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On the surface, at least, getting drunk on Purim is not only part of the simcha of the day but certainly enhances it as well. What would the day look like if we all remained sober?However, it doesn't take much thought to realize that drinking to the point of "Ad d'lo Yada" seems to contradict the entire intention of the Torah! Living a life of Avodas Hashem requires us to be fully mindful and maximize the cognitive powers that The Ribono Shel Olam has endowed us with.If so, how could Chazal give us a mitzvas hayom to reach a state where we are literally wasted?When we probe deeper into this mitzvah, aside from answering this question we will gain valuable insight into a unique opportunity that Purim offers unavailable to us the rest of the year! Please share your comments and insights If you seek the Torah’s timeless wisdom to assist in navigating your life's challenges, check out other helpful episodes on this podcast.

The Ramban explains that Yitzias Mitzraim, not Brias HaOlam, is the foundation of our Emunah. Why? Because at the core of our Emunah is absorbing the experience of Hashem's Nisim and His unbridled love for us. This is why failing to bring the Korban Pesach carries such a stringent punishment.  Even generations later, Jews must continue to disconnect from the experience of living in Mitzraim and the impact that it imprinted on our souls.It is for this reason that Rosh Chodesh, the beginning of the calculation as to when to bring the Korban Pesach and Yom Tov, is so essential. There is even a presumption that the Torah should have begun with this mitzvah!However, when we think deeper into it, the aforementioned reason no longer seems sufficient. There are so many other mitzvahs such as Shabbos, Limud haTorah, Ahavas Hashem, and the list goes on, that would seem to merit the unique distinction of beginning the Torah instead of the mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh. To answer this question, perhaps we need to find out what Rosh Chodesh is really about. And when we do that, we may be surprised to discover a completely different way to understand this mitzvah, and a fundamental truth that is at the center of every Jew's life! Please share your comments and insights If you seek the Torah’s timeless wisdom to assist in navigating your life's challenges, check out other helpful episodes on this podcast.

Deja Vu? Have we all been here before? Does it feel like that? For most of us, on a conscious level, probably not. But when we go beyond what we feel, and plumb the depths of our deeper collective unconscious, it is nothing less than Deja Vu; that we have been here before. What do I mean? Without any power to stop it or even slow it down, we are witnessing the world we have always known spinning out of control. Conflicts between individual countries carry within them the growing threat of world war, which could easily spill over into the nuclear dimension. The vilification of Israel has become a weekly, if not daily, occurrence that is more frequently leading to violence. Many have this foreboding sense that we are heading into perilous and explosive times. With astonishment and fear, we ask, “Where is this all leading to?” One thing is certain: as the problems continue to increase and become more severe, we have this sinking feeling that the Geula that Hashem has promised us is moving further away than ever! And yet, strangely enough, this is where the Deja Vu begins.  Through a deeper understanding of Geulas Mitzraim, we discover Hashem's path of Geula, and thereby know how to process what is happening to us now. The more we understand that path, internalize it, and live it, the more we will be able to protect ourselves from reacting to our deteriorating situation with fear and yiush. And instead, we will know that as those Chevlai Moshiach increase in frequency and intensify, we are drawing ever closer to the Geula, and our yearning for Moshiach will become the shiafa of our lives that will both define who we are and what we are living for! Please share your thoughts Email questions and suggestions for future episodes to [email protected] Visit our website at https://www.rabbigoode.org/

When we take a cold, hard look at the world today, it doesn’t take much time or insight to recognize that we are living in an unusual or, as some people put it, a “crazy world.” Things just aren’t normal anymore. It’s a meshigana “velt.” Slowly but surely, we are witnessing firsthand, and we sense that things are spinning out of control. Among the most frightening developments in Klal Yisroel today is the expanding population that has completely pushed their parents out of their lives. Although as baffled as the rest of us, Boruch Hashem, a growing cadre of caring and talented m’chanchim and therapists are struggling to address this phenomenon. This past Tisha b’Av, the Chofetz Chaim Foundation devoted its annual video to raising awareness and strengthening the mitzvah of Kibbud Av v’Ame.  With all of our other pressing needs, we need to ask ourselves, “Why would something as fundamental as the 5th Commandment in the Aseres HaDibros be selected to be the Tisha b’Av video? How could it be that Broken Ties, a wonderful organization devoted to supporting and helping these broken-hearted parents who have lost the relationship with their precious children, is steadily growing across the globe?” The answer may surprise you, and will certainly give you insight and direction as to how to navigate the confusing and difficult times! Please share your thoughts Email questions and suggestions for future episodes to [email protected] Visit our website at https://www.rabbigoode.org/

