Meaningful Ideas on the Parsha

51

Vayeishev - Hashem Was With Him

Dec 19, 2024

7:39

When Yosef was sold to the House of Potifar, he was blessed with tremendous Siyata Dishmaya, and eventually place in charge of the home. The Torah says Potifar saw Hashem was with Yosef and was impressed by that. How does an Oved Avodah Zarah like Potifar get impressed by Yosef's connection to Hashem? Have a good Shabbos

52

Vayishlach - Taking Vengeance on Shechem

Dec 12, 2024

9:02

Shimon and Levi took vengeance on the city of Shechem for what was done to their sister. However, Yaakov was upset at them, and they were punished for it when Yaakov gave the Berachos at the end of his life. What was their Heter, why was Yaakov upset at them, and what lessons can we learn from the story? Have a good Shabbos

53

Vayeitzei - The Hasgacha Behind The Scenes

Dec 6, 2024

8:16

Many times we go through challenges, and it can be to believe it's a blessing in disguise. Stories from the Parsha, and how we can extrapolate from them to our own lives. Have a good Shabbos

54

Toldos - The Life and Legacy of Yitzchak Avinu

Nov 28, 2024

8:10

We find the Torah gives many more details and stories about the lives of Avraham and Yaakov, than it does about Yitzchak. Why is Yitzchak so much less discussed than the other two Avos? Have a good Shabbos.

55

Chayei Sarah - Swearing Where It Counts

Nov 22, 2024

5:44

Avraham Aveinu had Eliezer swear before sending him out to find a wife for Yitzchak. Ideas on why he chose this to swear on from the Chiddushei Halev and Rav Elya Baruch Finkel. Have a good Shabbos.

56

Vayeira - Controlling The Love Of His Son

Nov 14, 2024

8:15

Avraham Avinu was given Nisyonos to chase away Yishmael, and to shecht Yitzchak. Did he do it by supressing his love for them, by overrriding that love with love of Hashem? An analysis in different approaches to controlling our emotions. Have a good Shabbos.

57

Lech Lecha - Giving and Appreciating Bracha

Nov 7, 2024

8:10

Hi, BH we had a hiatus for Simchas, now ready to start the 5th season of Shiurim. Avraham Avinu was given the power to give Brachos, a power we all have as Yidden. The Brachos of Malki-Tzedek and the critique are also in this weeks Parsha. Some thoughts on showering others with Bracha and Giving thanks to Hashem. Have a Great Shabbos

58

Rosh Hashana - The King Is In Control

Oct 2, 2024

8:44

We come to judgement day this year on the heels of a complicated year. One of the lessons we see from the differences in the Hamas attack versus the Iran attacks is Hashem's complete control over the world. How can we use it to humble ourselves and focus on His Kingship before the Yom Hadin? Wishing you a K'sivah V'chasimah Tovah and a meaningful and fulfilling year.

59

Nitzavim - Purifying The Heart

Sep 26, 2024

7:35

As we approach Rosh Hashana we need to be focused on Teshuva and self-growth. Some insights from Rabbeinu Yona and the Ramban on the Siyatah Dishmaya Hashem provides us when we try to tap into our innate goodness and do Teshuva. Thank you for being a listener again this past year. Appreciate your support. Have a K'Sivah V'chasimah Tovah and a good Shabbos.

60

Ki Savo - To Walk in His Ways

Sep 19, 2024

8:49

Chazal tells us the Mitzvah to Walk in the Ways of Hashem means to emulate Hashem's Middos. How can we learn from Hashem's Chessed and Rachamanus, and try to emulate them? A K'sivah V'chasimah Tovah and a Gut Shabbos

61

Ki Seitzei - Functioning Under Pressure

Sep 13, 2024

5:56

The Torah warns us to protect our selves from evil during times of war. Some insights into the dangers of our Yetzer Hara in times of pressure. Have a good Shabbos

62

Ki Seitzei - Avi Friedman - Lessons in Bitachon From Self-Employment

Sep 12, 2024

9:52

It's an honor to have my good friend Avi Freidman on the podcast. Avi runs his own coaching business called Managed Minds, and has learned a great deal about Bitachon from the lack of a steady income that comes with entrepreneurship. Hope you enjoy his insights. Have a good Shabbos.

