humility
Vayeshev – Free Will Spectrum (Yosef vs. Yehuda & MBY vs MBD)
What is the difference between Yosef and Yehuda’s approach to free will and our level of involvement in doing God’s will? Why did the brothers say that there was a difference between the dreams of Jacob and Joseph? What character attributes did they work on to receive prophetic dreams? Where does one cross the line…
Read MoreShoftim – King of Israel
What is the concept of a Jewish king? Why does the Torah command us to appoint a king, while it seems that it was not a good thing when the Jews asked for a king in the times of Samuel? Why do we pray three times daily for the king messiah, if the midrash states…
Read MoreBehaaloscha – Earning the Free Gift
Why does Hashem ask us to light the Menorah – does He need our light? What is the significance of Aharon’s fear of unworthiness in serving Hashem? Why did Moshe tell him ‘this is why you were chosen?’ If we were given free choice in order to choose the good and earn a relationship with…
Read MoreNoach – Revealing Hidden Kindness
What is the difference between Noach and Moshe? Why is Moshe’s generation saved while Noach’s is destroyed? What is the concept of the secret hidden kindness of Hashem that keeps the world functioning despite people’s distance from Him? How does one access that kindness? Find out in this week’s parsha podcast. Running time: 18:53
Read MoreShlach – Letting Go Of Results
Why is the rectification for the sin of the spies forty years in the wilderness which correspond to the forty days they traveled through Israel? How does this fit the crime? What was behind the spies assumption that the Jewish people could not overcome the inhabitants of Israel? How does the concept of humility play…
Read MoreBehaaloscha – Shining God's Light
Why does Hashem command the Jewish people to light candles in the Tabernacle if God does not need our light? What is the significance of the ‘pure olive oil’ that is used to light the menorah? Why does Moshe have to find it so difficult to form the shape of the menorah from gold? How…
Read MoreAcharei-Kedoshim – Balancing Spiritual and Physical
Why does the Torah preface the avodah of Yom Kippur with the mention of the death Aharon’s sons, Nadav and Avihu? Why does the high priest keep changing his garments during his service on Yom Kippur? If the white garments represent absolute humility, why doesn’t he wear them the whole time? If the gold garments…
Read MoreShmini – Accessing the Transcendent
What is the depth of the idea of the loss of the students of R’ Akiva between Pesach and Shavuos? Why do Nadav and Avihu die during the great joy of the dedication of the Mishkan? What was the significance of the fact that they did not ask Moshe and Aharon for advice? What is…
Read MoreEkev – Divine Advice
How does one approach the problem of becoming confused and believing that he has accomplished on his own? How does one realize that it is really Hashem who has given the advice to his heart? Why does the Torah repeatedly refer to the merit and love Hashem has for the forebears of the Jewish people?…
Read MoreMatos Masei – Vows, Humility and Unity
Why does the Torah speak only briefly about the vows of a man, and then speak at length about the vows of women? What is the deeper understanding of the Torah’s teaching that are women’s vows beholden to their father or husband? What is the greatest manifestation of Hashem in our world? How do we…
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