Popular Shows by Simcha Miller שמחה מילר
426 episodes
#
Name
Release Date
Duration
1
Parshas Vaeira - Hail to the Hail
Parshas Vaeira - Hail to the Hail
Jan 16, 2026
4:35
What is the point of the Torah telling us that the hail didn't fall in Goshen? Why would we think it did?
2
Pesach - Yetzer Hara Be Gone
Pesach - Yetzer Hara Be Gone
Apr 16, 2025
4:26
Matzah represents having no Yetzer Hara. When we became a nation, when we left Mitzrayim we were perfect. Therefore only on Pesach do we have the prohibition of eating chametz.
3
Parsha Noach - Cover Him Up
Parsha Noach - Cover Him Up
Oct 23, 2025
4:21
When someone is inebriated, you don't let them be and make a fool of themselves. You need to make sure they don't embarrass themselves. However, Cham didn't seem to care about Noach's state.
4
Parshas Noach - It's Not Just About Intetions
Parshas Noach - It's Not Just About Intetions
Oct 21, 2025
4:01
Noach's intentions when he planted a vineyard after he left the teiva were good. Unfortunately, things went array from there,
5
Parshas Bereishis - What You See Is Not What You Get
Parshas Bereishis - What You See Is Not What You Get
Oct 17, 2025
3:18
When Adam Harishon was created, it was different than by every other creation. A fundamental difference for all time.
6
Parshas Vzos Habracha - Nothing But The Truth
Parshas Vzos Habracha - Nothing But The Truth
Oct 12, 2025
4:20
The end and beginning of the Chumash tell the world that we are the true religion.
7
Sukkos - A Stark Reminder Part 2
Sukkos - A Stark Reminder Part 2
Oct 9, 2025
4:08
Continuing the same theme, we can explain a specific halachos that is unique to this Yom Tov.
8
Sukkos - A Stark Reminder
Sukkos - A Stark Reminder
Oct 5, 2025
4:55
Sukkos reminds us of Who controls everything
9
Yom Kippur - Forgiveness With Bonuses
Yom Kippur - Forgiveness With Bonuses
Sep 30, 2025
4:13
What is the chiddush of teshuva? A person can also forgive! The answer may be what lies in the benefits of teshuva.
10
Shabbos Shuva - It Was an Accident
Shabbos Shuva - It Was an Accident
Sep 26, 2025
4:46
When a person does an aveira, it wasn't what he really meant to do. Sure, he knew what he was doing. But, deep down, he wishes he weren't doing it.
11
Rosh Hashana - A Wonderful Time
Rosh Hashana - A Wonderful Time
Sep 21, 2025
2:29
Rosh Hashana is a time when we can gain so much. We just need to look at it differently.
12
Parshas Nitzavim - The Best Segulah
Parshas Nitzavim - The Best Segulah
Sep 19, 2025
4:27
The roshei teivos Elul aren't only the well-known ones. There are others as well. Perhaps we can gain a great insight into how our approach should be viewed during these days.
13
Parshas Neitzavim - It's So Close
Parshas Neitzavim - It's So Close
Sep 16, 2025
4:37
By understanding how forgiveness works, we can understand why teshuva is so close to us.
14
Parshas Ki Savo - The Tochecha Explained
Parshas Ki Savo - The Tochecha Explained
Sep 12, 2025
4:09
The curses in this parsha aren't a punishment per se; they are a result.
15
The Ramot Tragedy - A Flashback
The Ramot Tragedy - A Flashback
Sep 10, 2025
4:29
This terrible tragedy brought back memories of a different tragedy that took place this time of year.
16
Parshas Ki Seitzei - Cool It Off
Parshas Ki Seitzei - Cool It Off
Sep 5, 2025
4:08
How do you keep the Yetzer Hara from taking you over? A very practical eitzah
17
Parshas Ki Seitzei - The Bumpy Road
Parshas Ki Seitzei - The Bumpy Road
Sep 2, 2025
4:34
Two things we must remember daily happened "on the road". Why there? Because even on the road, things need to stay as normal as possible.
18
Elul - An Unbreakable Bond
Elul - An Unbreakable Bond
Aug 29, 2025
4:44
The month of Elul is a reminder of who we are.
