Meaningful Ideas on the Parsha
By Yaakov Meltzer
Podcast is available on all the major platforms. Call in options: 712-432-3491 (US) or 079-574-2029(IL).
Rabbi Yaakov Meltzer is a Talmid of Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim. He has a Semicha from Rav Moshe Heinemann, and an MS in Special Education from Daemen College.
Always appreciate any feedback, email is the name of the podcast @gmail.com
Meaningful Ideas on the ParshaMay 02, 2024
Achrei Mos - Not To Critique To The Master
The Kohen Gadol only wears white in the Kodesh Kedoshim and not gold, so as not to invoke the memory of the Chet Haegel. So why does he wear gold during the rest of the Yom Kippur service? Differences in how to speak to our fellow Jews, and how we speak about them before Hakadosh Baruch Hu.
Have a good Shabbos
Shevii Shel Pesach - Every Aspect Counts
On Shevii Shel Pesach we focus on Kriyas Yam Suf, which is mainly about the justice brought upon the Mitzriyiim. This shiur focuses on their appreciation of the individuality of the judgement on different Mitrzriyiim, according to their levels, and what teaches us about Hashem's Hasgacha. Nothing is insignificant before Hashem.
Have a Chag Kasher Vsameach
Pesach and Metzora - Feeling the Hashgacha
The Seder is one of the foundational elements of building and conveying our Emunah. The more we feel the world is custom made for us, and that what Hashem does to us is personally crafted, the more we can give over that approach to Yetzias Mitzrayim and to our current world. How the Alter of Slobodka brought this out from Yetzias Mitzrayim, how the Chinuch brings it out from the Metzora, and how we have to bring it out in our own lives.
Have a Chag Kasher V'Sameach.
Tazria - The Metzora's Desperate Plea
Chazal say one of the reasons the Metzora goes around calling out that he is Tamei, is so others should daven for him. The Chofetz Chaim explores how this is not simply because he needs help healing, but also because it helps heal him from what causes him to speak Lashon Hara. Some thoughts on how we can build bridges with each other and thereby guard our speech.
Have a good Shabbos
Shemini - It's Because of Me
Have a good Shabbos
Tzav - Sensitivity To Another's Shame
Have a good Shabbos.
Vayikra - The Yesod of Karbanos
Why do we bring Karbanos, and what we can learn from them? Why are they one of the three pillars of the world, what can they teach us? Rabbeinu Bechayai and the Chinuch connect it to Kaparah and how it can bring us to Teshuva. The Rosh connects it to keeping us in a good place emotionally and not losing hope.
Purim - Salvation In Times of Hester
A Freilichen Purim
Pekudei - Building It To Last
Have a good Shabbos
Vayakhel - Rabbi Baruch Gore - The Chashivus of Being Careful with Hotzaah
Rabbi Gore is the founder of the National Eruv Initiative and works to improve the quality of Eruvin across the country. You can learn more about his work at www.Eruvinitiative.org as well as listen to clips from the OU Eruv Conference.
Have a good Shabbos.
Vayakhel - The Hashraas HaShechina of Shabbos
Moshe assembled all the people and taught them about Shabbos and about donating to and building the Mishkan. Why were the instructions about the Mishkan preceded by instructing us about Shabbos? What is the connection between the relationship we have with Hashem through Shabbos, and the relationship we have through the Mishkan?
Have a wonderful Shabbos
Ki Sisah - The Double Edged Sword of Wealth
Have a good Shabbos.
Tetzaveh - The Missing Kaparah
Have a good Shabbos
Terumah - Connecting to the Cedar Trees
Chazal tell us the cedar trees they used to build the Mishkan were originally planted by Avraham Avinu, and transplanted to Mitzrayim by Yaakov Avinu. Why did we need wood that connected us to the Avos, and what can it teach us about hoping for the Geulah?
Have a good Shabbos
Mishpatim - Wisdom in Mishpatei Hezek
Have a good Shabbos
Yisro - Giving Thanks Beyond Praise
Have a wonderful Shabbos
Beshalach - The Ultimate Caretaker
Have a good Shabbos
Bo - Those Who Didn't Want To Leave
Chazal tell us that only one-fifth of the Jewish people left Mitzrayim, the other four-fifths perished during Makkas Choshech. Why did they deserve to die, and what can we learn from the story? Have a good Shabbos
Va'eira - The Destructive Nature of Ingratitude
Some ideas in the self-destructive nature of middas raos.