63

Shoftim - Pursuing Justice and Truth

Sep 6, 2024

7:35

Elul is a time to focus on the fundamentals. The Mishna in Avos says the world stands on judgement, truth and peace. Chazal learn important fundamentals in all three areas from the third pasuk in the Parsha. Have a Ksivah Vchasimah Tovah and a wonderful Shabbos

64

Re'eh - Receiving Hashem's Rachmanus When We Fight For His Name

Aug 30, 2024

8:00

The Parsha talks about the Halachos of an Ir Hanidachas, and how we should destroy it. How can we destroy a whole city of Jews in Eretz Yisrael without it being harmful to us and to our people? Have a Wonderful Shabbos

65

Eikev - Appreciating Hashem's Chesed In All It's Forms

Aug 23, 2024

7:49

In this week's parsha, we have a Mitzvah to thank Hashem for the good in our lives. We also have a Mitzvah to realize all our challenges in life come from a loving Father. An exploration of how Rabbeinu Yona connects these two Mitzvos. Have a wonderful Shabbos

66

Vaeschanan - Moshe's Burial in Chutz Laaretz

Aug 15, 2024

5:54

Found a beautiful idea in the Midrash Raba about why Moshe is buried in Chutz Laaretz and how it helps us in the current Galus. How it really is for our benefit, and a sign of the love Moshe had for the Jewish people. Hope you enjoy, always appreciate any questions or feedback. Have a great Shabbos.

67

Devarim - Appreciating Bracha and Bringing It Into Our Lives

Aug 9, 2024

8:56

In honor of the Simcha, wanted to share a vort on bronging Bracha into our lives.

68

Mattos - The Battlefield of Prayer

Aug 2, 2024

6:57

When we went to fight Midian, we sent 12,000 to fight, 12,000 to guard the supplies, and 12,000 to daven. Why did we need to bring 12,000 soldiers to daven on the battlefield, why couldn't they daven in shul? An idea from Rav Yechezkel Levenstein on one of the fundamentals of prayer. Have a wonderful Shabbos

69

Pinchas - Looking At The Root Of The Matter

Jul 25, 2024

9:48

Chazal tells us people were critical of Pinchas for killing the Nasi of Shevet Shimon for his immoral behavior. With all the miracles that took place, how could they have been critical of Pinchas? An approach from Rav Yechezkel Levenstein on the importance of analyzing and working on our Middos. Have a good Shabbos

70

Balak - The Beautiful Tents of Yaakov

Jul 18, 2024

7:39

Balak was inspired by the Tznius of the tents of Yisrael, they caused him to say Ma Tovu. How could someone as brazenly immoral as Bilaam be impressed by Tznius? Have a good Shabbos

71

Chukas - The Special Friday of Chukas

Jul 11, 2024

7:49

This Friday of Parshas Chukas has been proclaimed as a day of Tefilah for the Gezairah against Torah, and historically it has been a day of fasting for the 24 cartloads of Sefarim burned in France. An explanation from Rav Simcha Zissel Broide why we have a special significance tied to the Friday of this week, and how the day of a Parsha has a root in the Torah that plays out in the world.

72

Korach - Trying To Heal Machlokes

Jul 4, 2024

8:51

Chazal learn the extent of our obligation to heal machlokes from the way Moshe pursued peace with Dathan and Aviram. Lessons from Moshe's perseverance, and from the positive outcomes it produced. Have a good Shabbos

73

Shelach - Trusting In Hashem To Help

Jun 28, 2024

9:32

The error of the Meraglim can in part be attributed to a lack in Bitachon that Hashem would help them conquer Eretz Yisrael. Should we be worried that our flaws will prevent Hashem from helping us at times? Does Bitachon dictate being an optimist who expects the best, or just that we learn to roll with the punches knowing He is in charge? Built upon ideas from the Sum Derech and Sefer HaBoteach. Have a wonderful Shabbos

74

Behaaloscha - Troubles In The Desert

Jun 20, 2024

9:54

We find 3 challenges the Jewish people experience in their march toward EY in this weeks parsha. The approach of Rav Simcha Zissel Broide in understanding the subtle nature of the stories and the critiques. Have a wonderful Shabbos

75

Naso - The Individuality of the 12 Nesiim

Jun 14, 2024

4:47

Why does the Torah repeat the offerings of the 12 Nesiim at length, if it seems to be repetition of the same Karbanos? An approach of Rav Henoch Leibowitz Zt'l, to how and why they found a way to express the individuality and uniqueness of each Shevet, while at the same time allowing for uniformity among all the Shevatim. Have a good Shabbos

