Shabbos Nachamu - Golus As An Expression Of Unconditional Love Nitzotzos: Thoughts To Keep Your Spark Alive podcast

35:17

In this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam, Rav Burg explores the inner nature of the Racham bird. In today's day and age it is popular to put things in "context" in order to find compassion for those who commit atrocities. Ultimately this leads to the development of a cruel society. Similarly, in relationships, while there is often value in being compassionate, we must learn to create healthy boundaries when someone is showing up in ways that are inappropriate and make us feel unsafe. The Racham bird may be compassionate, but it's compassionate even to the cruel.…

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Shemini - Seeing the Godliness in Ourselves Even When We Have Stumbled 27:06

5天之前27:06

27:06

In this shmooze, delivered at Mevaseret Mishmar, Rav Burg explores three different Torah’s around the halachos of Kashrus in animals. The Kli Yakar explains that we must be careful about our surrounding influences. Rav Yisrael Salanter teaches that we can never write off another Jew. The Chida explains that we need to define people by their core positivity. And if this is true about how we relate to others, it is certainly the way we need to relate to ourselves.…

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Shemini - Are We Serving Hashem or Serving Ourselves? 37:00

5天之前37:00

37:00

In this shiur, delivered in Sharfmans, Rav Burg explains the inner nature of the sin of Nadav and Avihu. What does it mean that they were drunk? Why is Ahron HaKohen told to communicate the issur about being drunk in the Mishkan for all generations? There is a difference between religious and spiritual. Religion is about serving Hashem the way He wants to be served. Spirituality is about serving Hashem with all of our heart. When we combine being religious and spiritual is when we are truly serving Hashem wholeheartedly.…

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Pesach - Mashiach: Bnei Ephraim Paves the Way 29:24

12天之前29:24

29:24

In this shiur, Rav Burg explains (based on a Torah from the Shvilei Pinchas) the secret of the Bnei Ephraim leaving Mitzrayim 30 years too early. What was their thought process? What was their mistake? Why does Hashem say that He will avenge their blood if they made a mistake?

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Pesach - Ha Lachma Anya - This Is The Bread of Chesed 52:15

20天之前52:15

52:15

In this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam on Erev Pesach, Rav Burg explains the inner meaning of Ha Lachma Anya. Only through pure Chesed will Klal Yisrael ultimately be redeemed.

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Vayikra - Drawing Close to Hashem in the Physical World 25:43

26天之前25:43

25:43

In this shiur Rav Burg explains the deeper meaning of the small Aleph at the beginning of Vayikra. When we humble ourselves and the world then we reveal the inner essence of Hashem that the material world is rooted in. Only when we harmonize the physical and the spiritual world are we fulfilling the mission for which we were created.…

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Pesach - Restoring Dignity and Responsibility 41:05

5 weeks之前41:05

41:05

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explains why Hashem wanted Klal Yisrael to avoid the Pelishtim as they left Mitzrayim, why the first Mitzvah Klal Yisrael received was freeing slaves and why on the precipice of entering Eretz Yisrael, Moshe Rabbeinu reminds Klal Yisrael of the fears they experienced when they left Mitzrayim. To be a slave in Mitzrayim means to lose all sense of dignity and agency over one's life. The process of taking Klal Yisrael out of Mitzrayim is restoring their dignity and giving them a sense of responsibility for their lives.…

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Pekudei - Building a Relationship with Hashem 35:43

5 weeks之前35:43

35:43

In this shiur, delivered in Sharfmans, Rav Burg uses several different aspects of the Mishkan to explore how we can build a relationship with Hashem.

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Pesach - The Birth of a Nation 33:31

5 weeks之前33:31

33:31

In this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam, Rav Burg explains the deeper meaning of Yetzias Mitzrayim. More than just Hashem overpowering Pharaoh, Hashem took Klal Yisrael out from the womb of Mitzrayim and birthed us into a nation.

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Vayakhel - Making Space for the Copper Jews 21:09

6 weeks之前21:09

21:09

In this shiur, delivered at Mevaseret Mishmar "Unplugged" (last Mishmar of the Zman), Rav Burg shared a Vort from the Noviminsker Rebbe zt"l who explains why in the Mishkan they collected not only gold and silver but even copper. A Yeshiva is a place where even boys who don't obviously shine are a cherished part of the Yeshiva. Only when we value the copper Talmidim can we be considered a true Mishkan.…

1
Vayakhel - Turning the Week Into Shabbos 41:57

6 weeks之前41:57

41:57

In this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam, Rav Burg explains the inner connection between Shabbos and the Mishkan. Our responsibility is to build a vessel and to relinquish control to Hashem that He will fill our vessel with Divine blessings. In this way we let go of the anxiety of taking responsibility for the outcome of Parnasa. At this level even our weekdays take on an element of Shabbos.…

