Reb Shaya Guttman

The Greeks prided themselves with their advanced secular knowledge, but the wisdom that has truly survived the ages has been our own light of Torah. Our stubborn perserverance and dedication to its truth is actually a miracle that surprised many skeptics, who never thought our tradition had the strength to flourish in the 'modern' period.

The complicated story of Yosef and his brothers has multiple levels, and much is confusing or unclear. But it's worth it to delve into the subject on a deeper level, and over the next few weeks we should come to appreciate it more and apply it to our own lives.

This week, we explore the subject of living in Chutz La'aretz: its challenges, dangers, and responsibilities. Listen at jewishpodcasts.fm/nekudah or other podcast syndicators (Spotify, Google, itunes, etc). If you'd like to subscribe and also view our DVD on the Nekudah System for Spiritual Renewal, you'll find it here: patreon.com/nekudah.

Parshas Toldos reveals how the way we see things, even when we're mistaken, is the tool Hashem uses to get each of us to the place we're ultimately supposed to be. And even the greatest among us can make mistakes, if the mistakes are meant to lead to the intended destiny.

Me'aras Hamachpelah occupies a unique space in the world: it's the place where souls enter Gan Eden after passing from this world. What does that mean about the relationship of spiritual and physical dimensions? Can you really ascend to a spiritual dimension through a specific location in the physical world?

This week, we explore what the episode of the Akedah teaches us about how to manage our emotions and behavior by balancing and influencing one midah by another, a process that goes to the very core of Creation itself.

This week, we discuss the unique quality of the 'tzaddik' to unify life and creation into a single, consistent entity, bridging the gap between extremes through a true awareness of who we are and where we're going

Parshas Nitzavim doesn't contain any of the taryag mitzvos, but it does refer to unity and G-d's kingship, generally taken to refer to Rosh Hashonah. We discuss how to use the holiday to increase our levels of joy, humility, and purpose through implementing the power and potential of the Midos.

Parshas Ki Savo contains the mitzvah of 'Vehalachta Bidrochov', or to become godly by imitating Hashem's characteristics, or 'midos.' Often we think of this as optional, but don't realize that working on our character, including our emotions, is key to coming to resemble our Creator.

Parshas Ki Seitzei includes the mitzvah of Shiluach HaKen, or sending away the mother bird when taking the offspring or eggs. Considerable commentary analyzes the meaning of this mitzvah. We examine how it relates to asking for Hashem's mercy, and not just for us.

Parshas Shoftim includes a series of mitzvos regarding the prohibition against practicing different forms of sorcery. What's behind this, and how is it relevant to us today, when these practices are much less prevalent? Could it offer some insight into the way we relate to science?

Parshas Re'eh has lots of mitzvos, among them the somewhat 'controversial' mitzvah of shechitah. Is man justified in eating animals at all? Does the way they're killed really matter? Is there a deeper meaning in all this that we may be missing? Let's see what Torah says about it.

Parshas Ekev includes the mitzvos of Tefillah and Birkas Hamazon, among other things. Are they for us, or for Hashem? What do they accomplish? Why are they so fundamental to Judaism?

Shabbos Nachamu, the Shabbos after Tisha b'Av, features the parsha of Vo'eschanon, which includes the 10 Commandments and the parsha of Shema Yisroel. The latter includes the mitzvos of believing in the One-ness of Hashem, and the mitzvah to love Him. How are the two connected, and how does that understanding lead us to a deeper appreciation of love and one-ness themselves?

Parshas Devorim, which once again synchronizes Israel with the Diaspora, deals in part with the issue of appointing judges and maintaining a system free of corruption. We delve deeper into the implications for our own decision making process, and how this relates to the exile and destruction of the Bais Hamikdosh.

For Parshas Matos, we discuss the mitzvos relating to Nedarim and Shevuos (annulling of vows), and how they relate to Kedushas Hadibur (the Holiness of Speech). The Sefer Maor Ainayim shows how this bears on the attitude of looking for the good in everything and everyone, and ultimately at how we can feel close to Hashem through combining our speech with His.

