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
Parshas Vayigash - A Father's Love
December 29, 2022 20:29 - 40 minutes - 19.9 MBYosef HaTzaddik reveals himself to his brothers and asks "Is my father still alive?" Of course he is alive! The brothers have been talking about Yaakov throughout their entire time in Mitzrayim. The journey of life can be terrifying. How do we maintain our strength and resolve? The loving words of a parent can stay with us for a lifetime.
Parshas Vayigash - You Are Enough
December 28, 2022 17:13 - 32 minutes - 16 MBYehuda tells Yosef do not get angry for you are like Pharaoh himself. The worst way to get someone to calm down is to tell them to calm down. Why would Yehuda tell Yosef not to get angry? In this shiur Rav Burg explains the difference between an abundance mentality and an impoverished mentality as it relates to parenting and relationships with our spouses. Yehudas words give us insight into how we can be enough for ourselves.
Aish Kodesh - 10 (Mikeitz)
December 27, 2022 19:11 - 34 minutes - 16.6 MBYaakov blesses his children that the Egyptian ruler should have mercy on them. The Aish Kodesh asks, why doesn't he bless them that no harm should befall them. Just as Hashem creates an expanding universe and tells it to stop expanding so too there are different types of salvations. Sometimes salvation comes from an expanding process. You go to the doctor who diagnoses an illness, procure the medicine etc... Sometimes, if there is no time for an expanding process, Hashem says enough to the e...
Chanukah - Purity in our Judaism
December 15, 2022 09:49 - 24 minutes - 11.7 MBDelivered to the Shana Bet in Mevaseret for Erev Shabbos Mussar, Rav Burg discusses why the Mitzvah of Ner Chanuka is on the home, the reason for the precedence of Ner Shabbos over Ner Chanukah and the last zman for Ner Chanukah is when the tarmudai would come home from the Shuk. The outside influences of immorality have made an impact on our community. In order to transmit Yiddishkeit it needs to be pure through and through. Our homes need to be places where Yiddishkeit is pristine. Only w...
Yud Tes Kislev Fabrengen in Shaalvim (Vayishlach/Vayeshev)
December 14, 2022 21:49 - 1 hour - 117 MBDelivered in Shaalvim, Rav Burg discusses Dinah going out into Shechem to reveal the hidden spark of Rav Akiva and Yosef losing his begadim in order to discover himself. The second part of Ra Burg's shmooze begins at the 44 minute mark.
Parshas Vayeshev - Finding Connection Within
December 14, 2022 17:23 - 39 minutes - 19 MBChazal tells us that Yosef HaTzaddik would tell Yaakov Avinu about all of the misdeeds of the shevatim. If there was anything to tell, he would run to his father to share with him the bad news. Why? In this shiur, Rav Burg explains that lonely children will push away the very people they want to connect with. The journey of Yosef HaTzaddik is our journey. It is about finding connection within and then being able to connect to others. Rather than push away those who seem to be pushing us way,...
Yud Tes Kislev Fabrengen - (Parshas Vayeshev) Finding Hashem in Our Loneliness
December 13, 2022 19:17 - 52 minutes - 25.5 MBDelivered to the women of Nishei Neve Shamir, in this shiur Rav Burg explains how the story of Yosef and Eishes Potiphar, the story of Rachav and Yehoshua and the story of the talmid of Rav Chiya and the Zonah are all one story. Not only are they all the same soul, it is a story about people, who from a deep place of loneliness seek out counterfeit connection. And, it is also a story about how that very same loneliness becomes the pathway for true belonging.
Parshas Vayishlach - The Rising Sun
December 07, 2022 17:10 - 32 minutes - 16 MBIn the middle of the meat market, while purchasing meat for the wedding of Rabban Gamliel's son, Rav Akiva turns to Rabban Gamliel and Rav Yehoshua and asks them what it meant by the passuk that the sun rose for him (Yaakov Avinu). Does the sun not rise for everyone. Rav Akiva answers that the sun that set for Yaakov Avinu when he left his father's home now rose for him as well. In this shiur Rav Burg explains how we can cope with the turbulent and chaotic times in our life. The sun that set...
