever struggled to maintain your spiritual commitments when life throws you a curveball, this episode offers the roadmap you’ve been searching for. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notarabbi.substack.com

In this week’s parsha, Yosef orchestrates the relocation of his family to Egypt - but not in the way you’d expect. As viceroy of Egypt, he could have settled them in the capital, given them prestigious positions, and integrated them into Egyptian high society. Instead, he deliberately presents them as simple shepherds and settles them in Goshen, fifty miles from the centers of power and culture. Why would Yosef choose isolation and even disrespect over honor and integration? Drawing on insights from Rabbi Yaakov Medan of Yeshivat Har Etzion, this episode explores Yosef’s profound strategic vision for Jewish survival. We’ll examine how maintaining cultural and religious distinctiveness - even at the cost of social acceptance - became the blueprint for Jewish continuity throughout exile. The lesson is as relevant today as it was then: How do we engage meaningfully with the world around us while preserving what makes us authentically Jewish? Join us as we discover the timeless wisdom in Yosef’s decision and learn to navigate the creative tension of being “in the world, but not of it.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notarabbi.substack.com

In this week's parsha, we encounter a fascinating moment that reveals profound insights into genuine religious consciousness. The Torah tells us that when Yosef was sold as a slave to Potifar, something remarkable happened: "וַיַּרְא אֲדֹנָיו כִּי ה' אִתּוֹ" - "his master saw that Hashem was with him." Rav Shlomo Wolbe raises an intriguing question that cuts to the heart of our religious practice. What made Yosef so exceptional? After all, don't we also say "Baruch Hashem" and "Im Yirtzeh Hashem" throughout our day? Haven't we too reached the level of "Shem Shamayim shagur b'fiv" - having Heaven's name constantly on our lips? The answer, Rav Wolbe explains, reveals the vast difference between mechanical religious behavior and genuine consciousness of Hashem. When Yosef said "Im Yirtzeh Hashem," it wasn't just a cultural convention or a habit. He genuinely felt and understood that the outcome was completely dependent on Hashem's will. Every time he mentioned Hashem's name, it came from a place of deep awareness and connection. This stands in stark contrast to how we often use these phrases. How many times do we say "Im Yirtzeh Hashem" automatically, without truly contemplating what we're saying? Sometimes, we might even write "BS"D" at the top of a paper, only to fill it with lashon hara! This disconnect between our words and our consciousness is something we must work to bridge. Rav Wolbe shares a powerful conversation he had with a gadol who once observed, "Look at this street. It's full of people, and not one of them is thinking about Hashem!" This striking observation highlights how rare genuine God-consciousness is, even among observant Jews. Another telling incident involves Rav Yechezkel Levenstein. When Rav Wolbe asked him how he was doing, Rav Yechezkel simply answered "Well." He felt it would be meaningless to say "Baruch Hashem" without truly focusing on the words and their significance. This teaches us that authenticity in our religious expression is more important than mere repetition of phrases. There's another crucial lesson we can learn from our parsha. Even for those who have developed a genuine consciousness of Hashem, there's a challenge of consistency. Yosef maintained his religious identity and expression regardless of his surroundings. Whether in Potifar's house or in prison, his recognition and acknowledgment of Hashem remained unchanged. This teaches us that if we're accustomed to saying "B'ezras Hashem" or "Im Yirtzeh Hashem," we shouldn't alter our behavior based on our audience. True yiras Shamayim doesn't shift with our surroundings. Like Yosef, we should maintain our religious authenticity wherever we find ourselves. The Sforno adds another dimension to this understanding. He explains that Yosef's success was so clearly supernatural that even Potifar could recognize it wasn't merely human capability. But crucially, this was only visible because Yosef constantly attributed his success to Hashem. He didn't take credit for his achievements but openly acknowledged their true Source. As we go through this week, let's work on making our expressions of faith more genuine. When we say "Baruch Hashem" or "Im Yirtzeh Hashem," let's pause for a moment to truly feel and mean these words. This was the middah of Yosef HaTzaddik - having Hashem's presence permeate every aspect of his life, and this is how we too can bring Hashem with us wherever we find ourselves. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notarabbi.substack.com

In this week’s episode, we explore a rare musical note in the Torah—the shalshelet—that appears over a single word in Parshas Vayera: “he hesitated.” Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt”l teaches that this zigzag cantillation mark, which goes up and down as if unable to move forward, represents the sound of ambivalence, the music of a soul torn between two identities. When the angels command Lot to flee Sodom immediately or die, he hesitates—frozen by the realization that his entire assimilation project has failed, that despite years of trying to belong, he’s still seen as an outsider. This ancient story speaks directly to the modern struggle: Can we really be two people at once? What’s the cost of hiding who we are to fit in? And why does authenticity, as uncomfortable as it may be, ultimately earn more respect than pretending? Join us as we discover what Lot’s tragic hesitation teaches us about the courage to live without ambivalence. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notarabbi.substack.com

Why did Yaakov say the same word twice when calling his sons together for his final message? The Brisker Rav reveals that this seemingly redundant phrase actually contains one of the most profound lessons about growth, feedback, and human relationships. This week’s episode explores how Yaakov mastered the delicate balance between correction and encouragement—and why we desperately need both to become our best selves. If you’ve ever struggled with giving or receiving criticism, or wondered how to help someone grow without crushing their spirit, this teaching will transform how you communicate. Discover the hidden wisdom in Parshas Vayechi that Moshe Rabbeinu himself learned and passed down through the generations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notarabbi.substack.com

Ever wonder why a well-prepared lawyer could suddenly become tongue-tied in court just because the judge showed favoritism to their opponent? This week's Parshas Shoftim reveals a profound psychological truth that goes far beyond the courtroom. Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe's stunning insight into "hester panim" (hiding of the face) versus "he'aras panim" (lighting up of the face) exposes the hidden reason why so many of our relationships remain stuck in cold distance. The culprit? We're all waiting for the other person to make the first move. Discover how ancient courtroom etiquette holds the key to transforming every relationship in your life—from that standoffish colleague to the distant family member you've been meaning to reconnect with. Sometimes the most revolutionary act is simply choosing to smile first. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notarabbi.substack.com

In this week's episode, we explore one of the most surprising compliments hidden in the Torah's harshest criticism. When Moshe calls the Jewish people "stiff-necked" and predicts their future failures, it sounds like the ultimate leadership disappointment speech. However, Rabbi Yecheskel Weinfeld offers a stunning reframe: that same stubborn streak that often gets us into trouble might be our secret weapon for spiritual success. As we navigate the final days before Yom Kippur, this insight from Parshas Vayeilech offers a revolutionary perspective on setbacks, persistence, and why falling down doesn't disqualify you from getting back up. Discover how the trait that has historically been our greatest challenge has also been the source of our greatest resilience, and learn practical ways to channel your inner "stiff neck" toward spiritual growth rather than spiritual rebellion. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notarabbi.substack.com

We all know what's right and wrong, so why do we still make poor choices? In this week's episode on Parshas Reeh, we explore a profound insight from Rav Henoch Liebowitz zt"l about how the Yetzer Hara doesn't try to convince us that wrong is right—instead, it specializes in sophisticated rationalizations that make us believe the rules don't apply to us "this time." Through the lens of the blessings and curses given at Mount Gerizim, we discover that our neshama already knows the right path, but we need to cut through the fog of our own excuses to see it clearly. Learn one simple but transformative practice that can help you recognize when you're rationalizing and restore the clarity you need to make choices aligned with your deepest values. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notarabbi.substack.com