Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark alive
546 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 days ago - ★★★★★ - 15 ratingsShiurim and Divrei Chizzuk from our Mashpia Rav Burg and other inspirational speakers to light up our soul.
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Episodes
Unlocking Growth and Embracing Vulnerability - Israel Gap Year B'Iyun Podcast
April 21, 2024 16:16 - 1 hour - 83.4 MBIn this podcast interview with Rabbi Avi Proctor, Rav Burg explores the importance of vulnerability. Discover the value of creating a space where people feel at peace with themselves and others and are comfortable being who they are is crucial for their personal development ane fulfilling their purpose in the world.
Pesach - Collecting the Sparks
April 17, 2024 16:41 - 48 minutes - 23.2 MBIn this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam (over Bein HaZmanim), Rav Burg explains the inner nature of the rechush gadol (great wealth) that Avraham Avinu was promised during the Bris Bein Habesarim. Why do we care about wealth? Why is it stressed over and over again in the story of Yetzias Mitzrayim? We are sent down into this world to collect the 288 sparks that fell down into this world from the Olam HaTohu. When we use this world to serve Hashem we collect the remaining sparks and finish l...
Pesach - An IFS Approach to the Four Sons
April 15, 2024 18:26 - 48 minutes - 23.6 MBIn this shiur, delivered in the Lubat home in Neve Shamir, Rav Burg explains why the Baal Haggadah counted each son with the number one (as Moshe Rabbeinu did). IFS sees a person as a self and parts. Only when we unblend self from parts can parts leave their exiles and become integrated (self led) with the self.
Shemini - Humbly Creating Space For Hashem
April 04, 2024 17:28 - 31 minutes - 15.4 MBIn this shiur, delivered in Sharfmans, Rav Burg explains (based on a piece from Rav Ahron Lopiansky shlit"a) why Ahron HaKohen was afraid to draw close to the Mizbeach and why Moshe told him to "stop" being afraid. It was specifically Ahron, who did not try and "control" Hashem but rather stepped back with humility, that made him the perfect person to invite Hashem to dwell in the Mishkan.
Shemini - Living in the Present
April 03, 2024 18:20 - 32 minutes - 15.6 MBIn this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam, Rav Burg explains the connection between Nadav and Avihu being intoxicated and bringing an Eish Zara, a strange fire. Only when we accept the present moment as it is, without seeking to diminish or enhance it to avoid our own discomfort, can we truly be connected to reality. For this reason Ahron chose stillness as a response to thd death of his sons and as a reward he was able to engage directly with Hashem.
Shemini - Jealousy, Resentment, Story Telling and Fear
April 03, 2024 16:18 - 41 minutes - 20.3 MBIn this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explains the inner connection between the inauguration of the Mishkan, the Cheit HaEigel and the selling of Yosef down to Mitzrayim. The fear of losing their relationship with their father caused the Shevatim to tell themselves to tell a story about Yosef that led to their own resentment. This resentment led to the jealousy that ultimately resulted in Yosef's sale. This story was passed down for generations and ultimately led to the Cheit Ha...
Defining Dignity
April 01, 2024 18:20 - 57 minutes - 28.2 MBIn this shiur (plus questions and answers), Rav and Rebbetzin Burg explain the nature of dignity and how we can lead more dignified lives.
Tzav - Anchored in the Past, Living in the Present
March 27, 2024 19:20 - 33 minutes - 16.2 MBIn this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam, Rav Burg explains the inner meaning of the Terumas Hadeshen and the Hotza’as Hadeshen. The Terumas Hadeshen reminds us that our parents and grandparents etc... built the community that we now inhabit. This obligates us to build our community for the next generation just as those who came befoe us did. The Hotza’as Hadeshen teaches us that each days Avodah in the Beis HaMikdash begins anew. We must confront the challenges that we face today and live in...
Tzav - Keeping Your Fire Aflame
March 27, 2024 17:22 - 42 minutes - 20.8 MBIn this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explains why although the Aish on the Mizbeach comes from Hashem, the Kohen had to light the fire in the morning. And athough the fire comes from Hashem, we are instructed to protect it when we travel. The nature of life is engaging with suffering but a Jew is thankful for the suffering they endure because that's how we discover Hashem. It will always rain on our fire but we are assured that our fire can never be extinguished. Our job is to ...
Purim - Letting Go Of The Known
March 21, 2024 19:04 - 33 minutes - 16.3 MBIn this shiur, delivered in Sharfmans, Rav Burg explains why: 1. We are not Yotzei when we read the Megillah backwards. 2. We are obligated to drink until we don't know the difference between Arur Hama and Baruch Mordechai. Who would read the Megillah backwards? Why would we want to get so drunk that we can't distinguish between a Tzaddik and a Rasha? Only when we let go of using knowledge as power and control do we come to accept reality as it is. And once we accept reality as it is it...