Parshas Vayishlach - The Vulnerability of Life, and Those Who Love Us Through It
December 06, 2022 03:52 - 39 minutes - 19.1 MBEverything the Torah tells us is to impart cosmic and timeless lessons. It is therefore all the more surprising that the Torah, seemingly out of nowhere, tells us about the death of Devorah, the wet nurse of Rivka. Why do we need to know about this? What is the significance of her being buried beneath a tree and the name of that place? In this shiur, delivered in Stern College, Rav Burg explains how we are all loved into being. The people that love us into being give us the courage to face li...
Parshas Vayishlach - Eisav's Kiss
December 04, 2022 15:45 - 46 minutes - 22.6 MBThe story of Yaakov and Eisav's reunion is meant to guide us through our own confrontations with the Eisav's in our life. Rashi changes the order of the pesukim and tells us that Yaakov sent gifts, davened and prepared for war resulting in a genuine hug but a less than genuine kiss. In this shiur Rav Burg explains how we can treat ourselves with kindness and compassion, align ourselves with Hashem and always know that we are never defeated as we battle our inner Eisav. Even if we are not yet ...
Parshas Vayeitzei - Though I Am Sleeping I Am Wide Awake
December 02, 2022 05:02 - 42 minutes - 20.6 MBIn this week's Parsha Yaakov Avinu fell asleep at the Makom Hamikdash and dreamt of Malachim going up and down a ladder. Chazal tell us that Hashem had to protect Yaakov from these Malachim who wanted to kill him. The Ksav Sofer explains that they wanted to kill Yaakov because he fell asleep at such a holy place. The Gemara tells us that Hashem made the sun set early so that Yaakov Avinu would go to sleep. If that's the case then why would the Malachim want to kill him? He was simply doing wh...
Toldos - Digging Wells - Seeing Beneath the Surface
November 23, 2022 17:22 - 34 minutes - 16.7 MBWhat is the inner significance of digging wells? Why did Hashem create the world by first covering the world with water and then aggregating the water into one place so that dry land would appear? Why did Hashem create man by adding water to the soil and kneading us (like bread) into being? In this shiur, Rav Burg explains how we are called upon to see the Godliness beneath existence, how we can reveal the Godliness that inheres within creation and see the Godliness in every single Jew!
Chayei Sarah - A Nose Ring and Two Bracelets - Codependent No More
November 16, 2022 17:17 - 38 minutes - 18.6 MB1. The story of Eliezer finding a shidduch for Yitzchak comprises 67 pesukim in the Torah! Normally the Torah is concise but here Hashem sees fit to tell us the story in great detail. Why? 2. Eliezer gives Rivka a golden nose ring worth half a shekel and two bracelets each worth ten gold shekel. Rashi teaches that the nose ring is an allusion to the half a shekel that would one day be donated to the Mishkan and the bracelets are an allusion to the aseres hadibros. What does this have to do ...
Aish Kodesh - 9 (Vayeshev)
November 14, 2022 18:54 - 37 minutes - 18.3 MBIn this exceptionally stirring shiur the Aish Kodesh asks why Hashem won't allow the tzaddikim to have serenity in this world. The Rebbe distinguishes between those who are silent because they choose not to speak and those who are mute because they have loss all capacity to process their trauma and give language to their pain. Still, even in this state, the mute person can gesture and communicate somewhat. Deeper still is the person whose pain is so exceptional that they cannot communicate t...
Chayei Sarah - The Humble Servant Makes The Shidduch
November 14, 2022 17:02 - 52 minutes - 25.6 MBEliezer is the ultimate servant of Avraham Avinu and yet despite his exceptional dedication Avraham Avinu does not see fit to make a shidduch with the daughter of Eliezer. Why then does he trust Eliezer to find a shidduch for Yitzchak? If Eliezer is trustworthy enough to make a shidduch, why is his daughter not a good match for Yitzchak? In this shiur, delivered in MMY, Rav Burg explains how exceptional humility is the fertile soil for love to occur but absolute humility does not make a good ...
