Episodios

  • The Akeyda - The Version They Said You Couldnt Handle Vayera 5781

    The Akeyda - The Version They Said You Couldnt Handle Vayera 5781
    Nov 7 2025

    By special request, I’m reposting this class on the Akeidah — recorded back in 2020. This version presents a different approach to the Akeyda: a deeper and more midrashic look at what really happened on Har HaMoriah. Many people have asked for it again, and here it is — unchanged.

    This class explores a bold Midrashic theme: that at the Akeidah, Yitzchak experiences a form of death and resurrection. Drawing from four Midrashic sources, the shiur shows how Chazal describe Yitzchak’s soul leaving him as the knife reaches his neck and returning when the angel calls out. From this moment, Yitzchak himself declares the blessing “Baruch… Mechayeh HaMeitim.”

    For another presentation, you can scroll back in your podcasts toNovember 2024, where I delivered another version of the same class at the Safra synagogue. This class works for Vayera and Chaye Sara and if you would like the notes, please let me know.

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    53 m
  • When a Simple Blessing Opens Heaven — Parashat VaYera

    When a Simple Blessing Opens Heaven — Parashat VaYera
    Nov 5 2025

    Three dusty travelers. One laugh. One missed “Amen.”

    Discover how Sarah’s reaction in Parashat VaYera teaches us never to underestimate who Hashem chooses to deliver your blessing.

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    13 m
  • Return to Your Place — The Quiet Greatness of Avraham Avinu - Parashat VaYera

    Return to Your Place — The Quiet Greatness of Avraham Avinu - Parashat VaYera
    Nov 3 2025

    He challenged Heaven.

    He passed the Akeidah.

    And he walked home as if nothing happened.

    This week’s episode reveals the power of staying grounded
    — in success and in struggle.

    Avraham Avinu teaches us the secret: Greatness doesn’t
    need applause.

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    9 m
  • The Voice That Opens Heaven — Your Own VaYera

    The Voice That Opens Heaven — Your Own VaYera
    Nov 2 2025

    The Voice That Opens Heaven — Your Own

    Avraham’s first prayer in the Torah wasn’t a prayer at all — it was an argument.

    In this class, we explore why Hashem wants your words, not perfect words.

    And we’ll see what happens when people finally speak to Him… directly.
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    16 m
  • Pereh Adam - the final exile and the battle that ends history