76

Shavuos - Growth Through Torah - A Tribute To Rabbi Dr Abba Goldman Zt"l

Jun 11, 2024

10:51

Shavuos is a day when we try to grow in Torah, and appreciate how it can transform out lives. A small tribute to my Rebbe Zt"l who personified this, and two unique insights I gained from him about the Torah and the human mind. Have a Chag Kasher V'sameach

77

Bamidbar - Counting Us With Pride

Jun 6, 2024

7:46

The Torah counts us and lists our numbers in the Parsha multiple times. Chazal that explain Hashem treasures us and repeatedly counts us with pride. Can we feel Hashem is proud of us, and can that help us in our Avodas Hashem? Have a good Shabbos

78

Bechukosai - Connecting To The Torah In Yerushalayim

May 30, 2024

6:54

Bechukosai is a Parsha where we talk about the importance of working in Torah and developing a life of connection with the Torah. A surprising connection the Sefer HaChinuch makes to Maasar Behaimah, and what we hope to gain from Yerushalayim. Have a good Shabbos

79

Lag BaOmer - The Aveilus of Sefirah and the Joy of Lag BaOmer

May 23, 2024

5:45

An explanation from Rav Welcher why they were suddenly misakein an aveilus for the talmidim of Rabbi Akiva a thousand years after their deaths. An approach that it was to give us chizuk in galus. Have a good Shabbos

80

Behar - Not Yours To Make a Permanent Sale

May 23, 2024

8:10

The Torah tells us property sold in EY goes back at Yovel. Focusing on this idea in the Parsha, that the land is not ours to permanently sell, we are justs guests there. Have a good Shabbos.

81

Emor- To Bring Glory To His Name

May 15, 2024

9:41

Making a Kiddush Hashem and avoiding Chillul Hashem are from the most fundamental Mitzvos we have. The more we represent Hashem and His Torah, as individuals and as a people, the greater our responsibility in this area. Discussion about our responsibilities and our potential for greatness in this area. Have a Wonderful Shabbos.

82

Kedoshim - Standing in Honor of the Elder

May 9, 2024

6:46

The Torah gives us a Mitzvah to honor the elder and the Chacham. Exploring some of the Halachos and ideas in the Mitzvah. Have a good Shabbos

83

Achrei Mos - Not To Critique To The Master

May 2, 2024

9:25

The Kohen Gadol only wears white in the Kodesh Kedoshim and not gold, so as not to invoke the memory of the Chet Haegel. So why does he wear gold during the rest of the Yom Kippur service? Differences in how to speak to our fellow Jews, and how we speak about them before Hakadosh Baruch Hu. Have a good Shabbos

84

Shevii Shel Pesach - Every Aspect Counts

Apr 26, 2024

6:46

On Shevii Shel Pesach we focus on Kriyas Yam Suf, which is mainly about the justice brought upon the Mitzriyiim. This shiur focuses on their appreciation of the individuality of the judgement on different Mitrzriyiim, according to their levels, and what teaches us about Hashem's Hasgacha. Nothing is insignificant before Hashem. Have a Chag Kasher Vsameach

85

Pesach and Metzorah - Feeling the Hashgacha

Apr 16, 2024

8:46

The Seder is one of the foundational elements of building and conveying our Emunah. The more we feel the world is custom made for us, and that what Hashem does to us is personally crafted, the more we can give over that approach to Yetzias Mitzrayim and to our current world. Some perspectives we learn from Tzaraas and the challenges we face in life. Have a Chag Kasher V'Sameach.

86

Tazria - The Metzora's Desperate Plea

Apr 11, 2024

7:57

Chazal say one of the reasons the Metzora goes around calling out that he is Tamei, is so others should daven for him. The Chofetz Chaim explores how this is not simply because he needs help healing, but also because it helps heal him from what causes him to speak Lashon Hara. Some thoughts on how we can build bridges with each other and thereby guard our speech. Have a good Shabbos

87

Tazria - The Metzora's Desperate Plea

Apr 10, 2024

7:57

Chazal say one of the reasons the Metzora goes around calling out that he is Tamei, is so others should daven for him. The Chofetz Chaim explores how this is not simply because he needs help healing, but also because it helps heal him from what causes him to speak Lashon Hara. Some thoughts on how we can build bridges with each other and thereby guard our speech. Have a good Shabbos

88

Shemini - It's Because of Me

Apr 3, 2024

9:59

When they inaugurated the Mishkan and did the Avodah on the eighth day, initially the Shechina did not descend upon the Mishkan. Rashi says Aharon Hakohen immediately put the blame upon himself, that Hashem must be upset with Him. Some lessons in taking ownership for what goes on in the world. Have a good Shabbos

89

Tzav - Sensitivity To Another's Shame

Mar 27, 2024

8:35

The Torah says the Chatas is shechted in the same place as the Olah. Chazal explain it's to protect the sinner, that it shouldn't be clear to all that he is bringing a Chatas. Some lessons in how sensitive we have to be about potentially embarrassing others. Have a good Shabbos.

