Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark alive

In 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 leaving Mitzrayim.

In 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 is quite possible that the exact thing we thought was hurting us was our greatest asset.

In 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.

In 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.

In 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.

In 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.

In 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.

In 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.

In 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.

In 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.

In 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.

In 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.

In 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 Yisrael. To destroy Bnei Yisrael would be to destroy the Torah itself. Only though connecting on this essential level can we illuminate the world.

In 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.

In 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

In 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.

In 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.

In 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 place.

In 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.

In this shiur, delivered in Sharfmans, Rav Burg explores three dimensions to the story of Pharaoh at the Yam Suf.

1. The simple explanation that Pharaoh was killed.

2. The deeper explanation that Pharaoh was spared and suffered as he watched the devastation of the Egyptian army.

3. Pharaoh did Teshuva, became the King of Ninveh and ultimately converted to Judaism.

We all have a Pharaoh part inside of ourselves. Do we destroy our Pharaoh, force our Pharaoh to watch the destruction it causes or convert our Pharaoh to Judaism?

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explores the inner connection between Beshalach and Tu B'Shvat. The Navi Yechezkel spoke about three levels of hopelessness and how through the Ohr of Torah, we can bring the dry bones back to life. So too on Tu B'Shvat the redemption process begins as the sap begins to rise resurrecting the dried out tree.

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explores the Machlokes between Pharaoh and Moshe as to who will leave Mitzrayim. The Pharaohs in our lives teach us that we are unworthy of Kabbalas HaTorah. Moshe Rabbeinu's response teaches us how to confront our inner negativity and take our full selves out of Mitzrayim.

In this shiur, delivered to Aish Gesher for Women on their Yom Iyun for fulfilling your potential, Rav Burg explores the Machlokes between Beis Shammai and Beis Hillel regarding when the Rosh Hashana for trees is. Beis Shammai says it is on Rosh Chodesh Shvat and Beis Hillel says it is on Tu B'Shvat. Rav Burg explains the challenge of the word potential and how it can bring about a deep sense of shame. When we understand that potential means that we are already enough then and only then can we begin to truly become who we are meant to be.

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explores the four stages of leaving Mitzrayim and why we drink four cups of wine on Pesach. When we understand the four stages of how Klal Yisrael leaves Mitzrayim, we can understand how we can leave from the personal addictions we suffer from in our own lives.

In this shiur, delivered to the Shana Bet of Sharfmans, Rav Burg explores an idea from the Alter Rebbe regarding how we receive our life force. Life belongs to Hashem and He gives it to us. Embedded in life itself is giving because that's the nature of how we receive life. Those who use life as it meant to be used receive life in its fullest form. Those that consume life naturally receive less vitality and the nature of the life force that they receive is in exile.

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explains (based on a piece from Rav Shaul Alter Shlit"a) how the words Pakod Pakadti are the secret message that reveals to Klal Yisrael that Moshe Rabbeinu was in fact the true redeemer of Klal Yisrael. Only the Rebbe that teaches us that while we may be contained within the exile we are not in truth defined by the exile is the one who can take us out of our personal Mitzrayim.