Vayikra - Korbanos: Giving the Gift of Ourselves to Hashem
March 20, 2024 19:34 - 33 minutes - 16.4 MBIn this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam, Rav Burg explains (based on a shiur from Rav Ahron Lopiansky shlit"a) the inner nature of a Korban. A Korban is not a sacrifice, it is a gift that we give to Hashem and the gift that Hashem wants from us is not merely our service but our passion.
Purim - The Anxiety and Faith of Tomorrow
March 20, 2024 17:20 - 38 minutes - 18.8 MBIn this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explores our battle with Amalek. Purim is the Yom Tov that remains even after Yemos HaMashiach. Amalek is the battle that we fight in every generation. Esther HaMalka asks Achashverosh to have another Seuda tomorrow. It seem that everything in our battle with Amalek is future oriented. For Amalek there is no tomorrow and for a Jew tomorrow is an expression of our faith in an assured future.
Purim - Sleeping Through Our Relationship With Hashem
March 14, 2024 11:52 - 46 minutes - 22.5 MBIn this shiur, delivered to the Chizzuk Mission in Aish HaTorah, Rav Burg explains the inner connection between sleeping through our performance of the Mitzvos and our connection with each and every Jew. Only when we are deeply connected to the soul of Torah and Mitzvos can we be deeply connected to each other. Only when we are connected to the soul do we merit protection from Hashem.
Pikudei - The Power of Desire
March 13, 2024 19:24 - 40 minutes - 19.5 MBIn this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam, Rav Burg explains how through our desire we discover hidden talents within ourselves. When we have desire Hashem gives us the vessels that we need to be successful.
Pikudei - Accounting for the Unaccounted Jews
March 13, 2024 17:29 - 51 minutes - 25 MBIn this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav explains the missing 1775 shekalim from the Mishkan. The Mishkan is meant to be a bridge between the spiritual and material world but without an accounting of every single Jew the bridge is incomplete. Why can't we see these missing Jews? Their light is absolutely blinding.
Adar: Increasing Joy - Finding Simcha In Pain
March 10, 2024 13:28 - 43 minutes - 21.1 MBIn this shiur, delivered in Aish HaTorah to the Chizzuk Mission, Rav Burg explores how we can increase joy even in times of great tragedy. Rav Akiva woke up his Talmidim by explaining that Esther HaMalka ruled over 127 countries because Sarah Imeinu lived for 127 years. Al though the years of Sarah's life were far from simple, she found the good in every moment and that is how we survive and thrive even in the darkest moments of our exile.
Increasing Joy - Finding Simcha In Pain
March 10, 2024 13:28 - 43 minutes - 21.1 MBIn this shiur, delivered in Aish HaTorah to the Chizzuk Mission, Rav Burg explores how we can increase joy even in times of great tragedy. Rav Akiva woke up his Talmidim by explaining that Esther HaMalka ruled over 127 countries because Sarah Imeinu lived for 127 years. Al though the years of Sarah's life were far from simple, she found the good in every moment and that is how we survive and thrive even in the darkest moments of our exile.
Vayakhel - Inspiring Those Who Feel Unworthy
March 07, 2024 18:32 - 33 minutes - 16.1 MBIn this shiur, delivered in Sharfmans, Rav Burg explains why Betzalel and Ohaliav were equal with regards to building the Mishkan. Klal Yisrael required divine inspiration to build the Mishkan. A nation of slaves lacked the artisanal skills that would be necessary for building. Betzalel inspired those who felt worthy but Ohaliav, with his simple background, inspired the lowest of Jews.
Vayakhel - Uniting Klal Yisrael Through Shnayim Mikra V'echad Targum
March 07, 2024 10:00 - 19 minutes - 18.9 MBIn honor of the Mevaseret Talmidim who took upon themselves to learn Shnayim Mikra V'echad Targum this year, Rav Glanz and Rav Burg Fabrenged in Mevaseret. (Shiur begins at the 4:30 mark). Rav Burg explains how the sefer of Shemos, which is the Sefer of our redemption, is connected to the notion of Shnayim Mikra V'echad Targum. Only when we see the unity in all of the voices of Torah will we be worthy of rebuilding the Beis HaMikdash.
Vayakhel - Rupture and Repair
March 06, 2024 19:22 - 34 minutes - 16.8 MBIn this week's Parsha the Torah repeats the building of the Mishkan after the Cheit Haeigel. In this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam, Rav Burg explains the various aspects of rupture and repair in our relationships. 1. Build something holy. 2. Rupture and repair is a process that happens over and over again. 3. We may return to places we already thought we repaired and that is normal and expected. 4. Our responsibility is to make peace with this process.
Vayakhel - Living a Real and Ideal Life
March 06, 2024 17:26 - 44 minutes - 21.7 MBIn this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explains why the Torah spends 400 Pesukim detailing both how the Mishkan was meant to be made and how it was ultimately made. There is an ideal life and a real life. We should not sacrifice our ideals because the reality is different and we can embrace the beauty of of our reality even when is not ideal.
