Podcasts by Daily Kabbalah Lesson with Ari Goldwag back issues
All episodes
299. Raw act of mitzvah from 2011-01-03T20:45
The raw act of the mitzvah itself is the main part of the fulfillment. The thoughts one attaches to it are only secondary.
Listen
298. Yetzer Hara's wiles from 2011-01-02T17:57
Another trick is that the evil inclination has a person believe that the focus should only be on purity of heart, and tricks him to miss the proper time of the mitzvah or prayer.
Listen
297. Yetzer Hara's masquerade from 2010-12-29T18:28
One of the tricks of the evil inclination is that he passes himself off as the good inclination.
Listen
296. The greater they are... from 2010-12-28T17:09
The more one has worked on his level of purity and holiness, the greater is his need to be careful not to be ensnared in the trap of the evil inclination of putting others down.
Listen
295. Embarrassing Torah scholars from 2010-12-27T18:25
Embarrassing Torah scholars is a horrible sin, and it incurs great spiritual destruction. Even if the person is learning Torah with the wrong intents, by putting him down, great spiritual destructi...
Listen
294. Torah Lishma from 2010-12-26T22:56
While learning Torah lishma, for the right reasons, is a great level, even learning for the wrong reasons is considered a great thing, as it can eventually bring one to learn for the right reasons.
Listen
293. Be careful of pride II from 2010-12-23T18:28
One must be careful not to look down upon others who may not be on the same level of service of Hashem. Doing so constitutes an incredible sin.
Listen
292. Be careful of pride from 2010-12-22T17:09
Even when one is climbing to the greatest spiritual heights with the tools the Nefesh Hachaim has provided, once must be keenly aware of his capacity for pride, and be careful not to fall into its ...
Listen
291. Intent for Torah and prayer from 2010-12-21T08:59
We end the third gate with an understanding of the proper intent one should have in prayer and Torah learning - completely nullifying oneself and all of reality to Hashem's overarching Oneness.
Listen
290. Emulating the forefathers from 2010-12-21T00:34
There was a fundamental difference between the quality of Moshe's prophecy as opposed to the prophecy of the forefathers, and it involved a perception of the higher essence (Yud-kei-vav-kei) as opp...
Listen
289. Moshe's prophecy from 2010-12-19T17:42
There was a fundamental difference between the quality of Moshe's prophecy as opposed to the prophecy of the forefathers, and it involved a perception of the higher essence (Yud-kei-vav-kei) as opp...
Listen
288. Afar, Efer, and Parah from 2010-12-16T17:42
There was a fundamental difference between the quality of Moshe's prophecy as opposed to the prophecy of the forefathers, and it involved a perception of the higher essence (Yud-kei-vav-kei) as opp...
Listen
287. The forefathers and Moshe from 2010-12-15T17:10
There was a fundamental difference between the quality of Moshe's prophecy as opposed to the prophecy of the forefathers, and it involved a perception of the higher essence (Yud-kei-vav-kei) as opp...
Listen
286. Performing miracles from 2010-12-14T17:11
The meditation on Ain od milvado also has the ability to aid one in doing miracles, because, from Hashem's perspective, there is no difference between nature and the supernatural.
Listen
285. Ain Od Milvado meditation from 2010-12-13T17:12
When one meditates on the concept of Ain od milvado - that Hashem is all there is - this has the intense power to subvert any evil plans and to act as a strong protection from evil.
Listen
284. Powers of holiness from 2010-12-12T20:31
Black magic has the power to subvert the powers of the stars and the zodiac, but the powers of holiness are higher, and can not be subverted. The very power of Black magic is ultimately rooted in t...
Listen
283. Black magic from 2010-12-09T17:34
We explore the concept of black magic, and how it works to subvert the laws of nature.
Listen
282. Hashem's Kingship from 2010-12-08T15:47
Shema represents the Unity of the two aspects we are discussing. We also discuss the statement that follows - Baruch Shem.
Listen
281. Baruch Shem from 2010-12-07T16:51
Shema represents the Unity of the two aspects we are discussing. We also discuss the statement that follows - Baruch Shem.
Listen
280. Now and later from 2010-12-06T18:20
At the current time, we do not perceive Hashem as the root of everything. In the future world, however, we will.