Parshas Vayera - Grounded in the Chaos of Life
November 09, 2022 17:35 - 41 minutes - 20 MB‘And Avraham arose early in the morning to the place where he had stood before Hashem’ (Bereshis 19:27). From this passuk we learn that Avraham Avinu instituted Shacharis and that one ought to have a makom kavua, a set place, for davening. The Gemara in Brachos teacehs that one who has a makom kavua is an anav, a chasid and a talmid of Avraham Avinu. They have a greater level of siyata dishmaya in their teffilos. What is the significance of a makom kavua? In this shiur, Rav Burg explains h...
Lech Lecha - Leaving Your Home To Find Yourself
November 02, 2022 17:26 - 41 minutes - 20.4 MBAvraham Avinu was told lech lecha, go to yourself. But could it be that we are supposed to leave our countries, our communities and our homes - these wonderful places that loved us into being - in order to find ourselves? How could that be the message of the Torah?!? In this shiur Rav Burg explains who is the real you and how we are meant to journey to self discovery.
Aish Kodesh - 8 (Vayishlach)
October 29, 2022 17:51 - 37 minutes - 18.1 MBIn this shiur the Aish Kodesh asks two questions: 1. Why does Yaakov Avinu insist on being blessed by the Malach of Eisav when he had already been blessed by Hashem? 2. Why does the Malach ask Yaakov Avinu his name? The Rebbe explains that it is not enough simply to leave our state of pain. True redemption only occurs when we have gained something fundamental from our pain. Our pain brings a whole new level of salvation. Furthermore, we rule over ourselves under all circumstances.
Parshas Noach - Rooted in the Past, Securely Attached in the Present
October 26, 2022 16:20 - 40 minutes - 19.5 MBThe story of Migdal Bavel is a perplexing one. What is the connection between this story and the story of the flood? What exactly were they attempting to do by building a tower? Why is it a fitting consequence to babel their language? In this shiur, Rav Burg explains how being firmly rooted in the stories of our past gives us the capacity to handle what life throws at us in the present. Those who are rooted in their origin stories have an abundance mentality that allows for true expressions o...
Bereishis - Begin Again
October 20, 2022 21:38 - 34 minutes - 23.9 MBBereishis means in the beginning. The word Bereishis can also be understood as Beis Reishis, two beginnings. But Hashem only created the world once. Why does the Torah allude to a second beginning? In this shiur Rav Burg explains how every story has not one but two beginnings. It is up to us to choose to begin again.
Hoshana Rabbah - There is Nothing Simple About Simple Jews
October 16, 2022 04:25 - 33 minutes - 15.5 MBDelivered at Yeshivat HaKotel's Vayichan program on Hoshana Rabbah, based on a sicha from the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rav Burg explains how it is the simple Jews that reflect Hashem's essence in this world. Complexity hides Hashem's simple presence in creation. The greater the complexity, the greater the concealment. The simple Jew who serves Hashem simply because they're Jewish lacks the concealment of more complex Jews. The Aravos of Hoshana Rabbah are different than the aravos of the dalet mini...
Aish Kodesh - 7 (Vayeitzei)
October 06, 2022 13:56 - 35 minutes - 24.7 MBAs Yaakov Avinu is sleeping and dreaming of the malachim going up and down the ladder, Rashi explains that it is Hashem who is guarding over him. The Aish Kodesh asks, why is it Hashem guarding over Yaakov and not a malach? Why does it repeat that he is being guarded twice? The Malachim of the ladder represent the nations of the world who are at war with each other. When they are fighting, Klal Yisrael is in danger. In these times we need the special shemira of Hashem Himself. When we have...
