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

In this shiur, delivered at the first ever Chizzuk Mission shiur in Los Angeles, Rav Burg discusses why the Torah was given first to women and then afterwards to the men. Only when our children are first given the space to discover who they are can they become something even greater. Even when we are acting in a masculine fashion and putting our imprint on our children, there must be a feminine qu...

In this shiur, delivered in the Valley in Los Angeles, Rav Burg discusses the inner nature of the Mitzvah of Yibum. Our responsibility in this world is to restore the name of Hashem which has been hidden since creation. When Avraham Avinu took on the responsibility of his brother's legacy in a completely selfless fashion he made himself into the person that Hashem could rely upon to restore Hi...

In this shiur, delivered to the Chizzuk Mission on zoom, Rav Burg explores the true nature of Torah and why the nations of the world were afraid to accept the Torah. With a fixed mindset and the fear of change they were unable to let go of who they were in order to become something more. When we engage Torah it allows us to transform into our truest self and allows our unique individual self to be...

In this shiur, delivered in Sharfmans, Rav Burg explains the paradox of accepting the Torah with both humility and pride. The Torah was given on the smallest mountain which indicates that we must accept the Torah with humility and yet the Torah was also given on a mountain which indicates that their must be an element of pride as well. Rav Burg explains how we are meant to live with this paradoxic...

On the second episode of “Conversations” in Yeshivat Mevaseret, Akiva Schanzer and Eli Schuckman sat down with Rav Burg to discuss healthy attachment within a home and the community at large. They discussed how to create an environment in the home where a child feels safe, believing that no matter the circumstance every kid deserves a shot, and many more topics. Go listen if you want to hear more...

In this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam, Rav Burg explains (based on a Sicha from the Lubavitcher Rebbe) the inner nature of a Heter Iska. As mere mortals we cannot create a relationship with Hashem. Hashem must initiate a relationship with us and then we can participate in said relationship. And yet, the relationship must be meaningful not only to us but also to Hashem in order for it to be a me...

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah (last shiur of the year), Rav Burg explains how Shemita and Yovel rectify the sin of Kayin and Hevel. As one journeys through the story of Kayin and Hevel to Lemech and his wives and four children and finally to Shes and his ultimate descendant Noach it becomes clear that the narrative is about the loss of Tzelem Elokim and the dangers of living in an anim...

In this shiur, delivered in Darchei Binah, Rav Burg explains how the nature of Torah is that it changes us. Only through Torah can we move from animal to Godly and therefore Torah must play a central role in our lives. The challenge of Torah is visualizing ourselves at Kabbalas HaTorah. It is difficult to believe that we are truly capable of change. Link for sources: www.sefaria.org/sheets/565776

In this shiur, the final shiur of the year in Sharfmans, Rav Burg explores (based on a sicha from the Lubavitcher Rebbe) why the Eved Canaani is able to eat from the Terumah of the Kohen as opposed to the Eved Ivri and how this Halacha relates to our lives. When we are in complete submission to Hashem we are allowed to eat from the fruits of this world and it informs the way we relate to the world...

On the first episode of “Conversations” in Yeshivat Mevaseret, Zev Bosin, Akiva Schanzer, Eli Schuckman sat down with Rav Burg to discuss a variety of topics. Some of the topics discussed on the podcast that stand out are the subjects of Hopefulness vs. Hopelessness, our reality is not THE truth but it’s OUR truth, along with some other fascinating conversations.

In this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam, Rav Burg explains (based on a shiur from Rav Moshe Weinberger shlit"a) the inner nature of a Kohen and how we, as a nation of Kohanim, are responsible for ensuring that every Jew is brought to the Chuppah where we can be in a relationship with Hashem. Source sheet: www.sefaria.org/sheets/564430

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explains (based on a Sicha from the Lubavitcher Rebbe zt"l) the three step process of moving from Pesach into Sefiras HaOmer and ultimately Shavuos. Each step in the process is another level of engagement with our animal soul. Initially we suppress or animal soul, then we sublimate it and on the highest level it becomes a vehicle for Godline...