Listen
279. Words of Hashem from 2010-12-05T19:00
The roots of everything are the original ten statements of Hashem when He created the world. These are not perceptible now, in our current state, but will be perceived in the future.
Listen
278. Roots of reality II from 2010-12-01T15:56
Everything in this world is rooted in the upper realms. They, in turn, are rooted in the realms above them, reaching back to the highest worlds which are composed of the four-letter name of Hashem.
Listen
277. Roots of reality from 2010-11-30T17:25
Everything in this world is rooted in the upper realms. They, in turn, are rooted in the realms above them, reaching back to the highest worlds which are composed of the four-letter name of Hashem.
Listen
276. Hashem and Elokim II from 2010-11-29T20:41
We discuss further the difference between these two names.
Listen
275. Worship of man as idolatry from 2010-11-28T16:24
We continue our discussion of the concept of idolatry and the roots of the mistake, including the worship of a man as an idol.
Listen
274. Mistake of idolatry from 2010-11-25T18:08
We continue our discussion of the concept of idolatry and the roots of the mistake.
Listen
273. Hashem and Elokim from 2010-11-24T17:30
We explore the two aspects as they are expressed in the two different names that are mainly used in the Torah to refer to God. We also begin a discussion of the concept of idolatry and the roots of...
Listen
272. Utilizing Tzimtzum from 2010-11-21T17:37
We can and should utilize the concept of Hashem's absolute unity in our prayers and in the recitation of Shema.
Listen
271. Thinking beyond from 2010-11-18T18:16
We are forbidden to think about the reality of Hashem's Oneness from His perspective, but we are permitted and obligated to understand that the concept exists.
Listen
270. Tzimtzum and the kav IV from 2010-11-17T22:33
Although the tzimtzum is the concealment of Hashem's essential Unity that fills all of creation, we perceive the hiddenness differently in different places.
Listen
269. Tzimtzum and the kav III from 2010-11-15T22:49
Although the tzimtzum is the concealment of Hashem's essential Unity that fills all of creation, we perceive the hiddenness differently in different places.
Listen
268. Tzimtzum and the kav II from 2010-11-14T17:06
The Nefesh Hachaim explains that the tzimtzum represents the concealment of Hashem's essence, the aspect of which is His absolute imminence. The kav is the perception we have of higher and lower as...
Listen
267. Tzimtzum and the kav from 2010-11-11T21:20
The two aspects we have been discussing correspond to the concept of the constriction (tzimtzum) and the ray of light (kav) that are discussed at length in the works of the Ari z'l.
Listen
266. From our perspective II from 2010-11-10T20:49
All of the service of Hashem that we do is predicated on the fact that we have separate existence and that there are differences between places. The higher reality of Hashem's absolute Unity is one...
Listen
265. From our perspective from 2010-11-09T15:52
All of the service of Hashem that we do is predicated on the fact that we have separate existence and that there are differences between places. The higher reality of Hashem's absolute Unity is one...
Listen
264. Hakadosh Baruch Hu from 2010-11-08T16:48
We see how the name Hakadosh Baruch Hu reflects the two aspects of the paradox of Hashem's interaction with reality.
Listen
263. Paradoxical perspectives from 2010-11-07T18:33
From Hashem's perspective there is nothing but Him. At the same time, from our perspective there is separate existence.
Listen
262. Hashem is unchanging from 2010-11-04T19:41
Just as the soul fills every part of the body, both the pure and impure parts, and is unaffected by them, so too, Hashem fills every aspect of His creation, and yet He is not affected or changed by...
Listen
261. A matter of perspective from 2010-11-03T22:08
We continue to explore the paradox of the fact that although Hashem fills all the worlds equally, nevertheless there are different aspects within His interaction with them.
Listen
260. Differences between worlds from 2010-11-02T16:42
We explore the paradox of the fact that although Hashem fills all the worlds equally, nevertheless there are different aspects within His interaction with them.
Listen
259. Hashem is All II from 2010-11-01T21:30
When speaking of Hashem's Oneness with all of creation, we must understand this in concept, but not lose sight of the paradoxical reality of our separateness.
Listen
258. Hashem is All from 2010-10-31T17:30
Our discussion of Hashem as the Place leads us to the concept that Hashem is All - all is included in his absolute oneness.
