A verse by verse analysis of the Exodus on 4 audio cds with explanations drawn from the Rishonim, Gemarah, Medrash Rabbah, and Medrash TanchumahA verse by verse analysis of the Exodus on 4 audio tapes, with explanations drawn from the Rishonim, Gemarah, Medrash Rabbah, and Medrash TanchumahWith an eye towards understanding the greatness of the miracles of the Makkos brought onto the Mitzrim, this series details many of the actual events that happened during the Makkos, thereby helping us feel wh...
Mar 22, 2020•1 hr 25 min
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate
Mar 15, 2020•48 min
A verse by verse analysis of the Exodus on 4 audio cds with explanations drawn from the Rishonim, Gemarah, Medrash Rabbah, and Medrash TanchumahA verse by verse analysis of the Exodus on 4 audio tapes, with explanations drawn from the Rishonim, Gemarah, Medrash Rabbah, and Medrash TanchumahWith an eye towards understanding the greatness of the miracles of the Makkos brought onto the Mitzrim, this series details many of the actual events that happened during the Makkos, thereby helping us feel wh...
Mar 15, 2020•1 hr 18 min
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate
Mar 10, 2020•53 min
Parshas Ki Tisah: The Love of MoneyIn today’s society, we are relentlessly bombarded with two fallacies: One, that money equals happiness and two, that our sense of self should be defined by our net worth. The Torah rejects both of these ideas, and yet we see from this week’s parsha that attraction to money is something inherent in the briah. In this uncomfortably relevant Shmuz, Rabbi Shafier encourages us to take a long hard look at how we judge ourselves and others- are our attitudes towards ...
Mar 08, 2020•49 min
A verse by verse analysis of the Exodus on 4 audio cds with explanations drawn from the Rishonim, Gemarah, Medrash Rabbah, and Medrash TanchumahA verse by verse analysis of the Exodus on 4 audio tapes, with explanations drawn from the Rishonim, Gemarah, Medrash Rabbah, and Medrash TanchumahWith an eye towards understanding the greatness of the miracles of the Makkos brought onto the Mitzrim, this series details many of the actual events that happened during the Makkos, thereby helping us feel wh...
Mar 08, 2020•56 min
Parshas Tetzaveh: Learning to ForgiveWe hear plenty on the importance of doing teshuvah, on loving our fellow man and learning how to be mevater. All incredibly important concepts that are essential for a Torah Jew to work on and internalize. But how often do we hear about the importance of forgiving ourselves? We are capable of becoming greater than melachim, the absolute pinnacle of creation on which the entire world rests. And yet, we have faults, and so many failings! How can we possibly ach...
Mar 01, 2020•51 min
Megillas Esther Session Four: On Death and DinimIn the fourth session on Megillas Esther, Rabbi Shafier brings the conclusion of the Megillah dramatically to life. From Haman’s sudden demise to our own swift salvation, this class will explain the final perakim with additional insight and depth. Discover why Purim is considered to be greater than the kabbola at Har Sinai, how Haman’s unchecked arrogance inevitably led to his downfall and what forced Mordechai to leave the Sanhedrin. If you’re loo...
Mar 01, 2020•1 hr 20 min
Parshas Terumah: Hashem’s Role/ Man’s Role- Finding the BalanceIn this week’s parsha, why does Hashem explain to Moshe how to make Menorah when it’s created miraculously? This question underpins one of the fundamental concepts in Torah hashkafa: the delicate balance between bitachon and hishtadlus. Whether it’s health, shidduchim or parnassah, how much effort are we expected to invest, and when should we say that we’re leaving it entirely to G-d? In this clarifying shiur, Rabbi Shafier exposes s...
Feb 23, 2020•45 min
Before Esther went into Achashverosh, Mordechai commanded the Jewish nation to fast for three days. Rashi tells us that those three days included the first day of Pesach. That means that Mordechai abolished themitzvosof eatingmatzah, drinking the four cups, and eatingmarrorthat year. Since there were more than eleven months until the decree was to take place, what was the sudden need for action? What was the urgency?This Shmuz demonstrates the laser focus that challenging deadlines can give us a...
Feb 23, 2020•49 min
Megillas Esther Session Three: Esther’s Big Deal RequestEsther stands at the threshold of the throne room, prepared to forfeit her life in this world and the next. Instead, she is assisted by three melachim, achieves ruach hakodesh and is the catalyst for Klal Yisroel’s eventual salvation. Aside from the obvious message that Hashem can always flip things around in an instant, there are many other life lessons to be learnt. Firstly, Esther’s people skills are exemplary. Want to ask for a raise? J...
Feb 23, 2020•1 hr
Parshas Mishpatim-Torah: Rocket Fuel for the SoulThe Jewish contribution to mankind is astounding. In every industry, in every profession, the Jewish people consistently play a significant role, far surpassing our tiny population. It’s clear that we are the am segula, the messengers for revealed good in the world. Nevertheless, our gan eden isn’t dependent on whether we are chess champions or nuclear physicists. The Torah teaches us that our olam haba will be built upon how much we choose to con...
Feb 16, 2020•44 min
Megillas Esther Session Two: Mordechai Won’t WaitMordechai’s timings were extraordinary. He demanded that Esther risk her life and approach Achashverosh, even though Achasverosh was imminently due to summon her. He refused to delay a national taanis, and instead called for Klal Yisroel to fast from the first day of Pesach, forgoing the zechus and mitzvas aseh of achilas matzah. What was Mordechai’s cheshbon? And what does his reasoning teach us for our own lives? In the second class on Megillas ...