Shemos - Bearing the Burden With Others
May we hear Besuros Tovos, and may the Mashgiach be a Meilitz Yosher for us all.
Have a good Shabbos
Vayechi - Sharing and Transferring Mitzvos
Hope you enjoy. Feel free to reach out for the Marei Mekomos.
Have a good Shabbos
Vayigash - When We Fight Back & When We Don't
May this dvar torah be a zechus for refuah for Erez ben Hadas and Eitan ben Batsheva among the other hostages, and for refuah for Chaim Dov ben Minah Rachel and Avraham Nechemia ben Braynah among the rest of the Cholei Yisrael.
Have a good Shabbos.
Miketz - Limiting The Suffering of Tzaddikim
May this week's Dvar Torah be a zechus for a Refuah Shelaimah for Eitan ben Batsheva Yahalomi, among the rest of the Shevuyim.
Have a good Shabbos
Vayeishev & Chanukah - The Refuah Before The Makkah
Have a good Shabbos and a Freilichen Chanukah.
Vayishlach - Seeing The Captors For Who They Are
The Torah tells us of all the kindness Yaakov provided for the city of Shechem, and how they then abducted and abused Dinah. Some thoughts on those who only seek to harm us, and how to approach them.
May this Dvar Torah be a zechus for Erez and Sohar Kalderon, and Yagil and Or Yaakov, to have a full Refuah Shelaima, together with the other released hostages.
Have a good Shabbos
Vayeitzei - Like The Dust Of The Earth
Toldos - Those Who Bless Us & Those Who Curse Us
Chayei Sarah - Handling Insulting Behavior
May this Dvar Torah be a Zechus for Erez ben Hadas (Kalderon) to be rescued, together with the other hostages in Gaza.
You can find a list of the names for Tehillim at drive.google.com/file/d/1Q6IU209js8fYUrFRoYBK3rKa9WLpuFjl/view and pictures of them at www.kidnappedfromisrael.com
Have a wonderful Shabbos
Vayeira - Marching Past Our Doubts
When Avraham went to do the Akeidah, the Yetzer Hara tried to convince him he'd misunderstood what Hashem wanted. To some of the challenges, Avraham and Yitzchak said Al Minas Kein, we will do it regardless. Why did they respond that way, instead of defending their position? The Rosh Yeshiva's famous Shmuess in how to best fight those nagging doubts.
Have a wonderful Shabbos
Lech Lecha - Learning How To Give
The Alter of Slobodka said one cannot be a Baal Chesed without serving Hashem, and one cannot serve Hashem without being a Baal Chesed. How does our relationship with Hashem help us be a bigger Baal Chesed? How can we learn how to do more? May we find more ways to bring zechusim for the sake of Acheinu Bnei Yisrael. Have a Good Shabbos
Noach - Lessons in Chesed From the Teivah
In these times my Rabbeim are advising that we increase in our Achdus and Chesed as a Zechus for Acheinu Bnei Yisrael. Perspectives on Chesed from the Alter of Slabodka, and lessons to learn from Noach's Chesed in the Teivah. See the greatness of devotion to Chesed, Chazal even tell us lessons Avraham Avinu took from Noach's behavior in the Teivah. May it inspire us to follow in their ways. Besuros Tovos and a meaningful Shabbos
Bereishis - Punishing the Inciters
May Hashem send us Besuros Tovos.
Have a good Shabbos.
V'zos HaBracha and Sof Moadim - Appreciating the Love for Us
Thanks again as we come to an end of season 3, appreciate your being a listener.
Have a Chag Kasher V'sameach.
Sukkos - Binding Ourselves Together
Chazal tell us that the 4 species we take on Sukkos represent 4 different types of Jews. Who is part of that group and is worthy of being bound together, and who is not?
Have a Chag Kasher V'Sameach
Shabbos Shuva - Finding Our Weak Spots
Gmar Chasimah Tovah
Rosh Hashana - Bringing Honor to the King
As we come to near the end of 3 years of these shiurim, want to thank you for being a listener who helps keep them going strong.
Have a K'sivah V'chasimah Tovah and a Gut G'bentched Yor.