Listen
257. Hashem and soul from 2010-10-28T20:34
Our chazal compare the way the soul interacts with the body to how Hashem interacts with the world. We study the analogy and the differences.
Listen
256. Understanding Hamakom III from 2010-10-27T20:53
We continue to explore the concept of Hashem as The Place.
Listen
255. Understanding Hamakom II from 2010-10-26T16:29
The Nefesh Hachaim quotes from Sefer Yetzirah where the term Makom (Place) is used.
Listen
254. Understanding Hamakom from 2010-10-25T17:31
We explore two understandings of the name of Hashem 'Hamakom.' The first is the simple understanding, and the second is the deeper understanding.
Listen
253. Hamakom - The Place from 2010-10-24T17:12
We begin the third section of the book Nefesh Hachaim, where R' Volozhin begins to explain the concept of Hashem as the Place of the world.
Listen
252. Final word on prayer II from 2010-10-21T16:58
Based on all we have explained, the Nefesh Hachaim gives us the final word on the intent of the prayers.
Listen
251. Final word on prayer from 2010-10-21T16:57
Based on all we have explained, the Nefesh Hachaim gives us the final word on the intent of the prayers.
Listen
250. Knesses Yisrael from 2010-10-20T21:46
The concept of Knesses Yisrael is that exalted point in the higher reality where all the souls of the Jewish people join as one.
Listen
249. Higher aspects of soul II from 2010-10-19T17:29
We continue our discussion of the higher aspects of the soul which we will have access to in the times of the revival of the dead, when we have returned to the state of Adam Harishon before the sin.
Listen
248. Higher aspects of soul from 2010-10-18T17:51
There is a higher aspect of soul that we have not yet discussed, which is called the 'soul of the soul,' or 'chaya.' Still higher is the aspect called yechida. These were levels that we do not have...
Listen
247. Reconnecting the soul II from 2010-10-17T17:19
By using the prayer properly, one has the ability to reconnect the three aspects of the soul that correspond to the three aspects of the words of the prayer, as well as the aspects of thought, spee...
Listen
246. Reconnecting the soul from 2010-10-14T18:41
By using the prayer properly, one has the ability to reconnect the three aspects of the soul that correspond to the three aspects of the words of the prayer, as well as the aspects of thought, spee...
Listen
245. 'Tanta' III from 2010-10-13T17:11
We continue to discuss the concept of 'tanta.' This is reference to the spiritual levels associated with different aspects of the letters, their 'crowns,' their vowels, and their musical notes.
Listen
244. 'Tanta' II from 2010-10-12T15:59
We continue to discuss the concept of 'tanta.' This is reference to the spiritual levels associated with different aspects of the letters, their 'crowns,' their vowels, and their musical notes.
Listen
243. 'Tanta' from 2010-10-11T16:26
We discuss the concept of 'tanta.' This is reference to the spiritual levels associated with different aspects of the letters, their 'crowns,' their vowels, and their musical notes.
Listen
242. Soul splinters from 2010-10-07T11:27
We explore the concept that the soul can be seen from two perspectives - the greater whole, as well as its composite parts. One needs to make use of both aspects in order to come into a full relati...
Listen
241. Drawing down light from 2010-10-06T12:47
We study the two aspects of the soul - the more general, encompassing aspect; as opposed to the specific aspects that make up the greater whole. Both of these can be a conduit to attach one's desir...
Listen
240. All of your soul from 2010-10-05T22:44
We see that there are two possible explanations of the concept of 'all of your soul.'
Listen
239. Pouring out the soul II from 2010-10-04T20:22
When a person completely removes himself from the world, focusing on the prayer and his connection to God, he can remove himself from his body, experiencing the ultimate connection to Hashem.
Listen
238. Pouring out the soul from 2010-10-03T11:13
When a person completely removes himself from the world, focusing on the prayer and his connection to God, he can remove himself from his body, experiencing the ultimate connection to Hashem.
Listen
237. Unifying prayer II from 2010-09-26T14:25
Prayer has the power to unify the upper and lower levels of reality, and does so starting from the lower worlds to the upper worlds.
Listen
236. Unifying prayer from 2010-09-22T16:26
Prayer has the power to unify the upper and lower levels of reality, and does so starting from the lower worlds to the upper worlds.
