Reb L's G-dcast

GC#36 - Pillars of Society - Omer Day 22

May 01, 2020 01:53 - 10 minutes - 9.26 MB

You want to scare off potential customers? Tell them that there are 613 rules that need to be observed. That's what Moshe did. Perhaps that's too complicated...so along comes Dovid and reduces them to 11 principles. Yeshaya decides that even 11 is too many, so he cuts it down to 6 supporting pillars of faithfulness. Micha narrows it further - to just 3. And then Chabakuk enters the picture. A mysterious figure, from whom Choni Ham'agel learn how to demand things from G-d, as a son from his ...

GC#35 - Snakes and Ladders - Omer Day 21

April 30, 2020 00:26 - 10 minutes - 9.27 MB

The culmination of 3 weeks of counting. Hopefully, we are on an upwards journey, ascending Yaakov's ladder, and not slipping into Eisav mode. Eisav - the twin who should have been the perfect counterpart to Yaakov. There should be no Yissachar-Zevulun partnership. It should have been a Yaakov-Eisav coalition. But the latter took a wrong turning, only rearing his head positively once in history subsequently - as evidenced by Rebbi and Antoninus - the former a scion of King David; the latter a...

GC#34 - Wondering About Wandering About - Omer Day 20

April 28, 2020 23:59 - 10 minutes - 9.27 MB

If I say the word Angel to anyone brought up in the west, we tend to thing of a winged being. With a halo. And a harp. On a cloud. Or a plump Cherub on the Trivial Pursuit board. How wrong can one be? To put it simply...very. A Keruv (one of the ten levels of angels) is described as a Maloch of destruction - yet, it is also described as having a childlike face. But it wields a sword of flame, preventing the return of Adam to Gan Eden. Not to be messed with. Oh, and it appears, not just on...

GC#34 - Wondering About Malochim Wandering About - Omer Day 20

April 28, 2020 23:59 - 10 minutes - 9.27 MB

If I say the word Angel to anyone brought up in the west, we tend to thing of a winged being. With a halo. And a harp. On a cloud. Or a plump Cherub on the Trivial Pursuit board. How wrong can one be? To put it simply...very. A Keruv (one of the ten levels of angels) is described as a Maloch of destruction - yet, it is also described as having a childlike face. But it wields a sword of flame, preventing the return of Adam to Gan Eden. Not to be messed with. Oh, and it appears, not just on...

GC#33 - Because You're Worth It - Omer Day 19

April 28, 2020 14:49 - 10 minutes - 9.27 MB

What do you do when worlds collide? Seemingly contradictory worlds - the physical and the spiritual; Torah and 'the outside world'? We need them to be bridged. That is the job of the Kohein. To synthesise. To create peace. Aharon's essence. It is also the secret of the ladder in Yaakov's dream - bridging Heaven and earth at their meeting point - the Beis HaMikdosh. So special is this event, that the Malochim themselves come along to take a look. And they get a shock. Because the sleeping f...

GC#32 - Charge of the Light Brigade - Omer Day 18

April 27, 2020 23:52 - 10 minutes - 9.26 MB

He who laughs last...thinks slowest... Start a shiur with a 'joke', says the Gemoro in Shabbos daf 30. As it is forbidden in this world to fill your mouths with laughter, you then need to get serious. So here goes... Half a league, half a league, Half a league onward, All in the valley of Death. Rode the six hundred... ...thousand... Interesting number - 600,000. It comes up a number of times in our history (most ominously in terms of its multiple in the last century). 600,000 root souls...

GC#31 - The Truth, The Whole Truth and Nothing But The Truth - Omer Day 17

April 26, 2020 23:25 - 10 minutes - 9.26 MB

The man of truth, the one who stands for everything that is straight and true is Yaakov. Yet he also stands accused. Accused of being a liar - by his own brother. If we are going to say 'oh, it was a white lie...he had to do it etc.', it doesn't seem particularly apposite for the paradigm model of honesty. Give him another Middah instead and then we can brush this under the carpet... But, no - there must be a deeper reason that he is picked out and identified as the epitome of honesty and...

GC#30 - Broken or Fixed? - Omer Day 16

April 26, 2020 06:38 - 10 minutes - 9.26 MB

A well known Jewish comedian once said that no Jew ever sleeps properly. Either, 'I didn't sleep enough', or 'I slept too much'. Or, 'I slept, but it wasn't the right kind of sleep'. We need sleep, because we live in a physical world. But sleep is described in the Gemoro as a sixtieth of death, meaning that there is an element of death within it. Indulge in it too much and we move away from the Eitz Chaim - the Tree of Life that is Torah. Death is something which is introduced after a faul...

