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

In this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam, Rav Burg explains why when we fail to return someone's greeting we are robbing them of their dignity and sending them on a downwards spiral.

In this shiur, delivered in Aish HaTorah to the Chizuk Mission, Rav Burg explains the inner meaning of Matan Torah. At Matan Torah there was no echo because all of the world revealed itself to be an expression of the Dvar Hashem. Though the world reverted back to its previous state, it years to be its authentic self. Our mission is to reveal the true essence of everything in this world. Though the...

In this shmooze, delivered at the joint Mevaseret/Shaalvim Lag Ba’Omer event, Rav Burg explains how Rav Akiva was able to begin again even after he lost 24000 talmidim. Rav Shimon Bar Yochai reveals that even unimaginable suffering can be a gift when used correctly.

In this shiur, delivered in Sharfmans, Rav Burg explains the inner meaning of the Kohen Baal Mum. Sometimes we feel like a Kohen, chosen for a greater mission. Sometimes we feel like a Baal Mum, like we are damaged goods. A foreigner, unworthy of doing the Avodah in the Beis HaMikdash. The Kohen Baal Mum asks the question, Hashem why did you make me feel so distant from You?!? The answer to this q...

In this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam, Rav Burg explains the true definition of love. When Hashem created the world, He pulled Himself back to create space for us to exist. In our relationships, we have the opportunity to act like Hashem and pull ourselves back to create space for another. We are often afraid to do so because we lack a deep connection to our infinite Godly souls. When we play t...

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explains the inner meaning of Kavod. Kavod does not mean approval, recognition, appreciation or honor. On one level it means the substance of a person. The awareness of the Godliness that resides within each and every one of us. On a deeper level it means the immeasurable preciousness that the Ribono Shel Olam has for every single Jew.

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg examines many of the halachos of the Metzora and explains the inner nature of each one. When we take a snapshot of someone, defining them without context by their lowest moments, we fail to capture the full picture of who they are.

In this shmooze, delivered at Mevaseret Mishmar, Rav Burg explains the inner meaning of Sefiras HaOmer and the connection to Shabbos. Only when we find serenity can we dream and only when we can dream can we receive the Torah.

In this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam, Rav Burg explains the inner meaning of the Niddah cycle. The halacha of the mother who gives birth to a baby boy and gives her son a Bris represents the Torah of man. We are not meant to live in a state of Tahara but to achieve a state of Tahara. In this way we rectify the sin of Adam HaRishon.

In this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam, Rav Burg explores the inner nature of the Racham bird. In today's day and age it is popular to put things in "context" in order to find compassion for those who commit atrocities. Ultimately this leads to the development of a cruel society. Similarly, in relationships, while there is often value in being compassionate, we must learn to create healthy bound...

In this shmooze, delivered at Mevaseret Mishmar, Rav Burg explores three different Torah’s around the halachos of Kashrus in animals. The Kli Yakar explains that we must be careful about our surrounding influences. Rav Yisrael Salanter teaches that we can never write off another Jew. The Chida explains that we need to define people by their core positivity. And if this is true about how we relate...

In this shiur, delivered in Sharfmans, Rav Burg explains the inner nature of the sin of Nadav and Avihu. What does it mean that they were drunk? Why is Ahron HaKohen told to communicate the issur about being drunk in the Mishkan for all generations? There is a difference between religious and spiritual. Religion is about serving Hashem the way He wants to be served. Spirituality is about serving H...

In this shiur, Rav Burg explains (based on a Torah from the Shvilei Pinchas) the secret of the Bnei Ephraim leaving Mitzrayim 30 years too early. What was their thought process? What was their mistake? Why does Hashem say that He will avenge their blood if they made a mistake?

In this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam on Erev Pesach, Rav Burg explains the inner meaning of Ha Lachma Anya. Only through pure Chesed will Klal Yisrael ultimately be redeemed.

In this shiur Rav Burg explains the deeper meaning of the small Aleph at the beginning of Vayikra. When we humble ourselves and the world then we reveal the inner essence of Hashem that the material world is rooted in. Only when we harmonize the physical and the spiritual world are we fulfilling the mission for which we were created.

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explains why Hashem wanted Klal Yisrael to avoid the Pelishtim as they left Mitzrayim, why the first Mitzvah Klal Yisrael received was freeing slaves and why on the precipice of entering Eretz Yisrael, Moshe Rabbeinu reminds Klal Yisrael of the fears they experienced when they left Mitzrayim. To be a slave in Mitzrayim means to lose all sense of...

In this shiur, delivered in Sharfmans, Rav Burg uses several different aspects of the Mishkan to explore how we can build a relationship with Hashem.

In this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam, Rav Burg explains the deeper meaning of Yetzias Mitzrayim. More than just Hashem overpowering Pharaoh, Hashem took Klal Yisrael out from the womb of Mitzrayim and birthed us into a nation.

In this shiur, delivered at Mevaseret Mishmar "Unplugged" (last Mishmar of the Zman), Rav Burg shared a Vort from the Noviminsker Rebbe zt"l who explains why in the Mishkan they collected not only gold and silver but even copper. A Yeshiva is a place where even boys who don't obviously shine are a cherished part of the Yeshiva. Only when we value the copper Talmidim can we be considered a true Mis...

In this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam, Rav Burg explains the inner connection between Shabbos and the Mishkan. Our responsibility is to build a vessel and to relinquish control to Hashem that He will fill our vessel with Divine blessings. In this way we let go of the anxiety of taking responsibility for the outcome of Parnasa. At this level even our weekdays take on an element of Shabbos.

In this shiur, delivered in Aish Gesher for Women, Rav Burg explains the inner meaning of why Esther HaMalka insisted that Purim be established as a Yom Tov and Megillas Esther be included in Tanach. When we understand the secret of the Machtzis Hashekel being a coin of fire, that we have a mission for which we are created, that Hashem loves us eternally and that small actions make a big differenc...

In this shiur, delivered Motzai Shabbos in the Lubat home in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Rav Burg explains the inner meaning Ora, Simcha, Sasson and Yikar and addresses how we can celebrate Purim amidst all of the tragedy that we have faced and while our war is still ongoing.

In this shmooze, delivered at the pre-Purim / Hilula of Moshe Rabbeinu Mevaseret Mishmar, Rav Burg explains the significance of the fact that Haman rejoiced over the fact that the lottery fell out in Adar, the month when Moshe Rabbeinu passed away. Haman failed to realize that in Yiddishkeit death is just the beginning of new life.

In this shiur, delivered in Sharfmans, Rav Burg explains the inner meaning of the noise that the Kohen Gadol's clothing makes upon entering the Beis HaMikdash. There is a difference between guilt and shame. When we feel shame we feel unworthy of love and connection. When we feel guilt we are tapped into our true self which is essentially connected to Hashem. That bond can never be broken and Hashe...

In this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam, Rav Burg explains (based on a Sicha from the Lubavitcher Rebbe) the inner meaning of why Moshe Rabbeinu's name is missing in this week’s parsha. We all carry within our own souls a spark of Moshe Rabbeinu. When we define ourselves by our essential self we tap into that spark and transform our service of Hashem.