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Purim - Living Life on Fire 33:03

7 weeks之前33:03

33:03

In this shiur, delivered in Aish Gesher for Women, Rav Burg explains the inner meaning of why Esther HaMalka insisted that Purim be established as a Yom Tov and Megillas Esther be included in Tanach. When we understand the secret of the Machtzis Hashekel being a coin of fire, that we have a mission for which we are created, that Hashem loves us eternally and that small actions make a big difference, we recognize that we are all writing a Megillah for generations to come.…

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Purim - Celebrating Purim As The Slaves of Achashverosh (While Still in the Middle of War) 1:06:19

7 weeks之前1:06:19

1:06:19

In this shiur, delivered Motzai Shabbos in the Lubat home in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Rav Burg explains the inner meaning Ora, Simcha, Sasson and Yikar and addresses how we can celebrate Purim amidst all of the tragedy that we have faced and while our war is still ongoing.

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Purim / Hilula of Moshe Rabbeinu - The Secret of Jewish Survival 30:59

8 weeks之前30:59

30:59

In this shmooze, delivered at the pre-Purim / Hilula of Moshe Rabbeinu Mevaseret Mishmar, Rav Burg explains the significance of the fact that Haman rejoiced over the fact that the lottery fell out in Adar, the month when Moshe Rabbeinu passed away. Haman failed to realize that in Yiddishkeit death is just the beginning of new life.…

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Tetzaveh - Hashem Wants To Hear From You! 31:59

8 weeks之前31:59

31:59

In this shiur, delivered in Sharfmans, Rav Burg explains the inner meaning of the noise that the Kohen Gadol's clothing makes upon entering the Beis HaMikdash. There is a difference between guilt and shame. When we feel shame we feel unworthy of love and connection. When we feel guilt we are tapped into our true self which is essentially connected to Hashem. That bond can never be broken and Hashem always wants to hear from us no matter how far we have strayed.…

Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark alive

1
Tetzaveh - Discovering the Spark of Moshe Rabbeinu in Ourselves 35:22

8 weeks之前35:22

35:22

In this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam, Rav Burg explains (based on a Sicha from the Lubavitcher Rebbe) the inner meaning of why Moshe Rabbeinu's name is missing in this week’s parsha. We all carry within our own souls a spark of Moshe Rabbeinu. When we define ourselves by our essential self we tap into that spark and transform our service of Hashem.…

Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark alive

1
Purim - Discovering Our Light Within The Darkness 50:57

8 weeks之前50:57

50:57

In this shiur, delivered in Aish HaTorah to the Chizuk Mission, Rav Burg explains the inner meaning of the halachos of how we read the Megillah, how we roll the Megillah and the tenses of the Brachos. Esther is the bechina of the greatest possible concealment, which is where she discovers her truest self.…

Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark alive

1
Hineini - Standing Ready To Do The Impossible 52:32

8 weeks之前52:32

52:32

In this shiur, delivered to Darchei Binah on the occasion of their 30th day of being social media free, Rav Burg explains the inner meaning of the word Hineini. Hineini means to stand with humility and bravely face the impossible. As we let go of distractions in our lives we become more present in reality and have the capacity to live Hineini lives.…

Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark alive

1
Terumah - Transforming The World One Donation At A Time 24:41

9 weeks之前24:41

24:41

In this shiur, delivered in Sharfmans, Rav Burg explains why this Parsha is named Terumah and not Mishkan. To make a lasting and meaningful change in this world, the transformation needs to come from below. As we become givers, the world becomes a dwelling place for Hashem.

Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark alive

1
Terumah - When We Hate the Ones We Love 37:18

9 weeks之前37:18

37:18

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explains the inner meaning of the Keruvim standing in an intimate embrace as the Beis HaMikdash is being destroyed. The secret of Sinas Chinam is that we only hate because we love.

Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark alive

1
Terumah - Discovering the Essence in Every Mitzvah 30:01

9 weeks之前30:01

30:01

In this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam, Rav Burg explains (based on the Kedushas Levi) why the Aron containing the Luchos is mentioned twice and why the rods in the Aron were not allowed to be removed. The Luchos represent the essence of our relationship with Hashem. Sometimes our Yiddishkeit can feel disjointed. Mitzvos may feel like they stand alone, separate from our mission to be Davek to Hashem. The Aron must be portable, revealing the essence in every single Mitzvah.…

Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark alive

1
Purim - Confronting Antisemitism in Modern Times 57:33

9 weeks之前57:33

57:33

In this shiur, delivered to the Chizuk Mission in Aish HaTorah in Yerushalayim, Rav Burg explores the inner essence of antisemitism and how we claim our Jewish identity in the darkest of times. We have a choice - fulfill the hole we have in ourselves with power or with submission to Hashem. Ultimately, our choice to submit represents a threat to those who seek power.…

Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark alive

1
Mishpatim - A Response to the Latest Evil of Hamas 40:59

10 weeks之前40:59

40:59

In this shiur, delivered at the Ramada Hotel to the Daily Giving Learn a Thon, Rav Burg explains how Klal Yisrael is in its essence a nation of Chesed while our enemies seek out new ways to inflict cruelty upon us.

Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark alive

1
Mishpatim - If It Doesn't Include Chesed, It's Not Torah 35:01

10 weeks之前35:01

35:01

In this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam, Rav Burg explains why in the middle of Kabbalas HaTorah the Torah "interrupts" the narrative to give the civil laws of Parshas Mishpatim. How we engage in our interpersonal relationships is critical to Kabbalas HaTorah and our mission as Jews.

Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark alive

1
Yisro - Communicating The Essence 52:43

11 weeks之前52:43

52:43

In this shiur, delivered at Stern College, Rav Burg explains the inner connection between being misameach a Chasan and a Kallah and meriting the Five Kolos of Torah.

Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark alive

1
Raising Children in Turbulent Times 1:03:35

11 weeks之前1:03:35

1:03:35

In this shiur, delivered to the Nshei of KBH in North Woodmere, Rav Burg explores the nature of raising children to feel securely attached.

Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark alive

1
Shevat - Finding Unity in Diversity 42:31

11 weeks之前42:31

42:31

In this shiur, delivered in the Hirsch home in Los Angeles to the Chizuk Mission, Rav Burg explains why for the last month kf Moshe Rabbeinu's life, Chodesh Shevat, he translated the Torah into seventy languages.

Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark alive

1
Tu B'Shvat - Soul Actualization 32:13

12 weeks之前32:13

32:13

In this shiur, delivered at the Mashiach home in Chicago, Rav Burg explains the inner connection between man being described as a tree in the field and the egla arufa. Our soul expresses itself most deeply when it does a Mitzvah. Self actualization means not only that we are productive people but that our soul is able to fulfill its purpose.…

Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark alive

1
Beshalach - Remembering Amalek 59:52

12 weeks之前59:52

59:52

In this shiur, delivered in the Valley in Los Angeles, Rav Burg explains the inner workings of how we can leave our personal Mitzrayim and yet still be stuck before we arrive at our personal Har Sinai. Truth can defeat falsehood but it cannot necessarily overcome apathy. When we don't care we have to move beyond logic and tap into the essence of our soul. This movement becomes the vehicle for achieving our own Kabbalas HaTorah.…

Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark alive

1
Bo - The Restoration of Hope 32:35

13 weeks之前32:35

32:35

In this shiur, delivered in Sharfmans, Rav Burg explains why Klal Yisrael prostrated themselves after hearing the Mitzvah of Korban Pesach. Only when Klal Yisrael has their hope for a future restored can they truly be mekabel on themselves to serve Hashem.

Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark alive

1
Bo - Slapping Pharaoh in the Face 51:29

13 weeks之前51:29

51:29

In this shiur, delivered in Mevaseret, Rav Burg explains why only after Makkas Choshech did Pharaoh and Moshe become angry with one another. What was the value in Moshe Rabbeinu slapping Pharaoh in the face? The ten Makkos are meant to rectify the ten dimensions of the soul. In this shiur each Makkah is explored so as to understand why everything changed after Choshech.…

Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark alive

1
Bo - Midnight Madness: The Revelation of the Essence 39:47

13 weeks之前39:47

39:47

In this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam, Rav Burg explains (based on a Sicha from the Lubavitcher Rebbe zt"l) why Makkas Bechoros specifically happens at midnight and why Klal Yisrael needed a special protection during this plague. Hashem chooses Klal Yisrael from the essence of His being. Through the Mitzvah of Bris Mila and Korban Pesach we reveal our own essence thus drawing Hashem's essence into our world.…

Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark alive

1
Vaeira - The Wisdom of the Heart 46:37

14 weeks之前46:37

46:37

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explains (based on a Torah from the Lubavitcher Rebbe zt"l) why Rashi reminds us that Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov are the Avos. Moshe Rabbeinu learns that Hashem is trying to communicate His essence to Klal Yisrael and that can only happen as Klal Yisrael discovers their own essence. While the mind will always ask questions, the heart understands what the mind cannot.…

Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark alive

1
Vaeira - Introducing Our Ego to Hashem 28:56

14 weeks之前28:56

28:56

In this shmooze, delivered at Mevaseret Mishmar, Rav Burg explains why Moshe Rabbeinu spoke to to Pharoah despite the fact that Pharaoh could not understand him and Ahron HaKohen would be interpreting. In order to overcome our ego it needs to be introduced to Hashem. Only afterwards can we employ our faculty of reason.…

Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark alive

1
Shemos - Tracht Gut! 38:13

15 weeks之前38:13

38:13

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explains (based on a Sicha from the Lubavitcher Rebbe zt"l) why the Torah tells us that Moshe Rabbeinu was afraid despite the fact that it doesn't seem to advance the narrative of the story in any way. The way we perceive the world becomes the reality we live in. When we think good, when we have Bitachon in Hashem, we create a positive reality.…

Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark alive

1
Shemos - Feeling The Pain of Another Jew 25:33

15 weeks之前25:33

25:33

In this shmooze, delivered at Mevaseret Mishmar, Rav Burg explains the inner connection between the death of Yosef HaTzaddik and the Bracha of Moshe Rabbeinu to Yosef thay references Hashem as dwelling in the Sneh. We enter into Golus when we stop taking responsibility for each other and we leave Golus when we feel the pain of our fellow Jew.…

Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark alive

1
Shnayim Mikra: Falling in Love with Torah 23:32

15 weeks之前23:32

23:32

In this shmooze, delivered in Mevaseret at the Shnayim Mikra Melava Malka Siyum, Rav Burg explains the inner meaning of why we say the pesukim not just once but twice, why there is a special emphasis on completing Shnayim Mikra with the Tzibbur and why it lengthens our lives.

Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark alive

1
Asarah B'Teves - A Day That Hangs in the Balance 43:37

16 weeks之前43:37

43:37

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explains why Asarah B'Teves would obligate us to fast even on Shabbos, the connection between Asarah B'Teves and Yosef HaTzaddik and the inner nature of a siege. On Asarah B'Teves Hashem revisits the decision of whether the churban will continue and how we relate to every other Jew decides our fate.…

Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark alive

1
Vayechi - Feeling the Pain of Another 33:46

16 weeks之前33:46

33:46

In this shiur, delivered in Sharfmans, Rav Burg explains (based on a Torah from Rav Yaakov Kaminetsky zt"l) why Shimon and Levi were assigned to become the Rabbeim and the Sofrim of Klal Yisrael. True, they were criticized by Yaakov Avinu for being overly zealous in killing the inhabitants of Shechem, but they were motivated by the pain they felt for their sister. They needed to be separated to avoid future destruction but they had the makings of great Mechanchim and transmitters of Torah.…

Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark alive

1
Vayechi - Finding Our Emotional Footing in Exile 39:41

16 weeks之前39:41

39:41

In this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam, Rav Burg explains the meaning of the fact that Parshas Vayechi is setumah (a closed parsha). The eyes and heart of Klal Yisrael became closed when Yaakov Avinu passed away beginning the exile in Mitzrayim. Knowing that we are deeply rooted allows us to find our emotional footing and reclaim our vision even in difficult times.…

Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark alive

1
Vayigash - A Yeshiva for the Imperfect 28:24

17 weeks之前28:24

28:24

In this shiur, delivered at the Almuni Mevaseret Mishmar, Rav Burg explains why it was specifically Yehuda who was sent to establish a Yeshiva in Goshen. While Levi was the Rosh Yeshiva, only Yehuda who had a great enough sense of self to be able to admit to his wrongdoings with Tamar, could establish a Yeshiva in Goshen. Only Yehuda could create a Yeshiva built on kindness and compassion.…

Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark alive

1
Vayigash - Finding Faith in Exile 38:43

17 weeks之前38:43

38:43

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explains how the purpose of going into Golus was to bridge the gap between the Avos and Klal Yisrael in order to pass on the pristine emunah that they had achieved.

Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark alive

1
Chanukah - The Beauty of Hod: Substance over Surface 50:39

17 weeks之前50:39

50:39

In this shiur, delivered at the Michlala Chanukah "Culture" Yom Iyun, Rav Burg explains the inner meaning of the word Hod. There is surface beauty that reflects the inner beauty of a person and then there is a beauty that is so awesome that it cannot be captured by the vessel that attempts to contain it. The miracle of Chanukah is that the inner beauty bursts forth and overwhelms the container.…

Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark alive

1
Miketz - Standing in Submission to Hashem 32:24

18 weeks之前32:24

32:24

In this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam, Rav Burg explores the difference between the dreams of Pharoah and the dreams of Yaakov Avinu. Pharaoh dreams that he is standing above the Nile River, Yaakov dreams that Hashem is standing above him. When we dream that we are above God we go back to sleep. When we dream that God is standing above us we are obligated to fulfill the mission for which we were created.…

Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark alive

1
Yud Tes Kislev / Vayeishev - Hashem is Obsessed With You 26:55

19 weeks之前26:55