Listen
235. Prayer is soul from 2010-09-21T15:58
We explore the idea that prayer and soul are synonymous.
Listen
234. Visualize the words from 2010-09-20T20:31
The Nefesh Hachaim shares a powerful meditation on the Amidah prayer, where one visualizes the word being said, activating its spiritual power.
Listen
233. Clear the mind for prayer from 2010-09-16T18:28
The Nefesh Hachaim teaches us the proper approach to prayer.
Listen
232. Chana, Moshe, Eliyahu from 2010-09-15T20:28
We see three examples of prayer that were completely for the sake of Hashem's pain - Chana, Moshe, and Eliyahu.
Listen
231. Hashem is our Father from 2010-09-14T17:53
There are two levels of pain that Hashem has in the process of our sin and subsequent punishment, which are analogous to a father's pain in seeing the dangerous accident of his son.
Listen
230. Transforming sin to merit from 2010-09-13T18:25
The pain we undergo as we have difficulties has the power to transform our sin into merit.
Listen
228. Sweetening the bitter from 2010-09-06T17:29
When one feels the pain that Hashem feels along with oneself, it has the power to sweeten the bitterness of ones situation.
Listen
227. Hashem's Tefillin V from 2010-09-05T17:29
We continue to explore the depths of the idea of Hashem's tefillin.
Listen
226. Hashem's Tefillin IV from 2010-08-27T18:35
We continue to explore the depths of the idea of Hashem's tefillin.
Listen
225. Hashem's Tefillin III from 2010-08-24T18:35
We continue to explore the depths of the idea of Hashem's tefillin.
Listen
224. Hashem's Tefillin II from 2010-08-15T17:02
We explore the depths of the idea of Hashem's tefillin.
Listen
223. Secrets of Tefillin II from 2010-08-11T17:17
We continue to examine the secret depths of the concept of Tefilin.
Listen
222. Secrets of Tefillin from 2010-08-09T16:21
We examine the secret depths of the concept of Tefilin.
Listen
221. Hashem's Tefillin from 2010-08-08T17:34
The Nefesh Hachaim explains how the pain that Hashem experiences, as it were, in His 'head' and 'arm' are reference to the Tefillin He wears on His head and arm. These represent His relationship wi...
Listen
220. Two types of proper prayer from 2010-08-06T17:26
The two types of prayer are illustrated in a mishna in Rosh Hashana, one which involves a desecration of Hashem's name, and one which only involves pain.
Listen
219. Praying during difficulties from 2010-08-05T12:28
How does one pray to remove the difficulties he undergoes if they are actually the bitter pill he needs to swallow to have a spiritual recovery?
Listen
218. God feels our pain from 2010-08-04T16:06
We continue to explore the proper intent that one should have in his prayers, not just for his own needs, but also for Hashem's needs, as it were.
Listen
217. Rosh Hashana prayers from 2010-08-03T21:36
The entire prayer of Rosh Hashana explicitly focuses on our desire for Hashem's revelation in the world to be complete, not on our own personal needs.
Listen
216. Praying for God's sake from 2010-08-02T21:21
Even a personal prayer can be directed so that it is prayed for Hashem's sake.
Listen
215. Selfless love from 2010-08-01T11:48
When one shows his absolute selfless devotion, Hashem responds by forgiving all of his sins.
Listen
214. Soldiers of Hashem from 2010-07-28T13:02
The ideal intent when praying is to bring down the blessings and holiness from above, to focus on the honor of Hashem, and to put one's own needs on hoThe ideal intent when praying is to bring down...
Listen
213. Reflective voices II from 2010-07-27T12:01
The sound of our voice in prayer produces a reflective spiritual voice that connects above to below.
Listen
212. Reflective voices from 2010-07-26T12:10
The sound of our voice in prayer produces a reflective spiritual voice that connects above to below.
Listen
211. Personal prayer from 2010-07-25T15:00
The power of each word of the prayer is inestimable, but what about the personal petitions of each individual?
Listen
210. Prayers of the righteous from 2010-07-23T11:19
Our sages tell us that Hashem desires the prayers of the righteous. This is because they help Hashem, as it were, to fulfill His purpose and desire to bring goodness to the world.