Parshas Nitzavim - Growing Up, Choosing Hashem
September 21, 2022 19:39 - 39 minutes - 26.9 MBIn this week's Parsha, Moshe Rabbeinu, for the first time in history, renews the Bris between Klal Yisrael and Hashem. Up until now it was always Hashem that made a Bris with humanity/Klal Yisrael. Why the change? Based on an essay from Rabbi Jonathan Sacks ob"m, Rav Burg explains that truly inspired Judaism comes from choosing to participate in a relationship with Hashem.
Aish Kodesh - 6 (Toldos)
September 20, 2022 06:13 - 34 minutes - 23.5 MBIn this shiur the Aish Kodesh explains two different types of giving. 1. Hashem simply gives because He is giving, not because we are deserving. 2. Hashem pays back a "debt" so to speak and gives us what we are owed for the performance of our Mitzvos. The Rebbe teaches that there are two types of Jews, those who are lost and those are completely unrecognizable. In 1939 the Rebbe addresses those Jews that have completely lost their sense of self because of the persecution of the Nazi's. The ...
Aish Kodesh - 5 (Chayei Sarah)
September 05, 2022 18:56 - 52 minutes - 35.8 MBIn this shiur the Aish Kodesh explains that while it is true that suffering purifies it is also true that suffering too much can be too much to bear. In this exceptional piece we learn how Sarah Imeinu opened up her heart to all of the pain of the Akeida so that the pain would teach Hashem (us and the world at large) how even a great tzadekes like Sarah could not live in the face of such suffering.
Tisha B'Av - Eli Tzion (kinnah 45) - Grief is Unexpressed Love
August 07, 2022 10:16 - 15 minutes - 7.29 MBThis kinnah, the last of the kinnos, is a kinnah of hope. It speaks about the pain of a woman in labor and the pain of a young bride who lost her husband. The cry of labor is a cry that understands that while this may be exceptionally painful it is for an ultimate purpose. The cry of a young bride is a cry that speaks to the absolute chaos of this world. In her grief, as she refuses to let go of her husband who has passed on, she is giving language to her eternal love and the hope that she wi...
Tisha B'Av - Feeling Hashem's Pain
August 07, 2022 08:58 - 57 minutes - 26.5 MBThe challenge of Tisha B'Av is that we are being called upon to feel the pain of the loss of the Beis HaMikdash when we have never experienced the Beis HaMikdash. What we can feel is the pain of the shechina who longs to have a place in our world once again. Feeling the pain of another requires a strong sense of self which can only come from tapping in to the Godly soul that dwells within each of us. In this shiur, delivered at NCSY Kollel on Tisha B'Av, Rav Burg takes us through three storie...
Tisha B'Av - Yearning for Yearning
August 07, 2022 08:55 - 30 minutes - 27.6 MBTisha B'Av is a challenging time. We are asked to mourn for a Beis HaMikdash we have never seen. We say kinnos that are difficult to understand and that contain references with which we are unfamiliar. We live in an age where we are so blessed to have so much. The pain of losing the Beis HaMikdash is difficult to tap into. In this shiur, delivered at NCSY Kollel (introducing Kinnos) Rav Burg explains how our failure to yearn gives birth to the greatest yearning.
Parshas Masei - Creating A City Of Refuge For Those Who Want To Return
July 28, 2022 22:05 - 34 minutes - 31.9 MBThe Ir Miklat was a city of refuge for those who murdered accidentally. According to the sefarim hakedoshim the sinner who cuts himself off from Hashem in some ways can be considered like a murderer. The sinners desire to run to the Ir Miklat is an expression of the desire to do Teshuva and be saved from the goel hadam, the Satan who is chasing after him. In this shiur, delivered at NCSY Kollel Mishmar, Rav Burg explores the various halachos of the Ir Miklat and the relevance to us in our life.
