Rabbi W
Rabbi W
35 episodes 1 show
Rabbi Pinchas Wolhendler (“Rabbi W”) is the co-founder and Chief Editor of Toras Avigdor. He serves as a dayan at Beis Horaah Lamdeini Chukecha and delivers daily shiurim in Halacha and Gemara. His shiurim focus on making Torah clear, practical, and relevant to everyday life.
Popular Shows
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Name
Release Date
Duration
1
Serving Hashem and Bitachon — Hakdamah 27
Serving Hashem and Bitachon — Hakdamah 27
Oct 18, 2026
6:21
Chovos Halvavos explains how the first four Shaarim build upon one another. First, we recognize Hashem's existence and absolute oneness (Shaar HaYichud). Then we learn to recognize His wisdom and presence in the world around us (Shaar HaBechinah). This leads us to understand our obligation to serve Him (Shaar Avodas Elokim), and only then do we arrive at Shaar HaBitachon. We discover why bitachon isn't meant to be a shortcut. It's wonderful to learn about trusting Hashem, but Rabbeinu Bachya presents genuine bitachon as the natural result of knowing Hashem, recognizing His kindness, and dedicating ourselves to His service. Simply telling someone to trust Hashem without building those foundations misses much of what Chovos Halvavos is teaching us.
2
Inner Torah Study — Hakdamah 19
Inner Torah Study — Hakdamah 19
Sep 18, 2026
5:41
Chovos Halvavos warns against devoting our limited learning time to subjects that may be fascinating while neglecting the foundations of our emunah. Knowing that Hashem is One because we learned it as children is only the beginning; we are expected to think, investigate, and make these truths our own. Rabbeinu Bachya describes this inner wisdom as “light for the mind and illumination for the soul.” The deeper our understanding of Hashem becomes, the more our emunah becomes not merely something we were taught, but something we truly know.
3
Discovering the Hidden Wisdom — Hakdamah 20
Discovering the Hidden Wisdom — Hakdamah 20
Oct 5, 2026
6:36
Chovos Halvavos introduces us to Chochmah Hatzfunah — the hidden wisdom of our inner avodas Hashem. Unlike practical halacha, this wisdom lies deep within the heart and must be deliberately uncovered — “like deep water, which a man of understanding draws out.” Rabbeinu Bachya challenges us to examine our priorities in learning: Are we pursuing fascinating questions that may never affect us, while neglecting the middos, thoughts, and inner obligations that shape us every single day?
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What did Hashem Create YOU for? — Hakdamah 21
What did Hashem Create YOU for? — Hakdamah 21
Oct 6, 2026
5:52
Chovos Halvavos challenges the idea of “emunah peshutah” for someone capable of deeper understanding. Relying on the emunah we inherited may be sufficient when a person lacks the ability to investigate further — but someone blessed with a capable mind is expected to use it in the service of Hashem. Rabbeinu Bachya illustrates this with the fascinating parable of the king’s two tax collectors. Hashem doesn’t expect the same thing from everyone; He expects us to use the particular abilities He gave us. And for someone blessed with intelligence, intellectual laziness in matters of emunah is itself a failure to serve Him fully.
5
Creating the Sefer — Hakdamah 22
Creating the Sefer — Hakdamah 22
Oct 8, 2026
5:45
Chovos Halvavos describes how Rabbeinu Bachya began studying and practicing the duties of the heart, only to discover that the deeper he went, the more there was to learn. Each obligation opened the door to new insights and responsibilities, revealing a world of inner avodah far greater than he had imagined. We discover why Rabbeinu Bachya decided to write Chovos Halvavos — not only to preserve what he had learned, but to hold himself accountable to his own teachings. What began as a personal guide for self-improvement would become a light for generations of Klal Yisroel.
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Self Doubt, Laziness and Accomplishment — Hakdamah 23
Self Doubt, Laziness and Accomplishment — Hakdamah 23
Oct 11, 2026
5:41
Chovos Halvavos describes Rabbeinu Bachya's struggle with self-doubt as he considered writing his sefer. Was he knowledgeable enough? Was his understanding sufficiently developed? Was he even qualified to write a work of such importance? But he came to recognize that what appeared to be humility and caution was actually fear of criticism and a desire for comfort. We discover a powerful lesson about the dangers of excessive caution and perfectionism — and how many worthwhile endeavors never get off the ground simply because we're afraid to begin.
7
The Enemy Within — Hakdamah 24
The Enemy Within — Hakdamah 24
Oct 13, 2026
5:21
Chovos Halvavos continues exploring the danger of excessive caution and perfectionism. If everyone waited until they were perfectly qualified before undertaking something worthwhile, very little good would ever be accomplished. Human imperfection is no excuse for failing to act. Rabbeinu Bachya recognizes something even more troubling: the Yetzer Hara is remarkably good at manufacturing excuses. When it comes to doing something worthwhile, we suddenly discover a thousand reasons to hesitate. But when it comes to doing something wrong, those excuses mysteriously disappear. Recognizing this trap, he resolves to push ahead with writing his sefer.
8
Simplicity; Not Jadal — Hakdamah 25
Simplicity; Not Jadal — Hakdamah 25
Oct 14, 2026
7:24
Chovos Halvavos explains how Rabbeinu Bachya finally decided to write his sefer — and why he deliberately chose simplicity over sophisticated rhetoric and debate. Rather than impress his readers with complicated arguments, he wanted to make the duties of the heart accessible through clear explanations, common sense, and practical examples. We also discover how he organized his sefer into ten Shaarim, and why he draws not only on Tanach and Chazal, but also on the wisdom of other nations. And what makes the first Shaar so different from the rest of Chovos Halvavos?
9
Wood Teaches About Hashem — Hakdamah 26
Wood Teaches About Hashem — Hakdamah 26
Oct 15, 2026
6:57
Chovos Halvavos introduces the structure of the sefer, beginning with Shaar HaYichud, the foundation upon which everything else rests: recognizing the absolute oneness of Hashem. But how can we come to know and appreciate a Creator whose true essence is beyond human comprehension? That brings us to Shaar HaBechinah — discovering Hashem through the wonders of His creations. By examining the world around us, even the simplest objects can become a source of profound awareness of Hashem. And yes, even a piece of wood can teach us about its Creator.
10
Institute for the Blind — Bechina 05
Institute for the Blind — Bechina 05
Oct 27, 2026
5:34
Chovos Halvavos compares mankind to a group of blind patients in a hospital, surrounded by everything necessary for their healing. But instead of following the doctor's instructions, they wander around, injure themselves, and then blame the hospital for their suffering. Rabbeinu Bachya teaches that we often make the same mistake in our relationship with Hashem. We live in a world filled with Hashem's kindness, yet focus on our difficulties and complain about the very One who provides for us. And just as the patients need a physician to guide them, Hashem has given us the Torah and the teachings of Chazal to guide us through life and heal our souls.