19
Parshas Shoftim - Be Kingly
Parshas Shoftim - Be Kingly
Aug 26, 2025
4:21
A king had a very significant role. A role that comes with power and responsibility. To carry out his role correctly, there was one thing he constantly needed to have with him.
20
Parshas Reah - The Best Bracha
Parshas Reah - The Best Bracha
Aug 22, 2025
4:29
People go to great lengths to obtain brachas from the most prominent rabbanim. However, the best bracha is one you can get without going anywhere.
21
Parshas Reah - Life After Death
Parshas Reah - Life After Death
Aug 19, 2025
4:50
When one passes away, it's not the end of life. Therefore, we have an issur to harm ourselves. Our Real Father is always around. We are never orphans.
22
Parshas Eikev - Eretz Yisrael in Chutz La'aretz
Parshas Eikev - Eretz Yisrael in Chutz La'aretz
Aug 15, 2025
4:14
Want to be in Eretz Yisrael while still in Chutz La'aretz? There's one place to go, to transport yourself there. It'll help you here, and later on as well.
23
Parshas Eikev - Yiras Shamayim Shortcut?
Parshas Eikev - Yiras Shamayim Shortcut?
Aug 12, 2025
4:35
Attaining yiras shmayim is no small task, or is it??
24
Parshas Veschanan - Rebuild The Beis Hamikdash
Parshas Veschanan - Rebuild The Beis Hamikdash
Aug 8, 2025
4:48
What is the connection between Tisha Bav and this week's parsha? Perhaps its alluding to how it was destroyed and how to rectify it.
25
Parshas Veschanan - The Connection Quest
Parshas Veschanan - The Connection Quest
Aug 5, 2025
4:43
The greatest person ever to walk the face of this planet, Moshe Rabbeinu, was told by Hashem to stop davening. It's not necessarily about getting a yes; it's about connecting.
26
Tisha Bav - You Can Relate
Tisha Bav - You Can Relate
Jul 31, 2025
4:41
How is one to relate to Tisha Bav? We never saw the Beis Hamikdah; we didn't witness what took place then. Perhaps, however, relating isn't so far-fetched.
27
Parshas Devarim - Hanging Out With Greatness
Parshas Devarim - Hanging Out With Greatness
Jul 29, 2025
4:55
When you hang around the right people, you become like them. You take on their characteristics and may even be their successor.
28
Parshas Matos - Masei - Make It Your Own
Parshas Matos - Masei - Make It Your Own
Jul 25, 2025
4:35
A person has the power to do something that he doesn't have to do. Hashem gave us lots that we must and must not do. When it comes from you, it makes it special.
29
The Three Weeks - I Wed You Not
The Three Weeks - I Wed You Not
Jul 21, 2025
4:59
What is the reason behind not getting married during the three weeks? It may have a lot to do with what getting married is akin to.
30
Parshas Pinchas - Pieces of Peace
Parshas Pinchas - Pieces of Peace
Jul 15, 2025
4:12
Pinchas not only receives the ultimate reward by living forever, but he also brings peace, just as he did originally.
31
Parshas Balak - Avraham vs. Bilam
Parshas Balak - Avraham vs. Bilam
Jul 11, 2025
4:34
Biliam was as anti-Avraham as it comes. His body, lust, and whole physical being got the better of him. Don't be a Bilam.
32
Parshas Balak - Antisemitism Explained (maybe)
Parshas Balak - Antisemitism Explained (maybe)
Jul 9, 2025
4:15
Balak saw that Bnei Yisrael were victorious in battle against the Emori. He wanted so much to destroy Bnei Yisrael that he made peace with their archenemy.
33
Parshas Chukas - All's Not Well
Parshas Chukas - All's Not Well
Jul 4, 2025
4:54
Miriam passes away, and the well ceases to spring forth water. In her merit, the well came. Only one person was able to bring the well back to life.
34
Parshas Chukas - Para Aduma & Learning Torah: A Dual Power
Parshas Chukas - Para Aduma & Learning Torah: A Dual Power
Jul 1, 2025
4:58
Parah Aduma is called a chok. By the same token, Torah in a way is also a chok. They both have different ways to affect a person.
35
Parshas Korach - Earthquake, Sinkhole, Both, Or None?
Parshas Korach - Earthquake, Sinkhole, Both, Or None?