Parshas Masei - The Flowers Remind Us Of The Beauty Of The Rain
July 28, 2022 21:55 - 44 minutes - 10.3 MBIn this shiur, delivered in NCSY Michlelet, Rav Burg analyzes why at the end of Klal Yisrael's journey through the midbar Moshe Rabbeinu reminds Klal Yisrael of all of the times that they angered Hashem. Shouldn't we have ended on a positive note? In truth, at the end of the journey, we are in a perfect position to finally understand that even the "downs" were a necessary part of the process.
Parshas Matos - Passionate Judaism
July 21, 2022 22:00 - 37 minutes - 34.8 MBThree times in the Torah לה is spelled without a mapik hey (a dot in the middle of the hey). The final passuk in this week's Parsha is one of those times. Rashi, quoting Rav Moshe HaDarshan explains that without the mapik hey the word can also be read לא. In this context it would indicate that while Novach did conquer Knas and name it after himself, ultimately the name of the city did not last. The question is, why is this an important idea for the Torah to convey? What is the eternal message...
Aish Kodesh - 4 (Shabbos Shuva)
July 20, 2022 03:52 - 48 minutes - 11.3 MBIn this shiur the Aish Kodesh presents a daring exploration of how Hashem fulfills the entire Torah, including the mitzvah of teshuva. How can Hashem do teshuva if he can't sin? How can Hashem regret something if He is perfect? The Aish Kodesh explains that Hashem regrets, so to speak, the pain that he has caused Klal Yisrael. Full Teshuva is not only limited to causing Klal Yisrael no more tzaros but a full restoration to our destiny. Furthermore, the Aish Kodesh explains that we are obligat...
Parshas Pinchas - Do we matter? Yes. Infinitely.
July 14, 2022 21:39 - 35 minutes - 32.5 MBIn this week's Parsha we find the mitzvah of the korban tamid. The Medrash says that this mitzvah captures the essence of the Torah. Why? Furthermore, why is this mitzvah juxtaposed to the appointment of Yehoshua bin Nun. Rashi explains that it comes to teach us that while Moshe was concerned about the future leadership of Klal Yisrael, Hashem asks Moshe, who will take care of me when you are gone? This is a shocking Rashi! Is Hashem lacking? Why is Hashem concerned for Himself so to speak? I...
Aish Kodesh - 3 (Rosh Hashana)
July 04, 2022 18:16 - 44 minutes - 10.5 MBIn this final segment of the derasha on Rosh Hashanah the Aish Kodesh addresses the issue of the prosecuting angels that challenge the veracity of our teffilos and teshuva. Are we really crying out to connect to Hashem or are we just trying to solve our pain? Are we doing Teshuva because we really mean it, or are we doing teshuva because that's what Yidden do at this time of the year? The Aish Kodesh assures us that when we sincerely cry out to Hashem from a place of yishuv hadaas, Hashem sil...
Aish Kodesh - 3
July 04, 2022 18:16 - 44 minutes - 10.5 MBIn this final segment of the derasha on Rosh Hashanah the Aish Kodesh addresses the issue of the prosecuting angels that challenge the veracity of our teffilos and teshuva. Are we really crying out to connect to Hashem or are we just trying to solve our pain? Are we doing Teshuva because we really mean it, or are we doing teshuva because that's what Yidden do at this time of the year? The Aish Kodesh assures us that when we sincerely cry out to Hashem from a place of yishuv hadaas, Hashem sil...
Parshas Korach - Don't Let Yourself Be Swallowed Alive - Living in a Toxic Relationship
June 29, 2022 09:46 - 55 minutes - 12.9 MBThis week's Parsha is a master class on how to respond when you find yourself in a chaotic relationship. Korach is the archetypal narcissist who seeks to control others. While he appears to have a noble mission, in truth it is just a way of elevating himself. Moshe Rabbeinu's response teaches us how we ought to behave when we find ourselves in similar situations. In this shiur Rav Burg explains how we develop a healthy sense of self, the repercussions of falling out of self, and how to engage...
