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

The last plague, the slaying of the Egyptian first born children, is unique in that there is a heavy emphasis on the timing of the plague. What is the inner significance of the fact that Makkas Bechoros takes place at exactly midnight?

In this shiur, Rav Burg explains several essential concepts. What is a Jew? What is our Jewish mission? How do we really know who we are? 

Question: As humans, we judge others, sometimes intentionally but often times unintentionally. When I think someone is not a nice person/ doing something bad- whether they are or not, it shouldn’t be something I’m judging them for, and I feel ashamed at myself for judging. How can I go about rectifying this? What is the first step in conquering this bad inclination?

Based on Rav Wolbe's classic Alei Shur Rav Burg explores Shaar Shlishi - the chapter that deals with knowing yourself.

We often hear that not only are our actions important, but our intentions are just as important. How can we work on controlling our intentions?

Klal Yisrael was given a strange commandment before they left Mitzrayim. They were commanded to free an Eved Ivri after six years of service. Why are we given this commandment now? Is this critical knowledge while leaving Mitzrayim?

In this shiur, Rav Burg explores the topic of who is truly free and how do we achieve true freedom in our lives. Letting go of control is one of the most difficult battles we face but when we let go of controlling people, places and things we regain freedom in our own lives.

Why does God instruct Moshe to have Ahron throw his staff on the ground so that it can miraculously turn into a snake? Is this such an amazing miracle that Pharaoh will now let Klal Yisrael free? What is the significance of the fact that Ahrons staff swallowed the Egyptian snakes?

In this shiur, Rav Burg teaches us fundamental lessons in chinuch of our children and why every Jew is worthy of redemption.

Based on Rav Wolbe's classic Alei Shur Rav Burg explores Shaar Shlishi - the chapter that deals with knowing yourself.

Picture the scene. A young woman who is struggling with Judaism is sitting at your Pesach Seder. As you get to the four sons you realize that she is about to hear how we speak to a Rasha. Blunt his teeth, you read from the Haggada. Tell him that if he were in Mitzrayim he would not have been redeemed. You're uncomfortable as you read these words. How can we speak this way to another Jew? Won't that push them farther away from God? Is harsh mussar the message a Rasha needs to hear? As you glance over at this young woman you see the pained look on her face and next year you resolve not to have her at the Seder.

In this shiur, Rav Burg shares an insight from the Lubavitcher Rebbe zt"l on the inner meaning of this portion of the Haggada giving us a new perspective on worthiness and redemption.