Jun 25, 2025
4:40
What happened to the earth that swallowed these wicked people alive? Was it a natural occurrence like we have today, or a one-time phenomenon?
36
Parshas Korach - Korach Was No Fool
Parshas Korach - Korach Was No Fool
Jun 23, 2025
4:39
Korach knew what he was doing. He asked very pointed questions. But he was missing the boat.
37
Parshas Shelach - True Intentions
Parshas Shelach - True Intentions
Jun 19, 2025
4:22
Were the Meraglim tzaddikim or reshaim? An apparent contradiction needs explanation.
38
Parshas Shelach - What Do You See?
Parshas Shelach - What Do You See?
Jun 17, 2025
4:44
The Meraglim saw the same exact thing as Yehoshua and Calev. So why did they come back with such a terrible report?
39
Parshas Beha'aloscha - Israel On The Attack
Parshas Beha'aloscha - Israel On The Attack
Jun 13, 2025
3:13
The Rambam tells us how to conduct ourselves in a time of war.
40
Parshas Beha'aloscha - Understanding Aharon's Role
Parshas Beha'aloscha - Understanding Aharon's Role
Jun 9, 2025
4:37
What was it that Hashem told Aharon that made him feel better? What is it about the Menorah that helped him?
41
Parshas Naso - Hashem Saves The Day
Parshas Naso - Hashem Saves The Day
Jun 6, 2025
4:25
Why is it that by a Sotah, there is no other way to check if she was guilty? Can it not be like any other halacha where we can testify, swear, or the like? Why is Sotah so different?
42
Shavous - Where It All Started
Shavous - Where It All Started
May 29, 2025
4:40
What is the celebration of Shavous? The Torah we have today is not the Torah of Shavous. We made a major mistake then. So why the fuss?
43
Parshas Bamidbar - Self-Worth
Parshas Bamidbar - Self-Worth
May 26, 2025
4:30
On the one hand, we must be extremely humble, but on the other hand, we must know we are great.
44
Parshas Behar - Bechukosai - It Isn't a Punishment, It's a Result
Parshas Behar - Bechukosai - It Isn't a Punishment, It's a Result
May 22, 2025
4:43
The connection between Bhar & Bechoshai seems to lie in the simple understanding of the Parsha themselves. If you don't follow the Halachas in Behar, then Bechukosai will take place, ח״ו.
45
Parshas Behar - Shmeita & The Jews: A Common Theme
Parshas Behar - Shmeita & The Jews: A Common Theme
May 19, 2025
4:53
The connection between Shmeita and the Jews is the same. They both make no sense.
46
Pirkei Avos - Not Just For Show
Pirkei Avos - Not Just For Show
May 15, 2025
4:35
The Dubna Magid z"l gives us an insight into what it means to be a frum upstanding jew.
47
Parshas Emor - Seven Complete Weeks
Parshas Emor - Seven Complete Weeks
May 12, 2025
4:16
Should every day need to be a complete day? Why do we wait till it's night only on Shavous? The Netziv zt"l illuminates our eyes.
48
Parshas Acharei Mos - Defining Holiness
Parshas Acharei Mos - Defining Holiness
May 7, 2025
4:50
Holiness isn't just some intangible concept that is above us. It's putting into practice certain guidelines that we must not cross.
49
Sefiras Haomer - Up, Up, & Away
Sefiras Haomer - Up, Up, & Away
May 5, 2025
3:18
We count sefira in ascending order, not descending. That may be because of the significance and importance of the matter.
50
Parshas Tazria/Metzora - Talking Like Birds
Parshas Tazria/Metzora - Talking Like Birds
Apr 30, 2025
4:46
When someone speaks too much, they're prone to say something derogatory. When that happens, they are likened to someone else.
51
Sefiras Haomer - Rebbe Akiva's Talmidim Death: Why Now?
Sefiras Haomer - Rebbe Akiva's Talmidim Death: Why Now?
Apr 28, 2025
4:50
Did Rebbe Akiva's talmidim need to die now? Why not at any other time during the year? The answer perhaps proves a point the sefarim tell us.
52
Parshas Shemini - Understanding Kosher Animals
Parshas Shemini - Understanding Kosher Animals
Apr 25, 2025
4:53
Kosher animals have an innate trait that other animals do not have. It's not just the physical attributes, it's a certain nature.
