Contrary to the classic understanding, Rabbi Carmell posts that G-d didn't actually revoke Pharoah's right to free will by hardening his heart. That despot succeeded in turning himself to stone by exercising his power of choice to grow more stubbornly evil. This valuable class gives a clear understanding of bechirah and how all people can move their point of free will progressively closer to or further from G-d.
Snakes are slithering and sly creatures that instill fear in most people. When God frightens Moses with one, even he recoils in terror. How is this event a re-enactment of the Garden of Eden and what important idea does it come to add? Also hear the metaphysical meanings for the various names of God.
Moshe's request to Pharaoh to free his people backfired. So why did God consider his pain filled complaint against Him improper? Rabbi Kirzner examines exile, redemption and the nature of miracles - which all lead to interesting conclusions on breaking the bonds that tie us in knots.
Rabbi Milstein picks up the story with Moses being sent to demand the Children of Israel's release from bondage. In response, Pharaoh doubles their torturous workload. In pain over the terrible blow to his beloved people, Moses questions God's justice. From where did Moses' question stem, and how does God's rebuke help us understand the age-old question 'why do bad things happen to good people?'
Water seems to be everywhere in Mitzrayim – from hiding within Moshe’s name, to the miraculously bloody Nile, to its powerful capacity to reveal the deceptions black magic attempts to pull. Follow Rabbi Wagensberg into ancient Egypt as he examines the core character of Pharoah and the Torah’s capacity for flexibility that gives us many more options than we may be aware of.
Rabbi Wagensberg's breakdown of the world to four basic elements, and his matching of these to the great personalities that shaped our nation to form a picture of our nation and its leader is fast paced, deep, and exciting - as always.
The ten plagues had the ability to uncover the fear of G-d that lay dormant in the hearts of the Egyptians, and the rest of the world. Why was this goal left unrecognized, and how was the ball handed to the Jewish nation to run with?
At this time of year which is called Shovevim, it is especially propitious to work on leading even holier lives, sanctifying every aspect of our engagement with the materialistic world. This week Rabbi Wagensberg discusses how the 10 shperot are basically different ways which teach us the importance of living a life of purity. PS - there are lots of great Passover Seder material in this talk.
Would you like to find out what all of our Torah study and mitzvah performance is all about when you boil it down? If your answer is "Yes! Finally!" then you'll want to listen to this talk in which Rabbi Wagensberg will tell it like it is. Let's find out if all along we've been pledging allegiance to the dark side or to G-d, the choice is yours.
At the end of the day, why do we keep repeating the same mistakes over and over and over again? Isn't there a formula to help us correct the path that we want to go on? Of course there is! Just click here and listen to how Rabbi Wagensberg shares with us a masterful perspective, which will literally change your life.