Nitzotzos: Inspiration to Keep Your Spark Alive with Rav Mordechai Burg

In this shiur, delivered in Sharfmans, Rav Burg explains why although Yaakov has his name changed, he continues to be called Yisrael. Though we may find tranquility in our lives, struggle is an inherent part of the process and is always valued.

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explores the inner connection between the tragic story of Dinah in Shechem and how she extracted the soul of Rav Chanina Ben Tradyon. What are the lessons that are relevant to us? Even when we find ourselves thrown into the lowest places and suffering tremendously we have deep faith that something meaningful is happening behind the scenes.

In this shiur, delivered in Sharfmans, Rav Burg explains three dimensions of building a relationship with Hashem.

1. Avraham Avinu - Love - Digging Wells

2. Yitzchak Avinu - Fear - Maintaining the Structural Integrity of the Well

3. Yaakov Avinu - Truth - Unplugging the Well

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explained why:

1. Yaakov was attracted to Rachel.

2. Lavan wanted Yaakov to marry Leah first.

3. How Lavan intended to uproot the entire Jewish Nation.

We live within the dialectical tension of being ok and yearning for more. On the one hand we need to be ok with our state of Golus so that we can survive. On the other hand we cannot become complacent and stop yearning for Mashiach.

In this shiur, delivered at the Lubat home in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Rav Burg explains the inner meaning behind the Machlokes between Beis Shammai and Beis Hillel as to how we light the Menorah. Even though it appears at times that we are falling, in truth all movements are upwards. On Chanukah the truth of the darkness is revealed.

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explores the three names of Sarah Imeinu, how each one of the names relates to a different Mitzvah. miracle and a particular Avodah of relating to the reality of the world.

Important note from Rav Burg: "In the beginning of the shiur I asked a question about how the return of the miracles consoled Yitzchak but neglected to answer the question. I apologize. The answer is that because Sarah Imeinu was able to discover Godliness on all three levels (disavowal, refinement and sublimation) her impact on this world transcended her death. Until Rivka came onto the scene, her impact was not felt and this was what Yitzchak was grieving. He could not understand how his mothers Avodah was somehow discontinued. When Rivka married Yitzchak she took on the countenance of Sarah Imeinu and in a certain sense, she became her. The miracles were once again brought back into reality and this is how Yitzchak was consoled. Through Rivka he understood how his mothers impact continued to be a part of this world."