“Nachamu Nachamu Ami y’amar Elokeichem.” After the churban, the Navi tells us that we should be consoled. But are we?  We just completed an extended mourning period- the 3 weeks, the 9 days, and then the climax- Tisha b’Av. Churban, destruction, desolation, the seemingly unending Galus, filled with rivers of Jewish blood and unimaginable suffering, and now it's finally time to be consoled. So, how does it feel to be consoled? Let’s be honest, we aren’t. So, maybe we should just ask very simply- why aren’t we? What’s missing? The answer will not only surprise you, but give you a path towards real nechama! Please share your thoughts Visit our website at https://www.rabbigoode.org/

What could be more simple than being b'simcha on Purim? After all, it's a day filled with opportunities to be happy. Whether it's the excitement of hearing the Megillah, delivering m'shloach manos, getting drunk at the seudah, or all of the above, it's so easy! And yet, an entirely different story emerges when we look at the Rambam. The true simcha of Purim revolves around matanos l'evyonim! Why? That we want to share and help the less fortunate is certainly understandable. Why should they be left out? But to put the mitzvah of helping those in need at the center of our "freilichen Purim" doesn't make much sense! Or does it? Please share your comments and insights If you seek the Torah’s timeless wisdom to assist in navigating your life's challenges, check out other helpful episodes on this podcast.

We are accustomed to labeling events or occurrences in our lives as either good or bad. Depending on our experience or perception, whether we had pain or pleasure, gain or loss, these are clearcut categories that we use to describe what happened to us. But from Chazal we see that this is not only superficial but incorrect. Understandably we absorb what happens in our lives through personal experience. How could we do it any differently? But, perhaps it's time to lift ourselves above our individual experiences and see things for what they are.   And on this journey, Yisro, Moshe Rabbeinu's father-in-law can be our rebbe! Please share your comments and insights If you seek the Torah’s timeless wisdom to assist in navigating your life's challenges, check out other helpful episodes on this podcast.

When we think about Amalek, what generally comes to mind is the mitzvah to obliterate their name. After all, by being the first nation to blatantly defy Hashem, they opened the door to the long and bloody history of Hashem's people's unspeakable pain, torture, and indignities at the hands of the nations of the world. And what about the unimaginable Chillul Hashem as a result? But to destroy Amalek we first need to understand the core problem that brought about Amalek in the first place. It is only then that we can finally rid ourselves and the entire world of the problem once and for all. When we look deeply into this, we find something that is not only surprising but is as relevant today as it was over 3000 years ago!  Please share your comments and insights If you seek the Torah’s timeless wisdom to assist in navigating your life's challenges, check out other helpful episodes on this podcast.

As we embark upon these Parshios, we have the opportunity to delve once again into Yitzias Mitzraim. How much do we have to be grateful for that unlike our ancestors, we aren't living a life of slavery but of freedom?But if that freedom is so wonderful, why did 80% of the Jews in Eygpt opt out and instead prefer to remain in bondage? Were these people crazy? The answer is no. The Medrash tells us that these Jews were anything but crazy. They had very good reason to remain behind despite the suffering. In fact, to understand why only 80% chose to remain and not more, we need to clarify and deepen our understanding of what freedom is really all about and thereby grasp the fullness of Yitizias Mitzraim! Please share your comments and insights If you seek the Torah’s timeless wisdom to assist in navigating your life's challenges, check out other helpful episodes on this podcast.