90

Vayikra - The Yesod of Karbanos

Mar 22, 2024

7:16

Why do we bring Karbanos, and what we can learn from them? Why are they one of the three pillars of the world, what can they teach us? Rabbeinu Bechayai and the Chinuch connect it to Kaparah and how it can bring us to Teshuva. The Rosh connects it to keeping us in a good place emotionally and not losing hope.

91

Purim - Salvation In Times of Hester

Mar 21, 2024

13:35

What did Purim teach us about the way Hashem runs the world in times of concealment? How did Haman convince all the nations to agree to kill the Jews? Why did Purim lead to a new reacceptance of the Torah? Understanding the Chiddush of Purim, and why this salvation was worthy of a new Holiday. A Freilichen Purim

92

Pekudei - Building It To Last

Mar 14, 2024

9:09

The Seforno explores four components involved in the construction of the Mishkan that ensured it would last eternally. Some thoughts on the importance if doing things right, and how it affects the holiness and long term impact of the mitzvos we do. Have a good Shabbos

93

Rabbi Baruch Gore - Vayakhel - The Chashivus of Being Careful with Hotzaah

Mar 7, 2024

9:32

It's an honor to share with you a special guest lecture by my good friend Rabbi Baruch Gore. Chazal learn the Issur to carry on Shabbos from this weeks parsha, so it's an appropriate week to share an idea on the topic. Rabbi Gore is the founder of the National Eruv Initiative and works to improve the quality of Eruvin across the country. You can learn more about his work at www.Eruvinitiative.org as well as listen to clips from the OU Eruv Conference. Have a good Shabbos.

94

Vayakhel - The Hashraas HaShechina of Shabbos

Mar 6, 2024

8:42

Moshe assembled all the people and taught them about Shabbos and about donating to and building the Mishkan. Why were the instructions about the Mishkan preceded by instructing us about Shabbos? What is the connection between the relationship we have with Hashem through Shabbos, and the relationship we have through the Mishkan? Have a wonderful Shabbos

95

Ki Sisah - The Double Edged Sword of Wealth

Feb 28, 2024

9:24

Chazal teach us that Moshe and the Avos were blessed with tremendous wealth. Yet they also teach us about the dangers of excess wealth, and how it helped lead to the downfall of Korach and Haman, and helped bring about the Chet Haegel. Is wealth a Bracha or a danger? Some perspectives on the double edged sword of money. Have a good Shabbos.

96

Tetzaveh - The Missing Kaparah

Feb 22, 2024

8:48

Chazal tell us the bigdei kehuna provided Kaparah for the Aveiros of the Jewish people. Was this a kaparah for the community, or was it a kaparah for every individual's sins? Some insights on what we lost with the cessation of the Avodah. Have a good Shabbos

97

Terumah - Connecting to the Cedar Trees

Feb 16, 2024

9:19

Chazal tell us the cedar trees they used to build the Mishkan were originally planted by Avraham Avinu, and transplanted to Mitzrayim by Yaakov Avinu. Why did we need wood that connected us to the Avos, and what can it teach us about hoping for the Geulah? Have a good Shabbos

98

Mishpatim - Wisdom in Mishpatei Hezek

Feb 9, 2024

7:15

Someone broke into a car, found a passed out child in the back and saved their life. Someone else crashed into a car, caused the other party to miss their flight, which ended up crashing into the sea. Is the Mazik obligated to pay in those cases, or does the good result patur him? Some interesting examples in the Torah's wisdom in Dinei Mishpat. Have a good Shabbos

99

Yisro - Giving Thanks Beyond Praise

Jan 31, 2024

9:37

Chazal say Yisro was the first one to thank Hashem for saving us from the Mitzriyim. Didn't they sing Shirah, why wasn't that good enough? An idea in the Importance of thanking Hashem for everything He does for us. Have a wonderful Shabbos

100

Beshalach - The Ultimate Caretaker

Jan 26, 2024

8:11

Normally servants take care of their master, but Hashem took us to be His servants and then took care us. Onkeles converted soldiers sent to abduct him by giving over this concept. How can we connect with it? Have a good Shabbos