Listen
209. Elders and prophets from 2010-07-22T13:16
The prayers were composed by one hundred and twenty great sages who were blessed with Divine Inspiration and prophecy, so the words were carefully chosen to have the most profound spiritual impact ...
Listen
208. Effective prayer from 2010-07-21T12:16
The prayers were composed by one hundred and twenty great sages who were blessed with Divine Inspiration and prophecy, so the words were carefully chosen to have the most profound spiritual impact ...
Listen
207. Building worlds from 2010-07-19T11:53
Through prayer and Torah study, one becomes a partner with God in creating spiritual and physical worlds.
Listen
206. Man's table from 2010-07-18T22:05
A man's table atones for him like the sacrifices did in the Temple.
Listen
205. Two types of sacrifice from 2010-07-16T16:53
We explore the two purposes of the sacrifices.
Listen
204. Sacrifice and soul from 2010-07-15T12:46
There are four levels within sacrifice that correspond to four levels in the soul of man.
Listen
203. Mechanics of sacrifice from 2010-07-14T12:20
The sacrifices involve a rectification at every level of existence - inanimate, plant life, animal, and human.
Listen
202. Connecting to the Source from 2010-07-13T13:58
The sacrifices connect our physical world to the spiritual worlds above.
Listen
201. Hashem's bread from 2010-07-12T12:33
How does the Torah refer to the sacrifices as Hashem's Bread?
Listen
200. Sustaining the universe from 2010-07-11T22:17
The Zohar explains the secret behind the law that one should pray first and eat later.
Listen
199. Jacob's prayer from 2010-07-09T14:55
We see the idea of prayer being connected to sustenance in the story of Jacob and the blessings, as explained in the Zohar.
Listen
198. Prayer and sacrifice from 2010-07-09T13:10
We see a parallel between prayer and the sacrifices of the temple, that both serve to bring spiritual sustenance to the world.
Listen
197. Vehicle for blessings from 2010-07-09T13:08
When one intends to bring down spiritual sustenance through his Torah and fulfillment of the commandments, he acts as a vehicle for blessings, and thereby receives them as well.
Listen
196. Expelling evil from 2010-02-23T14:08
The evil is ultimately expelled either through the difficulties the Jewish people undergo, or by their teshuva (repentance).
Listen
195. Bearing evil forces from 2010-02-23T14:04
Hashem bears the evil, as it were, slowly allowing for it to be expelled from the spiritual realms through the difficulties of the Jewish people. These very difficulties are spread throughout time ...
Listen
194. Evil's sustenance from 2010-02-22T22:04
The spiritual worlds are affected by our deeds, whether positive or negative. Just as waste needs to be removed from the body, so too the negative deeds of the Jewish people create a product call '...
Listen
193. Esav's food, Yakov's food from 2010-02-02T20:46
Yitzchak saw something in Esav that was mesmerizing. What was it? What did Yakov have that surpassed it?
Listen
192. Bad spiritual nutrition from 2009-12-25T13:34
The negative deeds that a person does, Heaven forbid, act just like food that is damaging to the body, only on a much more global scale, as they affect the entire universe.
Listen
191. Bread of Hashem from 2009-12-23T18:46
We explore in depth why the world was created in a state that requires nutrition, both physical and spiritual.
Listen
190. Ancient spiritual wine from 2009-12-21T11:53
Adam ate purified food in the Garden of Eden, which was completely spiritual. One of the delicacies was a special wine that is also reserved for the righteous in the World to Come.
Listen
189. Purifying food from 2009-12-18T12:45
It is our obligation to purify and uplift the food we eat by having the proper intentions as we say the blessings over the food. This in turn purifies ourselves and the whole world.
Listen
188. Grain and chaff from 2009-12-17T12:29
We explore the concept that food has a nutritious aspect and a waste aspect, which is a result of the sin of Adam Harishon.
Listen
187. Soul food II from 2009-12-16T22:09
We learn that food has two aspects to it, the physical and the spiritual aspect. The physical aspect sustains the physical part of a person, whereas the spiritual aspect sustains the person's spiri...
Listen
186. Soul food from 2009-12-16T21:13
We explore numerous places where the food discussed in the verses is actually reference to Torah and mitzvos, which are the 'food' of the world.