GC#29 - Balancing Act - Omer Day 15

April 24, 2020 17:56 - 10 minutes - 9.27 MB

The third week begins. The week of Yaakov's Tiferes, Kovod, Rachamim, Emes and Torah. The Rambam explains how we are supposed to keep to the middle path. We should not go to extremes. This posed a problem for someone who came to speak to me, as you will find out in this episode...extremely intriguing.

GC#28 - Let it Go: The 12 (49) Step Programme - Omer Day 14

April 24, 2020 00:09 - 10 minutes - 9.27 MB

A fortnight has gone by. I have no doubt in my mind that many of you will have had the fleeting thought...Fortnite? The game that took the world by storm. If I had a penny for every Bar mitzva boy that I know of, who almost messed up because he was too busy playing Fortnite instead of practising his leining, I'd have...wait...er...43p. What is the nature of this addiction? Take a look at the 12 step recovery programme for AA and you will see a startling lesson that we already noted - you ha...

GC#27 - When the slave Became King - Omer Day 13

April 22, 2020 23:20 - 10 minutes - 9.26 MB

If Yitzchok was the master of self-discipline, Yosef was the master of self-control. The former was the perfect burnt offering - the עולה תמימה; the latter was the perfect Tzaddik. Yosef is thrown consistently to the bottom of the pile... and consistently rises to the top. The slave becomes the master. Rejected by family, rejected by his own master, somehow his 'chen' (to be explored more in future episodes) allows him to do on a microcosmic level, what the people, for whose presence in Eg...

GC#26 - 'Thanks for Listening' - Omer Day 12

April 21, 2020 20:07 - 10 minutes - 9.27 MB

Ever gotten into an argument? Perhaps once or twice. A day. How many times was your intention pure? Once or twice. Full stop. Aharon's essence tells us to avoid machlokes at all costs - lover of peace and pursuer of peace. But he tells us more. We must be thankful for the challenges we get in life, we must admit Who gives them to us. Those challenges which we face up to, need Gevurah to negotiate. Gevurah as epitomised by Yitzchok. Astonishingly, it is Yitzchak who ends up the hero, in th...

GC#25 - Who Wants to Live Forever? - Omer Day 11

April 20, 2020 23:50 - 10 minutes - 9.27 MB

One was never allowed into the land of Israel. The other was never allowed to leave. One is called the perfect burnt offering. The other is referred to as being imperfect. One has failing eyesight. The other's eyesight never fails him. Opposites? Or two sides of the same coin? And both sides is 'heads'. Moshe, the one who apparently couldn't speak well, is the only one in history to have been synonymous with פי הגבורה - from the Mouth of the Mighty One. But Gevurah? Hey, that's Yitzchok's M...

GC#24 - The Desert of the Real - Omer Day 10

April 19, 2020 22:26 - 10 minutes - 9.27 MB

We've spoken about heroes before. Heroes within our people. Heroes without. And it got me thinking. There are heroes that we find every 7 years - the Pasuk calls people who keep the Shemitta laws as being heroes of strength, doing G-d's will. It was only in the last Shemittah year that I saw the clips of what it was that they gave up and give up every time (including those who perhaps are of a less religious level). I couldn't do that! And what are they meant to do whilst they watch their ...

GC#23 - The boy who should not have lived - Omer Day 9

April 17, 2020 18:13 - 10 minutes - 9.27 MB

How is it possible that the man who represents strict justice and discipline is called Yitzchok - 'he will laugh'? Another paradox, which I guess we are getting used to... The clue is understanding how he connects with Rebbi Akiva, serving Chachamim and being ready to give up absolutely everything, because we have a right to nothing...

GC#22 - The Key to SImcha is Rising to the Occasion - Omer Day 8

April 17, 2020 15:52 - 10 minutes - 9.26 MB

Pesach is over, and we have packed away all the mismatched crockery and assorted mugs. So that's it for another year? But wait... there is an interesting custom that arises.. especially as it is Erev Shabbos. We bake Challos, variously with the imprint of a key, or one embeded, or in the shape of the key. What is the secret of this Schlisel Challoh - especially when we just spent the last week running a mile at the mention of anything chometz-related? The key... is the key. Simcha in its co...