53
Parshas Shemini - Take Pesach With You
Parshas Shemini - Take Pesach With You
Apr 23, 2025
4:30
Yiddishkeit gives us structure daily and tells us what we can and cannot do. If we comprehend this, we can apply it to our personal lives.
54
Shevei Shel Pesach - It makes no sense
Shevei Shel Pesach - It makes no sense
Apr 17, 2025
4:38
Krias Yam Suf makes no sense. This is a fundamental part of the whole Yom Tov of Pesach.
55
Parshas Bo - Why Nissan?
Parshas Bo - Why Nissan?
Jan 28, 2025
3:30
Why was Nissan chosen over any other month to be the head of the year? The Ran illuminates our eyes/
56
Parshas Chayei Sara - Explaining Death of The Avos
Parshas Chayei Sara - Explaining Death of The Avos
Nov 18, 2024
4:46
The Torah uses different terms for death regarding the Avos. (״מיתה, גויעה, אסיפה״) But by Moshe Rabbeinu, it uses just the term ״מיתה״. Why the different terms, and why is it different by Moshe?
57
Parshas Chayei Sarah - The Overarching Middah in Shidduchim
Parshas Chayei Sarah - The Overarching Middah in Shidduchim
Nov 21, 2024
4:39
Eliezer saw Rivka and asked for water. She came back and gave the camels as well. We see from here the key middah to look out for in shidduchim
58
Parshas Toldos - How Low Did Eisav Go
Parshas Toldos - How Low Did Eisav Go
Nov 25, 2024
3:48
Eisav wasn’t just a rasha after he was born. Even before he was born, his intent was to do bad not just to him, but to Yaakov as well.
59
Parshas Toldos - What Was Bothering Rivkah?
Parshas Toldos - What Was Bothering Rivkah?
Nov 27, 2024
3:14
The Brisker Rav zt”l gives us an insight to Rivkah’s dilemma when she was pregnant
60
Parshas Vayeitzei - The Masmid Closes the Gemara
Parshas Vayeitzei - The Masmid Closes the Gemara
Dec 2, 2024
4:48
Learning Torah is paramount to us. However, Yaakov teaches us that the Gemara must be closed for one specific purpose.
61
Parshas Vayeitzei - Chanukah Revealed
Parshas Vayeitzei - Chanukah Revealed
Dec 5, 2024
4:46
Leah showed us the way to show thanks, which is the real point of Chanukah.
62
Parshas Vayeitzei - Chanukah Revealed
Parshas Vayeitzei - Chanukah Revealed
Dec 5, 2024
4:46
Leah showed us the way to show thanks, which is the real point of Chanukah.
63
Parshas Vayeitzi - Lavan Teaches Us a Halacha
Parshas Vayeitzi - Lavan Teaches Us a Halacha
Dec 6, 2024
3:38
We learn a Halacha from Lavan about marriage, and some ramifications that comes with it.
64
Parshas Vayishlach - Was Yaakov a Baal Bitachon?
Parshas Vayishlach - Was Yaakov a Baal Bitachon?
Dec 9, 2024
4:09
Yaakov Avinu made an effort to ensure that he greats Eisav. Why such an all-out effort? Did he not believe in what Hashem told him?
65
Parshas Vayishlach - Keep Battling
Parshas Vayishlach - Keep Battling
Dec 11, 2024
3:34
The Malach chanhed Yaakov’s name to Yisrael to show us a very important lesson.
66
Parshas Vayishlach - Explaining Dina's Character
Parshas Vayishlach - Explaining Dina's Character
Dec 13, 2024
3:02
The Sefer Apiryon (written by the author of the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch) gives us an amazing insight into Dina's wandering outside.
67
Parshas Vayeishev - What Did Yosef Do Wrong?
Parshas Vayeishev - What Did Yosef Do Wrong?
Dec 16, 2024
4:09
What did Yosef Hatzaddik do wrong by asking the butler to remember him? Is this not a normal thing to do? Why did that warrant an additional two years in prison?
68
Chanukah - You Are Pure
Chanukah - You Are Pure
Dec 18, 2024
4:26
The Gemara explains what Chanukah is not just to tell us the story but to tell something much deeper.
69
Parshas Vayeishev - Can an Animal Kill?
Parshas Vayeishev - Can an Animal Kill?