Listen
185. Nourishing connection from 2009-12-14T15:35
We discuss further the comparison between the soul-body connection and the God-world connection, in relation to the concept of food as it nourishes the body, but does not directly benefit the soul.
Listen
184. Shiur Komah from 2009-12-13T13:28
We explore the concept of Shiur Komah, the 'measure of the structure' of the spiritual realm, and the structure of Man that parallels it.
Listen
183. Hakadosh baruch hu and Neshama from 2009-12-11T11:28
Our sages speak of a parallel between the soul's relationship to the body and Hashem's relationship to the world.
Listen
182. Bring down the Divine influx from 2009-12-10T11:23
The blessings bring down influx, but when one disregards the blessings, he prevents Hashem from giving His goodness to the world.
Listen
181. Connect and purify from 2009-12-09T13:45
The power of the blessings, of prayer and of fulfilling the commandments is that it purifies all the worlds and connects them to the one performing the acts.
Listen
180. Havaya and Elokim from 2009-12-08T12:18
Even a name like Elokim must be used with care, since it can refer to other forces that Hashem has given power to.
Listen
179. Take care when praying from 2009-12-07T18:00
Since we are praying to His essence, and not to His names, we must be extremely careful to have the right intentions during prayer.
Listen
178. To Whom are we praying? from 2009-12-06T12:15
To whom exactly are we praying? To Hashem's essence, or to His names?
Listen
177. Hashem as King from 2009-11-23T17:42
We discuss the concept that Hashem wanted to interact with His creations, and bestow His goodness upon them.
Listen
176. Talking to Hashem from 2009-11-16T12:34
We discuss the fact that the blessings contain an element of speaking directly to Hashem, but at the same time contain an element of reference to Him in the third person.
Listen
175. Seeing Hashem II from 2009-10-27T12:34
We discuss what it means that Hashem, at His unknowable essence, does not interact - due to the all inclusive unified nature of that essence. We also explore the idea that the Jewish people is plac...
Listen
174. Seeing Hashem from 2009-10-26T16:00
Each of the names of Hashem corresponds to a different element of His conceptual spiritual 'body,' which we can understand by looking at our own.
Listen
173. Names of Hashem II from 2009-10-25T22:23
Each of the names of Hashem denotes a different interaction with the world.
Listen
172. Names of Hashem from 2009-10-19T22:23
When we speak of the blessing we give Hashem, we can only speak of Hashem's names, but not His essence.
Listen
171. Blessing Hashem from 2009-10-18T22:23
How is it possible to bless Hashem if Hashem has everything?
Listen
170. Levels of devotion from 2009-10-16T15:51
We see that there are different levels of focus in prayer, and each has a different affect on one's soul and on the levels of reality.
Listen
169. Service of the heart from 2009-10-15T23:13
We begin a new section of the sefer Nefesh Hachaim, and begin our discussion of prayer. We learn that prayer is to be done with all of one's heart and all of one's soul.
Listen
168. Understanding the depths from 2009-10-14T16:45
We see that the action of a commandment has the power to rectify, irrespective of its accompanying intentions. We therefore need to understand what advantage is gained in understanding what rectifi...
Listen
167. Talmud and tradition from 2009-10-13T17:30
We explore how a sage, using the tools given over by tradition itself, can expound and expand upon the tradition.
Listen
166. Moshe's vision II from 2009-10-07T18:07
A later prophet could not introduce new laws unless there was a root in the Torah itself, nor could he suspend a law, unless it was on a temporary basis.
Listen
165. Moshe's vision from 2009-10-06T13:42
Moshe's vision was on such an exalted plane that it would be impossible to ever contravert.
Listen
164. Before and after Sinai from 2009-10-05T16:54
We discuss the difference between the Torah before it was given and after.
Listen
163. Torah Pre-Sinai from 2009-10-01T20:26
We discuss the mysterious concept of the keeping of the Torah before it was given.
Listen
162. Torah purifies from 2009-09-30T20:43
Just as a mikvah has the power to purify, so too the torah completely purifies when approached with the correct intentions.
Listen
161. Torah's light from 2009-09-29T10:01
King David spoke of the Torah in a way that clearly echoes the concept of Teshuva as bringing down the supernal light.