In this shiur, delivered in Sharfmans, Rav Burg explains the inner meaning behind the Halacha of Orla. Adam HaRishon did not wait to eat from the Eitz HaDaas because he prioritized his own creativity over the needs of the relationship with Hashem. Only when we are patient, allowing things to grow of their own accord do we see that our creativity is actually in the service of another. Link to sourc...

In this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam, Rav Burg explains the inner nature of what it means to live a life of Kedusha and why ultimately, while we can reach great heights, we can never reach the level of Hashem Himself. Kedusha means transparency which can only be reached through humility and creating space for another. When we life lives of selfless giving to another then we make our world a pl...

In this exceptionally deep shiur delivered in Tomer Devorah Rav Burg explores the nature of sibling rivalry as it relates to Galus. From Yaakov and Eisav to Yosef and his brothers and ultimately to Rav Akiva's Talmidim, Galus is a product of the wounds we do not heal and the healing words left unsaid. Only through communication will we let go of resentment and choose love. Source sheet can be...

In this podcast interview with Rabbi Avi Proctor, Rav Burg explores the importance of vulnerability. Discover the value of creating a space where people feel at peace with themselves and others and are comfortable being who they are is crucial for their personal development ane fulfilling their purpose in the world.

In this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam (over Bein HaZmanim), Rav Burg explains the inner nature of the rechush gadol (great wealth) that Avraham Avinu was promised during the Bris Bein Habesarim. Why do we care about wealth? Why is it stressed over and over again in the story of Yetzias Mitzrayim? We are sent down into this world to collect the 288 sparks that fell down into this world from...

In this shiur, delivered in the Lubat home in Neve Shamir, Rav Burg explains why the Baal Haggadah counted each son with the number one (as Moshe Rabbeinu did). IFS sees a person as a self and parts. Only when we unblend self from parts can parts leave their exiles and become integrated (self led) with the self.

In this shiur, delivered in Sharfmans, Rav Burg explains (based on a piece from Rav Ahron Lopiansky shlit"a) why Ahron HaKohen was afraid to draw close to the Mizbeach and why Moshe told him to "stop" being afraid. It was specifically Ahron, who did not try and "control" Hashem but rather stepped back with humility, that made him the perfect person to invite Hashem to dwell in the Mishkan.

In this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam, Rav Burg explains the connection between Nadav and Avihu being intoxicated and bringing an Eish Zara, a strange fire. Only when we accept the present moment as it is, without seeking to diminish or enhance it to avoid our own discomfort, can we truly be connected to reality. For this reason Ahron chose stillness as a response to thd death of his sons and a...

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explains the inner connection between the inauguration of the Mishkan, the Cheit HaEigel and the selling of Yosef down to Mitzrayim. The fear of losing their relationship with their father caused the Shevatim to tell themselves to tell a story about Yosef that led to their own resentment. This resentment led to the jealousy that ultimately result...

In this shiur (plus questions and answers), Rav and Rebbetzin Burg explain the nature of dignity and how we can lead more dignified lives.

In this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam, Rav Burg explains the inner meaning of the Terumas Hadeshen and the Hotza’as Hadeshen. The Terumas Hadeshen reminds us that our parents and grandparents etc... built the community that we now inhabit. This obligates us to build our community for the next generation just as those who came befoe us did. The Hotza’as Hadeshen teaches us that each days Avodah...

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explains why although the Aish on the Mizbeach comes from Hashem, the Kohen had to light the fire in the morning. And athough the fire comes from Hashem, we are instructed to protect it when we travel. The nature of life is engaging with suffering but a Jew is thankful for the suffering they endure because that's how we discover Hashem. It will a...

In this shiur, delivered in Sharfmans, Rav Burg explains why: 1. We are not Yotzei when we read the Megillah backwards. 2. We are obligated to drink until we don't know the difference between Arur Hama and Baruch Mordechai. Who would read the Megillah backwards? Why would we want to get so drunk that we can't distinguish between a Tzaddik and a Rasha? Only when we let go of using knowledge...