Dec 20, 2024
4:32
When the brothers throw Yosef into the pit, he could have been killed very easily by the snakes and scorpions inside it. Or could he? The Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh tells us it's not that simple.
70
Parshas Vayeishev- The Salvation Will Come
Parshas Vayeishev- The Salvation Will Come
Dec 23, 2024
3:59
Yosef Hatazadik was pulled out of the dungeon in an instant. The same happened by Yitzias Mitzrayim, and will happen Leasid Lavo. And the same will happen to us all!!
71
Chanukah - From Impossible To Possible
Chanukah - From Impossible To Possible
Dec 25, 2024
4:30
Chanukah teaches us that things that look impossible are very much attainable. For Chanukah to happen seemed impossible, yet it did. So, too, we all can make the seemingly impossible possible.
72
Parshas Vayigash - Yaakov Gets Invigorated
Parshas Vayigash - Yaakov Gets Invigorated
Dec 30, 2024
4:28
Yosef reveals himself to his brothers and then asks if his father is alive. This wasn't a question, but he told the brothers that Yaakov wasn't the same since they sold him. After Yaakov sees the wagons, he gets a jolt of energy, seeing that his son Yosef is still the same as when he left.
73
Parshas Vayigash - True Life
Parshas Vayigash - True Life
Jan 1, 2025
3:57
Yosef and Yaakov had the same thought process when they heard about each other. They both overcame their circumstances and both took satisfaction that the other did so.
74
Parshas Vayechei - Yaakov Lives On
Parshas Vayechei - Yaakov Lives On
Jan 6, 2025
4:48
The pasuk does not mention Yaakov dying; rather, it uses other terms to refer to death. He was very different from his predecessors, Avraham and Yitzchak, as all his kids went on the path of the Torah. Someone who passes on and has children on the correct path is as if they are still alive.
75
Parshas Vayechei - First Pasuk Ponderables
Parshas Vayechei - First Pasuk Ponderables
Jan 8, 2025
4:53
The opening pasuk in the parsha is hard to understand. There are lots of questions we may ask. Perhaps these are some ways to answer them up..
76
Parshas Vayechei - Magical Mishnayos
Parshas Vayechei - Magical Mishnayos
Jan 10, 2025
4:26
Want a way to get out of Gehinom? Asher ben Yaakov will make sure you'll get out if you do a certain task. Just make sure you do it correctly.
77
Parshas Shemos - We Are A Miracle
Parshas Shemos - We Are A Miracle
Jan 13, 2025
4:42
The Torah tells us the number of people who came down to Mitzrayim to tell us how improbable it is that we are still here.
78
Parshas Shemos - From Worst To First
Parshas Shemos - From Worst To First
Jan 15, 2025
4:04
Moshe Rabbeinu grows up in Pharaoh's palace, and the most unlikely scenario occurs. He turns out to be the savior of Bnei Yisrael. The same can happen to us all. We can be in the worst scenario, but the salvation will come in the end
79
Parshas Vaeira - The Miraculous Hail
Parshas Vaeira - The Miraculous Hail
Jan 20, 2025
4:26
The Brisker Rav zt'l illuminates our eyes, explaining how miraculous this plague was.
80
Parshas Vaeira - Trump, Paroh, & You
Parshas Vaeira - Trump, Paroh, & You
Jan 22, 2025
4:48
Donald Trump and Paroh show us a powerful lesson in how we can end up where we ultimately want to.
81
Parshas Vaeira - Cloudless Hail
Parshas Vaeira - Cloudless Hail
Jan 24, 2025
4:42
This was no regular hail. Regular hail (or any precipitation) needs clouds. This was no ordinary hail.
82
Parshas Tetzaveh - Clothing Matters
Parshas Tetzaveh - Clothing Matters
Mar 3, 2025
4:01
Why do the Kohanim need to wear certain clothes? Could they not just wear simple clothes? No, they can't. What you wear defines you.
83
Pesach - Foursomes and Their Signifigance
Pesach - Foursomes and Their Signifigance
Apr 10, 2025
4:41
We have so many things at the Seder that we do in fours at the Seder. Perhaps to allude to our original, central foursome that we had, and keeps us around till this day.
84
Leil Haseder - Counteracting Lavan
Leil Haseder - Counteracting Lavan
Apr 7, 2025
5:00
Lavan was the ultimate Rasha. We talk about him during the Seder to counteract his doing.
