Reb Shaya Guttman

Why did Par'oh have such a hard time giving in? Even when his own advisors admitted all was lost, he still couldn't surrender! And why, in our own times, are our own enemies incapable of surrendering? On the other hand, are the harrowing events happening in our own day enough to force us to reevaluate our lives? Is that the true meaning of Pesach?

What happens when we lose the knowledge of Who G-d really Is? We might be doing mitzvos, but if it's only in 'copycat mode', and Hashem isn't really isn't a reality in our lives, then the knowledge of Hashem is in exile. That's what happened in Mitzrayim, and that's what can happen to us today. Let's leave our personal Golus now!

We're taught that the highest level of serving Hashem is to do it for 'His sake alone,' or Lishmoh, without any alterior motives. But does that mean we can't enjoy it? Yakov's best years were his last, in Mitzrayim reunited with Yoseph, treated as nobility. Does that mean they were on a lower level?

What can we learn about Yoseph's attitudes toward life, and how he reacts to his brothers and adversity in general? And what do we expect from Hashem: are we truly searching, and how do we deal with our 'needs and wants?'

What does oil and the element of fire have to do with the nature of change and inspiration? How can we approach real change and be assured of its sustainability over time? And what des this have to do with Joseph's experience in Mitzrayim?

The Maharal explores the basic questions of what is the Torah and its relationship to life itself: can we pick and choose? How does it guide our lives, towards what? Does it have to be accepted on “blind faith?” 

Instead of the Weekly Parsha, we will begin learning the classic sefer Nesivos Olam by the Maharal of Prague. This shiur is being given in the famous Alshich Shul in Tzfas, and we hope it will be an ongoing feature. The introduction deals with the importance of determining, and sticking to, a clear, straight path in life.

In the conflict of Yaakov and Esav, we discover the roots of antisemitism that continue til today, and have been so recently revealed once again in the world's response to the most recent war in Gaza. The jealousy and fear of the Jew's role as 'conscience of the world' goes all the way back to Kain and Hevel, and will most likely continue until the Moshiach reveals the truth to all.

How can our lives be seen as connecting to the greater completion of space, time and soul? Are we really part of a greater whole, and by using out each year of our lives in a consistent, purposeful manner, we join the larger totallity which forms the basis of the World to Come?

What really happened when Sarah Imenu's body was transformed in order to give birth to Yitzchok? Perhaps by linking ourselves with our own source, we can access the Divine Life Force which will provide us with the energy we need to become alive, healthy and a beacon of Divine Light in the world!

What was the big challenge for Avrohom Avinu to relocate to Canaan? Why was it so important to inform him that his descendents would acquire the land hundreds of years later? What stages have to transpire in order for essential changes to be made? And what is the goal of our presence in the land?

As appropriate for the time and circumstances, Hashem chooses His leaders and messengers carefully. Significantly, Noach is compared to Avrohom Avinu in stature, and is subject to different approaches. It's important to appreciate his strengths and weaknesses, as we evaluate our own leaders today.

Here in Israel, we feel the war directly. However, when we look for signs of Hashem's involvement, we find some very obvious examples of His watchful eye. And ultimately, we have to recognize and admit that there are consequences to our actions, and we can't reject Hashem on one side and expect His miraculous protection on the other.

On Sukkos, we enter the simple, temporary world of the Sukkah, rejecting the comforts of home for a more humble reality. But where do we find true happiness: searching to acquire the 'good life,' or seeking to truly connect with Hashem in the world through doing His will?

The judgement process culminating in Yom Kippur (and ultimately Hoshana Rabba) can seem scary. But maybe it's exactly the opposite: an opportunity to bring us closer to the Geulah and demonstrate Hashem's love and conern for us.

Rosh Hashonah begins a process of teshuvah that culminates in Yom Kippur 10 days later. Here we explore the process that takes us from accepting G-d as King, up to the level of purity of the angels where we recognize our common essence with the Creator.

