Rabbi Avi Geller's series on the entire five books of Judaism is delivered with lively enthusiasm and humor. Each weekly talk is a whirlwind tour of all the events of that week's Torah portion, plus major commentaries and explanations of fundamental concepts of Judaism.
If someone offered you a blessings or a curse, which would you prefer? A fundamental precept in Judaism is our free will to make meaningful life-choices. Rabbi Kahn traces the root of our free will back to the Garden of Eden, and shows how utilizing it to its fullest reach will enrich your every experience.
Moses makes us aware of a choice we face. Follow G-d, and receive blessing - don't follow, and receive the opposite. But can it be that there is one commandment in particular that is being spoken about? Rabbi Kirzner delves into the mitzvah of Shema, and how it encompasses the totality of our belief in G-d, and in the way He relates to us... and brings blessing and protection to those who know how to access it.
Don't be a zombie and don't be a puppet. Rabbi Milstein explains how these states of being are very different, and how the human psyche can view reality more clearly. Heighten your awareness of the ever present free-will choices you are constantly faced with in life.
Exposure to negative cultures is a problem in itself - somehow, we become pulled to follow that which we know clearly is wrong. How can this truth be proven from a verse in Re'eh? Is it OK to give charity just to relieve our emotional anguish at seeing others in pain? Rabbi Rosenblum ends off with a beautiful vort on our need to aspire to reach our potential.
This week's parsha is chock full of important concepts, from free choice that needs to be clear as day to the potency of giving charity. We may think we're wealthy in spite of giving tzedaka, but can it be that we're really blessed because of it? And is it necessary to investigate the claim of poverty that people make, or can we just give to anyone who says he is in need?
In our attempts to create ourselves we can often push to the limits of endurance. But is that the best way to go? Rabbi Wagnesberg reminds us that great things are accomplished one step at a time and shows a surprising connection between that idea and Succos.