    Pereh Adam - the final exile and the battle that ends history
    Oct 31 2025
    PerehAdam - The Final Exile and the Battle that Ends History Last Friday, just after sunrise minyan at theKotel, I was talking with friends when one of the guys from New York spotted meand gave me a huge hug proclaiming loudly, “Rabbi Bibi, one of my favoriterabbis, they miss you in Miami.” At that moment, a soldier with his machine gun observingwalked over: “Are you Bibi from New York — the one involved with the helmetsand vests?” Before I could answer, someone else said, “Yes,that’s him.” The soldier gave me a long hug.No words. Just a hug. Those moments at the Kotel are hard to explain— the raw mixture of danger, holiness, exhaustion, and gratitude. As I walked toward the plaza to record a class,a young man from America approached me. “Rabbi… what exile are we in right now?”“I know Egypt, Babylonia, Greece, Rome… but what is this?” I immediately thought of something my rabbi, RabbiAsher Abittan זצ״ל, taught me over twenty-five years ago. He said: “The four exiles listed by Daniel arenot the end of history.The Mekubalim speak of a fifth exile — the exile of Yishma’el.” Unlike the previous exiles — symbolized by animals— this one is represented by a person. A dangerous person. A wild human. “Ve-hu yih’yeh pereh adam” “He will be awild man.” Rabbi Abittan added: “When a wild animalrealizes it is cornered — it becomes the most dangerous.” That is what weare witnessing. Ma’aseh Avot, Siman Labanim - The actions ofthe fathers shape the destiny of the children. The Midrash teaches that when Avraham walkedinto Eretz Canaan, every step left a spiritual imprint.History follows those footprints. Rabbenu Beḥaye (Bereshit 21) writes: “There isno nation that hates Israel more than the children of Yishma’el.” How did that hatred begin? 1. S̱arah afflicts Hagar וַתְּעַנֶּהָשָׂרַי — “Sarai afflicted her.” Ramban explains: S̱arah sinned in afflictingHagar, and Avraham erred by permitting it.Therefore, Hagar’s offspring will afflict S̱arah’s descendants. Not revenge.Consequence. Pain leaves a scar on history. 2. Avraham blesses Yishma’el When Hashem promises Avraham a son throughS̱arah, Avraham responds: Lu Yishma’el yiḥyeh lefanekha — “Would thatYishma’el live before You.”Rav Eliyahu Svei זצ״ל, quoting Rav Mendel Kaplan זצ״ל, cites the Zohar: Avraham’swords gave Yishma’el spiritual power until the end of days. 3. The Brts Milah at age 13 The Zohar HaKadosh states: “Woe to the worldthat Yishma’el received Milah.” Yes — he has a covenant. But it is incomplete —only skin deep. Rabbi Frand explains: Our bris is on day eight— before ego, before identity, before pride.Theirs is chosen, not commanded. Because of this partial holiness: Yishma’el has temporary rights in Eretz Yisrael. But not eternal ones. We may say it this way: Yishma’el holds a visa.Yitzḥak holds the deed. The Gemara (Sanhedrin) describes a gentileacting with insane cruelty. Rav Ashi comments: “This is not hatred. This ismadness.” Rav Chaim Vital (Sha’ar HaPesukim) writes: “Theexile of Yishma’el is worse than all others because Yishma’el is called adam— a human — yet behaves like a wild animal.” He cites Tehillim 124:2: “Lulei Hashem… bekumaleinu adam.” “If not for Hashem… when a man rose against us.” Rav ChaimVital says: That “adam” is Yishma’el — the pereh adam. The other exiles — described in Daniel — areanimals: Lion — Babylonia Bear — Persia Leopard — Greece Terrifying beast — Rome/Edom But Yishma’el? A human with the instincts of a wild beast. Animals do not: Strap bombs to themselves. Use their own children as shields. Livestream murder. That is פֶּרֶא אָדָם. Rabbi Abittan זצ״ל told us: “When the wildanimal senses the end — that is when it becomes the most violent.” In the year 2000, something historic happened. Pope John Paul II visited Jerusalem. From theKotel plaza, in front of the world, he called the Jewish people: “Our olderbrothers.” Rabbi Abittan said: “That was the moment theexile of Edom began to end.” Soon after — during the High Holidays of 2000 —the Intifada exploded. The era of Yishma’el began. Not political.Not territorial. Biblical. Almost 2000 years ago, Midrash PirkeideRabbi Eliezer tells us: Avraham visits Yishma’el’s home.Yishma’el’s wife gives him water contaminated with worms — kindness used ascruelty. Avraham tells Yishma’el: “Change the thresholdof your house.” (Meaning: change your home — or change your destiny.) The Midrash concludes: “In the end of days, thechildren of Yishma’el will rule the land for a time, to provoke Israel toreturn to their Father in Heaven.” In other words: Their rise is designed to wakeus up. The Zohar (II:32a) adds: ...
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    12 m
  • Noah and The Lion - The Kindness That Saved the World

    Noah and The Lion - The Kindness That Saved the World
    Oct 24 2025

    A lion’s roar in the ark.

    A wound that never healed.

    And a truth that echoes at the Kotel today — More than we
    do for the poor, they do for us.

    This week’s class, “Noaḥ and the Lion,” explores the
    hidden power of kindness that sustains the world, through Midrash, Zohar, and
    timeless lessons for our own lives.

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    14 m
  • HaḤatufim veHaḤamas – The Captives and the Thieves

    HaḤatufim veHaḤamas – The Captives and the Thieves
    Oct 23 2025

    Reflections for Rosh Ḥodesh Ḥeshvan / Parashat Noaḥ

    Two words — ḥatufim and ḥamas — define our times.

    Join us for a powerful journey from Parashat Noaḥ to today’s headlines, revealing how the Torah foresaw the moral collapse of a world that takes instead of gives — and how we can rebuild it through compassion, truth, and giving back.

    Sources

    • Genesis 6:11; 21:1

    • Deuteronomy 25:13–19

    • Exodus 21:16

    • Targum Onkelos ad loc.

    • Bereshit Rabbah 12:8

    • Rashi to Deuteronomy 25:15

    • Rabbi Pinchas Winston, Parashat Noaḥ, 2025
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    10 m
  • HaBeriah HaSheniyah – The Second Creation: When the World Began to Breathe

    HaBeriah HaSheniyah – The Second Creation: When the World Began to Breathe
    Oct 23 2025

    Two creations: form—and then life. We revisit Bereshit and
    suggest, with classic sources, that Torah and tefillah keep the ḥuqqot of
    heaven and earth in motion. If you want a no-nonsense take on how your siddur
    sustains the world, this one’s for you

    Sources Cited

    1. Bereshit 1:1; 2:5–7; 2:3

    2. Rashi ad loc.

    3. Bereshit Rabbah 10:9, 12:8

    4. Tehillim 33:6, 9; 104:30; 115:16

    5. Yirmeyahu 33:25

    6. Devarim 8:3

    7. Zohar II 161a

    8. Nefesh Haḥayyim, Shaʿar Alef 2; Shaʿar Daled

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    12 m