Parshas Nitzavim includes a serious indictment of a very common attitude: 'I can do what I want, and nothing's going to happen!' When we have this attitude, despite knowing about the warnings Hashem has already given us, all hell breaks loose. Why?

Parshas Ki Savo contains a mitzvah that requires us to serve G-d virtually all the time. How is this possible? Aren't we here to 'enjoy life?' Or are we here to prepare for the next? Important questions to consider before Rosh Hashanah!

Parshas Ki Seitzei contains many mitzvos, but there are a few strings of mitzvos where the sequence is significant. We discover how oftentimes things we do set up a chain reaction, sometimes for good and sometimes not, where the main thing is often the direction even more than the action itself.

Parshas Shoftim coincides with the beginning of the month of Ellul, when we're involved in self-evaluation and teshuvah. How can we make this process into something enjoyable and uplifting? By instructing us to set up a court system, Hashem is really entrusting us with running the world with justice and emes, becoming a true partner in Creation

The existence of the Blessing and the Curse focuses on the real world consequences of following Hashem (or not). When we discover the energy released through the synthesis of opposites, we come to appreciate how true fear of Hashem is essential to confronting His reality, and the necessity of making that our priority.

Tu B'Av is about finding a mate, and Parshas Ekev is about our relationship with Hashem: why and how we serve Him. What do they have in common? What can we learn about marriage from the way we relate to the Divine, and vice versa? Actually, we discover that they're closer than we think.

The destruction of the Bais Hamikdosh was about destroying vessels, just like what happened before the Creation of the World. How do we reverse that? Do we continue the same mistakes of thinking success is about the quantity of accomplishments, what others think of us, fulfilling our expectations of ourselves? Or do we try to understand what Hashem really wants of us: to take the vessels we have, and fill them with Hashem's Glory: מלא כל הארץ כבודו!

Some people think that Judaism is some kind of ascetic discipline, and take on extra restrictions in an attempt to become more holy. But is this really what Judaism is about? Are Nedarim really a good idea? What's behind them, and why are fathers and husbands allowed to annul nedarim taken on by their wives and daughters?

This week we explore the extremely important aspects of time, space and soul, explaining how essential it is to be aware of their meaning and interactions. They effect literally every moment of our lives and being, how we act, feel and develop. Open the door to a new perspective on life!

Three famous episodes from these two parshios demonstrate the importance of using speech the right way. It is probably the most powerful means of communication we have, and defines us as human beings. It's even Hashem's preferred method of reaching us. So we'd better take it seriously!

The Parsha of Korach reveals the multiple levels involved in leadership struggles, and how the real issues can be very different than what appears on the surface. Beware of machlokes!

The Parsha of Shlach includes powerful, fundamental principles that allow us to face the challenges of life without fear, by realizing that we are Hashem's messengers in the world, and, like the Tzitzis, the Creation itself is only a garment of Hashem.

The Parsha of Behaaloscha explores the important issue of motivation: how can we find consistent self-motivation in serving Hashem, and why is it important? This podcast is dedicated l'ilui nishmas Etel Malkah bas Eliyahu a'h to commemorate her first yartzeit on 21 Sivan, by her daughter, BJ Goldman.

The Parsha of Naso includes the Priestly Blessing, one of the few remaining mitzvos of the Bais Hamikdosh that we still practice today. What is the true role of the kohen, and how is it relevant in the modern world, and to non-kohanim?

Shavuos encompasses many customs, and we attempt here to bring them all together: the Haftarah of Maaseh Merkavah, Megillas Ruth, Matan Torah, the Covenant, accepting Ol Malchus Shomayim, and fusing them into a cohesive whole.

Parshas Bamidbar brings home the importance of simple consistency and reliability in fulfilling our responsibilities to do the work necessary to bring the Geulah, and to assure the influx of energy into the universe on a daily basis. Find out how!

The parshios of Behar and Bechukosai are integrally related, by exposing the true reason why we can relax and do mitzvos with total reliance that Hashem created the world in such a way that we will not suffer by following them, even when it seems to involved some sacrifice.

