Torah Learning with Ari

What is the concept behind the punishment of Pharaoh as it coincides with the Jewish People’s redemption from Egypt? How does this parallel the punishment of Pharaoh in Genesis and the accompanying redemption of Avraham and Sarah at that time? What is the depth behind the statement of our sages that the difficulty of a…

We begin studying the sefer of the Beis Halevi on Bitachon, and he starts with the teaching that Bitachon is not only an obligation, but it is actually a sin to lack bitachon. The result is that the very thing that we fear can be caused by our fear. The only answer is to rely…

What is the idea behind the heaviness or difficulty for Hashem, as it were, when it comes to dealing with those who defy him, in comparison to the lack of difficulty in creating the mountains and valleys? Why are the Jewish people compared to a stone? Why are we compared to the sand? What happens…

We come to the close of our study of the Alter of Novardok’s discussions on Bitachon, and we learn that it is imperative to work on Bitachon, not only because it’s a mitzvah, but because it steers us far away from the trap of believing that we are accomplishing anything on our own. CLICK HERE…

Why does Moshe challenge Hashem by bringing up the difficulty the Jewish people have endured since he spoke to Pharaoh, if Hashem had told him that He would harden Pharaoh’s heart? What was the mistake of Shlomo Hemelech (King Solomon) in believing that he could take many wives despite the Torah’s command that a king…

We begin the final chapter of the section on Bitachon in Sefer Madreigas Ha’adam by the Alter of Novardok, in which he emphasizes that the correct path for someone who truly seeks spiritual greatness, and strives for fear of Heaven and commitment to Torah, is to put one’s faith completely in Hashem and not rely…

What was the unique power that Yaakov bequeathed to his children, such that all twelve of them were righteous, and such that they could survive the difficult Egyptian exile? What mistake did Avraham make with his son Yishmael, and what mistake did Yitzchak make with Esav? How can we survive the desperate challenge that surrounds…

Why does the Torah leave no space between the current and previous parsha’s? What is the thread that runs through the three different explanations? Why was Yakov unable to reveal the End of Days? What happens when the End is revealed, for example, in the case of Yosef and his brothers? What is the reason…

The Alter of Novardok continues his discussion on the importance of Lishma – acting with pure motives – despite the surrounding culture; and having Bitachon-Faith that all of the answers to life’s questions will be answered through our spiritual dedication to Torah. CLICK HERE to listen

What is the danger of making commitments? Why does the Midrash seem to encourage us to steer clear of commitments? What is the idea behind the opposite suggestions, which involve ‘peace between man and his fellow?’ What was the result of Yehuda’s commitment – was it positive or negative? What is the lesson that we…