Listen
160. Adam's atonement from 2009-09-27T16:36
We see that the special sacrifice Adam Harishon brought to atone for his sin brings out the very concept we have been discussing.
Listen
159. Filling God's Name from 2009-09-25T18:00
We discuss the different ways of 'filling' God's name, and what each represents in the revelation of His Light.
Listen
158. Yehey Shmei Rabbah from 2009-09-24T16:47
The prayer 'yehey shmei rabbah' has tremendous power to take away the darkness of sin, in much the same way we have understood the concept of Teshuva.
Listen
157. Light of repentance from 2009-09-23T16:20
We explore the details of repentance, and how it brings the light down to shine upon the darkness created by sin.
Listen
156. Key to the palace from 2009-09-22T18:40
There is an intriguing parable that speaks of a king who is concerned with losing his key to the palace. Find out more in this episode!
Listen
155. Universal connections from 2009-09-21T15:12
Corresponding to our discussion of soul connections, we have similar connections and disconnections on the universal scale as well.
Listen
154. Soul connections from 2009-09-18T17:00
Just as one reattaches his nefesh to his ruach, he can rectify the blemish in his ruach by accessing the level above, which is neshama.
Listen
153. Teshuva - repentance II from 2009-09-17T17:32
Through teshuva, one reattaches the lower levels of his soul (nefesh) to the higher levels (ruach).
Listen
152. Teshuva - repentance from 2009-09-16T13:02
The structure we have built to understand the levels of the soul will also give us a depth in understanding the concept of Teshuva.
Listen
151. From Hashem's mouth from 2009-09-15T18:25
When the Jewish people stood at Sinai, they received the Torah from Hashem's mouth. This meant that they accessed a sublime level of Spiritual revelation.
Listen
150. Torah gives existence from 2009-09-15T09:39
The Torah binds the Jewish people to God and thereby gives continued existence to the world.
Listen
149. Kedusha - holiness vs. wholeness from 2009-09-14T12:28
In order to access spirituality through the Torah, it must be done through kedusha - holiness. The concept of holiness in Judaism, however, is quite different from the way we are used to hearing it.
Listen
148. The World's Neshama II from 2009-09-10T21:40
Just as the Neshama of a human being sends down its sparks but does not actually enter the body, similarly the Neshama of the world does not enter into the world, but rather sends down its sparks. ...
Listen
147. The World's Neshama from 2009-08-05T11:12
Just as the Neshama of a human being sends down its sparks but does not actually enter the body, similarly the Neshama of the world does not enter into the world, but rather sends down its sparks. ...
Listen
146. Neshama and Ruach from 2009-08-05T10:32
The Neshama's lowest levels actually correspond to the highest levels of the Ruach, which enter and leave the body.
Listen
145. Neshama's effects from 2009-08-04T13:12
Here we see the effects of the third level of the soul, called Neshama. Although it is not completely in the body, its effects are felt, specifically in our understanding of the deeper secrets of t...
Listen
144. Moshe, man of Elokim from 2009-08-02T12:42
Moshe was called the man of Elokim because he merited to have his Neshama completely in his body.
Listen
143. Nefesh, Ruach, Neshama from 2009-07-31T00:12
We begin to understand the concepts of the different levels of the soul and how they relate to man - Nefesh, ruach and neshama.
Listen
142. Action, speech, thought from 2009-07-29T19:08
Here we understand the connection between these three aspects of human interaction and their corresponding levels in the soul.
Listen
141. Sight and thought from 2009-07-28T14:42
There is a profound connection between sight and thought that is here explored.
Listen
140. Thought and action from 2009-07-27T17:54
The effect of an action on the spiritual worlds is dependent on the accompanying thought.
Listen
139. Higher souls, Higher effects from 2009-07-26T15:07
Depending on a person's spiritual stature, the effects of his actions, words and thoughts will be different.
Listen
130. Light of repentance from 2009-04-17T15:41
The spiritual level one experiences for all time is a direct result of the actions he has done, and the effects he has had on the spiritual realms.
Listen
129. Measure for measure from 2009-04-05T17:12
The spiritual level one experiences for all time is a direct result of the actions he has done, and the effects he has had on the spiritual realms.