Parshas Emor deals primarily with laws of the Kohanim. What role do/did Kohanim play in Jewish society? How does this illuminate our values in terms of the time and money we invest in spiritual priorities, as opposed to things that just impact our material lives?

Both of these parshios deal with the subject of Kedusha/Holiness. Do we really understand what that means? Is Yom Kippur just about forgiveness, or is the point of the experience really something quite different?

The process of recovering from Tzoraas involves isolation, being literally closed off from society. Could this be an indication that speaking Loshon Hora involves being closed off to ourselves, and the solution is actually to open up?

Who is the master of whom, and what does it mean to be a servant of Hashem? How is it different than being a slave of Paroh? Learn what true liberation means after all.

Is the book of Vayikra only meaningful for Kohanim, or can all of us learn important lessons from it for our daily lives? We discuss the amazing concept of how Hashem renews the Creation every moment through our ability to unify the physical and spiritual aspects of reality using out the principle of male/female oneness.

What is the relationship of the Parshios of Vayakhel and Pekudei have to do with Parshas Hachodesh and the renewal of the moon through its monthly cycles. Find out the deep secret this tells us about how to bring growth and renewal into our own lives, and how it has shaped the destiny of the Jewish people throughout history. 

How are Purim, Pesach, the Golden Calf, and the Red Heifer connected? Find out in this fascinating discussion of the paradox of self-consciousness and humility. Is it possible to strive for higher levels and still avoid becoming arrogant?

This parshah highlights the priestly garments, providing a detailed description of how the garb of the High Priest was to be designed. What was so important about it? Isn't clothing superficial, external, and often petty? Why did it occupy such an important role in the service of the Bais Hamikdosh? And why does Purim place such emphasis on it as well? What's really going on here on a deeper level?

In the first of several parshios devoted to the building of the Mishkan, we explore the fascinating subject of bringing G-d's presence into space, time and ourselves, truly making a home for Hashem in this world. This is essential to understanding our role, and the whole tachlis of creation itself.

Law is so important in Judaism, but why do we need it and what does it do for us, on both a public and private level? Can it get out of hand? What does it tell us about living responsibly, as a part of the community, and also dealing with our own challenges?

Why was it necessary to give the first Luchos with such 'fanfare' if they would ultimately be broken anyway? Why not give the 2nd set quietly? In general, why does Hashem do things that seem not to end up as He originally intended them? Why does the Galus have to be so long?

This episode was sponsored by BJ Goldman in memory of her father Sholom bn Chanoch Henach, a'h, Yahrzeit 12th Shevat (5th Yahrzeit). What does the Shiras Hayam mean for our daily avodah? Find out now.

Extending the concept of bringing potential into reality, we explore the importance of open mindedness in discovering the options that are really available, and how we can take advantage of daily experiences to escape the inertia confront Hashem's reality on a regular basis.

This Parsha explores the very important subjects of Potential to Reality in relation to the Redemption from Egypt, and how it relates to our own lives. We learn that Hashem has created Good and Evil in order to give us the choice to participate in Hashem's vision, thus becoming a true partner with Hashem in creating a new Reality.

This Parsha begins a new focus: instead of dwelling on the lives of the Avos, we switch to the relationship between the Leader and Klal Yisroel, and his efforts to bring them, as individuals and as a whole, to fulfilling their destiny, the plan Hashem his in place for them.

This Parsha ends the era of the patriarchs. Paradoxically, we're told that 'Our Father Yakov never died,' and indeed the first line speaks of his death in terms of his life. So what is life for? How do the lives of the Avos teach us how to live ours, and what life is really about.

The dramatic confrontation in this Parsha, the culmination of the episode of Joseph and his brothers, brings to light how conflicts can arise even among the greatest leaders when they are misinformed, but even then, the outcome was intended by the Creator. Please excuse the slight problem with the echo this week.