85
Parshas Vayikra - What We're Missing
Parshas Vayikra - What We're Missing
Apr 3, 2025
4:17
Without the Beis Hamikdash, it's just that we're in Galus and we don't have a clear vision like it should be. We also don't have a way to achieve atonement as we used to.
86
Parshas Vayikra - Korban Pesach Prep
Parshas Vayikra - Korban Pesach Prep
Apr 1, 2025
2:57
Sefer Vayikra deals mainly with Korbanos. It is no coincidence that it falls out right when the one Korban that everyone must do without exception.
87
Chodesh Nissan - We Are A Miracle
Chodesh Nissan - We Are A Miracle
Mar 28, 2025
3:31
The word Nissan comes from the word ״נס״. As we enter the month, we should realize it's a miracle we're still here.
88
Parshas Pekudei - Moshe's Part in the Mishkan part 2
Parshas Pekudei - Moshe's Part in the Mishkan part 2
Mar 26, 2025
4:56
A different way to understand the work 'pekudei'
89
Parshas Pekudei - Moshe's Part In The Mishkan
Parshas Pekudei - Moshe's Part In The Mishkan
Mar 24, 2025
4:45
What did Moshe do to contribute to the Mishkan? It's a very big one. Maybe the most significant of all.
90
Parshas Vayakhel - The Miniature Mishkan
Parshas Vayakhel - The Miniature Mishkan
Mar 20, 2025
4:04
The Chasam Sofer zt"l tells us an astounding chiddush regarding the building of the Mishkan
91
Parshas Vayakhel - The Chofetz Chaim's Tears
Parshas Vayakhel - The Chofetz Chaim's Tears
Mar 17, 2025
4:57
The Chofetz Chaim affected someone so deeply that he stopped being mechalel Shabbos.
92
Purim - Take It With You All Year
Purim - Take It With You All Year
Mar 13, 2025
4:33
Purim is a day that is filled with simcha. All the mitzvos bring us to that state of glee. When you do that, it can be a catalyst for the whole coming year.
93
Purim - A Common Theme
Purim - A Common Theme
Mar 10, 2025
3:41
What do three out of the four mitzvos on Purim have in common? They bring people together.
94
Parshas Tetzavah - The Torah Takes Moshe's Feelings into Account
Parshas Tetzavah - The Torah Takes Moshe's Feelings into Account
Mar 5, 2025
4:18
Moshe's name isn't mentioned in the parsha to teach us a very powerful lesson.
95
Parshas Beshalach - Yehoshua & Yaakov: A Common Denominator
Parshas Beshalach - Yehoshua & Yaakov: A Common Denominator
Feb 5, 2025
4:38
Yehoshua takes center stage here and later on in Parshas Shelach. What is the common theme throughout? What is the common thread?
96
Parshas Yisro - Kibbud Av: To Wake Up Or To Not Wake Up?
Parshas Yisro - Kibbud Av: To Wake Up Or To Not Wake Up?
Feb 13, 2025
4:38
Should one wake up a parent for them to gain? A machlokes amongst modern-day poskim.
97
Parshas Yisro - Matan Torah & Tu Bishvat
Parshas Yisro - Matan Torah & Tu Bishvat
Feb 10, 2025
4:00
Just like Tu Bishvat celebrates the rejuvenation of the trees, so too, Matan Torah should be a newness, a rejuvenation amongst everyone.
98
Parshas Beshalach - Elephant Syndrome
Parshas Beshalach - Elephant Syndrome
Feb 7, 2025
4:15
Why do elephants not knock down a circus tent? Why didn't Bnei Yisrael wage battle against Mitzrayim? Because they both thought that there was no way they would win.
99
Parshas Mishpatim - Our Halachos, Not Theirs
Parshas Mishpatim - Our Halachos, Not Theirs
Feb 17, 2025
4:37
The Parsha talks about a lot of halachos that we have between people. Do these pertain to between a Jew and a non-jew? Certainly not.
100
Parshas Beshalach - Prepare for Battle
Parshas Beshalach - Prepare for Battle
Feb 3, 2025
3:43
Just because Bnei Yisrael was leaving Mitzrayim didn't mean they could be confident that they didn't need to prepare for war. A person must abide by what circumstances dictate and not rely on a miracle.