Ki Tisa - Inside and Outside Torah
February 28, 2024 19:22 - 35 minutes - 17.5 MBIn this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam, Rav Burg explains why the Luchos could be read from the inside and the outside. There are two ways of relating to Hashem. Outside Torah is scientific and mathematical. This was the Torah of Avraham Avinu. Inside Torah is discovered from within the relationship itself. We can and should discover Hashem not only from the outside but from within the words of Torah, at our Shabbos tables and in our community.
Ki Tisa - A Nation on Fire
February 28, 2024 17:27 - 50 minutes - 24.8 MBIn this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explores why although the world is a fragmented place but we crave wholeness. Only when we balance the tension of being an individual within a community do we live in harmony with creation. The Half Shekel on fire teaches us how to strike that balance.
Tetzaveh - Ringing the Bells of Greatness
February 21, 2024 20:05 - 26 minutes - 12.7 MBIn this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam, Rav Burg explains (based on a piece from Rav Shaul Alter shlit"a) the inner connection between the three times it says the word V'nishma in the Torah. We must know that: 1. We have inside of ourselves the capacity to be totally devoted to Hashem. 2. No matter how far we stray from the path, Hashem always us a relationship with us. 3. Every Jew is a Kohen Gadol, worthy of wearing the robes of nobility.
Tetzaveh - Illuminating the World With Oneness
February 21, 2024 18:12 - 41 minutes - 20 MBIn this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explains why Moshe Rabbeinu's name is not mentioned specifically in this weeks Parsha. Moshe Rabbeinu argued with Hashem that if Hashem were to destroy the Jewish People then he may as well erase Moshe's name from the Torah. Moshe had become one with the Torah to the degree that it was no longer necessary to mention his name. He was the Torah and the Torah was him. Klal Yisrael, Hashem and the Torah are one. Moshe was one with all of Bnei Y...
Terumah - Entering the Inner Sanctum
February 15, 2024 18:38 - 34 minutes - 17 MBIn this shiur, delivered in Sharfmans, Rav Burg explores (based on a piece from Rav Moshe Weinberger) how Yiras Shomayim is the outer sanctum and Torah is the inner sanctum. One must enter the outer sanctum first, where we feel the pain of exile, before we enter the inner sanctum, the joy of Torah. Although the Beis HaMikdash has been destroyed we still have our Mikdash Mi'at, our Shuls and Yeshivas where we can access the joy of he inner sanctum.
Terumah - Building a Relationship with Hashem
February 14, 2024 17:35 - 39 minutes - 19 MBIn this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explains how the building of the Mishkan represents three stages in the development of our relationship with Hashem. 1. We live for the Other. 2. Intimacy means exclusivity 3. We give our hearts to the One we love
Mishpatim - The Prohibition of Milk and Meat: Creating Healthy Boundaries
February 08, 2024 18:28 - 31 minutes - 15.2 MBIn this shiur, delivered in Sharfman's, Rav Burg explains (based on a sicha from the Lubavitcher Rebbe) why Shaatnez is sometimes permitted, why Kilyaim is never permitted and why we might have thought that milk and meat would be permissible for the eating of Kodshim. Ultimately, in the times of Mashiach, one will be allowed to eat milk and meat together and this represents the perfect balance in our relationships.
Mishpatim - Jews that Sparkle
February 07, 2024 19:08 - 34 minutes - 16.7 MBIn this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam, Rav Burg explains why Parshas Mishpatim, with all of its intricate legal details, follows the giving of the Torah at Har Sinai and not Parshas Terumah, which involves the building of the Mishkan. Halacha is not merely the details of our relationship with Hashem, like the dew on the grass, following Halacha ought to make us sparkle.
Mishpatim - Nezikin: A Journey in History, a Journey towards Hashem
February 07, 2024 17:25 - 41 minutes - 20.2 MBIn this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explains a very sophisticated concept from the Lubavitcher Rebbe. The three gates of Nezikin (Babba Kamma, Baba Metzia, Baba Basra) are three steps in mans journey throughout history. We move from barbaric to civilized conflict to Godly harmony. Similarly in our journey towards Hashem we begin by conquering our negative forces, then we conquer our more civilized nature and ultimately we partner with Hashem in building the world into a Godly...
Yisro - On Eagles Wings
February 01, 2024 18:28 - 34 minutes - 16.6 MBIn this shiur, delivered in Sharfmans, Rav Burg shares a Torah from Rav Moshe Weinberger shlit"a on what it means that Hashem took us out of Mitzrayim on eagles wings. Because we have been in Golus for so long we have forgotten that we have the ability to soar like an eagle. When Hashem takes us out of Golus he reveals to us the true nature of who we are and then we can soar.