Listen
128. Experiencing the Divine II from 2009-04-02T14:19
The spiritual level one experiences for all time is a direct result of the actions he has done, and the effects he has had on the spiritual realms.
Listen
127. Experiencing the Divine from 2009-03-31T17:17
The spiritual level one experiences for all time is a direct result of the actions he has done, and the effects he has had on the spiritual realms.
Listen
79. The prayer service from 2008-11-26T19:40
Ramchal teaches us the concepts of the prayer service.
Listen
77. Order of the day from 2008-11-13T17:40
We begin to understand the depth of the first routines of the morning, starting with washing of the hands and putting on tzitzis.
Listen
76. Day and Light from 2008-11-12T17:40
The Jew's day consists of many actions that may be taken for granted. The Ramchal begins to explain their depth.
Listen
75. Power of Prayer II from 2008-10-15T22:45
More on the power of prayer, its function and purpose.
Listen
73. Daily Renewal from 2008-10-08T05:21
The blessings before and after the Shema give us pause to contemplate the daily renewal of creation.
Listen
72. Exodus from 2008-10-07T06:35
We continue with the explanation of the three paragraphs of Shema and their focus and meditation.
Listen
71. Revealing His Honor from 2008-10-03T01:57
Here the Ramchal explains the second line of Shema and why we say it quietly.
Listen
70. Understanding sacrifice from 2008-09-22T17:38
The concept of readiness to sanctify God's name is here explained.
Listen
69. Ultimate sacrifice from 2008-09-18T14:51
One of the conditions of the mitzvah of Shema is readiness to die in sanctification of God's name.
Listen
68. Malchus from 2008-09-17T18:21
The Kabbalistic concept of Malchus is described as it relates to the Shema.
Listen
67. God's Kingship II from 2008-09-16T21:52
With Shema we crown God our King. Herein we begin to understand the nature of God's Kingship.
Listen
66. God's Kingship from 2008-09-16T21:51
With Shema we crown God our King. Herein we begin to understand the nature of God's Kingship.
Listen
65. Israel's testimony from 2008-09-12T14:22
Shema is our testimony to God's Oneness, which we are privileged to sense even now in the depths of darkness.
Listen
62. Love and fear from 2008-09-09T13:01
Love and fear are the preconditions for proper attachment to God.
Listen
61. Torah's prerequisites from 2008-09-08T20:20
In order for the Divine light to shine on a person's soul via the Torah, he must fulfill two prerequisites.
Listen
60. Torah is Light II from 2008-09-04T22:55
Torah is the means to bring upon one's soul the highest possible emanation of God's spiritual Light.
Listen
59. Torah is Light from 2008-09-03T17:50
Torah is the means to bring upon one's soul the highest possible emanation of God's spiritual Light.
Listen
44. Dreams from 2008-07-28T13:37
One can receive information about the future in a dream, transmitted to him by his soul.
Listen
30. Reincarnation from 2008-07-03T20:48
Reincarnation is another factor that can affect a person's challenges in this world.
Listen
19. Spiritual Symphony from 2008-06-19T12:57
Man plays two important roles, one individual and one as part of a symphonic spiritual whole.
Listen
18. Providence from 2008-06-18T22:44
Hashem's providence is general for all of creation and specific for man.
Listen
15. Ripple Effect from 2008-06-12T22:20
God sends down 'ripples' that directly affect all that occurs in this world.
Listen
14. Levels of Reality from 2008-06-11T22:35
We discuss the levels of the spiritual and physical, as well as the five levels of soul which correspond to the five levels of reality.
Listen
13. Highest Light from 2008-06-05T12:23
The good deeds we do cause a spiritual light to shine on our soul.
Listen
12. Raising the world from 2008-06-04T17:24
Every move in this world is a chance to raise the world.
Listen
11. World of Darkness from 2008-06-03T22:00
Your soul can shine a light through this world of darkness.
Listen
8. Humankind, then and now from 2008-05-29T22:59
The perfect balance represented the state of Adam and Eve, but things have changed.
Listen
7. Ultimate Balance from 2008-05-28T14:14
This world and the next were each created with the ultimate balance, each for its respective purpose.
Listen
2. Fundamentals - God from 2008-05-21T08:55
Our first obligation is to believe and know God exists.
Listen