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

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 at Sharfmans, Rav Burg gives over an idea from Rav Lopiansky shlit"a that reveals the inner nature of Bracha (blessed) and Arur (cursed) . Why is it that Avraham tells Eliezer that he is Arur? How is it that Hashem sends a message to Eliezer through Lavan that he is blessed?!? One who lives an integrity life becomes a conduit for blessing in this world.

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 questio...

In this shiur, delivered at the Achdus Event with Tomer Devorah and Sharfmans, Rav Burg explores why Lots wife turns into salt and why we continue to make it a part of our Yiddishkeit today. The difference between drawing towards and drawing from is subtle but the implications are enormous in terms of the way that we treat other people.

This shmooze, sponsored by Smilesforthekids.com and delivered in Mevaseret, addresses the Kiruv methodology of Avraham Avinu. Why does Avraham Avinu seemingly coerce people into acknowledging Hashem? Is that helpful? Does it create meaningful and lasting change? In this shiur, based on a sicha from the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rav Burg speaks about how sometimes we have to face the hard truth in order t...

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explores the difference between the generation that built Migdal Bavel and Avraham Avinu. The juxtaposition of the two clearly indicates that the fundamental mission of the Jew is to be uniquely themselves. Only when we serve Hashem according to the unique nature of our soul can we say that we are truly serving Hashem. And when we do we are fasci...

In a tremendous display of Achdus in these difficult times, Mevaseret and Aish Gesher joined together for a morning seder. Rav Burg addressed both Yeshivas in an opening shmooze on the topic of Rav Chanina ben Tradyon's tragic death. As he is leaving this world, Rav Chanina ben Tradyon reveals the secret of Klal Yisrael's ultimate victory.

This shiur, delivered in Yeshivat HaKotel for the newly formed Acheinu program, explores the nature of the world pre-flood and post-flood. Pre-flood the world received its Godliness from Hashem whereas post-flood the world discovered its Godliness from within. This change was brought about through two mechanisms: 1. the flood 2. the Teiva. The flood of life destroys all of our toxic systems and th...

Noach would not leave the Teiva until the dove returned with an olive leaf in his mouth. But where would a dove get an olive leaf from? The Medrash provides us with two solutions: Gan Eden or Eretz Yisrael. What is the inner meaning of retrieving an olive leaf from these two places? In this shiur, Rav Burg explores how we can return to our lives after the flood of destruction. How do we know that...

This shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, explores the specific dimensions and design of the Teiva as a model for what a Jewish home ought to look like.

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explores the first several pesukim of Bereishis in an effort to understand these difficult times that we are living in.

In this shiur, delivered in the Lubat home in RBS Hey and on zoom, Rav Burg provides Divrei Chizzuk for the community. Focusing in on the spiritual nature of what it means to be a Jew, Rav Burg explores why Achdus is of such extreme importance. At the end of the shiur Rav Burg provides a step by step guide as to how to talk with our children about the war with Hamas.

This shiur, delivered at the Yeshivat HaKotel Hoshana Rabbah program, begins with three questions: 1. What's the inner nature of Hoshana Rabbah such that it has the capacity to override the psak of Yom Kippur? 2. Why does the war of Gog and Magog take place on Hoshana Rabbah? 3. What's the connection between Dovid HaMelech (the Ushpizin of the night) and Hoshana Rabbah? In this shiur Rav Burg expl...

In this shiur Rav Burg explores the inner essence of the Esrog. In this world there is both process and achievement. In the physical world we only value achievement but in the spiritual world he process is the goal. When we value the process we can achieve complete Simcha.

This shiur, delivered in Darchei Binah, explores the story of Rav Elazar ben Dudaya, a man who engaged in a completely hedonistic lifestyle but managed to do Teshuva and acquire his portion in the world to come in a moment. Only through taking personal responsibility for what we have done can we become the people we are destined to be.

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explains the difference between Dibur and Amira. Sometimes, when speaking to our lower self doesn't work, we need to speak with the higher self in a strong and direct manner in order to truly inspire.

In this Aseres Yemei Teshuva shiur, delivered at the Chanukas HaBayis of the Lubat family in RBS, Rav Burg explains how Teshuva allows for an expanded relationship which includes our previous misdeeds.

Delivered on Zoom to Tomer Devorah alumni, Rav Burg explores the Mitzvah of Tzedaka and it's essential connection to Teshuva. Tzedaka is not something we give only with our hands but also with our hearts. It is the truest expression of the Godly soul that we have inherited from Avraham Avinu. In tapping into our true essence we also discover the part of ourselves that is forever pure and the pathw...

In this shiur, the first shiur of the year in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explores two approaches as to how we can reconcile the seriousness and the joy of Rosh Hashanah. In the first approach the judgement is serious but the judge is our father. In the second approach we can share the seriousness of our judgement with the Judge Himself and it is a joy to have a place of belonging.

In this shiur, delivered to Aish Gesher for Women, Rav Burg explains how Teshuva allows us to build a new relationship with Hashem. From within our wrong doings we discover what we truly desire from our relationship with God.

In this short shiur, delivered to Mevaseret Alumni, Rav Bug explains why the Rabbeinu Yonah calls Teshuva a sanctuary. Teshuva is not just something we do but a place where we live. Only through Teshuva can we build a home for Hashem in this world.

In this shiur, delivered in Sharfman's, Rav Burg explains why we need to be told by Moshe Rabbeinu not to choose death. How many of us choose a path that leads to death because of poor solutions that create further problems?

In this shiur, the inaugural shiur Sharfmans, Rav Burg explores the inner meaning of the seven species and why we must deliver them in a basket to the Kohen.

The Alter Rebbe teaches us that the King comes out to the field to meet with us during Elul. What is the inner depth of this Mashal? Why does the King take this stroll? In this shiur, delivered at the first guest shiur in MMY, Rav Burg explains why Teshuva feels inorganic even though it is our most natural state of being.

In this week's Parsha shiur, delivered at the final NCSY Kollel Mishmar of the summer, Rav Burg analyzes the first pasuk in Parshas Reeh. The lessons explored include: 1. The fate of the many lies in the hands of the individual 2. The world will be a bracha or a klala depending on what we choose. 3. To be a human being means to be someone who exercises conscious free will. Choose your highest self...