GC#22 - The Key to Simcha is Rising to the Occasion - Omer Day 8

April 17, 2020 15:52 - 10 minutes - 9.26 MB

Pesach is over, and we have packed away all the mismatched crockery and assorted mugs. So that's it for another year? But wait... there is an interesting custom that arises.. especially as it is Erev Shabbos. We bake Challos, variously with the imprint of a key, or one embeded, or in the shape of the key. What is the secret of this Schlisel Challoh - especially when we just spent the last week running a mile at the mention of anything chometz-related? The key... is the key. Simcha in its co...

GC#21 - Yertle the Turtle and Heartbreak - Omer Day 7

April 17, 2020 07:34 - 10 minutes - 9.26 MB

Dr Seuss makes his maiden appearance in these podcasts. Here, we examine what the difference is between real kingship and a rule which is there only to serve the self. Surprisingly, the real king is actually a servant. Or perhaps, not surprisingly, once we have realised that without his people to declare him as king, he is, in fact, nothing. And when this is paired with the day's trait - humility - we begin to see the beauty in the words of the Kotzker Rebbe concerning true broken hearts. ...

GC#20 - Seeing is Believing - Omer Day 6

April 14, 2020 18:26 - 10 minutes - 9.27 MB

7th Day Pesach - Yesod (foundation - represented by Yosef) - the climax. We sing out in Shira. This is the foundation of everything - we have crossed the Yam Suf, and our Emunah is cemented as we are born as the Jewish nation - through the embryonic waters of the Yam suf. Everyone present could point at G-d and say, 'This is my G-d'. What did the sea see? Either the heroism of Nachshon, who jumped in. Nachshon, who is the forerunner of Moshiach - the final link in the chain of Megillas Rus....

GC#19 - A kind of Peace and a Piece of Kindness:Scroll down for more! - Omer Day 5

April 14, 2020 09:04 - 10 minutes - 9.27 MB

What do Aharon and Achasherosh have in common? Answer - everything and nothing. As noted in a much earlier shiur, there are many connections between Purim and Pesach - one being the drinking of wine to the level of inebriation (think 4 cups, preferably intoxicating - downed in one go...and two of them on an empty stomach). The Megilla has drink after drink after drink. At the beginning of the story, Achashverosh walks in, dressed in the clothes of Aharon the High Priest - attempting to displ...

GC#18 - The Generation Game - Omer Day 4

April 13, 2020 16:11 - 10 minutes - 9.27 MB

We are family. We know that. We live by that. What is the nature of this togetherness? Relationship, and the burning desire to remain close to your Beloved. The more you know about your other, the more you understand them and the closer you will feel. Above all, remaining as consistently faithful to them will cement the relationship - another motif consistently found in Pesach's Megilla of Shir Hashirim. Amalek understood this all too well, when they tried to shatter the chain of our Mesora,...

GC#17 - Jingo - Omer Day 3

April 12, 2020 23:18 - 10 minutes - 9.27 MB

Too much kindness can sometimes be a bad thing. Too much strictness isn't too pleasant either - just ask schoolchildren of a particular bygone age. When Hashem created the world, He created it with a perfect balance or synthesis, between benevolence and self-discipline. This can be translated into our everyday practice of real kindness - not just the one that allows us to give ourselves a jingoistic slap on the back, but is rather for the benefit of the recipient. Beware the subtle line...

GC#16 - Imitatio Dei - Omer Day 2

April 12, 2020 00:44 - 10 minutes - 9.26 MB

If we understood correctly, Week one of the Omer is Chesed - kindness, week two is strict justice etc. And on each week, day one is kindness, day two is strict justice and the pattern continues. So day one of week one? I get it - I attempt to achieve kindness in its fullest aspect. But day two of week one? How does strict justice make any sense within the context of kindness? Surely it is an oxymoron? Perhaps the answer lies within the lofty concept of tzelem Elokim - the Image of G-d...or...

GC#16 - Imitato Dei - Omer Day 2

April 12, 2020 00:44 - 10 minutes - 9.26 MB

If we understood correctly, Week one of the Omer is Chesed - kindness, week two is strict justice etc. And on each week, day one is kindness, day two is strict justice and the pattern continues. So day one of week one? I get it - I attempt to achieve kindness in its fullest aspect. But day two of week one? How does strict justice make any sense within the context of kindness? Surely it is an oxymoron? Perhaps the answer lies within the lofty concept of tzelem Elokim - the Image of G-d...or...