For Parshas Matos, we discuss the mitzvos relating to Nedarim and Shevuos (annulling of vows), and how they relate to Kedushas Hadibur (the Holiness of Speech). The Sefer Maor Ainayim shows how this bears on the attitude of looking for the good in everything and everyone, and ultimately at how we can feel close to Hashem through combining our speech with His.

For Parshas Pinchas, we investigate the true meaning of the Korbanos (animal sacrifices) and what it means to our daily lives. Is it better to be big or small? Is it more important to accomplish big goals, or to be consistent and persistent in serving Hashem every day? This podcast commemorates the Shloshim of Etel Malkah bas Eliyahu a'h on 21 Tamuz.

For Parshas Balak, since none of the Taryag Mitzvos is discussed, we instead focus on the destructive midos of Kinah, Taavah and Kovod, and how they are negated in the example of a special Sefer Torah dedicated to the Kedoshim of Meron, and the special Kehallah that received it.

For Parshas Chukas, we investigate the meaning behind the paradoxical dual functionality of the Red Heifer, both purifying and defiling at once, and its relationship to the essence of death itself. 

For Parshas Korach, we discuss the importance of the dialectics in Torah, or the interaction of opposites to create a synthesis in the middle, and maintain balance through the dynamic interplay of day and night, chessed and gevurah, etc. Everyone's job is unique to him and essential as part of the greater whole, but when jealousy and politics gets in the way, disaster results.

For Parshas Shlach, we discuss the meaning and importance of perception and education. Should our education determine how we see reality, or should we base our decisions solely on what we can observe with our own eyes? How does this relate to the episodes of the spies (meraglim)?

For Parshas Behaaloscha, we explore the subject of alertness and attention in serving Hashem, in the context of the mitzvah of using trumpets both in the desert and in the Bais Hamikdosh.

For Parshas Naso, we explore the connection between the Mitzvos of Teshuvah, Sotah, Nazir and Birkas Kohanim, and how they help us, as a group, to understand our relationships to Hashem, our spouses and to the Creation as a whole.

For Parshas Bamidbar, we discover how despite being numbered, and therefore under the limitations of time and space, we can transcend that state through true unification and dedication to a common purpose, and accepting our individual role within the whole. This is the ultimate preparation for accepting the Torah on Shavuos.

For Parshas Bechukosai, we focus on the mitzvah of ערכין, explaining how the soul is redeemed and returned to the domain and the service of Hashem, after having sold itself into servitude of 'the other side.' We discover how money, rather than being the root of evil, can be used to return us to our Source.

For Parshas Behar, we focus on the mitzvos of שמיטה ויובל, explaining the Torah's view of true freedom, and what our values should be regarding accomplishment and material succes in our lives.

For Parshas Emor, we focus on the mitzvah of ספירת העומר, with insights from the Sefer Yetzirah about the meaning of numbers, memory, and creating a story with our lives.

For Parshas Kedoshim, we focus on the mitzvah of ואהבת לרעיך כמוך, which we interpret to encompass both loving fellow Jews and loving Hashem Himself, by realizing the common denominators that unite us.

We delve deeper into the concept of the full time, total Jewish experience by expanding on the concept of space, time and soul and its implications for the 24/7 commitment. What is completeness, and how does it lead to happiness?

When considering the nature of Jewish life and activities, many emphasize the legal and academic aspects of Gemora and Halachah as the dominant and most important areas, placing 'feeling-based' experience as a lesser priority. This podcast explores the truth of that impression, and proposes the balancing of both aspects to get a more 'well-rounded' perspective of Jewish life. 

What's our purpose here on earth? Trying to perfect ourselves and seeking spiritual advancement, or doing Hashem's mission of creating connections between earth and Heaven to sustain and bring light to the world?

Exploring the attitudes we have when facing problems: do we always envision the worst possible outcome, or does it help to imagine the best possible outcome instead? Based on a personal story I experienced recently, and what I learned from it. Also an observation comparing this to how secular society views the issue.

The intro episode on the broad subject of integrating Torah into every aspect of our daily lives, meeting the challenges of modern society with honesty and creativity.