Nitzavim - Feeling Healthy Shame For Our Aveiros
Chazal teach us that Klal Yisrael needed a new Bris with Hashem, due to their shame from the Chet HaEgel. How can we approach shame from our Aveiros in a healthy way, as opposed to an unhealthy way?
Based on ideas in the Chiddushei HaLev and the book From Boys to Men
Have a Good Shabbos and a Kesivah Vachasimah Tovah
Ki Savo - Upholding Every Single One
Rabbi Luban - The Purpose of a Shmuess
Wanted to share with you a special clip someone sent me from my Rebbe Rav Binyamin Luban Shlita. He really articulates the approach which is one of the foundations for what I am trying to do on the podcast. His ideas of how to show people how the Torah speaks directly to them in a meaningful way have formed the foundation of what I do here, even though I rarely do Chofetz Chaim style shmuessim.
Hope you enjoy this special episode.
Ki Seitzei - Choosing Our Challenges
In the topic of fencing in a roof, Rabbeinu Bechayai teaches that we all signed up for our life situations during the original 6 days of creation. Explore some philosophical and practical applications of this idea.
Quote how Mrs. Simes was inspired by this idea, and how it transformed her ability to handle the challenges her family was dealt. You can hear her story here.
The Rolling Rabbi: Interview with Mrs. Shaindel Simes - YouTube
Have a good Shabbos.
Shoftim - The Essence of Chinuch
Some ideas and perspectives based on the Piaseczna Rebbe's elaboration of Rashi's idea in his Chovas Hatalmidim.
Have a great Shabbos
Re'eh - Clinging to Hashem in Our Minds
The Torah tells us a Mitzvah to cling to Hashem in our minds. How can we develop the mindfulness to do that? Some ideas based on the Chayei Adam and others, that have the ability to enrich our lives.
Wishing you a good Shabbos
Eikev - Loving The Ger
The Torah warns in 36 places that we must treat a ger with proper sensitivity. Here the Torah tells us a special Mitzvah to love a Ger. There are beautiful lessons in sensitivity and perspective in how the Rambam explains it, may we be zoche to able to learn from them.
Thanks for being a listener. Have a good Shabbos
Vaeschanan - Paths To Loving Hashem
Devarim - Dangers of Negativity
Tisha B'av - Understanding Sinas Chinam - Double Episode
The 2nd Mikdash was destroyed because of Sinas Chinam. What causes us to hate others, and how can we work on it? What are the parameters of Sinas Chinam, who are we obligated to forgive? Why is the Bar Kamtza story more an example of Sinas Chinam and concealed hatred then any of the other stories of cruelty and machlokes in that time?
One of the most thought out shiurim I have prepared so far. It was a lot of material, so I split it into two clips. I think it's essential to think about, and I hope you find it meaningful.
Thanks to all the people who helped with fleshing out this material, including Rabbi Yehuda Shmuelevitz, Rabbi Natan Lindell, Maor, Daniel, Dovid Tzvi, and the Kamin Kiddush Chaburah.
Hope you have a meaningful fast. May we be zoche to the Binyan Hamikdash with the Bias Goel Tzedek Bimheirah Biyameinu Amen.
This Episode is dedicated as a zechus for a Refuah Shelaimah for Yehuda Leib ben Rachel Chana
Masai - Emunah From Our Travels
The Ramban says the Torah lists the 42 places the Jews encamped in the worldness so we can see where they are to increase our Emunah. Don't we believe the Chumash that they lived on miracles, what does looking at a map add? An idea from the Ohr Yechezkel about making our Emunah real and being able to feel Hashem in our lives.
Have a Good Shabbos
Pinchas - Humility and Bnos Tzelafchad
Hope you enjoy.
Have a good Shabbos
Chukas Balak - Rewards for a Mitzvah
Gemara in Sotah. Never discount the value of a Mitzvah. (Although it's a chiddush Balak counts as a mitzvah, but seems to me this is so.)
Have a great Shabbos
Korach - When Great Men Fall
Chazal tell us that Korach was a great person, and are surprised he succumbed to this Nisayon. They also tell us that some of our other famous great ancestors were involved in this movement. Some ideas about how the Yetzer Hara can pose a risk to even the greatest of people, and how to judge such situations.
Have a good Shabbos.