After the Jewish People were denied straw to make the bricks for the Egyptian storehouses, their impossible situation became even more difficult. A distraught Moshe Rabbeinu came to Hashem and asked, "Why are you doing such a bad thing to your people?" And because of this question, Chazal tell us that Moshe Rabbeinu was denied entry into Eretz Yisroel. But how could Moshe Rabbeinu the only man in history who spoke directly with Hashem, the one upon whom Hashem is the biggest "maamin" ask such a question? It makes no sense! Please share your comments and insights If you seek the Torah’s timeless wisdom to assist in navigating your life's challenges, check out other helpful episodes on this podcast.

The Torah speaks extensively of the necessity and supreme value of forgiveness. If so, how can we understand Yosef HaTzaddik's response to his brothers in this week's sedra? They were frightened after their father's death, that he would take advantage of this propitious moment to take his long-awaited, highly-justified revenge. And he hardly seemed to assuage their fears. Yet when we deeply probe Yosef's response, we discover how compassionate he was and something essential about ourselves.   Please share your comments and insights If you seek the Torah’s timeless wisdom to assist in navigating your life's challenges, check out other helpful episodes on this podcast.

When we light the menora on Chanuka we are all familiar with the "parsumi nisa" of those lights shining bright for all to see. What a tremendous z'chus for us to publicize the miracle and recognize Hashem's complete dominion over "nature" and His endless love for us! However, there is another dimension to those lights with which we are perhaps less familiar. And it behooves us to learn about it and its potential transformative powers for all of us. Listen to this podcast to find out what that is! Please share your comments and insights If you seek the Torah’s timeless wisdom to assist in navigating your life's challenges, check out other helpful episodes on this podcast.

Please share your comments and insights The story of Dina's abduction at the hands of Schem is tragic and fraught with questions. However, perhaps most perplexing is how Shimon and Levi could defy their father without remorse.  When accused by Yaakov Avinu of subjecting the whole Jewish Nation to mortal danger, not only were they not contrite, but they defended their violence by reiterating the disgrace suffered by their sister. How could this possibly explain what they did?  Unless perhaps there is something much more profound in their answer that touches upon that which is part of our very essence! If you seek the Torah’s timeless wisdom to assist in navigating your life, check out other helpful episodes on this podcast.

Please share your comments and insights As we know, Yaakov Avinu's love for his wife Rochel knew no bounds. That is why it is so perplexing that he appeared cold and dismissive when she begged him to daven for her. Had any other woman, childless and broken, come to him distraught to the point that she couldn't imagine living without a child, there is no question that he would have davened and cried for her from the depths of his being. Isn't that what tzaddikim have done throughout the centuries?  It makes no sense that Yaakov reacted in precisely the opposite way! Unless a precious secret of tefila is buried in this story that is relevant for anyone facing a challenge or in pain. If you seek the Torah’s timeless wisdom to assist in navigating your life, check out other helpful episodes on this podcast.

Please share your comments and insights When Yaakov went before his father Yitzchok to receive the bracha, he disguised himself as Esav by donning clothing laden with animal skins. On the surface, this appeared to be the only way to receive the blessing destined for his brother. However, when we probe deeper into this seemingly simple ruse, we see that it was anything but that. In fact, from carefully analyzing the conversation between Rivka and Yaakov beforehand, we uncover a fundamental yesod that we would do well to learn from due to its extreme relevance to our current situation. If you seek the Torah’s timeless wisdom to assist in navigating your life, check out other helpful episodes on this podcast.

Please share your comments and insights As we approach Shavuos, our thoughts naturally turn to making this Kabbalos HaTorah as special as possible. Understandably, the focus of those thoughts will be our Limud HaTorah during the Yom Tov. But perhaps, first, we need to understand better what the mitzva of Talmud Torah entails.  Even a cursory glance at the Rambam will leave us surprised. And as we dig deeper, be prepared to discover that this most precious activity of our lives is quite different than you may have thought! If you seek the Torah’s timeless wisdom to assist in navigating your life, check out other helpful episodes on this podcast.