Feb 16, 2020•1 hr 20 min
The dor haflaga had an explicit mission to rebel against Hashem and were in many ways worse than the generation of Noach. Why didn’t Hashem destroy them? Rashi tells us it was because they acted towards one another with love and friendship. In fact, it was only when the languages were mixed up that the fighting began. In this shmuz on interpersonal relationships, Rabbi Shafier studies the ingredients of a macklokes and shares some essential tips on how to get along better with those around us. S...
Feb 16, 2020•1 hr 2 min
The Six Constant Mitzvos are the six keys that are vital to connecting with Hashem and understanding our role in this world. As the Mishnah Brurah explains, we are created to be ovdei Hashem, and our every thought and action should be a reflection of this awareness. You see if we really believed that Hashem is right here, observing everything we do, we would undoubtedly serve Hashem very differently. This Shmuz explains in clear language how to gain this level of mindfulness and encourages us to...
Feb 09, 2020•57 min
Megillas Esther Session One: What to do with a Problem Like Vashti?In the first class on Megillas Esther, Rabbi Shafier explains how the Megillah begins-the history, the context and the background of the story. Learn why Achashverosh was reluctant to kill his queen, the motivations behind Haman’s bizarre marriage advice and how incredible hashgacha pratis was evident from the very beginning. This perek-by-perek series will transform your experience of krias Megillah and give a new depth of knowl...
Feb 09, 2020•1 hr 7 min
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate
Feb 09, 2020•47 min
What’s the minimum level that’s required to get into Gan Eden? The Derech Hashem addressed this question three hundred years ago-and says something remarkable. Tune into this shmuz to get an understanding of the possible reasons for wealth, poverty, suffering and reward in this world. It will flip your world view upside down. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service ...
Feb 07, 2020•42 min
We see in the Torah that tefillah is powerful. Through tefillah,Sara Imeinu is given a child, a miracle comparable to techias hameisim. Yismael cries out to Hashem and is saved in the desert, despite his rishus. What gives davening it’s incredible potency? In the third class of the Tefillah Project, Rabbi Shafier describes how Hashem feels our pain like a father, and can change decrees simply because of His unending love for us. Can prayer have an effect when you’re just a regular person? Absolu...
Feb 05, 2020•58 min
The Mitzrim endured the makos, witnessed krias yam suf and were prevented from attacking B’nei Yisroel by the impenetrable cloud of glory. These events form the basis of our emunah system, and yet they didn’t seem to have such a profound effect on the people living in Egypt. Until the bitter end they denied Hashem’s existence and control over every facet of physicality.Unfortunately, we can also be guilty of living like a Mitzri. The gift of bechirah means we are capable of denying the nissim in...
Feb 02, 2020•52 min
If we really understood the holiness of a neshama, we’d be blown away. Yet our reality is that we don’t appreciate the incredible potential enclosed within each of us-we don’t even appreciate ourselves. It’s not supposed to be this way. We were meant to achieve great spiritual heights during our lifetime, so what holds us back? In this shockingly honest shmuz Rabbi Shafier discusses his own challenges with growth and gives us some insight as to how we can get focused on moving forward. See acast...
Jan 31, 2020•50 min
In the second part of the Tefillah Project, Rabbi Shafier outlines how Hashem is the ultimate energy source of everything, constantly maintaining physicality and keeping everything in existence. Despite the fact that Hashem is outside of our frame of reference, we are commanded to develop a feeling of yirah and ahavas Hashem. How do we achieve this? In this class, discover how to cut through the darkness and see Hashem. Learn how to relate to Hashem through his middos and develop an understandin...
Jan 27, 2020•1 hr 6 min
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate
Jan 26, 2020•40 min
In this powerful Shmuz, Rabbi Shafier discusses the spiritual forces that cause cognitive dissonance and shows us how we can have a chance at living a more authentic and truthful existence. If you want to have the clarity to move forward through this thing called life, you need to understand what motivates and drives you. This shmuz will change everything you ever thought about yourself. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by Jewi...
Jan 24, 2020•48 min
Don’t you wish life came with an instruction manual?It does…Using real life situations, powerful examples, and meaningful observations, it brings basic Torah wisdom to making sense of out why HASHEM made us, what we are doing here, and what we need to be truly happy.It deals with the fundamental issues facing a growing person in our hectic, confusing times.Topics like:· Why is life often so difficult?· Why is there so much suffering in the world?· What is the Torah’s approach to pleasure (This m...
Jan 22, 2020•31 min
If you do the math, we spend around two hours a day davening. In plain language, by the time someone’s reached twenty years old, that’s ten thousand hours they’ve invested in tefillah. What do we have to show for this dedication of our time? Are we davek with Hashem, baalei emunah? Unfortunately, most of us have difficulty connecting. Our senses deny Hashem, and we struggle to communicate with Something beyond our frame of reference or understanding. How do we bridge this gap? In this introducto...
Jan 20, 2020•49 min
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate
Jan 19, 2020•57 min
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate
Jan 16, 2020•1 hr 1 min
Don’t you wish life came with an instruction manual?It does…Using real life situations, powerful examples, and meaningful observations, it brings basic Torah wisdom to making sense of out why HASHEM made us, what we are doing here, and what we need to be truly happy.It deals with the fundamental issues facing a growing person in our hectic, confusing times.Topics like:· Why is life often so difficult?· Why is there so much suffering in the world?· What is the Torah’s approach to pleasure (This m...
Jan 15, 2020•32 min
Don’t you wish life came with an instruction manual?It does…Using real life situations, powerful examples, and meaningful observations, it brings basic Torah wisdom to making sense of out why HASHEM made us, what we are doing here, and what we need to be truly happy.It deals with the fundamental issues facing a growing person in our hectic, confusing times.Topics like:· Why is life often so difficult?· Why is there so much suffering in the world?· What is the Torah’s approach to pleasure (This m...
Jan 08, 2020•33 min
