G-d created the world in order to be a part of it. Seven generations of evil pushed G-d upward into the heavens, and seven righteous ones pulled Him back. The process ended with the Mishkan being built as the house of G-d. But what is the deeper symbolism of G-d living in our midst?
Ever wonder why God doesn’t answer your prayers? Yet to what extent do we really expect an answer? Hear how God’s mercy leaves this as an open question, and compares it to the time when Moses appealed to God 515 times to allow him to enter the Land of Israel.
Although it might seem like hearing about the construction of the ancient Tabernacle has no practical application to our lives now, it has actually been encoded with insights about Shabbat and the impact it can have on our lives. We have to recognize that no matter how hard we try, true happiness can never be bought, and won't be found solely in the physical realm. Hear how breaking out of the physical stressful world we live in can be an uplifting spiritual experience.
What is it the magic middah we worked on to be worthy of receiving the Torah? Rabbi Wagensberg focuses on the capacity of Klal Yisrael to feel unity with one another and examining Haman’s glee as he thought to annihilate our nation when we seemed to have lost that sense of oneness. What focus has the capacity to unite us despite our differences?
When we left the land of Egypt, the revelation of G-d we experienced was nearly unparalleled. Yet did we work to deserve that, or was it a gift? Join Rabbi Wagensberg as he explores the two different methods that can be used to reach G-d, one based on first gaining awareness and then translating that into action and vice versa. Learn how the Mishkan and Moshe’s direction in its building points us toward which direction we should take.
We were granted crowns as we stood before Har Sinai that were later taken away when we fell with the sin of the Golden Calf. Who was able to gain ownership of our royal headgear, and why what made them the one’s chosen? Join Rabbi Wagensberg as he explores the greatness of Shabbos and the internal change it can effect on us to the extent that we can regain those spiritual crowns we once merited receiving.
We hav differing cycles in time – sometimes we connect to Hashem through fear, and others through love. These actually represent the two starting points of the Jewish year, Tishrei and Nissan. Follow Rabbi Wagensberg as he explores our redemption from Egypt due to the great love that flowed from Hashem, and how we can reciprocate that emotion back toward the Divine.
For most of us, it is very challenging, if not impossible, to make positive change in the most difficult aspects of our lives and yet there are certain times throughout the Jewish year which are propitious for starting over again and accomplishing these goals. In this fascinating talk, Rabbi Wagensberg shares with us how the month of Nissan is the absolute greatest time for rejuvenation. In this lecture, we will find out the striking difference between the nations of the world and the Jewish people and what God's expectations are of each, which like a beautiful tapestry, will prepare us for the upcoming mitzvah - birchas ha-chama, this year on the eve of Passover. A real must, which will also shed light on what Kiddush levana is during the rest of the year.
The Shema is so powerful, it can form us into different people. Indeed, from the start of time, Jews had the ability to come so close to G-d that we change deeply. G-d is One - that is our essence. How can we give our soul over to G-d to become identified with Him?
There is no coincidence that this weeks parsha coincides with this period of mourning. Rabbi Wagensberg explains: why 2 1/2 tribes desired to remain on the East bank of the Jordan, an important lesson on hitting rock-bottom, and our capacity to get up and keep pushing after a steep fall.