GC#15 - Lightbulb Moments - Omer Day 1

April 12, 2020 00:16 - 10 minutes - 9.27 MB

I've prepared really well for Pesach and now I'm ready to listen to all of those motivational messages of how Hashem loves us and how to get closer to Him and.... ...wait - you mean I have to change? Whoa! I didn't realise that this was part of the deal! I just thought I say the nice Divrei Torah, get a bit inspired and voila. No? I guess I must have missed something. So here is step one...of your personal 49 step guide to reality. Get ready for some unconditional positive regard. Remembe...

GC#14 - Phoenix From The Flames

April 08, 2020 15:06 - 10 minutes - 9.26 MB

No, it's not a joke - the phoenix is important in our tradition. As I gazed into the dying embers of the burned Chometz, and as the occasional tongue of fire forked out in between the former pieces of bread, I thought of the phoenix, its deep significance, and how - in the last few hours before Pesach, we could learn something hugely beneficial...You see, one reference to this mysterious creature, has it cooped up with Noach - in splendid isolation (perhaps with a little more company than we...

GC#13 - Bedikas Chometz - Soul searching

April 07, 2020 23:11 - 10 minutes - 9.26 MB

Have you finished your Pesach cleaning yet? I would have thought so. So what are you looking for? And why check every nook and cranny. And with a dripping candle at that. It turns out that the search, whilst on the surface may be for chometz, exposes a deeper, fiercer scrutiny of the self. One has to be ready for a painful experience. In order to maximise our entry to Pesach and meeting with our Creator, we have to let the mask drop and meet our real selves...

GC#12 - A Mid Seder Night's Dream

April 07, 2020 22:27 - 10 minutes - 9.26 MB

Why are we obsessed with time? Be it in terms of cycles of years, months, weeks, days, hours, minutes and even seconds...the festivals are defined by time. Moed (festival), really means a meeting point. The very first Moed - Pesach, is where we meet our Beloved...skipping over the hills to meet us. Skipping over the houses at midnight to get to our appointment with time. On time. Every second counts. When Hashem decided it was time for us to go, He stopped the clock. Every moment with His ...

GC#11 - Testing G-d...A tenth situation

April 05, 2020 23:50 - 10 minutes - 9.26 MB

Did you know that you are allowed to test Hashem? The haftorah of shabbos HaGadol suggests that you can try it, by giving a tenth of your earnings. But there may be an even greater way of tithing...giving of that which can not be returned...your time. This, in turn, brings us to the end of time, where the 5th son returns, the 5th cup is drunk. And the 5th expression of redemption is realised.

GC#10 - Counting Sheep

April 04, 2020 23:42 - 10 minutes - 9.27 MB

What is it about sheep? When saying Kiddush Levono tonight, I thought about the (absent) clouds being sheep without legs. But why did the Egyptians set such great store by them? And why did we need to goat...I mean goad the Egyptians with sheep?

GC#09 - The little Shabbos Hagadol talk - To love or to fear?

April 03, 2020 14:11 - 10 minutes - 9.27 MB

The usual quip that people make at this time of year is that Shabbos Hagadol is called that because of the Rabbi's speech...I think we would wish to be able to sit through one of those this year... But why is called the great Shabbos? Why more than any Shabbos? And greater than Shabbos Shuva? Yes...the secret lies in understanding that Machiavelli was wrong - fear is inferior to love...

GC#08 - Lavan v Pharaoh - from bad to worse?

April 03, 2020 00:07 - 10 minutes - 9.26 MB

Imagine you are trying to show how amazing your holiday in Scotland was. After everyone is suitably wowed by the beauty of the Highlands, you then take out last year's pictures...of you in the Himalayas. Still impressed by Ben Nevis? I think not. So what is the Haggadah doing by implying that Lavan is worse than Pharaoh, which is supposed to be the point of the story. Isn't it?

GC#07 - Second Nature...or Nurture?

April 01, 2020 22:06 - 10 minutes - 9.27 MB

It's a miracle! Or is it nature? Or is it a natural phenomenon with awesome timing? Perhaps it's now time for something totally different - the nature of nature is not what you think...

GC#06 - Chad Gadya - who are you kidding?

March 31, 2020 21:06 - 10 minutes - 9.27 MB

It's the climax of the evening. You've gone from the sordid depths of Egypt, through the glorious dizzying heights of Yetzias Mitzrayim. We've acknowedged all of this through an unforgettable melodious Hallel...and we get the masks out and do animal noises...this is how we end the Seder? A fairy tale? Think again. The simpler it appears, the deeper down the rabbit hole we go...

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