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

Why did Hashem Himself perform Makkas Bechoros? 

In this maamar the Alter Rebbe explains the creation of the world, how Hashem interacts with this world, and the penimius of the miracle of Pesach. 

A Jew who lives on the plain of sovev kol olmin will be able to live in two dimensions at once.

This shiur is divided into two parts. The first part of the shiur is an analysis of the Brisker Ravs explanation of the Mitzvah of Heseiba and cheirus based on a machlokes between the Rambam, Tosafos and the Rosh. The second part of the shiur which begins at the 47 minute mark is based on a piece from מועדים בחסידות (written by Rav Yoel Kahn) and explains the miracle of Yetzias Mitzrayim and how we should express our experience of cheirus. 

To get from Egypt to Israel you do not need to cross the Yam Suf. The entire miracle of Krias Yam Suf seems unnecessary and yet we reference it everyday in davening during Az Yashir and after Krias Shema. In truth the tearing open of the sea reveals the spark of God that resides in EVERY Jew. 

What does love mean? 

Is love at first sight real or is it just lust? 

What does it mean to love God?

In this Pesach shiur, Rav Burg explains the machlokes between Moshe Rabbeinu and Pharaoh as to where we can discover our relationship with Hashem. 

 No matter where a Jew is, no matter the circumstances they are in, a Jew is always free because he has been Chosen by Hashem. 

God took us out of Mitzrayim and in doing so he chose us. But what does that mean? Are we better than the rest of the world? I don't feel better than anyone else? What difference does being Chosen make in our lives? All these answers and more in this illuminating shiur from Rav Burg on Yetzias Mitzrayim. 

Question: Can you please give some hashkafic insight on utilizing physical talents? (ie. Art, Music, dance, drama, athleticism, intellect etc...) If a person is gifted and doesn’t use it directly for avodas Hashem will they be held accountable? To what extent should a person focus on such talents and in what ways can they be used to strengthen their relationship with Hashem?

Question: How can I understand the notion of women supporting their families while the husband learns all day? Doesn't the Torah say that a husband is supposed to support his family? Where does this approach come from? What do you think is the reason for this shift in tradition?