Aish Kodesh - 2
June 20, 2022 18:00 - 42 minutes - 10 MBIn this shiur the Aish Kodesh explains how even asking Hashem for our personal needs is an expression of Hashem's revelation in this world and our acceptance of kabalas ol malchus shomayim. When we have the abundance mentality that comes with knowing that Hashem is forgiving we can truly participate in the relationship and take ownership of our sins.
Aish Kodesh - 2 (Rosh Hashana)
June 20, 2022 18:00 - 42 minutes - 10 MBIn this shiur the Aish Kodesh explains how even asking Hashem for our personal needs is an expression of Hashem's revelation in this world and our acceptance of kabalas ol malchus shomayim. When we have the abundance mentality that comes with knowing that Hashem is forgiving we can truly participate in the relationship and take ownership of our sins.
Aish Kodesh - 1 (Rosh Hashana)
June 13, 2022 18:03 - 51 minutes - 11.9 MBIn this shiur the Aish Kodesh explains the difference in yiras shomayim between those with the impoverished mentality which comes from sitting in the filth of their own sins and those who have an abundance mentality. The former have yiras haonesh, fear of punishment, while the latter experience the grandeur and majesty of the Master of the World.
Aish Kodesh 1
June 13, 2022 18:03 - 51 minutes - 11.9 MBIn this shiur the Aish Kodesh explains the difference in yiras shomayim between those with the impoverished mentality which comes from sitting in the filth of their own sins and those who have an abundance mentality. The former have yiras haonesh, fear of punishment, while the latter experience the grandeur and majesty of the Master of the World.
Parshas Bamidbar - Communicating an Encounter with the Divine
May 26, 2022 19:56 - 38 minutes - 8.88 MBChazal teach us that Moshe Rabbeinu was treated as a father to Aaron's children because he taught them Torah. But the Lubavitcher Rebbe zt"l (with a careful reading of Rashi) shows that we are meant not only to teach our children Torah but to give our encounter with the Divine.
Lag Ba’Omer - Bringing the Future into the Present
May 19, 2022 11:04 - 42 minutes - 9.78 MBThis shiur, dedicated lilui nishmas the 45 kedoshim who passed away in Meron last year, explains how Rebbe Shimon lived an Olam Haba life while in this world. In such a world, there is no death. These insights help us negotiate a complex tension of celebrating Lag Ba’Omer even while still feeling deeply the tragedy of last year.
Sefiras HaOmer/Shavuos - Moving From Matzah to Chametz - Developing Healthy Relationships
May 18, 2022 10:12 - 44 minutes - 10.4 MBIn this shiur Rav Burg explains why on Pesach we begin our journey with only Matzah and yet as soon as Pesach is over we return to Chametz. If Chametz is so bad why do we ever allow Chametz to be eaten? Furthermore, on Shavuos, not only do we allow for Chametz, we celebrate Chametz with the bringing of the shtei halechem. Rav Burg explains that Pesach, Sefiras Haomer and Shavuos represent the development of a healthy relationship with Hashem. Accordingly Chametz is asur at the beginning and c...
Dignity in Focus (DIF) 2022 - Q&A with Rav and Rebbetzin Burg on the topic of Dignity
May 18, 2022 10:02 - 56 minutes - 13.1 MBSpeaking at the siyum of the Tomer Devorah DIF challenge, Rav and Rebbetzin Burg sat on a panel and reflected on various aspects of the topic of dignity.
24,000 Opportunities to Transform Disgrace into Dignity
May 18, 2022 09:58 - 49 minutes - 23 MBThe Megaleh Amukos connects the death of the 24000 talmidim of Rav Akiva to the 24000 that died in the plague after Klal Yisrael were mezaneh with the Bnos Moav and worshipped Baal Peor. The Arizal connects their death to the 24000 people of Shechem that Shimon and Levi killed in the aftermath of Dina being violated by Shechem. What is the connection between these events? At first glance it seems that the only connection is the fact that there were 24000 deaths. In this shiur Rav Burg explain...